Generic Structure for Contents of Thesis, Dissertation or Treatise

NAME OF THESIS, DISSERTATION OR TREATISE

Chapter 1: NAME OF FIRST CHAPTER (normally called INTRODUCTION)

1.1 Background
Introduce the field in which the study will be
conducted
(Give the wide scope)
1.2 Name of section (Introduce area of study)
Narrow down the wide scope and zoom into the area
of study
Towards the end of this section, the problem must
already become apparent
1.3 Name of section (Problem statement)
State the problem that must be solved by this research
project
1.4 Name of section (Statements of Objectives)
State primary objective of problem
State any secondary objectives in order to achieve
primary objective
1.5 Name of section (State Methodology to be followed)
Mention the appropriate methods to be used to move
from the Problem situation to the Solution
(objectives).
It can consist of a combination of any of the
following methods: Literature study; Models;
Arguments; Mathematical proofs; Surveys; Case
Studies and Experimentation.
1.6 Name of section (Conclusion & Layout)
Conclude this chapter
Give a brief indication of the layout of the rest of the
document – a roadmap

Chapter 2: NAME OF CHAPTER (a literature based chapter)

2.1 Introduction
Briefly describe what can be expected in this chapter
2.2 Name of section
Briefly describe what can be expected in this section
Contents of section
2.2.1 Name of sub-section (indent contents of sub-section)
Briefly describe what can be expected in this
sub-section
Contents of sub-section
Link to next sub-section
2.2.2 Name of sub-section (indent contents of sub-section)
Link to previous sub-section
Briefly describe what can be expected in this
sub-section
Contents of sub-section
 Link to next sub-section
…
2.2.n Name of sub-section (indent contents of sub-section)
Link to previous sub-section
Briefly describe what can be expected in this
sub-section
Contents of sub-section

Briefly summarize section and link to next section

(stop indentation)
…
2.n Conclusion
Summarize and conclude this chapter
Give brief indication of what will follow in next
chapter

Chapter 3: NAME OF CHAPTER (another possible literature based

chapter - if necessary)
3.1 Introduction
Link to previous chapter
Explain why this chapter is necessary
Briefly describe what can be expected in this chapter
3.2 Name of section
Briefly describe what can be expected in this section
Contents of section
Briefly summarize section and link to next section
…

3.n Conclusion
Summarize and conclude this chapter
Give brief indication of what will follow in next
chapter
Important to link properly to Solution part

Chapter 4: NAME OF CHAPTER (a solution based chapter)

4.1 Introduction
Link to previous chapter
Explain why this chapter is necessary
Briefly describe what can be expected in this chapter
4.2 Name of section
Briefly describe what can be expected in this section
Contents of section
Briefly summarize section and link to next section
…
4.n Conclusion
Conclude this chapter
Give brief indication of what will follow in next
chapter

Chapter 5: NAME OF CHAPTER (another possible solution based

chapter - only if required)
5.1 Introduction
Link to previous chapter
Explain why this chapter is necessary
Briefly describe what can be expected in this chapter
5.2 Name of section
Briefly describe what can be expected in this section
 Contents of section
Briefly summarize section and link to next section
…
5.n Conclusion
Conclude this chapter
Note that the before-last chapter does not require an
overview of what can be expected in the last chapter

Chapter n: NAME OF LAST CHAPTER (normally called CONCLUSION)

This chapter includes an overview of the entire
project (touching on each chapter)
Start with a short background and brief description
of study area, followed by the problem to be solved
and then only the proposed solution
It is always good to mention that at this point the
initial problem has indeed been solved, thus
objectives achieved
It might be good to point to some further research
that can be done in this field