under the auspices of the Faculty of Health Sciences

L.N. 486 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 Faculty of Health Sciences

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 Health

Sciences in virtue of the powers conferred upon it by article 81 (1) (c) 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 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 Faculty of Health Sciences.

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

“the Board” means the Board of the Faculty of Health Sciences;

“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.; 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

2012 or later.

Areas of Study

The Course shall be offered in any area of study that falls within the

academic responsibility of the Board, after approval by Senate.

Requirements for Admission

The Course shall be open to applicants in possession of one of the following

qualifications

(a) the degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) from the Faculty of Health

Sciences, with at least Second Class (Honours); or

(b) a degree obtained with at least a Second Class (Honours) in a discipline

related to health science; or

(c) a qualification deemed by Senate, on the recommendation of the Board, to

be equivalent to the qualifications listed in (a) and (b) above.

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 ECTS credits are assigned, of which not more than 20 ECTS credits are assigned

to taught study-units and not less than 70 ECTS credits are assigned to the dissertation

study-unit.

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

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

Masters by Research Committee

The Board shall recommend to Senate the appointment of a Faculty

Masters by Research Committee composed as follows

The Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences or delegate (Chairperson)

2 - 3 members of the Faculty of Health Sciences possessing academic doctoral

qualifications

Head of Department

Research Supervisor.

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 two taught study-units, if following the full-time Course, or not more than one

taught study-unit if following the part-time Course, shall be given the opportunity

to re-sit the failed assessments during the September supplementary examination

session.

(3) Students who fail 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.

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 at any time during the

Course after approval of the research proposal. Each student shall be assigned a

supervisor who shall provide guidance and advice on a regular basis during the period

of study.

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

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

(1) The Masters by Research Committee shall follow, as it deems fit, the

progress of students throughout the Course, provided that it meets at least twice a

year to review such progress.

(2) Students shall be required to report to their supervisors at least once

every two months, and in addition as often as the supervisor deems necessary.

(3) At the end of each semester of studies, supervisors shall be required

to submit to the Masters by Research Committee reports for the students under their

supervision. Students shall seek approval from said Committee for any substantial

modification in the title or content of the dissertation.

(4) The Masters by Research Committee shall periodically inform the

Board, in writing, on the general performance of each student. 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) this 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 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.

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