under the auspices of the Institute of Earth Systems

L.N. 548 of 2010

EDUCATION ACT

(CAP. 327)

Bye-Laws of 2010 in terms of the General Regulations for

University Postgraduate Awards, 2008

for the Degree of International Master of Science in Sustainable Environmental

Resources Management – M.Sc. (SERM)

under the auspices of the Institute of Earth Systems

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

Institute of Earth Systems in virtue of the powers conferred upon it by

article 8 (b) (v) of the Statute for the Institute, which bye-laws have been

approved by the Senate of the University of Malta

Citation and Interpretation

(1) These bye-laws may be cited as the Bye-Laws of 2010 in terms of the

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

International Master of Science in Sustainable Environmental Resources Management –

M.Sc. (SERM) – offered under the auspices of the Institute of Earth Systems.

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

“the Board” means the Board of Studies as appointed by the Senate on the

recommendation of the Institute of Earth Systems after consultation with the Partner

University;

“the Course” means the programme of study leading to the degree of International

Master of Science in Sustainable Environmental Resources Management – M.Sc.

(SERM);

“the Degree” means the double degree of Master of Science in Sustainable

Environmental Resources Management – M.Sc. (SERM) – of the University and the

Master of Science in Integrated Science and Technology of the Partner University;

“the Partner University” means James Madison University, Virginia, USA;

“the Postgraduate Diploma” means the Postgraduate Diploma in Sustainable

Environmental Resources Management;

“the Principal Regulations” means the General Regulations for University

Postgraduate Awards, 2008;

“the Senate” means the Senate of the University of Malta; and

“the University” means the University of Malta.

(3) This Degree is an International Master’s degree of the University and this

shall be taken to mean that the Course is taught at the University in collaboration with a

Partner University within the framework of a double degree programme. The Degree

shall only be awarded if both universities declare the student to be eligible for its award.

Applicability

These bye-laws shall be applicable for courses commencing from August 2010

onwards.

Requirements for Admission

The Course shall be open to applicants in possession of a first cycle degree in

Science or Engineering or in another area of study which the Board considers as

appropriate, provided that the first cycle degree is obtained with a second class honours

or better classification, or an equivalent classification.

Course Duration

The Course shall extend over a period of three semesters of full-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 are 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 Course, 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) A Board of Examiners shall be appointed for each study-unit taken by

written and/or oral examination in accordance with the provisions of the University

Assessment Regulations.

(3) Students who fail in the assessment of not more than 20 credits for

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

next scheduled examination session (May or September).

(4) Students who fail in more than the number of credits permitted under

paragraph (3) of this bye-law, or students who after re-assessment fail to obtain credit

for any study-unit, shall be deemed to have failed the Course.

Dissertation

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

the Course. Each student shall be assigned a supervisor who shall provide guidance and

advice on a regular basis during the period of study.

(2) The title of the dissertation and a detailed research proposal shall be

approved by the Board not later than two months before the start of the third semester.

(1)

Students shall be required to have regular contact with their supervisor.

(2) Supervisors shall submit to the Board progress reports for students under

their supervision. 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 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.

(1) For the examination of the dissertation, the Board of Examiners shall be

composed of three examiners from the University and the Partner University, and shall

normally include the supervisor and the co-supervisor when one is appointed.

(2) Students shall normally be required to take a viva voce examination to

defend their dissertation and this may be conducted using electronic means of

communication if so approved by the Board.

Students whose dissertation is found unsatisfactory may either fail or may be

required by the Board of Examiners to rewrite the document in whole or in part and to

re-submit it for examination. Students may re-submit the dissertation not later than four

months from notification of the decision by the Board of Examiners.

Classification of the Awards

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

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

components of the programme of study, all credits being weighted equally.

Testimonial of the Award

The testimonial given by the University shall include a statement to indicate

that the Partner University has separately awarded a degree for successful completion of

the same Course.

Repeal

The International Master of Science in Sustainable Environmental Resources

Management – M.Sc. (SERM) Degree Course Regulations, 2008, under the auspices of

the Faculty of Science, published as Legal Notice 113 of 2008, shall be deemed to cease

to be in force as from 1st August 2010, provided that students registered for this course

before 1st August 2010 shall continue to be governed by the regulations that were in

force at the time of their joining the course.

€0.37