Undergraduate Project Proposal

A prototype of Student Cumulative Grade Point Average using Programming language

(A case study of Bauchi state University Gadau)

By

Abubakar Sani
BASUG/UG/BHS/ANA/19/0141

Supervisor: Dr. Umar Ahmad

Bauchi State University, Gadau, Nigeria

January 2021
Research summary (300 words)

Yale University become the first institution to adopt a grading system in the world. The letch
for good grades in the Nigeria society started way back in the early 20th century.
Today more than 1000 University Universities adopt the CGPA grading. University are
expected to produce high quality of graduate whose posses all required criteria including hard
skill and soft skill to fit on the work force or able to venture as entrepreneur.
The rate of increase in error in students’ grading is very high due to the use of manual
methods. It have been observed that students’ grade have many a time been calculated with a
grade lesser than the students’ grade which have been posted as their final results and this
have negatively affect some students who are victim of such circumstance academically
orotherwise.
The implementation of this work is done Using python and MySQL, to achieve the desired
system.
The aim of the study is to design and implement an online application capable of running on
mobile phones for the computation and storage of students CGPA.

Keywords: Cumulative Grade Point Average( CGPA), Grade average point (GAP)
1.0 Introduction
Grade Point Average (GPA) and Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) are two factors
that determine the education domain and they identified the diverse systems of awarding
undergraduates’ scores upon their educational performances in their different subjects (lit
1Quora, 2019). 1
The grade point average is a average of all final grades of a program that measurement
standard of varying level achievement in a course, mostly measure with cumulative grade
point average (CGPA). Cumulative grade point average (CGPA) are calculated to present
students’ quality of performance.2
The GPA is calculated by taking the number of grades points a student earned in a given
period of time. These averages are used to determine if a student qualifies for certain
academic actions and programs. The life and success of every student is visible through his
academic performance; hence it is required every student to keep, and monitoring his
academic performance.3 Therefore, the act of keeping academic records and yearly
performance of a student every session is very essential, which can encourage a student to
add more effort during his course of sturdy. The social and economic development of the
country is directly linked with student academic performance. 4
The student academic performance plays important role in producing the best quality
graduates who will become great leader and manpower for the country thus responsible for
the country’s economic and socila development (Ali et.al,2009).2
Grading in Nigerian Universities differs, but there are many similarities. Grades are assigned
in letters (A, B,C, D, E or F) as a percentage of total number scored, descrip as ( Excellent,
great, satisfactory, need to improvement). Each grade is assigned a point called the credit unit
(CU) or credit load(CL). The computing of student GP is done by obtaining Grade point
Equivalent (GPE) for each course, which is product of his credit load and grade point
obtained.2
Performance in any semester is reported in grade point average, this is average of weighted
grade points earned in the course taken during the semester. The purpose of calculating a
students cumulative GPA is to determine the class of degree to be awarded, grades obtained
in all the courses whether compulsory or optional and whether passed or failed, must be
included in the computation. Even when a student repeats the same course once or more
before passing it or substitutes another course for a failed optional course, grade scored at
each and all attempts shall be included in the computation of GPA. (NUC, 2007).2
The student Performance in each semester is executed in grade point average, this is average
of leaden grade points captured in his program during the semester. The idea of designing a
student’s cumulative grade point average is to verify the category of degree to be honour by
the student, grades attain in all the courses whether mandatory or optional and whether failed
or passed, must be embody in the computation. Equally, when a student recite the same
course once or more before passing it or changed another course for a failed optional course,
grade mark at each and all attempts shall be admitted in the computation of GPA. (NUC,
2007).2
Student academic achievement measurement has acquired considerable investigation in
subsequent research, its challengeable prospect of academic biography. many studies have
been carried on to examine factors that affect student performance base on CGPA at
university level. Science student performance are impaired due to social, psychological,
personal, economic and environmental factors. this factor alters student academic
performance, but this factor varies from individual to another, country to country. the Student
consideration in this investigation are fundamentally the youths. This age are known to be
deeply affected with social trends and other environmental factors. it’s well known that the
fasters device to affect student academic performance is extracurricular activities into his
hubbies.2
A study have been outlook to find out various factors that influences students’ academic
performance based on CGPA at university level.
Demographic factors, learning styles, self-motivation are among the significant factors that
influence the academic performance. Students with high intrinsic and extrinsic self-
motivations will perform academically and obtain good CGPA results. Good learning pattern
is also said to show significant influence on students’ academic performance. The factors that
did not affect the students’ CGPA are gender and prior academic knowledge.2

How this study will benefit Bauchi state University Gadau

This study will assist the University in the following
1. Calculating and cumulating the sum of student grade of the year (CGPA).
2. Reducing human labour and additional skills with simple procedure.
3. producing safe and accurate results.
4. Substitution of human works with machine, the system transfer human effort to machine
without significant human intervention of operation in order to improve performance.
5. Help the student to determine their strength and weakness.
1.1 Problem statement
There is a problem of too much work load to the department examination offices, also
increase number of students in the institution, the department is faced by heaps of files, as
such sorting out a particular student files will take lot of time.
However, it has been observed that some student called for recalculating of their grade which
is not done effectively and some student’s grades have many a times been calculated
with a grade lesser than the student grade which have been posted as their final results
and this negatively affect student academic performance.
Hence, this project aimed at preferring solution to the problems face in computing CGPA and
provide a application software that present student Grade accurately.

1.2 Significance of the study

Nowadays, the use of smart phones and internet are the most functional and a predominant
part of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). The effect of this smartphone
through applications is global among students. About 85% of young adult (ages 18-24) own
smartphones, 80% of his students are using their phones in class to stay connected. Hence,
the reason for this study aim at provision of software that will automatically generated
student CGPA accurately.

The software application for calculating students GP will significantly:

1. Automatically compute student result without errors.

2. Automated search and retrieval of results.
3. Provide a centralized database for all information and computation for future reference
4. Save time and cost.

1.3 Hypothesis
1. A strong positive and significant relationships exist between CGPA in the different level
and the overall CGPA.
2. There are relation between student academic performance and poor reading habit
1.4 Research questions
This study examines the factors affect student CGPA from the point of entry to the point of
graduation at university level.
What are the factors that affect student academic performance based on CGPA at university
level?
1.5 Objectives
1. To calculate the semester grade point average
2. To calculate the performance of total academic year
3. Develop a log-in platform to ensure privacy and authentication to various users.4.To keep
a database for each user’s academic records and computations for future use.

1.5.1 General objective

The aim of the study is to design and implement an online application capable of running on
mobile phones for the computation and storage of students CGPA.
1.5.2 Specific objectives
1. To develop a software that will automatically complier a student CGPA
2. To reduce time wasting and many other factors resulting in calculating error.
3.To promote the accuracy and quality of result provided.

1.6 Conceptual framework

Display (output) unit

(HD 44780)

Power Supply Unit

Keypad
(9V Battery/LM 7805)
(input)
Control unit
Unit (4x4
AT895S2
Matrix)
2.0 Literature Review

GPA and CGPA are numeric potrayal of student perfornance in their academic years.
Between CGPA and CGPA is determine as importannt because is one of the most deligent
magnitude of student acdemic capability or achievement. A few researchers that used CGPA
in their studies are Ervina AlfananMd Nor Othman(2005); 1Sulaiman and Mohezar (2006);5
Mushtagand Nawaz Khan (2012);2 Yusoff, Abdul Rahim, Baba, Ismail, Mat Pa and Isa
(2013);2 Jayanthi, Balakrishnan, Ching, Latiff and Nasirudeen(2014);2 Bavani and Sanjivee
(2015). 2

Calculation of Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of students is becoming a

superlative significance due to the need for computing the academic depiction of students in
tertiary education aroud the world. The idea of grading student’s performance quantitatively
was magnify by William Farish and first used by University of Cambridge in 1792 (What is
CGPA, 2011). After that, several adjustments have been made on student’s performance
grading system.6

Stipulated by the Nigerian University Commission (NUC) as tabulated on table 1.

Table 1. NUC tabulated grading system

Grade Mark/score (%) Grade point

A 70 – 100 5
B 60 – 69 4
C 50 – 59 3
D 45 – 49 2
E 40 – 44 1
F 0 – 39

SYSTEM OVERVIEW
There are many growth approaches which are engaged during software progressing process
and these approaches are commonly pertains to as software development advanced models.
In taking up complete unit for CGPA calculation. The modules are distinguished and
controlled by a series of Computer programs classical technology,
inputs through the keypad, process it, and displays the processed output through the LCD.
System Design
 In the system design, the flow diagram 2a – 2c show how the system works. It carefully
illustrates the flow of instructions from one step to the other during operation.

start

Init I/o ports

Declare message

Declare variable
n
init LCD

Display welcome message

i
Init counter I =1

Display ‘’course I unit?’’

Cell keyboard

Call KFM1

Clear last input Display invalid unit

Yes
Is unit =
Invalid unit?

No
Cell keyboard

Yes
Is key =
m
clear?

No Display invalid unit

Yes
Is key =
Enter?

Figure 1. (a) Program Flow chart

p
 m

Display ‘’course1 Grade

Cell keyboard

Call KFM2

Display Invalid Grade

Clear last input

Is Grade
Yes
Invalid?

No
Call keyboard

Call Enter key 2

Yes
Is key =
clear?
Display Invalid Grade

No
No
Is key =
Enter?

Yes
Total unit +unit; SOP + =Grade
point *unit

No
Is I =1?

Yes
Display Info message

figure 2. (a) Program Flow chart continue

p
 P

i
Call keyboard

I =I ++

Is key =
calc?

Yes

CGPA =SOP/ total Unit

Display CGPA

MSDidplay 6Mins

Clear Screen

Figure 3(c). Program Flow chart continues

3.0 Methodology
The data were generated by distributing questionnaires and stratified sampling technique was
adopted in electing the sample from four different department respectively (Anatomy,
Physiology, pharmacology & Public health). The sample cover 245 respondents from 200L
and above.

3.1 Study design

Quantitative research method is used to analysed the information collected statistically.

3.2 Study location

The study will be conducted in Human Anatomy department of Bauchi State University
Gadau.

3.3 Study duration

The study duration will be 4 months.

3.4 Sampling population

The participant will be selected among the students of faculty of basic medical science (60
participants in Anatomy, 60 in Physiology, 55 in Pharmacology and 70 in Public Health will
be used respectively.

3.5 Selection criteria

Only participant from 200l to 400l withing the faculty will be selected for the study.

3.5.1 Inclusion criteria

The criteria for this study include student from 200level to 400level from the faculty of basic
health sciences.

3.5.2 Exclusion criteria

Student of 100 level first semester are excluded because they only have GPA without
CGPA).
3.6 Sampling frame
Covers 200l to 400l of four department of faculty of basic health sciences

3.7 Sampling techniques

Simple random sampling will be use for 245 participants across the faculty of basic health
science

3.8 Determination of sample size.

The standard formula for measuring sample determination.

Z2xpx(1 – p)
e2
n=N x z2xp x (1-p)
[N - 1 +
e2 N
N= population size ▪ e = Margin of error

(percentage in decimal form) ▪z =z-score

3.9 Instrument for data collection
Questionnaire and Interview was use to collect the data

3.9.1 Component of questionnaire

Sections Components
Sectiona 1 Demographic Section: which include personal details of the
respondent

Section 2 Factual Questions

Opinion Questions

Contact details for follow up and clarifications.

3.12 Ethical Approvals

The ethical approval will be approved by the university ethical committee department of
pharmacology of faculty of basic medical science.
3.13 Expected results
The researcher is expected to present a concrete sofware which will effectively present
students CGPA accurately and be able to retsore student information correctly.

Gantt chart
References
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Universiti Malaysia Pahang Descriptive Analysis of Students ’ CGPA : A Case Study
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Eastern University , Sri Lanka. 2017;(July).
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