under the auspices of the Institute of Earth Systems

L.N. 50 of 2018

EDUCATION ACT

(CAP. 327)

Bye-Laws of 2018 in terms of the

General Regulations for University Postgraduate Awards, 2008

for the Degree of Master of Science in Earth Systems - 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 2018 in terms of

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

Master of Science in Earth Systems - 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 Board of Studies” means the Board of Studies responsible for the

academic administration and organisation of the Course, appointed by Senate;

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

of Science in Earth Systems - M.Sc.;

“the Degree” means the degree of Master of Science in Earth Systems -

M.Sc.;

“the Postgraduate Diploma” means the Postgraduate Diploma in Earth

Systems - P.G. Dip.; 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

2017 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) To be registered as regular students in the Course, applicants shall

be in possession of

(i) a first cycle degree in Science with Earth Systems as a main area of

study obtained with Second Class Honours or better; or

(ii) a first cycle degree in Science obtained with Second Class Honours or

better in an area that is deemed relevant by the Board.

(2) Applicants with a first cycle degree in Science with Earth Systems

as a main area of study obtained with Third Class Honours may be admitted if they

show evidence of significant experience in work relevant to the area of study of the

Course, obtained after their first cycle degree. The admission of applicants under

this bye-law may be made conditional on the results of an interview.

The Board shall recommend to Senate the number of applicants that

may be allowed to register for the Course, depending on the availability of

resources. The number of available places shall be announced at the time of the call

for applications.

When the number of places is so limited and the number of eligible

applicants exceeds the number of places available, applicants shall be selected

according to the following criteria, the weighting of which shall be published at the

time of the call for applications

(a)

degree type and class;

(b)

experience in the area of the proposed study; and

(c)

performance during the interview.

Interviews, when necessary, shall be conducted by an interviewing

board appointed by the Board, and shall be composed of at least three members.

Applications for the Course shall be submitted by the deadline announced

by the University of Malta. For the purpose of selection, applicants who fully

satisfy the entry requirements by 31st August preceding the commencement of the

Course shall be considered first.

Course Duration

The Course shall extend over three semesters of full-time study, which

shall include a summer period, or the equivalent in part-time study.

Programme of Study

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.

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.

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 resit the failed assessments 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 considered to have failed 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 60%.

Dissertation

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

approximately 20,000 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) The dissertation title and a detailed research proposal shall be

submitted to the Board for approval by the deadlines indicated by the Board.

(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 progress reports for each

student under their supervision at the end of each semester of studies. 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 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