Creating a Thesis with LaTeX

1
Creating a Thesis with LaTeX isuthesis

• Joe Struss, Creative Services (ITS)
• jastruss_at_iastate.edu
• http//css.ait.iastate.edu/Tex/

2
What is isuthesis ?

• Isuthesis - latex package created here at Iowa
  State
• Originally called isuthes- was created in the
  late 80s in conjunction with the thesis office
  to meet thesis requirements at ISU
• Update to isuthesis in early 90s and re-updated
  in 1996 to a modern thesis style
• Based in LaTeX / TeX so can easily created
  printed output (.ps) or a .pdf style thesis

3
Where to get isuthesis?

• Current version can be found at
• http//css.ait.iastate.edu/Tex/
• Series of .sty files which you download and place
  in a single folder
• Normally needs to be put into the
  C\texmf\tex\latex folder in a standard TeX
  installation

4
Isuthesis Template Files

• Isuthesis Template files can also be found at
• http//css.ait.iastate.edu/Tex/
• Templates files are a mock-up thesis just to get
  you started
• Uses a Master File approach to a document

5
Whats a Master File?

• A Master File Document is normally a bigger
  document which consists of more than one file.
• The Master File itself brings all the pieces of
  the document together into its file.
• Normally done so one can comfortably edit a
  single chapter or segment at a time.

6
Isuthesis Template Master File

• The isuthesis template master file is named
  thesis.tex
• Major segments chapter1, chapter2, chapter3
• Always want to latex or pdflatex the thesis.tex
  file.

7
Handouts

• Writing a Thesis with LaTeX
• Small handout - step by step instructions
• The isuthesis package
• Big handout - complete isuthesis package
  information
• Available from
• http//css.ait.iastate.edu/Tex/

8
TeX / LaTeX Front Ends

• Windows Front Ends
• TeXnic Center (ProTeXt), WinShell, TeXmaker
• Macintosh Front Ends
• TeXShop, iTeXMac

9
Lets Get Started

• Create a folder on your desktop named Thesis.
• Download to your Thesis folder the isuthesis
  template files from http//css.ait.iastate.edu/Te
  x/
• Alter the template files to create your own
  thesis