under the auspices of the Institute for Sustainable Energy

L.N. 220 of 2013

EDUCATION ACT

(CAP. 327)

Bye-Laws of 2013 in terms of the General Regulations for

University Postgraduate Awards, 2008 for the Degree of

Master of Science in Sustainable Energy - M.Sc. –

under the auspices of the Institute for Sustainable Energy

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 for Sustainable

Energy in virtue of the powers conferred upon it by article 5(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 2013 in terms of

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

Master of Science in Sustainable Energy - M.Sc. - under the auspices of the Institute

for Sustainable Energy.

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

“the Board” means the Board of the Institute for Sustainable Energy;

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

Science in Sustainable Energy – M.Sc.;

“the Degree” means the degree of Master of Science in Sustainable Energy –

M.Sc.;

“the Institute ” means the Institute for Sustainable Energy; 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

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

(a) a first cycle degree from this University with at least Second Class

(Honours) in a discipline related to Sustainable Energy or in any other area of study

of the proposed research which the Board considers as appropriate, with a minimum

of 240 ECTS credits, obtained in the ten years previous to registration for the Course;

or

(b) a qualification and work experience deemed by Senate, on the

recommendation of the Board, to be equivalent to the qualifications listed in sub-

paragraph (a) of paragraph (1) of this bye-law. The admission of applicants under this

sub-paragraph shall be made conditional on the results of an interview, provided that

such applicants may be required to complete a preparatory programme as specified in

bye-law 5.

(2) Applicants may be asked to demonstrate competence in those skills

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

the submission of appropriate documentation, provided that where deficiencies

are identified applicants shall be required to take specific study-units intended to

compensate for the deficit.

(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 with profit. The Board

may, at its discretion, require such applicants to follow a preparatory programme as

specified in bye-law 5.

Preparatory Programme

(1) The preparatory programme shall comprise study-units to which not

less than 30 ECTS credits and not more than 60 ECTS credits shall be assigned.

(2) Students shall be required to successfully complete the Preparatory

programme of study with an average mark of 55% or better, prior to their registration

in the Course.

(3) The Board may grant students full or partial exemption from the

requirement of the preparatory programme if it is satisfied that the students possess

post-first cycle qualification work experience that is relevant to the Course.

Course Duration

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

equivalent in part-time studies.

Programme of Study

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

ECTS credits are assigned, of which 10 ECTS credits are assigned to taught study-

units and 80 ECTS credits are assigned to the 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 the taught study-unit/s shall be held by the end of the

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

(2) Students who fail in the assessment of the taught study-unit/s shall

be given the opportunity to resit the failed assessment during the September

supplementary examination session.

(3) 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

between 25,000 and 50,000 words in accordance with the guidelines issued by the

Board.

(2) Each student shall be assigned a supervisor who shall provide guidance

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

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

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

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

normally composed of three members as follows: the Director of the Institute as

Chairman, or his or her delegate, and two other members, one of whom being the

research supervisor, provided that when Director of the Institute is the supervisor, he

or she shall not chair the Panel.

(2) The Panel of Supervision 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.

(3) 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.

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

to submit to the Panel of Supervision reports for the students under their supervision.

Students shall seek approval from said Panel for any substantial modification in the

title or content of the dissertation.

(5) The Panel of Supervision shall periodically inform the Board,

in writing, on the general performance of each student. Such advice may include

recommendations 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 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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