under the auspices of the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery

L.N. 322 of 2008

EDUCATION ACT

(CAP. 327)

Bye-Laws of 2008 in terms of the

General Regulations for University Postgraduate Awards, 2008

for the Degree of Master of Science in Pharmacology or Clinical Pharmacology

under the auspices of the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery

IN exercise of the powers conferred upon him by sections 74 (5) and

75 (6) of the Education Act (Cap. 327), the Chancellor of the University of

Malta has promulgated the following bye-laws made by the Board of the

Faculty of Medicine and Surgery in virtue of the powers conferred upon it

by section 81 (I) of the said Act and which have been approved by the

S'i:nate of the University of Malta as required by section 81 (2) of the said

Act

Citation and Interpretation

(1) These bye-laws may be cited as the Bye-Laws of2008 in terms of the

General Regulations for University Postgraduate Awards, 2008 for the degree of

Master of Science in Phamlacology or Clinical Pharmacology under the auspices of

the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery.

(2) In these bye-laws, unless the context otherwise requires-

"the Board" means the Board of the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery;

"the Course" means the programme of study leading to the degree of Master of

Science in Pharmacology or Clinical Pharmacology;

"the Degree" means the degree of Master of Science In Pharmacology or

Clinical Pharmacology; and

"the Principal Regulations" means the General Regulations for University

Postgraduate Awards, 2008.

Applicability

These bye-laws shall be applicable for courses commencing in October 2008

or later.

Areas of Study

(1) The Course shall be offered mainly by research in any area of

Pharmacology or Clinical Pharmacology.

(2) Subject to the availability of resources, the Board may recommend to

Senate the number of students to be admitted to the Course and the areas of study in

which it can offer expert guidance and supervision. The areas offered and the

maximum number of students to be admitted shall be announced at the time of the

call for applications for admission to the Course.

(3) If there are more eligible applicants than the number of places

available, applicants shall be selected after an interview by a board appointed for the

purpose. The board shall select applicants using the following criteria

(a) the class of the degree;

(b) experience in the area of the proposed study;

(c) the research proposal; and

(d) their performance during an interview.

Requirements for Admission

(1) The Course shall be open to applicants in possession of

(a) the degree of Doctor of Medicine and Surgery or the degree of Bachelor of

Dental Surgery; or

(b) a Bachelor degree in Pharmacy or in a Health or Life Science related area

of study as deemed suitable by the Board, with at least Second Class Honours.

(2) The admission of applicants under paragraph (b) of this bye-law with

Third Class Honours, who have obtained other qualifications, including relevant

experience following the first cycle degree, may be made conditional on the results

of an assessment as the Board may deem appropriate.

Course Duration

The Course shall extend over three semesters of full-time study or the

equivalent in part-time study.

Programme of Study

The programme of study shall comprise study-units to which a total of 90

credits are assigned, of which 30 credits are assigned to taught study-units and 60

credits are assigned to a dissertation study-unit.

The programme of study shall be published after approval by Senate,

normally not less than eight months prior to the commencement of the Course.

Assessment and Progress

(1) The assessment of each taught study-unit shall be completed by the

end of the semester in which the teaching of the study-unit is held.

(2) Students who fail in the assessment of not more than 10 credits for

taught study-units shall be given the opportunity to re-sit the failed assessments

during the September supplementary examination session.

(3) Students who fail in more than 10 credits or students who after re-

assessment fail to obtain the credits for any study-unit, shall be deemed to have

failed the Course.

Dissertation

(1) Students shall be required to submit an individual dissertation of

approximately 40,000 words in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Board.

(2) Work on the dissertation may be undertaken throughout the Course

after approval of the proposal. Each student shall be assigned a supervisor who shall

provide guidance and advice on a regular basis during the period of study.

(1) Students shall be required to have regular contact with their

supervisor.

(2) Supervisors shall submit to the Board progress reports for each student

under their supervision at the end of each semester of studies, whether the student is

following the Course on a full-time or a part-time basis. Such reports may include a

recommendation to either (a) extend the period of study in order to enable the

student to complete the dissertation; or (b) terminate studies prematurely if the

supervisor deems this to be proper in the circumstances, provided that

(i) the extension of the study period referred to in (a) shall be in

accordance with the provisions of the Principal Regulations; and

(ii) the Board may not terminate studies prematurely according to (b)

until it has first given the student a chance to be heard.

Classification of the Award

The Final Weighted Average Mark for the purpose of the classification of

the Degree shall be based on the results obtained in all components of the

programme of study, all credits being weighted equally.

Special Provisions for Part-Time Courses

The provisions of the foregoing bye-laws shall apply mutatis mutandis to

courses followed on a part-time basis, and subject to such changes as may

reasonably be deemed by the Board as necessary due to the part-time nature of the

Course.