View source for Preparing your Ph.D. dissertation using LaTeX

=Preparing Your Ph.D. Dissertation Using LaTeX=

==Introduction==

The Graduate Division now requires that Ph.D. dissertations be submitted
electronically as ''pdf'' files.  In the Math Department, the
recommended way of preparing a suitable pdf file is with LaTeX,
using the '''ucthesisnew''' document class.

Take careful note of the following:
* You should not use the '''ucthesis''' document class included in most TeX distributions.  It has not been updated for the current requirements.
* Refer to this page only if you are writing a doctoral dissertation.  For a master's thesis, go to the page [[Preparing your master's thesis using LaTeX]].

Graduate Division policies can be found on the web by going to the web page
http://grad.berkeley.edu/policies and following the link
"Dissertation Filing Guide".

In case the wiki is down, this page is also available at /~vojta/tex/ucthesis-phd.html .

==Preparing the LaTeX File==

To prepare the LaTeX file, copy the files from the sample thesis located at
/~vojta/thesis/ , and adapt them to your situation.

The document class '''ucthesisnew''' is already installed on our computer
network.  However, if you are using a thin client, then you will need
to type the following command, just once, in each terminal window in which
you plan to use TeX:
 set path = (/local/depot/texlive-2007/bin $path)

If you have already started your thesis using the '''ucthesisnew'''
document class, the only changes you need to know about for Spring 2010 are:
* You are required to use 12-point type (or larger) for your main font.  Therefore, do not use the '''10pt''' or '''11pt''' class options for the final version of your thesis.
* Be sure that you have the current version of '''ucthesisnew''' (dated 2010/04/27 or later).  Earlier versions did not ensure that the paper size of the pdf file was correctly set to 8.5 x 11 inches (many TeX systems are incorrectly set up to use A4 paper size by default).

If you have been using the old '''ucthesis''' document class, then you should
update your thesis to use '''ucthesisnew''' instead, as follows:
* Use '''\documentclass{ucthesisnew}''' instead of '''\documentclass{ucthesis}'''
* Do not use the '''\abstractsignature''' macro in your abstract
* The '''\prevdegrees''' macro will be ignored

===Diagrams===

Keep in mind that when TeX produces ''pdf'' output, it handles graphics
differently than it does when producing ''dvi'' output.  Generally,
for ''pdf'' output, graphics need to be provided in ''pdf''
format.  An exception is that MetaPost output can be handled directly.

Therefore, if you normally use '''latex''' for producing drafts, sometime
well in advance of the deadline you should make sure that you have no
problems running '''pdflatex''' instead.

==Downloading the Macros to Your Computer==

The '''ucthesisnew''' package consists of the files '''ucthesisnew.cls''',
'''uctn10.clo''', '''uctn11.clo''', and '''uctn12.clo'''.  These files
can be found in the directory indicated below:

{|border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"
 | Linux machines:
 | '''/local/depot/4/texlive-2007/tex/latex/local'''
 |-
 | Solaris machines:
 | '''/local/sol/9/depot/texlive-2007/tex/latex/local'''
 |}

To install them as a document class on your home computer, download them
and either put them in the same directory as your thesis files,
or follow the instructions for your TeX installation on installing new
LaTeX document classes.

==Steps for Final Submission==

First, print the approval page.  To do this, add a macro '''\approvalpage'''
just after '''\maketitle''' in your LaTeX file, and run TeX as usual.  You can
then print just that page from '''xdvi''', '''evince''', or
Adobe Reader ('''acroread''') by going to that page and selecting the
appropriate option on the "print" popup.

To create the final ''pdf'' version, do the following:
* Make sure that you are not invoking the '''\approvalpage''' macro.
* Make sure that you are not using the '''twoside''' option (page numbers are not allowed in the upper left-hand corner of a page).
* Instead of typing '''latex''' to create a ''dvi'' file, type '''pdflatex''' (or '''xelatex''') instead.  If you have just run '''latex''' several times to create a ''dvi'' file, then you need to type '''pdflatex''' only once; otherwise you should run '''pdflatex''' and '''bibtex''' in the same sequence as you would run '''latex''' and '''bibtex''', respectively, when creating a ''dvi'' file.
* Check the thesis by running '''acroread''' or '''evince''' to view the resulting ''pdf'' file.
* For actual submission, see the instructions provided by the Graduate Division:  go to the web page http://grad.berkeley.edu/policies and follow the link "Dissertation Filing Guide".

You will also need to file the Dissertation Release Form; that form is
not covered by this web page.

If you have any LaTeX-related questions about this process, email Paul Vojta at
[mailto:vojta@math.berkeley.edu vojta@math.berkeley.edu].