PhD thesis structure

A PhD thesis is either a completely original document or a compilation of papers written by the PhD candidate.

Which framework to choose as well is the responsibility of the PhD candidate and the supervisor(s). For both of them, there are also no clear instructions on how the main text is structured, both in original text and paper compilation versions.

Overall structure

a. Cover;

b. Cover sheet;

c. Dedication and/or acknowledgements (optional and in any language(s));

d. Abstract and keywords;

e. Reference to any “Comunicação de Invenção” (Communication of Invention) that has been submitted in the PhD thesis context;

f. Index;

g. List of tables, figures, etc. (if applicable);

h. List of abbreviations, acronyms and symbols (if applicable);

i. Main text;

j. References;

k. Attachments, if they exist.