FEDERAL UNIVERSITY BIRNIN KEBBI

DEPARTMENT OF PURE & INDUSTRIAL CHEMISTRY

GUIDE TO PROJECT WRITING
The preparation of a final year project is a meticulous activity which may appear simple or complex
depending on how the students handle the total process. It involves series of steps beginning with
the approval of project topic ending with the submission of bound copy of the project, after a
successful external defense.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

The project should be written using the following requirements:

✓ Arial and 12 font size. Scientific names should be in italics

✓ Double line space and doubled-spaces between paragraphs and sections
✓ Bold print may be used for headings
✓ A4 paper size (210 mm x 297 mm)
✓ The left margin should be at least 40 mm and the right, top and bottom margins are at least
25 mm
✓ All pages should be numbered centrally. Preliminary pages preceding Chapter one must
be numbered in Roman numerals (i, ii, iii). The Title Page should not be numbered even
though it is counted as page i. Page 1 begins with the first page of the Introduction (or
Chapter 1)
✓ Portrait layout is used but landscape layout may be used for Figures and Tables.
✓ When the project has been completed and all necessary signatures obtained, bind with
NAVY BLUE hard cover, and lettered in gold from the head to the foot of the project
using 20 point fonts (See Appendix 1).
The following is an example of how various pages in a project, from preliminary to ending pages,
are arranged:

Page 1 of 7
1) Blank Page
2) Title Page (Appendix 2):
✓ Name of the university to which the project is submitted (in uppercase)
✓ Name of faculty in bracket (in uppercase)
✓ Full title of project (in uppercase);
✓ Full name of student (in uppercase) including admission number;
✓ Degree for which the project is submitted;
✓ Name of the department to which the project is submitted;
✓ Month and year of submission.
3) Dedication
4) Certification:
The approval sheet is required as a certification by relevant people (Supervisor, External
Examiner and the Head of the department), that the project has met the requirements for
the award of the degree being sought. The wordings on the page should read as follows:
This is to certify that this project report by (Name of the student) has met the requirements
for the Award of the Bachelor of Science Degree of the Federal University Birnin Kebbi
and is approved for its contribution to knowledge.
___________________ ___________________
Name of the Supervisor Date

(Supervisor)

__________________________ ____________________

Name of the External Examiner Date

(External Examiner)
________________________ _____________________
Name of the H. O. D Date
(Head of Department)

5) Declaration:
I hereby declare that this project is based on my original work except for quotations and
citations which have been duly acknowledged. I also declare that it has not been previously

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 or concurrently submitted for any other degree at Federal University Birnin Kebbi or
elsewhere.
6) Acknowledgements:
Acknowledgements usually contain written expressions of appreciation for guidance and
assistance from individuals and institutions.
7) Table of Contents
The Table of Contents lists in sequence, with corresponding page numbers, all relevant
subdivisions of the project. Major headings within chapters (primary headings) are
centered. Subheadings (secondary) are left justified.
8) List of Tables
Tables are numbered consecutively with Arabic numerals throughout the project (including
text and appendices). Number the tables by chapter, e.g. Table 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2. 2 and
so on. Normally, all tables are to be listed under LIST OF TABLES in the preliminary
pages (including tables appearing in the appendices). Tables should be placed after their
first mentioned in the text.
9) List of Figures
This includes graphs, maps, charts, engineering drawings, photographs, sketch sand printed
images. The exact title or caption and its corresponding page number is listed. The title of
the figure should appear below the figure. Figures should be numbered by chapters like the
tables. Figures are inserted immediately after they are mentioned in the text.

10) List of Abbreviations/Notations/Glossary of Terms

If an assortment of abbreviations and acronyms (e.g. FAO, DOA, MARDI, and PORIM) is
used in the project, it is best to list them in a List of Abbreviations/Notations/Glossary of
Terms with their meanings, even though the full names are given at the first mention in
the text. This list serves as ready reference to readers not familiar with the abbreviations.
Universally recognized scientific symbols (OC, cm, mm, kg, ha) need not be listed.
12) Abstract:
Abstracts should not normally exceed 350 words. It includes a brief statement of the
problem; a concise description of the research method and design; summary of major

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 findings, including the significance or lack of it; and conclusions. Reference to literature is
not normally made in the abstract.
13) Main Body (Chapters)
The body of a project normally consists of the following sections. These can either be
organized as separate chapters or be included as subheadings in a chapter or various
chapters. A Chapter may be divided into Major Sections and Subsections. Major section
and Subsection of a chapter may be identified by numbers. Major section is numbered First
level (e.g. 1, 2, 3) and subsection is level numbered (e.g. 1.1, 1.1.1., 1.2.3). This should be
consistent throughout the project and to be limited to 4 levels if possible.
a) Introduction:
It is the introductory chapter that introduces the problem and indicates its importance and
validity. It sets forth the context, the hypotheses to be tested and the research objectives to
be attained. An introduction should be written like an inverted triangle (broadening at the
beginning then narrowing down at the end). It should be limited to about 3 – 5 pages.
problem statement of the problem, justification, Aim and objectives and scope and
limitation should be under introduction.
b) Literature Review:
It is a critical review of literature related to the topic of the project. It is meant to act as a
base for the experimental/analytical section of the project. Literature selected must be up
to date, analyzed and synthesized logically. It is not a mere summary of works of different
authors. It should follow the whole introduction but not sandwiched within introduction.
Note: As a chapter, Introduction and Literature Review should be combined
(Chapter One).
c) Materials and Methods (Chapter Two):
It describes the methods and techniques used. It may also contain validation of methods
used. In engineering and sciences, this may include, but not limited to, chapter or chapters
which describe the methodology, theoretical development, hypothesis description,
fundamental philosophical foundation, experimental design and standard procedure
description.
d) Results:
It presents a complete account of results and analyses of the study in the form of figures,
tables or text so that the key information is highlighted. Results and Discussion may consist

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 of more than one heading depending on the number of experimental work and/or
parametric studies conducted. Each heading on Results should contain discussion.
e) Discussion:
Results of the study in relation to the hypotheses or the aim and objectives are discussed
here. It highlights the main findings, their significance and implications.

However, students are encouraged to have results discussed as they are presented.
Note: As a chapter, Results and Discussion should be combined (Chapter Three).

f) Conclusion and Recommendations (Chapter Four):

Conclusion derived from the project work should be summarized here.
The recommendations are suggestions offered to address deficiencies/weaknesses of the
research through further researches. It may also include advices to government, industries,
communities or individuals who are directly affected by the findings of the research. The
suggestions may target government or industries (who may be principal contributors to the
problem) towards regulating their activities. In the other way, communities or individuals
(who might be potential risk reservoirs) may be advice on how to safeguard themselves
against potential risks. However, recommendations may not always be in the negative, as
sometimes research findings can uncover great potentialities requiring to be harnessed. In
that case, suggestions are made to relevant organs on the need to focus attention on the
subject of the research.
14) Citations and References
To ensure uniformity within the department, APA style is hereby recommended as citation
and reference listing style. Students may consult their supervisors for guidance and also
refer to CHM 321.
15) Appendices
An appendix or appendices, if any, are placed after the reference list. Details of the
appendices are listed by type in the Table of Contents. Appendices include original data,
summary, side-line or preliminary tests, tabulations, tables that contain data of lesser
importance, very lengthy quotations, supporting decisions, forms and documents, computer
printouts, detailed engineering drawings and other pertinent documents.
16) Blank Page

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APPENDIX 1: COVER PAGE OF THE BINDED PROJECT

ISOLATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF COMPOUNDS FROM Cassia singueana

LEAVES EXTRACT

BY

MUSA, IKECHUKWU ADEBAYO

(ADM NO: 1910210133)

[Link]. PURE/INDUSTRIAL CHEMISTRY

DEPARTMENT OF PURE AND INDUSTRIAL CHEMISTRY

DECEMBER, 2024

Page 6 of 7
APPENDIX 2: TITLE PAGE

FEDERAL UNIVERSITY BIRNIN KEBBI

(FACULTY OF SCIENCE)

ISOLATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF COMPOUNDS FROM Cassia singueana

LEAVES EXTRACT

A PROJECT REPORT SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF PURE AND

INDUSTRIAL CHEMISTRY, FEDERAL UNIVERSITY BIRNIN KEBBI

IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS

FOR THE AWARD OF THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
(PURE/INDUSTRIAL CHEMISTRTY)

BY

MUSA, IKECHUKWU ADEBAYO

(ADM NO: 1910210133)

DECEMBER, 2024

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