Caltech Thesis Formatting Guide

Caltech Thesis Formatting Standards

The California Institute of Technology maintains rigorous formatting standards for all graduate theses and dissertations. These guidelines apply across all divisions and ensure that every thesis submitted meets Caltech’s high standards for academic excellence and professional presentation. Adhering to these formatting requirements is essential for thesis approval and final submission to the Graduate Office.

Caltech’s Graduate Office provides comprehensive formatting specifications that all graduate candidates must follow. Understanding these requirements at the beginning of your thesis work will help you maintain proper formatting consistently throughout your research and writing phases.

Margin and Page Layout Standards

All pages of your Caltech thesis must have 1-inch margins on all four sides—left, right, top, and bottom. These margins must be maintained consistently throughout your entire document, including all front matter, body chapters, appendices, and bibliography sections.

If your thesis will be bound, you may request permission to increase the left margin to 1.5 inches to accommodate the binding process. This adjustment requires approval from your division or department. Ensure that all text remains within the specified margins and that headers, footers, and page numbers fit within the margin boundaries.

Maintain consistent page layout throughout your document. Use page breaks strategically to begin new chapters and major sections. Your document should appear unified and professional in presentation.

Font and Typography Requirements

Your thesis body text must be in 12-point font using a standard serif typeface. Times New Roman is the most commonly used font at Caltech, though Georgia, Garamond, and similar serif fonts are also acceptable. The text color must be black throughout, ensuring clarity and professional appearance.

Chapter titles and major section headings can use larger fonts—typically 14, 16, or 18 points—to create visual distinction from body text. Ensure consistent formatting for all headings of the same level. If your first chapter title is bold and centered, all chapter titles should follow the same formatting style.

Italics and bold formatting can be used for emphasis or to distinguish specific elements such as foreign terms, publication titles, or key concepts. However, avoid excessive use of special formatting that might reduce readability or create visual distraction.

Line Spacing and Paragraph Formatting

Double-spacing is required for all body text in your Caltech thesis, including all chapters, introductions, conclusions, and most textual content. This requirement ensures readability and provides space for annotations or corrections.

Block quotations (typically longer than three or four lines of prose) should be indented 0.5 inches from the left margin and may be single-spaced. All quotations must be properly introduced, set apart from regular text, and followed by complete citations.

Paragraph indentation should be consistent throughout your document. A standard 0.5-inch indent for the first line of each paragraph is typical. Maintain consistent spacing between paragraphs, avoiding excessive gaps that could disrupt document flow.

Title Page and Preliminary Matter

Your thesis must begin with a properly formatted title page. The title should be centered and in title case or all capitals according to your division’s preference. Include your name, degree sought, division or department, and date of submission, all centered on the page.

Following the title page, include an abstract of approximately 150 words or less that summarizes your research and its significance. The abstract should be double-spaced and should clearly communicate the scope and contribution of your work.

Your table of contents should list all chapters, major sections, and their corresponding page numbers. If your thesis includes figures or tables, provide a separate list of figures and list of tables following the table of contents.

Citation and Bibliography Formatting

Caltech does not mandate a specific citation style. Most science and engineering divisions use APA format, while some humanities programs may prefer Chicago or MLA. Determine the appropriate citation style for your field and maintain consistency throughout.

All citations must include complete publication information. Your bibliography or reference list should appear at the end of your thesis and should include all sources cited in your work. Every citation in the text should correspond to a bibliography entry.

Footnotes or endnotes should be numbered consecutively throughout your document or by chapter. All notes should be properly formatted and include complete citation information according to your chosen citation style.

Chapter Organization and Heading Structure

Organize your thesis into clearly labeled chapters with consistent formatting throughout. Use a hierarchical heading structure where chapter titles are the largest and most prominent, followed by section headings and subsection headings in progressively smaller fonts.

Each chapter should begin on a new page with a clearly formatted chapter title. Number your chapters consecutively (Chapter 1, Chapter 2, etc.) unless your division specifies a different numbering system.

Within each chapter, organize content into logical sections with descriptive headings. This internal structure helps readers understand your argument and navigate your thesis effectively.

Page Numbering and Pagination

Page numbers must appear on every page of your thesis except the title page. The standard placement is in the bottom right corner or bottom center of the page. Ensure consistent placement throughout your document.

Front matter pages—including abstract, table of contents, and lists of figures or tables—use lowercase Roman numerals (i, ii, iii, iv). The first page of your introduction or first chapter begins with Arabic numeral 1 and continues sequentially through your appendices and bibliography.

Verify the specific pagination preferences for your division, as some programs may have slight variations in their page numbering requirements.

Tables, Figures, and Appendices

All tables and figures must be numbered consecutively throughout your thesis. Each table should have a descriptive caption placed above the table, and each figure should have a caption placed below the figure. Captions should clearly describe the content.

All tables and figures should be referenced in the text before they appear in your document. Ensure that visual elements are properly integrated into your narrative and serve to support your arguments and findings.

Appendices should follow your bibliography and be clearly labeled (Appendix A, Appendix B, etc.). Each appendix should begin on a new page and should be listed in your table of contents with corresponding page numbers.

Using GenText for Thesis Formatting Support

GenText simplifies Caltech thesis formatting by automatically applying the institute’s specific requirements to your entire document. The platform manages margins, spacing, fonts, and page numbering while you focus on writing quality research.

With GenText, you can generate your table of contents automatically, maintain consistent heading styles throughout your thesis, and ensure proper page numbering. The platform also helps create properly formatted citations and bibliographies according to your chosen citation style.

GenText eliminates the stress of manual formatting, allowing you to concentrate on research excellence.

Pre-Submission Formatting Checklist

Before submitting your thesis to Caltech’s Graduate Office, verify:

• All margins are exactly 1 inch on all sides
• Body text is double-spaced in 12-point serif font
• Page numbers are consistently placed and sequential
• Title page and preliminary pages are properly formatted
• All chapters begin on new pages with consistent heading styles
• Citations are complete, accurate, and consistently formatted
• Bibliography includes all sources cited in the thesis
• Tables and figures are numbered, captioned, and properly integrated
• Appendices (if included) are properly labeled and organized

Conclusion

Caltech’s thesis formatting standards ensure all submitted work meets the institute’s rigorous academic standards. By understanding these guidelines and utilizing formatting tools like GenText, you can confidently submit a professionally formatted thesis that showcases your research quality. Always consult your division for any program-specific variations or additional requirements.