Guidelines

Guidelines

to help you select, plan, execute and document your project

CS 498

 It shall cover the introductory stages of a project, from the definition and specification of the problem and its objectives, to the literature review, methodologies to be used, schedule of activities, data collection, initial design and cost estimates of the project. Learn more about the timetable

CS 499

 It shall cover the experimental and conclusive stages of a project, from the data analysis, detailed design and implementation of the prototype, to the conclusions and recommendations of the project. Learn more about the timetable

SELECTION OF PROJECT TITLE

The subject of your project should be chosen carefully, since you will spend considerable time doing your project. You are advised to beginning thinking about a research area for your project as soon as possible, as the selection process is likely to be a gradual on. Begin to collect a number of ideas. The main sources of inspiration are commonly: 

  • Problems experienced. 
  • Courses you have already taken or will possibly be taking.
  • Ideas proposed by your colleagues.
  • Suggestions made by supervisors or other academic members of staff.
  • Project suggestions on the project’s web page.
  • Past years’ projects.
  • Proposals put forward by industry, especially companies who have provided practical training opportunities for students.
  • Recent journals and technical papers.
In deciding which project to take, you may find it helpful to consider your own interests, motivation, knowledge of the subject area, future career.

PROPOSAL SUBMISSION

After selecting a potential project, you are expected to come up with a project title which reflects the anticipated work to be done. You will defend your project in front of an assessment panel who will determine whether your project is worth a 4th year final project:

  • If the project is accepted, your project will be automatically registered.
  • If the project is rejected, you will have one week to come up with a new project which will need to be approved by a panel of lecturers.

Any changes to your project title should be done in consultation with your allocated supervisor and the project coordinator!!

MID REVIEW SESSIONS

FINAL DEFENSE

FINAL PROJECT REPORT

The final report is intended to provide a concise yet comprehensive account of the project work undertaken. The final report should be self-contained and should give a clear description of the problem tackled, the objectives of the work, the methods used to solve it, the results obtained and the student’s original contribution. All these aspects will be of importance when the report is marked. The report should include the following sections:

  • Cover Page
  • Declaration
  • Table of Contents
  • List of Figures
  • List of Tables
  • Acknowledgements
  • Abstract
  • List of Acronyms  
For more Details click here

Introduction, Problem Statement, Literature Review, Objectives (Main objectives and specific objectives), Relevance of the project, Outline, Methodology, Conclusions, Outlook, References,  Appendices

TIMETABLE - SEMESTER 1

Week 1: Initial project seminar

At this session questions relating to Final Project can be answered. Prior to attending this seminar, it is strongly advised that you undertake some preliminary background work on your project idea and be able to:

  • Provide a background to your project.
  • Produce a project plan with identifiable tasks and deadlines.
  • Identify equipment / tools crucial to your project.

After selecting a potential project, you are expected to come up with a project title which reflects the anticipated work to be done. You will defend your project in front of an assessment panel who will determine whether your project is worth a 4th year final project:

  • If the project is accepted, your project will be automatically registered.
  • If the project is rejected, you will have one week to come up with a new project which will need to be approved by a panel of lecturers.

Any changes to your project title should be done in consultation with your allocated supervisor and the project coordinator!!

The allocation of a supervisor is carried out in parallel with the assessment of proposed project titles. 

Supervisor play the important role of guide and mentor during the detailed execution of the project,but the ultimate responsibility for the project lies with you!

The progress report, of not less than 6 pages, should have the following format:

  • Cover page
  • Abstract – a short summary stating the nature and scope of the work.
  • Introduction – provide a background to the work and justify the usefulness of the project
  • Problem statement – clearly define the problem in concise, non-ambiguous statements
  • Objectives – list the aims of the project which when achieved signify the completion
  • Literature review – discuss any previous and/or current related works
  • Methods – suggest suitable steps and techniques to be used in solving the problem
  • Work done so far – detail the progress made to date
  • Time schedule – a detailed time scale planning of the work ahead e.g. GANTT chart
  • Budget – showing costs involved in the execution of the project
  • References

The aim of the oral progress presentation session is to give a panel of assessors a feel for how much you have achieved, the quality of your work in the project and the amount of work and effort that you have put in. 

The oral presentation is also intended to assess your ability to deliver a technical presentation in which you outline the results of your project investigations.

TIMETABLE - SEMESTER 2

Week 8: First Review with focus of Progress. (Weight: 20%)

During the first review, the focus will be on presenting the progress done so far. Following parts are important to be consider during the presentation:

Requirements:

  • Problem Statement [2]   
  • Objectives [5] 
  • Solutions[5]   
  • Design and Implementation [10]
  • Challenges [3] 
  • Q&A [5]  

This is the second oral progress presentations with the focus more on the demonstration.

Requirements:

  • Introduction [4]
  • Design [5]
  • Schedule [3]
  • Demonstration [10]
  • Q&A [5]
  • Attendance for supervisor [3]

The first draft of the project report should be submitted to your supervisor for comments and Feedbacks! Either as Softcopy or printed version depending on your supervisor preference!

 It is easier to build up your report as your project progresses than to leave the writing to the end. It is also more beneficial to have
your supervisor’s input as you go along than to wait till the end.

2 printed version of Final Project Report must be submitted to Project Coordinator who is supposed to distribute and assign the final printed documents to different lecturers for the first part of report assessment. 

Final Defense Presentation consists of:

  • Final Oral Presentation (20% ot total weight)
  • Final Demonstration (20% ot total weight)

All developed project functionalities must be presented.
All Devices, Hardware, Software, results must be available.
Submission of accompanying software and/or hardware is on the day of presentation!

  • Submission of 2 Final Binded Versions of FYP (HardCopy) : One for Library, One for HoD and (Optional) One for the students
  • Submission of 1 SoftCopy as a PDF file to HoD/Project Coordinator 
  • Any software produced in a CD /  Hardware must be submitted too => Refers to 7.3 of the Guidelines.
  • Comments from external examinator should be considered in the final version!