International Ocean Institute

L.N. 413 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 in Applied Oceanography under the auspices of the

International Ocean Institute – Malta Operational Centre

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 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 2013 in terms of

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

of Master in Applied Oceanography under the auspices of the International Ocean

Institute – Malta Operational Centre.

(2)

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

“the Board of Studies” means the Board of Studies responsible for the academic

administration and organisation of the Course, appointed by Senate, which shall also

include two experts of international repute in the area of the programme;

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

in Applied Oceanography;

“the Degree” means the degree of Master in Applied Oceanography;

“the Postgraduate Diploma” means the Postgraduate Diploma in Applied

Oceanography; 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

2013 or later.

Requirements for Admission

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

degree from this University in Science, Engineering, Architecture or Information

Technology, or any other area deemed relevant by the Board of Studies.

(2) In exceptional cases the Admissions Board, on the recommendation

of the Board of Studies, may admit into the Course applicants not in possession of

a Bachelor degree, provided that it is satisfied that such applicants are in possession

of other academic qualifications and experience that together are deemed to be

comparable to the qualifications listed in paragraph (1) of this bye-law. The admission

of applicants under this bye-law may be made conditional on the results of an

interview conducted by a board appointed for the purpose.

(3)

Knowledge of Mathematics and programming skills is strongly

recommended.

(4)

The interviewing board appointed by the Board of Studies shall be

composed of at least three members.

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 60 ECTS credits are assigned to taught

study-units and 30 ECTS credits are assigned to the dissertation study-unit.

(2) Students who obtain the 60 ECTS 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 20 ECTS credits, if following the full-time Course, or not more than 10

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

sit the failed assessment during the September supplementary examination session.

(3) Students who fail more than the number of credits 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 ECTS credits assigned to the taught study-units with a minimum

average mark of 65%.

Dissertation

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

minimum of 20,000 words and not exceeding 30,000 words, in accordance with the

guidelines issued by the Board of Studies.

(2) 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.

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

proposal shall be submitted to the Board of Studies for approval by the end of the

second semester.

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

supervisor, not less than once a month.

(2) Supervisors shall submit to the Board of Studies 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 of Studies 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 of Studies as necessary due to the part-time nature of the

Course.

€0.36