Instructions for preparing a thesis • FMF

Instructions and Template for Writing a Master’s Thesis in English

Cover and Spine of the Master’s Thesis

(The template does not include the title, only the text "MASTER’S THESIS."). Example.

Mentors for master’s theses in second-cycle study programs at the Department of Physics, Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, University of Ljubljana (UL FMF) can be all habilitated teachers employed at the Department of Physics, UL FMF. Additionally, with prior approval from the Department of Physics Study Affairs Committee (ZPS), a student may choose a mentor from another department, faculty, university, or institute, provided that the mentor holds an academic title at UL FMF in the fields of physics, astronomy, astrophysics, nuclear engineering, or meteorology.

In all other cases (e.g., for interdisciplinary theses where the co-mentor does not hold an appropriate title), the student must select a mentor from the Department of Physics, UL FMF.

The candidate must submit a request for thesis topic approval, signed by the chosen mentor, at the beginning of their master’s research work. The request must include the Slovenian and English title, a brief description, and signatures of both the candidate and the mentor. The Study Affairs Committee will review the application and grant approval for the start of the master’s research work.

The master’s thesis is generally written in Slovenian. In exceptional cases, students may request to write in English if part of their research is conducted abroad and the co-mentor is a foreigner. The Study Affairs Committee must approve this request. In such cases, you must provide an extended summary in Slovenian.

Submit your topic application in VIS, then print it out and sign it together with your mentor and co-mentor (s). Deliver the signed application to the student office during office hours, as the committee reviews the topic in person. Once you receive feedback confirming that your topic has been approved, send your master's thesis in PDF format for a technical review to the email address of the Physics, Astronomy, and Meteorology Library: fiz.knjiz@fmf.uni-lj.si.

In the topic application and master's thesis, the information about the mentor and co-mentor must be consistent. All references must match; otherwise, the application is not valid

You can submit your master’s thesis only after completing all required coursework. The thesis must be submitted at least 14 days before the desired defense date in the VIS system (under Completion of Studies / Thesis Submission).

Guidelines on electronic submission of written final works and plagiarism checking at the University of Ljubljana are available in the student instructions. The maximum file size is 98 MB, including any attachments.

The entire thesis must be in PDF/A format, as it will be checked for plagiarism and stored in the UL Repository via the VIS system. The plagiarism check may take a few days, so submit your thesis on time. Ensure that the entered title in the system matches exactly with the title in both the electronic and printed versions. The electronic and printed versions must be identical.

Mathematical symbols can be entered in all VIS fields, as formatted in LaTeX text files. Example title: Study of B → τντ Decays with the BELLE Detector.

Before submitting the thesis in VIS, send a PDF copy for a technical review to the Physics, Astronomy, and Meteorology Library via email: fiz.knjiz@fmf.uni-lj.si.

Upon submission of the master’s thesis, you must provide the student office with the following documents:

2 copies of the thesis (or 3 copies if you have a co-mentor)
Photocopy of your undergraduate diploma (for students who did not complete their undergraduate studies at UL FMF)
Proof of payment (if the defense requires payment)
Completed form for e-mail usage

When registering for the defense, complete the Defense Request Form (English version available) and have it signed by your mentor. Agree on a tentative date that suits both of you (and the comentor) and submit all documents at least 7 days before the desired defense date.

In accordance with the regulations of UL FMF, defenses are expected to be conducted in person; online defenses do not comply with these guidelines.

The defense is typically conducted in Slovenian, except when a committee member is a foreigner and the chairperson of the committee agrees to an English-language defense.

The chairperson announces the presentation.
The candidate presents their thesis and findings in 20 minutes.
Q&A session with the mentor(s) and committee:
- The mentor asks a few questions related to the thesis.
- The main examiner asks broader questions related to the field of the thesis (including fundamental topics in experimental and theoretical physics).
- The second examiner may ask additional general or specific questions.
- The chairperson may also ask questions.

After the committee finishes their questions, other attendees may also ask questions.
The committee deliberates on the thesis and defense evaluation.
The chairperson announces the grades to the candidate.
The chairperson formally declares the defense successful or unsuccessful.

After successfully defending the thesis, you will receive a temporary certificate of graduation, valid until the official diploma is awarded. Unless you specifically request a physical copy, the certificate will be sent in electronic form.

The official diploma ceremony usually takes place in spring, and you will receive an invitation via email.