CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

CEBU CITY PHILIPPINES

A Guideline for Undergraduate Thesis Writing

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 GUIDELINES FOR UNDERGRADUATE THESIS

The following guidelines are strongly recommended to student doing project studies. The subject
aims to enable graduating students of the Department to conduct undergraduate thesis that will
equip them the skills needed for future practice in their chosen field of profession.

The following may be considered an undergraduate thesis research:

a. A practical research design work;

b. A short experimental study aimed at solving real problem in the field of Electrical,
Electronics and Communications Engineering. or
c. A minor research investigation.

1.0 TECHNICAL REPORT FORMAT

The format of the report should be as follows:

Title Page
Approval Sheet
Acknowledgement
Table of contents
List of Tables
List of Figures
List of Appendices

ABSTRACT

CHAPTER I

THE PROBLEM AND ITS SCOPE

INTRODUCTION

Rationale of the Study

Theoretical Background

Flow of Research Process

INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

THE PROBLEM

Statement of the Problem

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

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 DEFINITION OF TERMS

RESEARCH DESIGN

Research Methods

Research Environment

Research Respondents (if applicable)

Data Analysis

CHAPTER II

PRESENTATION OF RESULTS, ANALYIS AND INTERPRETATION

CHAPTER III
SUMMARY, FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS

References

Appendices

The details of the content of the different chapters of the report are discussed below.

1.1 The ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

“To say - thank you – is the best way of showing professional courtesy.”

Express your sincere appreciation here for all the support you got. You do not need to cite all
the people who supported you in life, only those who in one way or the other have contributed
substantially, so much so that without them, your study wi9ll never be a success. Examples:
people who provided specimens/ samples, technical support, financial support, and
colleagues who reviewed your work.

1.2 The TABLE OF CONTENTS

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 You should use the same text here but single-spaced. Should show the following:

Page

Title Page i
Approval sheet ii
Acknowledgement iii
Table of Contents iv
List of Tables v
List of figures vi
List of Appendices vii
Abstract viii

Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
1.2 Statement of the Problem
1.3 Significance of the Study
:
:
:

1.3 The ABSTRACT

What’s the study all about??

State concisely the problem being studied, methods used, principal results, and main conclusions.
Do not state abbreviations, detailed data, speculation and citations. Maximum number in words:
200 – must be written in one page, one paragraph (this is the last to be written in the final draft).

1.4 The INTRODUCTION

What did you do and why??

Give the general area of study, specific problem studied and why it is of interest. Presentation
must be from broad to specific (not the other way around.)

1.5 The LITERATURE REVIEW/Theoretical Background

What findings of other people are challenged or further developed??

Give summary (in your own words) and the syntheses of the studies of other people, which you
challenged and/or developed, as well as those, which are related to your study. Comparison and
differentiation of those studies from your study is highly encouraged.

If you are doing citations, use the format below.

The capacitance is a function only of the physical dimensions of the system of conductors and
the permittivity of the homogeneous dielectric (William H. Hayt, Jr., 1989).

If one author only, use (William H. Hayt, Jr., 1989).

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If two authors, use (William H. Hayt, Jr. and Maxwell, 1989).
If more than two authors, use (William H. Hayt, Jr., et al., 1989)
(Copy and paste from the Internet is discouraged)

1.6 The METHODOLOGY

How did you do it?

Present your complete materials and methods used. If you are using published methods, identify
the procedures and give the reference. If you are using a modification of published methods, give
the reference and details of the modification. If you are using a new method, give full details
(good enough for someone else to be able to repeat the work satisfactorily.)

1.7 The RESULT AND DISCUSSION

What did you find? What does it mean??

Present the results here in the most creative and convincing manner. Be sure to refer to all tables
and figures by having the summarized description of each. You may use sub-headings in
discussing the results one by one. Do not use “could” or “could not”, do use “was” and “was
not”, do not use “never”, do use “not”.

Present the results here in the most creative and convincing manner. Be sure to refer to all tables
and figures by having the summarized description of each. You may use sub-headings in
discussing the results one by one. Do not use “could” or “could not”, do use “was” and “was not”
do not use “never”, do use “not”.

Present the principles and relationships indicated by the data gathered. Point out exceptions and
unresolved details. Compare and contrast your findings with those of the work of others. Sate
implications of the results and clearly identify speculations as well.

Note: During the final defense, all significant facts, circuit design, etc. and etc. must be
presented. Sensitive information and or circuit diagrams are optional to the final draft.

1.8 The SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Be sure that conclusions follow logically from the presented data. Consider all of your
possible evidences.

Summarize your study here. State the principles and relationships indicated by the data.
Present your derived conclusions as clearly as possible (It is expected that the conclusion
should answer the problem).

Just state clearly and briefly the suggestions and recommendations you have for future
potential research study.

1.9 The REFERENCES

List all cited references alphabetically. Please follow the format below. Remember, YOU are
responsible for the accuracy. Verify contents of references and details of citations. DO NOT
CITE REFERENCES IF YOU HAVE NOT READ AND UNDERSTOOD THEM.

Enumerate all the authors, DO NOT USE et. al..

For a book: (refer to IEEE)

Bailey, J.E. and Ollis, D.F. (1986). Fundamentals of Biochemical Engineering, 2nd ed.,
McGraw Hill Book Co., USA.

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 Foley, James D., Andries van Dam, Steven K. Feiner, F. Hughes, Computer Graphics:
Principle and Practice, Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, 1990

For a journal or periodical article: (refer to IEEE)

BOS, A K. (1978). Food Aid by the European Communities: Policy and Practice, ODI
Review, Vol. 26, No. 5, pp. 38-52.

Katzela, I. and M. Naghsineh, “Channel Assignment Schemes for Cellular Mobile

Telecommunication Systems: A Comprehensive Survey”, IEEE Personal Communications,
June 1996. Pp 10-31.

Note: The page numbers of the journal or periodical article should be included.

2.0 GENERAL RULES

Generally, your report is written in the past tense.

Use a paper size of 8.5” x 11” (short-size bond paper) for your thesis report. It should have the
following margins:

Top: 1”
Bottom: 1”
Left: 1.25”
Right: 1”

Page number should be written at the center of the bottom pages and they should have the same
font as the next. Except the title page, all pages should have typewritten page numbers.

Note: The titles of tables should be written on top of the table itself of figures should be written
below the figure.

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Both tables and figures should be numbered (Table 1.1, 1.2,…, Table 2.1, 2.2,… Figure 1.1, 1.2,
…, Figure 2.1, 2.2, …, etc.) according to its chronological appearance in your text per chapter
throughout the manuscript.

Every new chapter should start on a new page. See format below on the spacing:

CHAPTER 1

2 spaces

INTRODUCTION

3 spaces

1.1 Background

1 space
(Beginning of every new paragraph)

There should be one space between every new paragraph and 2 spaces between every new
section and subsection (refer to the design template).

Important Note:

1. All advisers shall only be allowed to handle five (5) groups;

2. In case of an excess of student, the panel of coordinators and department’s chairman has
all the right to decide

2.1 MECHANICS OF THE PROPOSAL

The main objective is to determine whether both students and the written plan are ready
to move into the operational stage. The committee should ascertain that

a. Topic is feasible;
b. Student are complement enough to conduct the research topic, and
c. Research topic is deliverable.

 The EE/ECE Function room or any available laboratory room is the venue for the
proposal presentation;
 Sixty (60) minutes is allotted per group proposal and is divided as follows:

2 minutes - introduction by the chairman of the panel

20 minutes - group presentation
20 minutes - question & answer (adviser shall not allowed to answer here)
10 minutes - deliberation by the panel members (adviser shall exit at this
point
8 minutes - conference with panelist and adviser

Important Note: advisers shall not be allowed to join in the 10 minutes deliberation and shall
not answer any question in behalf of the group.

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To observe the above time allocation, the chairman of the panel acts moderator, thus, is
tasked to monitor the time.

 All group members must be present during the presentation. The students and faculty are
requested to come in casual attire, to be punctual and to follow the assigned date & time
of presentation. Please refer to the posted Schedule of Proposal Presentation for
details;
 During the presentation, the use of transparencies & other visual aids (power point
presentation and etc.) is highly encouraged;
 All scheduled presentations must start and finish on time (strict compliance must be
observed);
 All groups members with their respective adviser must carefully investigate the
availability of material or equipment needed and its feasibility;
 Once the thesis proposal has been approved by the panelists, neither any group member
or adviser has the right to change or modify the topic. The group must concentrate
within the framework of their approved topic;

A suggested sequence of the topics to be presented is as follows:

- Title
- Statement of the Problem
- Significance of the Study
- Scope & Limitations of the Study
- Literature (short)
- Methodology
- Interim presentation deliverables
- Gantt Chart of Activities

 During the question & answer portion, only questions from the panelists will be
entertained. Since there are three panel members per group, one panelist is allowed to
ask one question at a time to give chance for the other panelist to ask another question.
The questioning session will be stopped after 20 minutes, whether the questions are
answered satisfactorily or not;
 During deliberation process, decisions must be made between the panel members only
especially on the objectives of the study as well as the scope of work/ activities of the
group;
 After the proposal presentation, the adviser must discuss with the advisees the details of
the panelists- adviser deliberation and see to it that the proposed revisions are observed
in the conduct of the study and reflected in the documentation;
 The group must submit two copies of the edited version ONE WEEK after the date of
presentation (one copy for the adviser & one copy to be routed to the panel members for
approval with the adviser’s signature);
 For all rejected proposals, the group must see the coordinators immediately.

2.11 RESPONSIBILITIES OF AN ADVISER

 He must present during the advisees’ presentation;

 He must brief beforehand his advisees on the important aspects of their thesis output as
well as the style and schedule of presentation;
 He must responsible in providing the panelist a copy of the final draft (proposal)
immediately after the deadline of submission;
 He is responsible in correcting the draft reports of the advisees and in making sure that
the format of the documentation is strictly followed;

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  He is responsible in ensuring that all comments and suggestions made by the panelist are
incorporated in the group’s final report;
 He is limited only for technical advice related to the project, the actual construction of the
project should be left entirely to the proponents;
 Assess the grade/ rating of the advisees after taking into account the panelists’ evaluation,
own evaluation & some comments contained in the Proposal Evaluation Form.

2.12 RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PANELIST

 Three panelist are assigned per undergraduate thesis topic are required to be present
during the presentation of students;
 The panelists are requested to prepare in advance the question to be asked to the students
in order to optimize the time allotted for Q & A portion. Moreover, the panelists are
requested to focus the questions on the technical aspects of the group’s work. Comments,
suggestions and question regarding the format, grammar or sentences construction on
the written report should be done on the report itself;
 The panelists are asked to rate the students’ performance using the Proposal Evaluation
Form provided. Part of the form has to be filled up prior to the presentation;
 Immediately after the conference, the panelists are required to submit the evaluation form
to the chairman of the panel (moderator) and return the written report containing the
comments/ suggestions/ questions to the adviser.

2.13 FUNCTION OF THE PANEL CHAIRMAN

The Chairman is expected to come earlier than the other people involved in the assigned
group presentation and must be physically present throughout the whole period.

The main task of the moderator for each group session is as follows:

 Start the session by a short introduction (people involved, the topic, etc.) and the
mechanics of the presentation. The rationale of the presentation must be emphasized;
 Monitor the time as stated in the Mechanics of the Presentation; ‘sign cards’ will be
provided to help call the attention of students & panelists as to the remaining time left;
 Facilitate the shift from one part to the other (e.g. from presentation to questioning),
let the students leave the room so that the panelists can deliberate & finally close the
session;
 After deliberation, collect the evaluation forms from the panelists and see to it that each
panelist’s copy of the group’s report is returned to the adviser. Submit the panelists’
evaluation forms to the coordinator (RTS);
 Evaluation of progress report, the chairman is responsible to arrange a schedule and
coordinate with panel members, adviser, and students for an interim presentation on first
week of December.

2.2 MECHANICS OF THE FINAL PRESENTATION

 The EE/ECE Function room or any available laboratory room is the venue for the final
presentation;
 Sixty (60) minutes is allotted per group and is divided as follows:

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 2 minutes - introduction by the chairman of the panel
20 minutes - group presentation
20 minutes - question & answer (adviser shall not be allowed to answer here)
10 minutes - deliberation by the panel members (adviser shall exit at this point)
8 minutes - conference with panelists and adviser

Important Note: advisers shall not be allowed to join in the 10 minutes deliberation and
shall not answer any question in behalf of the group.

To observe the above time allocation, the chairman of the panel acts as moderator, thus, is
tasked to monitor the time.
 All group members must be present during the presentation. The students and faculty are
requested to come in casual attire, to be punctual and to follow the assigned date & time
of presentation. Please refer to the posted Schedule of Final Presentation for details.
 During the presentation, the use of transparencies & other visual aids (power point
presentation and etc.) is highly encouraged.

A suggested sequence of the topics to be presented is as follows:

- Title
- Statement of the Problem
- Scope & Limitations of the Study
- Methodology
- Presentation of Results and Discussion (can be done in tables, graphs, etc.)
- Presentation of Conclusion & Recommendations

Important Note: One the moderator displays the ‘5 minutes’ sign, the group must
recapitulate and give the concluding part of their presentation.

 During the question & answer portion, only questions from the panelists will be
entertained. Since there are three panel members per group, one panelist is allowed to ask
one question at a time to give chance for the other panelists to ask another question. The
questioning session will be stopped after 20 minutes, whether the question are answered
satisfactory or not;
 During deliberation process, decision must be made between the panel members only
especially on the objectives of the study as well as the scope of work/ activities of the
group;
 After the final presentation, the adviser must discuss with the advisees the details of the
panelists – adviser deliberation and see to it that the proposed revisions are observed in
the conduct of the study and reflected in the documentation;
 The group must submit two copies of the edited version ONE WEEK after the date of
presentation (one copy for the adviser & one copy to be routed to the panel members for
approval with the adviser’s signature);

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  Based on the milestone, the final document (for final presentation) must be completed
and distributed to the panel members on the date specified;
 Evaluation of the thesis by the panelists will be based on the following: 40% - oral
presentation, 30% - written report and 30% - contents of the report. The final grade to be
given by the adviser must be at most higher or lower than 0.5 of the equivalent average
grade point from the panelists;
 Those who will pass with revision must submit the final version of the written report, one
(1) week after the date of presentation;
 Failure to submit on the deadline set by the members of the panel will mean a grade NC
(note: this specific policy must be strictly imposed).

2.21 RESPONSIBILITIES OF AN ADVISER

 He must be present during the advisees’ presentation.
 He must brief beforehand his advisees on the important aspects of their thesis output as
well as the style and schedule of presentation;
 He is responsible in providing the panelist a copy of the final draft immediately after the
deadline of submission;
 He is responsible in correcting the draft reports of the advisees and in making sure that
the format of the documentation is strictly followed;

 He is responsible in ensuring that all comments and suggestions made by the panelists
are incorporated in the group’s final report;
 He is limited only for technical advise related to the project, the actual construction of
the project should be left entirely to the proponents;
 Assess the grade/ rating of the advisees after taking into account the panelists’
evaluation, own evaluation & some comments contained in the Proposal Evaluation
Form.

2.22 RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PANELIST

 Three panelists are assigned per undergraduate thesis topic and are required to be present
during the presentation of students;
 The panelists are requested to prepare in advance the question to be asked to the students
in order to optimize the time allotted for Q & A portion. Moreover, the panelists are
requested to focus the questions on the technical aspects of the group’s work. Comments,
suggestions and question regarding the format, grammar or sentences construction on
the written report should be done on the report itself;
 The panelists are asked to rate the students’ performance using the Evaluation Form
provided. Part of the form has to be filled up prior to the presentation;
 Immediately after the conference, the panelists are required to submit the evaluation form
to the chairman of the panel (moderator) and return the written report containing the
comments/ suggestions/ questions to the adviser.

2.23 FUNCTION OF THE PANEL CHAIRMAN

The Chairman is expected to come earlier than the other people involved in the assigned group
presentation and must be physically present throughout the whole period.
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The main task of the moderator for each group session is as follows:

 Start the session by a short introduction (people involved, the topic, etc.) and the
mechanics of the presentation. The rationale of the presentation must be emphasized;
 Monitor the time as stated in the Mechanics of the Presentation; ‘sign cards’ will be
provided to help call the attention of students & panelists as to the remaining time left;
 Facilitate the shift from one part to the other (e.g. from presentation to questioning),
let the students leave the room so that the panelists can deliberate & finally close the
session;
 After deliberation, collect the evaluation forms from the panelists and see to it that each
panelist’s copy of the group’s report is returned to the adviser. Submit the panelists’
evaluation forms to the coordinators, where all these forms are collected for department’s
file.

2.3 PROPOSAL EVALUATION FORM

Title of Study:________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________

2.31 Evaluation by the Panelist

A. Oral Presentation (40%)

Name of Student Preparation Delivery Ability to
and use of skills, answer
visual aids confidence & questions Total
thorough
knowledge
(12%) (12%) (16%) (40%)

B. Written report (30%)

_____ (15%) organization of essential aspect in neat & readable form

_____ (15%) observation of proper format
________ Subtotal

C. Contents of the Report (30%)

_____ (10%) clarity in stating problems, objectives, significance & scope of study

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 _____ (10%) originality and feasibility of the topic
_____ (10%) societal and economic contribution
________ Subtotal

D. Overall Evaluation

[ ] passed rating (%): _________

[ ] passed with revision rating after revision (%): ________
[ ] conditional
[ ] failed

E. Comments/Recommendations: _______________________________________________

Panelist: _________________________ Signature / Date: ________________ / ___________

2.4 THESIS FINAL EVALUATION FORM

Title of Study:________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________

2.31 Evaluation by the Panelist

A. Oral Presentation (40%)

Name of Student Preparation Delivery Ability to
and use of skills, answer
visual aids confidence & questions Total
thorough
knowledge
(12%) (12%) (16%) (40%)

B. Written report (30%)

_____ (10%) organization of essential aspect in neat & readable form

_____ (10%) observation of proper format
_____ (10%) presentation of figures/ graphs, tables, diagrams
________ Subtotal

C. Contents of the Report (30%)

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 _____ (6%) clarity in stating problems, objectives, significance & scope of study
_____ (6%) formulation of discussion in concise yet clear & comprehensive manner
_____ (6%) relevance of presented/included figures, graphs, tables, diagrams
_____ (6%) application of relevant principles and concepts in science & engineering
_____ (6%) presentation of conclusion in precise manner
________ Subtotal

D. Overall Evaluation

[ ] passed rating (%): _________

[ ] passed with revision rating after revision (%): ________
[ ] conditional
[ ] failed

E. Comments/Recommendations: _______________________________________________

Panelist: _________________________ Signature / Date: ________________ / ___________

2.42 Evaluation by the Adviser

Note: The final grade of the group’s member must be at most higher or lower than .5 of the
equivalent average grade from the three panelists [as practiced, 60% is equivalent to a GPA of
3.0]. This would be based on the following performance evaluation & comments:

 Attitude, attendance, time management

 Resourcefulness, initiativeness, innovativeness
 Comments: ______________________________________________________________

Adviser: ______________________ Signature / Date: _______________ / ___________

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