SEEMOO Thesis Template
This is a LaTeX template to be used for all theses written at SEEMOO.
It's based on the classicthesis
package but includes some specific adjustments for SEEMOO and TU Darmstadt.
This README is supposed to get you started quickly, avoid frustration, and
let you spend more time for working on your actual project.
If you have a bug fix or general improvment, don't keep them to yourself but create a pull request!
Structure
The source directory is structured as follows:
Appendicies/-- contains additional appendix chapters (e.g. questionnaires, long proofs)Acronyms.tex-- contains a list of acronymsAdditionalPackages.tex-- to include and configure packagesAuthorPublications.bib-- contains auhtor publications for PhD thesesBibliography.bib-- contains all your bibtex referencesChapters/-- contains your thesis' main chapters.ClassicThesisConfig.tex-- can be adjusted to your needsGraphics/-- for figures and graphicsHyphenation.tex-- custom rules if LaTeX screws up hyphenationMacros.tex-- custom commands, e.g., symbols or often used expressions.PersonalInfo.tex-- must be adjusted by you.Thesis.tex-- the main file, where you should include additional chaptersClassicthesis.sty-- theclassicthesisstyle file (don't change).
Some helpers exist:
make.batandMakefilefor Windows and UNIX, respectively.- `dockmake.sh to invoke make through a docker latex container.
Configuration
There are several configuration parameters that you need to adjust.
We try to litter them with comments of the form % -- TemplateKnob
so you can search for settings meant to be adjustable.
Meta data
Adjust all the \my<X> variables in PersonalInfo.tex,
such as your name and title of your thesis.
AI Declaration
Make sure to ajust the AI declaration in FrontBackmatter/AIDeclaration.tex.
Style
You can choose between different styles for your thesis.
You can enable them by uncommenting the respective \toggletrue{<X>}
calls in Thesis.tex Currently, these are:
- Less margins. The
adrianstyle(called so for historic reasons) will reduce the page margins, effectively increasing the space for text and floats. Don't use margin notes together with this mode. - Use parts. The
partstoggle will add another layer of structure to your thesis. Only use this if your thesis is particulary long or additional structure makes sense. - PhD thesis. The
phdtoggle adds additional front and back matter pages to the template that are relevant if you write a PhD thesis.
Drafting mode
To enable a drafting mode (prints date, version number, and git commit hash in footer),
set the drafting option in ClassicThesisConfig.tex to true.
To display the git commit hash, you have to install and trigger the
gitinfo2 hooks once via
make gitinfo2-hooks
git checkout master
Build
You can use your IDE of choice, directly invoke make, or use the docker wrapper
# Note: <target> is the make target, leave out for 'all'
# Build natively via make
make $target
# Call make wrapped in docker container
./dockmake.sh $target
The output file will be in Thesis.pdf
Windows
If you are using Windows, you must run make once for the Bibliography to compile correctly. Make sure to install perl to ensure the commands can execute properly.
Overleaf / TU Sharelatex
The recommendations for Overleaf are the same as for the TU Sharelatex. We just use the term "Overleaf" here.
Uploading
- Go to our thesis git repository.
- Click the
Codebutton on the top right. - Select
zip. (see image below) - Open your Overleaf / TU Sharelatex.
- Click the
New Projectbutton on the top left. - Select
Upload Project. - Upload the ZIP downloaded from our Git repository.
Building
You can build the project normally with Overleaf.
Acronyms (or something else) does not work
In that case, you did something wrong when uploading. For some reason, Overleaf does not like it when your root Tex file is not in the root folder. When uploading, make sure that you do not zip a folder which contains your project, but all files. For example, selecting the folder that you want to upload on macOS, right clicking and then uploading it will fail.

