\chapter{Tips} \label{chapter:tipps}
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In this chapter, we have compiled some tips and guidelines that you should consider during your work. The following does not claim to be complete or accurate.
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\section{Important Information Regarding the Bachelor/Master Thesis Process}
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\subsection{At the Beginning}
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\begin{itemize}
  \item Literature research on the topic (library, online resources, \ldots)
  \item After discussion with supervisor
  \item Submission of outline and discussion
\item \textbf{Only for Master:} Presentation of planned work in a private meeting (\textit{What do I want to do (how/with what)?})
  \item \textbf{Only for Master:} After initial presentation: electronic registration of the Master thesis in ZEUS
  \item \textbf{Only for Master:} You are approaching the {\bf oral} Master examination. If you have only taken a few oral exams so far, you should practice with a few more exams so that there are no problems with the Master examination.
  \item \textbf{Only for Master:} If possible, listen to other Master examinations. This way you won't be surprised by the atmosphere during your Master examination. Furthermore, it will be easier for you to determine the examiners that suit you.
\end{itemize}
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\subsection{After the First Third}
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\begin{itemize}
  \item Electronic submission of a meaningful sample chapter (20 pages of text with tables, figures and references). Here,
      this can save you (or better your supervisor) from unpleasant surprises (e.g. illegible fonts, black blocks in
      figures).
  \item You will receive the sample chapter after 7-10 days with comments. It may take longer during holidays/illness!
\end{itemize}

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\subsection{Nach der Hälfte (or at least 2 times per semester)}
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\begin{itemize}
  \item \textbf{Only for Master:} Presentation of the current status of the work (deepen 1 subtopic) in a private meeting (\textit{What am I currently doing and how do I proceed?})
   \item \textbf{For Bachelor:} Arrange appointments for personal discussion (\textit{What am I currently doing and how do I proceed?})
\end{itemize}
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\subsection{Final Phase of the Bachelor/Master Thesis}
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{\textbf Tip:} Check the examination booklet early so that there are no problems (and thus delays) in the end. \textbf{Only for Master:} Choose examiners and examination areas early and coordinate the appointment! If in doubt, listen to a concluding examination (STAP -- aka Master examination). Current dates can be found on the virtual notice board (see \url{https://campus.aau.at/antraege/public/stap}).
\begin{itemize}
  \item \textbf{Only for Master:} Final presentation in a private meeting (\textit{What did I do (how/with what) and what did I learn?})
  \item \textbf{Only for Master:} Submission of the examination booklet (usually 1 week for approval)
  \item Submission of the Bachelor/Master thesis (only electronically). Your supervisor will still be happy to receive a bound or printed copy.
  \item Review phase: Master thesis (maximum 8 weeks), Bachelor thesis usually 4 weeks. This includes a plagiarism check via DocoLox.
  \item \textbf{For Bachelor thesis:} Done.
\end{itemize}
For the final phase of the Master thesis, the following applies (for Students with AAU main residency):
\begin{itemize}
  \item With the approval of the examination booklet and the expert opinion, the application for the final examination can be submitted electronically via the student portal (\textit{My applications}).
  \item The examination date and the examiners (usually three: chairman, first and second examiner) must be organized by yourself. Please note that when submitting the application, the examination date must be at least 3 weeks in the future, otherwise submission is not possible. This deadline is stipulated in the statutes of the Alpen Adria University. This results in a maximum period of 11 weeks between the submission of the Master thesis and the STAP!
  \item The possible examination areas are regulated in the examination regulations of your curriculum and include the presentation and defense of the Master thesis including the specialization and another subject from the supplementary or specialized subjects.
  \item In this online application you can leave notes such as suggestions for the examination room or other information. You will be notified of the examination date by e-mail after approval by the study program director. You also have the opportunity to withdraw the application without giving reasons up to 24 hours before the examination.
  \item Your examination date will be published on the AAU intranet on the virtual notice board (see \url{https://campus.aau.at/antraege/public/stap}).
  \item All changes to this online application will be sent by e-mail, so make sure that your university e-mail inbox is not overflowing, otherwise this information cannot be delivered!
\end{itemize}
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\subsection{Finally: The presentation at the Master examination (or final presentation)}
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\begin{itemize}
  \item How would you describe your Master thesis in two (or three) sentences?
  \item What are you particularly proud of?
  \item Brief overview so that everyone present knows what you have achieved.
  \item Highlight one (two) topics and explain them in detail, so that on the one hand you can \textit{shine} and the audience may learn something new.
\end{itemize}


`
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\subsection{Miscellaneous}
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\begin{itemize}
  \item Copy all documents before submission to the student administration.
  \item After completing your Master's thesis, you will lose your status as a \textit{student} and may no longer be able to access collective transcripts or similar data. You should print this data or save it as a PDF before completing your Master's thesis.
  \item Optionally enroll in a second degree in the last semester, so that you still have limited access to your data.
\end{itemize}
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\section{Important Information Regarding Bachelor Theses}
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\begin{itemize}
  \item A Bachelor's thesis must be declared and registered as such before beginning.
  \item Abstract: 170-250 words
  \item Scope: 8000 words
  \item Language: German, English; after consultation with the supervisor
\end{itemize}
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\section{Important Information Regarding Seminar Papers}
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\begin{itemize}
  \item Abstract: 170-250 words
  \item Scope: 5000 words
  \item Language: German, English; after consultation with the supervisor
\end{itemize}
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\section{Guidelines and Tips for Scientific Works}
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\subsection{External Form}
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\begin{itemize}
  \item Your Master thesis will be a key criterion in your future applications. The first impression your work leaves will always be a visual one! In addition to the content, you should therefore also pay attention to the appearance of your work.
  \item Formatting and data on the title page and \textit{Declaration of Honor} according to the current regulations of the student administration!
  \item Please pay attention to the correct use of titles; e.g. the title \textit{Diplom-Ingenieurin} is used on the title page for female students.
  \item Page size DIN-A4
  \item Double-sided printing, chapter beginnings always on odd (right) pages:
  \item Scope of the work according to agreement (quality over quantity). However, the following guidelines apply:
        \begin{itemize}
          \item Master thesis:         $\pm$  80 pages
          \item Bachelor thesis:  $\pm$ 8000 words
          \item Report (SWP/WFP):    $\pm$   30 pages
          \item Seminar paper:        $\pm$ 5000 words
        \end{itemize}
  \item Language by agreement -- A good German is much better than a bad English. There are German and English templates available, please ask for the corresponding versions.
  \item LaTeX looks more technical than Word and is also stable with many formulas. Therefore: Learn to appreciate LaTeX.
\end{itemize}
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\subsection{Structure}
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\begin{itemize}
  \item Numerical structure (max. depth 3 -- also in the table of contents):
        \begin{itemize}
          \item 1 Chapter
          \item 1.1 Section
          \item 1.1.1 Subsection (not shorter than half a page)
          \item Fourth level of structure not numbered and not entered in the table of contents.
        \end{itemize}
  \item Refrain from unnecessary image, table and other lists. However, a list of abbreviations can be very helpful for the reader in individual cases.
  \item General structure
        \begin{itemize}
          \item Chapter 1:  Introduction
          \item Section 1.1: Problem statement and goals
          \item Section 1.2: Existing works
          \item Chapter 2:  General basics
          \item Chapter 3 \ldots j-1: Theoretical part (Your work)
          \item Chapter j \ldots n-1: Practical part (Your work)
          \item Chapter n:  Conclusions, summary and outlook
        \end{itemize}
        Source code only in excerpts in the main part of the work. Longer source code fragments belong in the appendix.
  \item Single-line headings and figure captions
  \item After a heading comes text and not the next subheading
  \item No single sub-items (if there is no section X.2, then section X.1 becomes section X)
\end{itemize}
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\subsection{Text}
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\begin{itemize}
  \item Correct spelling (possibly with exceptions such as coding, source code, \ldots)
  \item Use footnotes only in exceptional cases.
  \item A sub-item (with its own heading) should not be less than half a page.
  \item No empty and semi-empty pages (possibly move images or tables) - only at the end of chapters possibly parts of the last page leave free (less than 50\%). There are no other reasons for empty parts of a page.
  \item Do not inflate the spacing to fill pages (LaTeX $\rightarrow$ $\setminus$raggedbottom).
  \item Abbreviations at least when they first appear in the text (exception heading, but should not contain any abbreviations): ABK (abbreviation) or Abbreviation (ABK). In the former case, a common abbreviation is explained, in the second case you shorten a term frequently used in the work (but rather avoid it, as it often impairs readability).
  \item Best avoid underlining, coloring and bolding of words. If absolutely necessary for highlighting, use bold or italic font.
  \item Do not formalize the work too much, this reduces readability.
  \item Avoid single lines at the end/beginning of pages and single words at the end of paragraphs. \\
      This does not look very nice (as shown above).
\end{itemize}

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\subsection{Figures and Tables}
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\begin{itemize}
  \item Define a maximum width for figures (usually this will be the text width) and do not scale figures when embedding.
  \item Draw figures yourself (preferably Visio -- a template can be found in the \textit{figures} folder) and do not scan them.
        Screenshots are also only permissible in exceptional cases.
  \item Do not simply copy images, but consider whether all the information contained in the original is useful in your work.
  \item Same layout for all figures, e.g. block size, line thickness, arrows and font
  \item Colors are usually not necessary. If so, use them sparingly.
  \item Use grayscale images whenever possible. In particular, take into account that references to colored elements may lose their meaning. So the statement \textit{In Figure \ref{fig:beispiel} the red arrow marks the error.} is helpful on the left half, not on the right.
      \begin{figure}[h!]
\begin{center}
        \includegraphics[width=0.45\textwidth]{figures/Beispiel}
        \caption{Caution: images lose their color in SW printing!}
        \label{fig:beispiel}
      \end{center} \end{figure}
  \item Avoid too small fonts in your images (not smaller than 10~pt if possible), gray and color gradients. Test with a printout whether your graphic is well visible.
  \item Refer to figures and tables in the text (e.g. \textit{cf. Figure 1} or \textit{Table 1 shows \ldots})
\item Do not place figures and tables too far from the descriptive text.
  \item No figure (protocol, \ldots) without textual description.
  \item No pages that only contain figures. At least add a title.
  \item Embed figures as eps or PDF, NOT jpg. In exceptional cases, PNGs (or similar lossless formats) with a resolution of at least 300~dpi can also be used.
  \item Use vector graphics as the basis for PDF or eps creation, NOT jpg.
  \item Avoid pages without text that only contain figures or tables. If you need to do so, collect these figures in the backmatter/appendix. 
\end{itemize}
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\subsection{Formulas}
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\begin{itemize}
  \item Write out quantifiers for better readability: $\forall$ $\rightarrow$ \textit{for all}, $\exists$ $\rightarrow$ \textit{there exists}.
  \item Write out logical connections for better readability: $\wedge$ $\rightarrow$ \textit{and}, $\vee$ $\rightarrow$ \textit{or}.
  \item Do not use italics for text in formulas.
  * Do not number formulas as a matter of principle (unless you refer to them in the text).
  \item Use short, meaningful identifiers for functions; e.g. encrypt$(m,k)$ $\rightarrow$ E$(m,k)$ or E$_k(m)$, decrypt$(c,k)$
      $\rightarrow$ D$(c,k)$ or D$_k(c)$, sign$(m,(d,n))$ $\rightarrow$ S$(m,d)$, verify$(m,s,(e,n))$ $\rightarrow$ V$(m,s,e)$, hash$(m)$ $\rightarrow$ H$(m)$, \ldots
\end{itemize}
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\subsection{Miscellaneous}
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\begin{itemize}
  \item Insert non-breakable spaces between number and unit $\rightarrow$ in LaTeX e.g. `3$\sim$m', in Word the
      key combination `Strg+Shift+SPACE' creates non-breakable spaces (this will then be displayed as` 3$^\circ$m').
  \item Spaces between e.g. and text.
  \item Description environment with `:' $\rightarrow$ LaTeX: $\setminus$item[{\bf $<$Text$>$:}] $<$Text$>$
  \item Always write the units Bit/Byte in capital letters, but not in the plural.
  \item Abbreviation of MAC (Message Authentication Code) only in the plural with `s'.
\end{itemize}

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\subsection{Expression and Style}
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\begin{itemize}
  \item In general, it is better to use short sentences to make clear statements.
  \item Avoid \textit{flowery language} and (too) personal statements in the \textit{first person}.
  \item The \textit{I-} and \textit{we-} form are usually inappropriate in German: The \textit{I-} form unnecessarily emphasizes the subjectivity of what is said, the \textit{we-} form reminds one of the pluralis majestatis.
  \item Words like \textit{very}, \textit{extremely}, \textit{highest}, \textit{immense}, \textit{huge}, \textit{certainly}, \textit{of course}, \textit{undoubtedly} and similar are quickly exhausted and should be used sparingly.
  \item Expressions such as \textit{actually}, \textit{basically}, \textit{somehow}, \textit{in itself}, \textit{in a way} often reveal what the author doubts: He should say this directly.
  * Open evaluations, such as sentences with \textit{unfortunately}, \textit{fortunately}, \textit{luckily}, should be avoided.
  \item Avoid formulations like \textit{\ldots should show that \ldots} $\rightarrow$ \textit{\ldots shows that \ldots} sounds more convincing.
  \item Word repetitions should be avoided.
  \item Technical terms and foreign words should be used carefully, and unfamiliar or self-defined abbreviations should be avoided.
  * Not every English technical term can be translated concisely. In some cases, there is no German equivalent.
  * Use exclamation marks `!' sparingly!!! Only important things should be in your Master thesis!!!
\end{itemize}
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\subsection{Citation Guidelines}
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\begin{itemize}
  \item We also know a few books and can also Google!
  \item Take advantage of the opportunities and events of the Klagenfurt University Writing Center
      (\url{https://www.aau.at/schreibcenter})
  \item \textit{Correct scientific work means that every use of foreign intellectual property (ideas,
      arguments, data and information) must be clearly identifiable through exact source references. This should allow the reader of
      the work to determine whether the thoughts presented come from the author or from a foreign source. Exact citation allows to trace back the process of creation of scientific statements. Furthermore, it enables further research for those interested in the topic.} (cf. DA guidelines of the WU-Vienna [WUWi01])
  \item Literal passages should be avoided or kept as short as possible.
  \item If text passages are taken literally, they must be placed in quotation marks. The omission of
      words must be marked with three dots.
  \item Paraphrasing foreign intellectual property also requires precise source references (see [NNNN00]).
\end{itemize}
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\subsection{Literature}
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\begin{itemize}
   \item Avoid grey literature (e.g. lecture notes, Master/Diploma or seminar papers). There are always books or scientific
      papers on the same topic!
  \item Wikis are good starting points for research, but have no place in the literature list.
  \item Only cite references to websites if there is no book or scientific paper on the relevant topic! Save web content used in any case locally in case it is no longer available later.
\end{itemize}
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