LaTeX is an open-source (free) software system for typesetting documents which extends TeX, a typesetting system invented by D. E. Knuth. It produces beautiful mathematics and has good tools for managing bibliographies. However, it does not have WYSIWYG user interface.
Templates for dissertations, theses, project reports, term papers, technical reports, and IEEE Computer Society conference papers are available for free download. See the sections below for details. You may download the documents listed below (Postscript or Adobe Acrobat formats) that explain some additional details.
Files for each template are available for free download in a *.zip archive file or as individual files. See below. Some files are used for multiple kinds of documents.
Please send bug reports to Dr. Edward Allen via email at edward.allen@computer.org
Contents
examplethesis.ps (or examplethesis.pdf) explains how to typeset a dissertation or thesis using LaTeX that conforms to Mississippi State University standards and the style requirements of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering. This example thesis is useful as a template. The Department of Computer Science and Engineering requires that M.S. Project Reports conform to the same format and style requirements as a thesis.
To use as a template, download all of the relevant files into your directory and proceed to use it as described in the document.
Download all files in a *.zip archive (msuexamplethesis.zip)
or
Download individual files.
msuthesis.cls (updated 5/17/07)
msucs.bst
ieeecsexamples.bib
empty.bib
lion.eps
temporary.eps
exabstract.tex
exack.tex
examplethesis.tex (updated 5/17/07)
exappendix.tex
exchapconclusions.tex
exchapintroduction.tex (updated 5/17/07)
exchapjournals.tex
exchaplatex.tex (updated 5/17/07)
exchapstart.tex
exchapsuggestions.tex
exfaq.tex (updated 5/17/07)
exlos.tex
prices.tex
prices1.tex
pricesfirst.tex (updated 2/1/2005)
pricesnext.tex (updated 2/1/2005)
exampleprojectcontract.ps (or exampleprojectcontract.pdf) explains how to typeset an M.S. Project Contract using LaTeX that conforms to the standards of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at Mississippi State University. This example contract is useful as a template.
To use as a template, download all of the relevant files into your directory and proceed to use it as described in the document.
Download all files in a *.zip archive (exampleprojectcontract.zip)
or
Download individual files.
msuthesis.cls (updated 5/17/07)
msutermpaper.cls (updated 5/17/07)
msucs.bst
ieeecsexamples.bib
empty.bib
exampleprojectcontract.tex (updated 5/17/07)
A term paper differs from a thesis, because it does not use chapters. exampletermpaper.ps (or exampletermpaper.pdf) explains how to typeset a term paper using LaTeX that has similar style to a thesis. It is also suitable for abstracts, lab reports, etc. Similarly, you may use this document as a template.
To use as a template, download all of the relevant files into your directory and proceed to use it as described in the document.
Download all files in a *.zip archive (exampletermpaper.zip)
or
Download individual files.
msuthesis.cls (updated 5/17/07)
msutermpaper.cls (updated 5/17/07)
msucs.bst
ieeecsexamples.bib
empty.bib
exampletermpaper.tex
extpabstract.tex
extpack.tex
extpsections.tex
extpappendix.tex
A template is available for term papers that include Z ("zed") specifications. "Zed" is a formal specification language that uses extensive mathematical notation. zedtermpaper.ps (or zedtermpaper.pdf) explains how to produce Z notation. The template provides for a wide range of special mathematical symbols, and thus, is not limited to Z notation.
To use as a template, download all of the relevant files into your directory and proceed to use it as described in the document and in exampletermpaper.ps and examplethesis.ps.
Download all files in a *.zip archive (examplezedtermpaper.zip)
or
Download individual files.
oz2e.sty
msuthesis.cls (updated 5/17/07)
msutermpaper.cls (updated 5/17/07)
msucs.bst
ieeecsexamples.bib
empty.bib
zedtermpaper.tex
zedabstract.tex
zedack.tex
ozsections.tex
zedappendix.tex
The template below enable one to write a technical report, typeset it with LaTeX, and then to typeset easily a camera-ready conference paper for an IEEE conference proceeding as explained below.
examplereport.ps (or examplereport.pdf) explains how to typeset a technical report using LaTeX in a style similar to University and departmental style requirements for theses and dissertations. A technical report differs from a thesis, because it does not use chapters and the first page has a different format.
To use as a template, download all of the relevant files into your directory and proceed to use it as described in the document.
Download all files in a *.zip archive (examplereport.zip)
or
Download individual files.
msureport.cls
msuthesis.cls (updated 5/17/07)
msutermpaper.cls (updated 5/17/07)
msucs.bst
ieeecsexamples.bib
empty.bib
examplereport.tex (updated 5/17/07)
frontmatter.tex (updated 5/17/07)
abstract.tex
sections.tex
ack.tex
appendix.tex
A template is available for technical reports that include Z ("zed") specifications. "Zed" is a formal specification language that uses extensive mathematical notation. zedreport.ps (or zedreport.pdf) explains how to produce Z notation. The template provides for a wide range of special mathematical symbols, and thus, is not limited to Z notation.
To use as a template, download all of the relevant files into your directory and proceed to use it as described in the document and in examplereport.ps and examplethesis.ps.
Download all files in a *.zip archive (examplezedreport.zip)
or
Download individual files.
oz2e.sty
msuthesis.cls (updated 5/17/07)
msureport.cls (updated 5/17/07)
msutermpaper.cls (updated 5/17/07)
msucs.bst
ieeecsexamples.bib
empty.bib
zedreport.tex
frontmatter.tex (updated 5/17/07)
zedabstract.tex
zedack.tex
ozsections.tex
zedappendix.tex
Having written a technical report (see above), the conference paper template enables one to typeset easily a camera-ready conference paper for an IEEE Computer Society conference proceeding. This template is based on latex8.sty,v 1.2 1995/09/15 by Paolo.Ienne. It produces a paper on letter size paper in two columns with 10 point type. exampleconf.ps (or exampleconf.pdf) is the same content as examplereport.ps, but formatted to conform to requirements for IEEE conference proceedings (8.5x11 inches, double-column). Typically, the content of a technical report will need minor editing to fit the narrow columns of a conference paper, and to conform to miscellaneous style requirements of conference proceedings.
To use as a template, download all of the relevant files into your directory and proceed to use it as described in the document.
Download all files in a *.zip archive (exampleconf.zip)
or
Download individual files.
msuconf.cls
msucs.bst
ieeecsexamples.bib
empty.bib
exampleconf.tex (updated 5/17/07)
frontmatter.tex (updated 5/17/07)
abstract.tex
sections.tex
ack.tex
appendix.tex
LaTeX is installed on the Unix system of the Dept. of Computer Science and Engineering at Mississippi State University.
The following files are already installed for LaTeX on the department's Unix system. You do not need to copy them if that is the only LaTeX system you will use.
msuthesis.cls (updated 5/17/07)
msutermpaper.cls (updated 5/17/07)
msureport.cls
msuconf.cls
oz2e.sty
msucs.bst
MiKTEX (pronounced mick-tech) is an up-to-date implementation of TEX and related programs for Windows (all current variants) on x86 systems. (http://www.miktex.org/) Installation may require 100MB of disk space. The user interface is command-line only; it does not have a Windows-style user interface.
You can download any LaTeX-related software for free from the Comprehensive
TeX Archive Network (CTAN) (http://www.tug.org/ctan.html) A smoothly
functioning LaTeX system is composed of many components by many authors,
so there is a lot to learn.
Edward B. Allen 23 Apr 2008
Updates:
24 Feb 2003 added \Tablewithfigure, \Tabledblwithfigure,
\rotatedtablewithfigure
15 Dec 2003 added \Tablecontinued, Appendix title page, FAQ chapter, minor updates
1 Feb 2005 added pricesfirst.tex and pricesnext.tex to match exchaplatex.tex
1 Feb 2005 added pricesfirst.tex and pricesnext.tex to match exchaplatex.tex
29 Jun 2005 added exfaq.tex to index.html
11 Oct 2005 modified msuthesis.cls for different caption style
1 Nov 2005 doublespace between caption number and text
3 Nov 2005 doublespace between section title and first paragraph (not more)
10 Mar 2006 italics subsubsection titles, added limitations, rewording, etc.
17 May 2007 Major revision to make thesis conform to new MSU standards
23 Apr 2008 Minor revisions to make thesis conform to library reviews