Technical University of Berlin Thesis Formatting Guide

Technical University of Berlin Thesis Formatting Standards

The Technical University of Berlin maintains rigorous formatting guidelines for master’s theses and doctoral dissertations across all engineering and technical disciplines. These comprehensive standards ensure professional presentation and consistency while accommodating both German and English-language research.

Fundamental Formatting Requirements

Font and Typography Standards

TU Berlin requires clear, professional fonts suitable for technical and academic documents. Times New Roman or Arial at 12pt are standard choices for body text. Maintain consistent font selection throughout your entire thesis.

For technical documents containing mathematical equations or specialized symbols, ensure your font clearly displays these elements. Headings may be formatted in bold or larger sizes for visual distinction but should use the same font family as body text.

Margin Specifications

Standard margins are 2.5cm on all sides: top, bottom, left, and right. If your thesis will be bound, increase the left margin to 3cm to accommodate binding while keeping other margins at 2.5cm.

These precise specifications ensure proper archiving in the university library system and allow for both digital and print formats.

Line Spacing Requirements

Double-spacing is required for the main body of your thesis. This applies to all chapter text and most supplementary content. Footnotes, endnotes, equations, and appendices may be single-spaced, though consistency is appreciated.

Title Page and Front Matter Structure

Your title page should include:

• Thesis title (centered, bold, in title case)
• Your full name
• Department and faculty designation
• Degree sought (Diplom, Master, Doctor, etc.)
• Advisor and co-advisor names
• Date of submission

The front matter should follow this order:

• Title page
• Abstract in German (if thesis is in English)
• Abstract in English (if thesis is in German)
• Declaration of originality
• Acknowledgments (optional)
• Table of contents
• List of figures (if applicable)
• List of tables (if applicable)

Chapter Organization and Heading Hierarchy

Structure chapters clearly with descriptive titles. Number chapters using “1,” “2,” and so on, with chapter titles following. Main chapter headings should be formatted distinctly, typically in bold.

Maintain a clear hierarchical structure for subheadings. This helps readers follow your technical argument and improves document navigation. Use consistent formatting for each heading level throughout your thesis.

Citation Methodology

TU Berlin typically recommends:

• IEEE style for engineering and technical fields
• Harvard style for other disciplines
• Chicago style for humanities research

Confirm the required citation style with your department or advisor. Whichever style you adopt, apply it consistently throughout your entire thesis. Your bibliography or reference list should appear at the end and include complete publication information for all sources cited.

GenText’s citation management tools support all major citation styles, automatically formatting your references and updating them as your thesis develops.

Mathematical Equations and Technical Content

Number equations consecutively throughout your thesis using Arabic numerals in parentheses on the right margin: (1), (2), and so on. Each equation should be set apart from text on separate lines for clarity.

Create a comprehensive list of symbols and abbreviations if your thesis contains numerous mathematical or technical terms. This helps readers understand your notation and technical language.

Quotations and Block Quotes

Short quotations should be incorporated into paragraph text with quotation marks and citations. Longer quotations (typically more than three lines) should be formatted as indented block quotes, set 1cm from the left margin and single-spaced, without quotation marks.

Provide source citations immediately following all quotations. For technical or research quotations, ensure the source is clearly attributed.

Tables and Figures

All tables and figures must be numbered consecutively and include descriptive titles or captions. Tables should be numbered “Table 1,” “Table 2,” and so on, with titles above. Figures should be numbered “Figure 1,” “Figure 2,” and so on, with captions below.

Reference all tables and figures in your text before they appear, explaining their significance and how they support your research. Include source attributions for tables or figures derived from published sources.

Page Numbering System

Number all pages consecutively using Arabic numerals. Page numbers should appear in the bottom right corner or bottom center of each page. The title page is typically not numbered.

Appendices and Supplementary Material

Appendices should contain material supporting your research that would disrupt the flow if included in chapters. This might include raw experimental data, detailed calculations, code listings, or extended tables.

Label appendices as “Appendix A,” “Appendix B,” and so on. Each appendix should have a descriptive title and appear on a separate page. Include all appendices in your table of contents.

Language Considerations

If your thesis is in English but you are a German speaker, provide an abstract in German as well as English. This ensures your research is accessible to German-speaking members of your department and the university community.

Digital and Print Submission

TU Berlin requires digital submission in PDF format. Ensure your PDF preserves all formatting, fonts, and images correctly. Test your PDF on multiple devices and PDF readers to verify proper display.

Print copies may also be required for archival purposes. Confirm current submission procedures with your graduate office. Bound copies should meet TU Berlin specifications for binding materials and quality.

Using GenText for TU Berlin Theses

GenText simplifies thesis preparation by automating formatting tasks. The tool ensures consistent margins, line spacing, heading hierarchy, and page numbering throughout your document.

Citation management features support IEEE, Harvard, and Chicago styles, automatically formatting references according to your chosen system. GenText’s organizational tools help structure technical chapters logically and maintain proper equation numbering and cross-references.

Common Formatting Issues

• Inconsistent font sizes or styles, particularly in equations
• Incorrect margins or insufficient binding space
• Improper spacing in block quotations
• Inconsistent citation formatting
• Missing or poorly formatted tables and figures
• Incorrect equation numbering or symbol definitions
• Front matter elements out of proper order

Pre-Submission Verification

Before submitting your thesis, check:

• All margins meet specifications (2.5cm standard or 3cm left for binding)
• Font is consistently 12pt and professional
• Line spacing is double throughout main text
• Page numbers appear correctly on all pages
• Abstracts appear in both languages if applicable
• All equations are numbered and symbols defined
• All tables and figures are numbered and captioned
• Citations follow your chosen style consistently
• Front matter is in correct order
• Your PDF displays properly on multiple devices
• Print copies meet TU Berlin binding specifications

Adhering to Technical University of Berlin’s comprehensive formatting standards ensures your thesis meets institutional requirements and is properly archived within the university system.