CHAPTER ONE

1.0       INTRODUCTION               

Result computation is an integral part of the running of an institution of learning,  this is because the output of the computation reveals what a student is worth “academically” over a period of his or her stay in that institution. Universities often adopt and integrate a system of evaluation therefore issues related to result and it computation cannot be handled with levity as this goes a long way in shaping a student prospect of finding a career in the long run.

Nowadays, the computer system is being integrated into several aspect of the society and it is often visible noticed that institutions are dropping the manual method of result management which entails the use of pen, paper and calculator or excel spreadsheet which is time consuming and tasking. Institutions of learning in the western world in a bid to make result computation easier are now adopting the use of special software application built for the purpose of result computation and management. The essence of adopting the use of computerized system over other method is that its percentage of errors are zero to none or minimal and also due to the fact that records can be stored in a central location simultaneously while providing access to the records when needed and also eliminating the difficulty in retrieving lost data as often experienced  with other methods.

Base on this salient reasons, building a result computing application for institutions of learning for managing students results should be paramount hence, the  resolve in building a web based student result generating system using MYSQL as the database management system and Hypertext preprocessor as the server side scripting language while also integrating other computer programing languages.

1.1       Background of Study

Presently the result grading system used by Federal University of Technology Minna is the five point grading system, which is the standard in use as stated in the federal university of technology students handbook 2011/2012 session.

The courses offered in the university programs (Undergraduate, Masters and Diploma) are allocated  credit hours per course which ranges from one (1) to four (4) unit this varies from course to course pending on the scope and objectives of the course. This explains the fact why some are allocated greater credit unit than others.

The worth or academic measurement of student performance in a given course is given by the grade-point obtain in the course registered for.

Table 1 below, shows the grades which is often obtained by students base performances or as the case may be.

Table 1 Grades

Grade

Grade point

Score range

 Remark

A

5

70-100

Excellent

B

4

60-69

Very Good

C

3

50-59

Good

D

2

45-48

Intermediate

E

1

40-44

Fair

F

0

0-39

Fail

                       

                                                                                                           

Source: Futminna Students Handbook 2011/2012 session

 

Table 2 below shows the details of how a Semester Grade Point Average and Cumulative Grade Point Average of a student is derived:

Table 2 Grading Analysis  

Course Code

Credit Unit

Score Range

Grade

Grade (Numerical Equivalent)

Grade Point

Average

Remark

CIT 228

2

>70

A

5

10

Excellent

IMT 229

3

60-69

B

4

12

Very Good

CIT 202

3

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