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The Plymouth Student Scientist

Journal Submission Process

Contents

Please discuss the suitability of publishing your dissertation with your supervisor(s) before proceeding, as your work will be publicly available worldwide.

Steps to submitting a paper

This opportunity is open to undergraduate students in STEM subjects at the University of Plymouth (ONLY).

Students from any Faculty may submit, provided the degree is formally classified as STEM.

  1. You have achieved a 1st (70% or higher) in your final-year undergraduate project in a STEM discipline.
  2. There is no guarantee of acceptance. All submissions will be considered, but you must first discuss your intention to publish with your project or dissertation supervisor.
  3. When all parties agree, you must complete the electronic consent form (see link below).
  4. After completing the consent form, you must convert your dissertation into the required journal format.
  5. It is recommended that you start converting immediately after signing your consent  - as you will lose access to some University resources when you graduate.
  6. You will later receive an invitation to submit your converted paper through the official journal submission system. All submissions must be in MS Word format.
  7. Submissions that are not properly converted will be rejected.

University of Plymouth login required:
Complete the consent here

Further questions are welcomed:
Contact the Chief Editor

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Formatting guidelines

Formatting guidelines, templates, and example papers are provided within the consent form:

Access formatting guidance and templates

Accepted submission format: MS Word only.

LaTeX users: Please follow the additional guidance provided for exporting your LaTeX document into MS Word format before submission.

You may also find it helpful to review previously published papers in your subject area to see how other students have converted their dissertations.

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Frequently asked questions

  • Do I need to make changes to the writing?
    • You must re-format your dissertation to match the journal style.
    • No additional rewriting is required, although some students choose to refine their work based on feedback. Think of this as re-formatting, not re-writing.
  • Do I get accepted automatically if I get a first?
    • No. Achieving a 1st makes you eligible to submit, but it does not guarantee acceptance or publication.
  • What file format do I need to submit?
    • All submissions must be in MS Word format.
    • LaTeX users must export their work to MS Word before submitting.
  • When will my article be published?
    • The journal typically publishes early in the following year, usually around February (subject to change).
    • Once you are registered on the journal system, you will receive an update as soon as the issue goes live.
  • Who can see my paper?
    • The journal is openly accessible worldwide. Anyone with an internet connection can view and download your work.
  • Can I include images, figures, tables, or maps that are not my own?
    • Re-publishing others’ work usually requires direct permission from the copyright holder; a citation alone is not always sufficient.
    • Some students contact the original creators to request permission.
    • Some publishers offer Creative Commons licences - ALWAYS consult your subject-specific Information Specialist for guidance.
    • Check your maps for copyright. For licensing or usage queries, please contact the GeoMapping team. Use their general email, state that your query relates to The Plymouth Student Scientist, and include the maps and any relevant details.

Further questions on how to submit:
Contact the Chief Editor

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