under the auspices of the Faculty of Science

L.N. 307 of 2009

EDUCATION ACT

(CAP. 327)

Bye-Laws of 2009 in terms of the General Regulations for

University Postgraduate Awards, 2008

for the Degree of Master of Science in Applied Chemistry

under the auspices of the Faculty of Science

IN EXERCISE of the powers conferred upon him by articles 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 Science in virtue of the powers conferred upon it by article 81 (1)

of the said Act and which have been approved by the Senate of the

University of Malta as required by article 81 (2) of the said Act

Citation and Interpretation

(1) These bye-laws may be cited as the Bye-Laws of 2009 in terms of the

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

Master of Science in Applied Chemistry under the auspices of the Faculty of

Science.

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

"the Board" means the Board of the Faculty of Science;

“the Board of Studies” means the Board of Studies appointed by Senate for

the Course, on the recommendation of the Board;

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

of Science in Applied Chemistry;

"the Degree" means the degree of Master of Science in Applied Chemistry;

“the Faculty” means the Faculty of Science;

"the Postgraduate Diploma" means the Postgraduate Diploma in Applied

Chemistry; 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 2009

or later.

Requirements for Admission

(1) To be registered as regular students in the Course, applicants shall be

in possession of any one of the following qualifications

(a) a degree in science with chemistry as a main area of study obtained with

second class honours or better; or

(b) a degree in pharmacy obtained with second class honours or better; or

(c) a degree obtained with second class honours or better in an area of study

that is deemed relevant by the Board.

(2) Applicants with a degree in science with chemistry as a main area of

study obtained with third class honours may be admitted if they show evidence of

significant experience in work relevant to the area of study of the Course obtained

after their first cycle degree.

(3) The Board shall recommend to Senate the number of applicants that

may be allowed to register for the Course, depending on the availability of

resources. The number of available places shall be announced at the time of the call

for applications.

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

available, applicants shall be selected after an interview by a board consisting of at

least three members, appointed for the purpose. The Board shall select applicants

according to the following criteria

(a) degree type and class;

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

(c) performance during the interview.

Course Duration

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

equivalent in part-time study.

Programme of Study

(1) The programme of study shall comprise study-units to which a total of

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

credits assigned to the dissertation study-unit.

(2) Students who obtain the 60 credits assigned to the taught study-units

with an average mark of at least 50% and do not proceed with the Course, or having

proceeded do not successfully complete the dissertation, shall be eligible for the

award of the Postgraduate Diploma.

(3) 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 in any academic year fail in the assessment of not more

than twenty credits, if following the full-time Course, or not more than twelve

credits if following the part-time Course, shall be given the opportunity to re-sit the

assessment/s of the failed study-unit/s during the September supplementary

examination session.

(3) Students who fail in more than the number of study-units permitted

under paragraph (2) of this bye-law, or students who after re-assessment fail to

obtain credit for any study-unit, shall be required to withdraw from the Course.

Students shall be allowed to proceed to the dissertation study-unit subject to

obtaining the 60 credits assigned to the taught study-units with a minimum average

mark of 60%.

Dissertation

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

approximately 25,000 words in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Board.

(2) Work on the dissertation shall be undertaken during the third semester

of the Course. Each student shall be assigned a supervisor by the Board, who shall

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

substantial modification in the title or content must be approved by the Board.

(3) A provisional title of the dissertation and a detailed research proposal

shall be submitted to the Board for approval by the beginning of the second

semester.

(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 Awards

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

the Postgraduate Diploma and of the Degree shall be based on the results obtained in

all the 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.

Repeal

The Regulations of 2006 for the degree of Master of Science in Applied

Chemistry under the auspices of the Faculty of Science, published as Legal Notice

126 of 2008, shall be deemed to cease to be in force as from 1st October 2009,

provided that students registered for this course before 1st October 2009 shall

continue to be governed by the regulations that were in force at the time of their

joining the course.