Final Year Project General Guideline

This document lists out some reference points for students to take note when preparing
for the final year project presentation and the final year project report. For the format
of the final year project report, please refer to Final Year Project Report Template
and Guidelines (another separated file).

1. Presentation
a. Content of the presentation should include
An overview of the whole presentation, informing the audience what is to be
expected or presented.
The objectives of the presentation should be clearly stated.
Project outlines.
For FYP Part I
Literature study for the project.
Design and partial implementation of the project.
Conclusions by reinstating the main points and the work to be completed in FYP
Part II.
For FYP Part II
The main or core results/findings of the project.
Discussions that include detailed support/justification such as comparison/contrast,
problem/solution, argument/persuasion, and importance.
Conclusion by reinstating the main points and recommending future course of
actions.
b. Delivery of presentation
For the oral presentation:
The explanations/findings provided should be sound and convincing, with strong
theoretical justifications.
The materials should be well organized and the presentation should be well
structured.
Be confident and well prepared.
The delivery is timely; with good pace/speed so that the audience is able to listen
and follow the presentation.
Practice good eye contact.
Emphasis: body language, gestures, pitch, and enunciation to highlight important
points.
Stand straight and face the audience.
Speak good and clear English.
The slides prepared are clear (not blurry), tidy (not messy) and visible/legible
(suitable font and size).
Ensure the slides are synchronized with the oral presentation.
The slides are sharp and concise (short points/phrases yet thorough coverage).
Show clear and relevant diagrams (figures, graphs, block diagrams, flowcharts,
etc.) to aid the explanations.
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Proofread the presentation materials.

During the course of the presentation:

Slides and other tools such as OHP, visualizer and sound system are only visual
aids to make the presentation more lively, more interesting, and easier to navigate.
However, keep in mind that the student is still the main presenter. The role of the
presenter cannot be replaced by an automated presentation.
Rule: keep it simple, clear, well structured, i.e. sharp and concise; good
impressions are always made orally, not visually.
c. Candidates performance during Questions and Answers
The student should be
Able to answer in details and accurately.
Able to answer questions confidently.
Able to answer basic/fundamental questions within the areas/scopes of the project.
Demonstrate good English skills and be able to relate the answers to examples,
slides, data, etc.
During the course of the Question and Answer:
For audience:
It is advisable to start with simple/basic questions.
Do not bombard the candidate with questions not related to/within the scope of the
project.
Ask the questions politely and clearly.
Repeat the question nicely/Rephrase when the candidate requests for the question
to be repeated.
Ask one question at a time.
Do not mock the candidate. Do not criticize harshly but point out nicely if the
answers given are wrong. Praise him/her when the answers are right and accurate.
Show your approval such as nodding your head.
For candidate:
Stay calm/be cool.
Take some time to think of how to answer the questions rather than answering it
immediately!
Questions can be answered by simple English statements or with the use of visual
aids.
Do not try to make-up an answer for a question. If you do not know the answer,
admit.
Do your homework: think and prepare for questions that could be asked (i.e. know
your stuff!).

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2. General Efforts
Candidates efforts during the course of the project

Project flows according to the plan.

Candidate meets the supervisor regularly (as arranged) to discuss the project.
Candidate is punctual for the meeting/appointments.
Suggestions/directives of the supervisor are taken into considerations.
Candidates work is thorough and systematic (good engineering approach).
Candidate
can
work
independently
and
provide
good
suggestions/recommendations to improve the project plan and management.
Sufficient amount of efforts demonstrated (sourcing for materials, research, reading
and learning, etc. needed/required for the project).
Work done is genuine (any critical references to inquire supervisors
recommendations/opinions).

3. Final Report
a. Quality of the report

The report format is followed strictly. Kindly refer to Guideline for Final Year
Project Report for the report format.

Summary for report writing guidelines:

All aspects of the project are properly documented in the report.
Content must be genuine/original. References MUST be cited. PLAGIARISM is
punishable by a grade of F (FAIL).
Report write-up is technically sound. Technical terms are properly used but not
excessively.
Methods of investigations or details of the design can fall under 3 categories: i)
Experimental research, ii) Design synthesis of hardware/software iii) Development
and application of theory. Approaches taken in any category must be completely
described or explained in detail.
Data or findings are theoretically supported or compared with other published
data/work. Data should be presented properly in diagrams, graphs, tables, etc. If
there is any discrepancy between the theoretical and experimental results, an
analysis or quantitative/qualitative discussions should follow to explain the possible
sources of error.
b. Achievement of the project
As mentioned in the FYP guideline, the project may fall under one of the following
categories:
Experimental research
Design synthesis of hardware/software
Development and application of theory
Depending on the nature of the project, the quality of the project may be judged under,
but not restricted to, any of the following points:
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Hands-on experience to relate and reinforce what has been taught including
enhancement in problem solving skills, project planning, design, implementation,
etc.
Overall functionality of the project (cost, effectiveness, efficiency, value, userfriendliness, specifications, innovation, etc).
Level of difficulty (amount of skills/knowledge/techniques required and applied).
Originality (ideas, concepts, approaches, implementations, etc.).
Notable impact (new discovery, invention, etc.).
Contributions to researchers/scientists/consumers/end-users, etc.

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