Both Uses

thesis
in
Love in the Time of Cholera
(Edited)

He was surprised to see him there, in the kingdom of the elect, but Dr. Olivella reminded him that he was the son of the Minister of Health and was preparing a thesis in forensic medicine.
Chpt 1 *

thesis = research paper
The original thesis of his dissertation had been just that: the advantage of simplifying the human organism.
Chpt 3 *

thesis = an unproved statement put forward as a premise for evaluation

Definitions:

(1) (thesis as in: the thesis of her editorial)
a proposition (unproved statement or theory) put forward as a premise for evaluation
(2) (thesis as in: her Master's thesis)
a formal and lengthy research paper advancing a new point of view -- usually a requirement for an advanced academic degree
(3) (meaning too rare to warrant focus)
A comprehensive dictionary will have more specialized definitions of thesis that are used in such areas as music, poetry, and philosophy.