under the auspices of the Institute of Earth Systems

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L.N. 291 of 2012

EDUCATION ACT

(CAP. 327)

Bye-Laws of 2012 in terms of the

General Regulations for University Postgraduate Awards, 2008

for the Degree of Master of Science - M.Sc. -

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 2012 in terms of

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

Master of Science - M.Sc. - 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 the Institute of Earth Systems;

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

Master of Science - M.Sc.;

“the Degree” means the degree of Master of Science - M.Sc.;

“the Director” means the Director of the Institute of Earth Systems;

“the Institute” means the Institute of Earth Systems; 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

2011 or later.

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Areas of Study

The Course shall be offered in any area of study related to Earth Systems

in which the Institute can offer expert guidance and supervision, and subject to the

availability of resources. The areas of study shall be approved by the Board before the

commencement of the Course.

Requirements for Admission

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

degree obtained with Second Class (Honours) or better, in a discipline related to

Earth Systems, or in any other area of study which the Board considers as relevant,

and obtained within the ten years previous to registration for the Course.

(2) The Board may, at its discretion, recommend the admission of

applicants in possession of a first cycle degree obtained with Third Class (Honours),

in an area of study which the Board considers as relevant, and obtained within the

ten years previous to registration for the Course, provided that the applicants have

obtained other qualifications, including relevant experience, following their first

cycle degree. The Board may, at its discretion, require such applicants to follow a

supplementary or preparatory programme as specified in bye-law 5.

(3) Applicants whose first degree was obtained more than ten years

previous to registration for the Course may also be admitted, provided that they

produce sufficient proof of their competence to follow the Course. The Board may,

at its discretion, require such applicants to follow a supplementary or preparatory

programme as specified in bye-law 5.

(4) All applicants may be asked to demonstrate competence in those

skills required by the nature of the proposed research via an extended interview

and/or the submission of appropriate documentation. In cases where significant

deficiencies are identified, the Board may, at its discretion, require applicants to

follow a supplementary and/or preparatory programme as specified in bye-law 5.

Supplementary and Preparatory Programmes

(1) The supplementary programme shall comprise study-units at level

4 or lower, to which not more than 10 ECTS credits shall be assigned.

(2) The preparatory programme shall comprise study-units at level 4

or lower, to which not less than 30 ECTS credits and not more than 60 ECTS credits

shall be assigned.

(3) Students required by the Board to follow and complete a

supplementary and/or preparatory programme shall be required to pass with an

average mark of 55% or better, prior to their registration for the Course.

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Course Duration

The Course shall extend over a period of three semesters of full-time

study, or their equivalent in part-time study.

Programme of Study

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

ECTS credits shall be assigned, and shall be mainly by research. The programme shall

comprise taught study-units to which 20 ECTS credits are assigned, and a dissertation

study-unit to which 70 ECTS credits are assigned.

Assessment and Progress

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.

(1) Students who, in any academic year, fail in the assessment of not

more than two study-units (if following the Course on a full-time basis) or one study-

unit (if following the Course on a part-time basis) shall be given the opportunity to

re-sit the failed study-units.

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

under paragraph (1) 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

Students shall be required to submit an individual dissertation of

approximately 50,000 words, in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Board.

A provisional title for the dissertation and a detailed research proposal

shall be submitted to the Board for approval at the time of application.

Work on the dissertation may be undertaken at any time during the Course

after approval of the proposal.

(1) Each student shall be assigned a principal supervisor, and where

appropriate, a co-supervisor, who shall provide guidance and advice on a regular

basis during the period of study.

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

supervisor, and are required to report to their supervisors at least once every two

months, and in addition, as often as the principal supervisor and/or co-supervisor

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deems necessary.

(3) If students have serious and valid reasons to request a change in their

supervisory team (principal and/or co-supervisor), such requests shall be addressed

to, and considered by, the Board.

(1) The Board shall appoint a Panel of Supervision for each student,

normally composed of three members as follows: the Director, as Chairman, or his or

her delegate, and two other members, one of whom shall be the research supervisor,

provided that when the Director is the supervisor, he/she shall not be appointed

Chairman.

(2) The Panel of Supervision shall follow, as it deems fit, the progress

of students throughout the Course, and shall meet at least three times a year to review

such progress.

(3) Students shall seek approval from the Panel of Supervision for

any substantial modification in the title or content of the dissertation; the Panel of

Supervision shall also be responsible for reviewing requests for extensions of studies

and/or suspension of studies.

(4) Supervisors shall submit to the Panel of Supervision progress reports

for the students under their supervision at the end of each semester of study, 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 Principal Regulations; and

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

until it has first given the student a chance to appeal.

(5) Should the principal supervisor become unable to provide the

student with the necessary time and guidance for an extended period of time for

any reason, the Panel of Supervision shall be responsible for identifying an alternate

supervisor.

Following approval of the dissertation by the Board of Examiners,

students shall be required to present three hard bound copies of the dissertation to the

Institute, one of which shall be retained in the University Library, and another one

at the Library of the Institute, as well as one copy in digital format as an electronic

file.

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Classification of the Degree

The Final Weighted Average Mark for the classification of the Degree

shall be based on the results obtained in all components of the programme of study,

all components 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.

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