Guidelines for the Implementation of the Final Year Project I & II for Undergraduate Programs Bachelor of Electrical and

Electronics Engineering Bachelor of Electrical Power Engineering Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering, Bachelor of Civil Engineering.

Prepared by

College Final Year Project Committee College of Engineering, Universiti Tenaga Nasional

Fifth Version May 2011

Contents
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 7.1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 2 Definition of the Final Year Project ................................................................................. 2 Aim ............................................................................................................................................... 2 Objectives .................................................................................................................................. 2 Types of Final Year Projects ............................................................................................... 2 Students Responsibilities ................................................................................................... 3 Assessment ............................................................................................................................... 4 Assessment Criteria for Project I ................................................................................. 4
Project Proposal .......................................................................................................................5 Progress Report 1 ....................................................................................................................5 Progress Report 2 ....................................................................................................................6 Logbook .......................................................................................................................................6 Oral Presentation 1 .................................................................................................................6 Conduct of Task ........................................................................................................................7 Progress Report 3 ....................................................................................................................7 Logbook .......................................................................................................................................8 Oral Presentation 2 .................................................................................................................8 Technical Skills .........................................................................................................................8 Quality of Project .....................................................................................................................9 Thesis ............................................................................................................................................9 Conduct of Task ..................................................................................................................... 11 7.1.1. 7.1.2. 7.1.3. 7.1.4. 7.1.5. 7.1.6.

7.2.

Assessment Criteria for Project II................................................................................ 7

7.2.1. 7.2.2. 7.2.3. 7.2.4. 7.2.5. 7.2.6. 7.2.7.

8.

Conditions for Completion of Project .......................................................................... 11

Appendix 1: Sample Guide for Project Proposal Report ................................................... 12 Appendix 2: Sample Guide for Progress Report ................................................................... 13 Appendix 3: Sample CD Cover ..................................................................................................... 14

1. Introduction
To inculcate an attitude towards research, life-long learning and critical thinking, each student will have to embark on a two-semester Final Year Project (FYP), which consists of part 1 Project I (FYP1) and part 2 Project II (FYP2). Project I is to be taken as a prerequisite to Project II.

2. Definition of the Final Year Project

The Final Year Project (FYP) is an engineering project that is related to the students field of study and must be carried out by the student as partial fulfillment for the award of the bachelors degree.

3. Aim
The aim of the final year project is to enhance the students knowledge and skills in solving problems through engineering based projects.

4. Objectives
Having successfully completed the final year project, students are expected to have: (i) The capability to manage and use scientific knowledge to carry out engineering projects; (ii) The capability to think objectively, analytically and critically in identifying and solving problems in a systematic manner; (iii) The capability to be independent in carrying out and producing solutions to engineering problems; (iv) The capability to deliver or present the project findings in oral and written forms.

5. Types of Final Year Projects

The final year project to be carried out by a student can be in any of the following natures, encompassing study/research, design/development, software development or case study. 2

The common characteristics of a project are as follows: (i) A project in the form of a research focuses on the behavior, phenomena or characteristics of events, processes, designs or developments. The end product will be in the form of data, observations and interpretations, which can enhance the students knowledge. (ii) A design or development project focuses on the design or

development of a product, which fulfills specifications, standards or technical needs. The end product is a design or product. (iii) A project in the form of software development focuses on developing a computer software/program according to fixed specifications. The end product is a computer software/program. (iv) A case study/topical project involve research on a certain case or topic. This research encompasses all aspects or facts that influence the topic or case. The end product is in the form of critical analyses and interpretations of the case or topic with justified conclusions and/or solutions.

6. Students Responsibilities
Students have to comply with all guidelines stipulated by the College Final Year Project Committee. Failure in complying the guidelines and due dates may result in a poor grade for the project. The following are some of the responsibilities of students taking the final year project: There are no formal lectures associated with the course; hence students must be independent while conducting the course. Nonetheless, students (in Project I) are required to attend a day intense course on Research Methodology, which will be held together for all departments. Students are required to check for class notices posted on notice boards around the College of Engineering and also through their online student record system as frequent as possible.

Students must enroll as users of Moodle Final Year Project (http://moodle.uniten.edu.my/moodle/course/fyp). Periodic updates and materials related to the course will be posted here. On the first week of the semester, students can view titles online through UNITENs student record system. Students will do selection of titles on the second week of the semester. The date of title selection will be notified. Students are required to have regular meetings with their project supervisors to discuss project progress and any other matters pertaining to the project. Weekly discussions are highly recommended. Students are required to have a logbook. All ideas, methodologies, literature reviews, discussions and findings pertaining to the project must be logged into the logbook. The logbook will be evaluated. Students are required to be aware of all due dates pertaining to the project.

7. Assessment
Assessment of the final year project will be based on the stages completed in the research/study or design carried out.

7.1.

Assessment Criteria for Project I

The assessment will be based on the six (6) considerations as follows: Project Proposal Progress Report 1 Progress Report 2 Logbook Oral Presentation 1 Conduct of Task : : : : : : 15% 20% 25% 10% 25% 5%

7.1.1. Project Proposal This assessment is weighted 15% of the final grade and is based on the following: A brief scene setting introduction to the context of the project; A clear statement of the project's objectives; A project plan in some appropriate diagrammatic form with milestones. Maximum pages allowed for the report is 3 pages. There is example in the Appendix 1. Refer to the FYP Calendar for the deadline. (The Project Proposal Report must be submitted to the College Admin Counter at the ground floor by the stipulated deadline. DO NOT submit to your supervisor). 7.1.2. Progress Report 1 This assessment is weighted 20% of the final grade and is based on the following: Quantity and quality of literature review/ background study; Ability to summarize literature review/ background study; Ability to relate background study to project objectives; Ability to present a good report (physical setup, language, tidiness). The report will be allowed a maximum of 10 pages (excluding appendices). There is an example of Progress Report in the Appendix 2. Refer to the FYP Calendar for the deadline. (The Progress Report must be submitted to the College Admin Counter at the ground floor by the stipulated deadline. DO NOT submit to your supervisor).

7.1.3. Progress Report 2 This assessment is weighted 25% of the final grade and is based on the following: Ability to identify and discuss work procedure, analysis and approach; Ability to discuss expected output of project; Ability to present a good report (physical setup, language, tidiness). The report will be allowed a maximum of 10 pages (excluding appendices). Refer to the FYP Calendar for the deadline. (The Progress Report must be submitted to the College Admin Counter at the ground floor by the stipulated deadline. DO NOT submit to your supervisor). 7.1.4. Logbook This assessment is weighted 10% of the final grade and is based on the following: Adequacy of the content of the logbook as an acceptably good preliminary report; Organization of the logbook; Tidiness of the logbook; Frequency of meeting with the supervisor. (The Logbook must be submitted to the supervisor by the stipulated deadline). 7.1.5. Oral Presentation 1 This assessment is weighted 25% of the final grade and is based on the following: Ability to use presentation tools, appropriate attire and good time keeping; Ability to communicate orally (language, fluency and flow of presentation); 6

Ability to discuss concisely and briefly about technical work; Ability to answer questions with justifications. 7.1.6. Conduct of Task This assessment is weighted 5% of the final grade and is based on students attitude and initiatives towards implementing the project.

7.2.

Assessment Criteria for Project II

The assessment will be based on the following seven (7) considerations: Progress Report 3 Logbook Oral Presentation 2 Technical Skills Quality of Project Thesis Conduct of Task Important Reminder: Project II is a continuation of Project I. 7.2.1. Progress Report 3 This assessment is weighted 10% of the final grade and is based on the following: Ability to present and discuss results; Ability to present a good report (physical setup, language, tidiness). The report will be allowed a maximum of 10 pages (excluding appendices). Refer to the FYP Calendar for the deadline. (The Progress Report must be submitted to the College Admin Counter at the ground floor by the stipulated deadline. DO NOT submit to your supervisor). 7 : : : : : : : 10% 5% 15% 5% 10% 50% 5%

7.2.2. Logbook This assessment is weighted 5% of the final grade and is based on the following: Adequacy of the content of the logbook as an acceptably good preliminary report; Organization of the logbook; Tidiness of the logbook; Frequency of meeting with the supervisor. (The Logbook must be submitted to the supervisor by the stipulated deadline). 7.2.3. Oral Presentation 2 This assessment is weighted 15% of the final grade and is based on the following: Ability to use presentation tools, appropriate attire and good time keeping; Ability to communicate orally (language, fluency and flow of presentation); Ability to discuss concisely and briefly about technical work; Ability to answer questions with justifications. 7.2.4. Technical Skills This assessment is weighted 5% of the final grade and is based on students ability to demonstrate competent psychomotor skills in conducting works related to project. These works could include the construction and testing of a prototype (for designbased projects), implementation and testing of a program (for software-based projects), systematic execution of experiments (for research-based projects), etc. Students need to arrange with the supervisor for the demonstration.

7.2.5. Quality of Project This assessment is weighted 5% of the final grade and is based on the type of the project (Research / Design / Software Development / Case Study). The purpose of this criterion is to evaluate the end product of the project in terms of quality and effectiveness. 7.2.6. Thesis This assessment is weighted 50% of the final grade. The thesis is a complete report pertaining to the project carried out. It contains the improved contents of the Project Proposal, Progress Report 1 3 together with discussions, results and findings, conclusions and recommendations for future work. It is to be evaluated by a panel of assessors comprising of the supervisor and an internal examiner from the college. The contents and format of this full thesis should comply with the College thesis preparation guidelines. The thesis format can be obtained from the following website http://moodle.uniten.edu.my/moodle/course/fyp. Students are required to submit drafts of the thesis prior to the oral presentation. Both first draft and a revised second draft of the thesis are to be submitted to the College Admin Counter at the ground floor by the stipulated deadline (refer to FYP calendar). DO NOT submit to your supervisor. The students are required to make necessary corrections to the thesis, and submit to the College Administration Office by the stipulated deadline the following items: TWO (2) copies of hardbound thesis (BLACK cover with GOLD lettering);

ONE (1) CD containing the softcopy of the thesis and all materials related to the projects including the project proposal, progress reports, oral presentation slides, references, etc. (Cover of CD as in Appendix 3); Letter of Approval signed and stamped by supervisor and co-supervisor(s). (These deliverables must be submitted to the College Admin Counter at the ground floor by the stipulated deadline. DO NOT SUBMIT TO YOUR SUPERVISOR. Submission will be recorded and failure to comply may result in the hardbound thesis not accepted for examination). The following criteria will be used to assess the hardbound thesis: Presentation of Thesis (Total 10%) Physical setup, tidiness, neatness of text, diagrams, graphs and others Suitability and continuity of chapters Language and grammar Compliance to thesis format guidelines Technical Work Achievements (Total 40 %) Plan and approach by the student towards the problem Design and construction (hardware/ software) Results and conclusions of the project Fulfillment of the objectives of the project with the solution obtained Originality of idea, formed from creative and innovative thinking

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7.2.7. Conduct of Task This assessment is weighted 5% of the final grade and is based on students attitude and initiatives towards implementing the project.

8. Conditions for Completion of Project

Project 1 is the prerequisite to Project 2. A student who fails Project 1 (with an E grade) must repeat the subject. The student may retain the topic of the project, or if the student chooses to work on a new topic, he/she may do so with prior approval from the department committee. Extension to Project 1 and 2 is not allowed. Hence, Project 1 and 2 should each be completed within one normal semester respectively. Proper time and project management is vital.

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Appendix 1: Sample Guide for Project Proposal Report The following is a sample outline that contains vital elements in a students project proposal. Note that all questions for a section may not apply to all students, and should be used as a general guide only. A guide means that you do not have to follow it 100%. You can present the report in another manner but please make sure the vital elements are in your report. 1. Cover Page with Title, Authors Name, Supervisors Name and Date. 2. Problem Definitions / Introduction (1 2 paragraphs) o Summarize the problem o Describe format / outline of the proposal (sections, etc). 3. Preliminary Background Study (1 3 paragraphs) o What is the history of the problem? o Why is this problem interesting? o When and why does the problem occur? o Is the problem already solved? What is done now? 4. Project Objectives and Scopes (1 paragraph) o What in general will this project achieve? (Do not delve into details or timelines). 5. Project Details o General Work Procedures (1 2 paragraphs) A brief statement of the methodology for the realization of the project. It could define the general approach to how the project and its output(s) will be realized o Implementation issues and Challenges (1 2 paragraph) What will be the most difficult issues and challenges in the implementation? What makes your project unique? o Timeline (1 paragraph Gantt Chart form) Provide an estimated timeline of project deliverables and important dates. 6. Conclusion (1 paragraph) o Summarize the project including the problem, motivation and proposed solution (if any). 7. References o List references used to compile proposal and references that will be used for project (if already known). FORMAT All progress report should be in 12pt. single-spaced Times New Roman.

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Appendix 2: Sample Guide for Progress Report Progress reports are written in this course to keep the supervisors informed about the progress of the project in terms of work completed, problems encountered and work remaining. Even though progress reports are often in the form of a memo, the writer should be careful to write formal, standard prose. Progress reports represent not only the writers work but the writers organizational and communication skills. Below is proposed outline on writing a progress report. The outline should be taken as a general guide only. Heading: It should contain the following standard elements: Progress Report #: Reporting Period: Submittal Date: Project Name: Student Name: Supervisor Name: Subject: Indicate what number the report is. Identify the time period covered by the report. Indicate the date that the report is sent. Indicate the name of the project. Indicate the students name. Indicate the supervisors name and co-supervisor (if any) A clear phrase that focuses on the subject.

Background: Here, the student gives the reader (supervisor) some background information. Tell the reader what the project is and clarify its purpose and time scale. If there have been earlier progress reports, you might make a brief reference to them. Work Completed: This section of a progress report explains what work has been done during the reporting period. You might arrange this section chronologically (following the actual sequence of the tasks being completed), or you might divide this section into subparts of the larger project and report on each subpart in sequence. Whatever pattern you use, be consistent. Problems: If the reader is likely to be interested in the glitches you have encountered along the way, mention the problems you have encountered and explain how you have solved them. If there are problems you have not yet been able to solve, explain your strategy for solving them and give tell the reader when you think you will have them solved. Work Scheduled: Specify the dates of the next segment of time in the project and line out a schedule of the work you expect to get accomplished during the period. It is often a good idea to arrange this section by dates, which stand for deadlines. To finish the progress report, you might add a sentence evaluating your progress thus far. Appendices: Include relevant appendices if necessary.

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Appendix 3: Sample CD Cover

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