auspices of the Faculty for Social Wellbeing andthe Faculty of Medicine and

L.N. 108 of 2019

EDUCATION ACT

(CAP. 327)

Bye-Laws of 2019 in terms of the

General Regulations for University Postgraduate Awards, 2008

for the Degree of Master of Science in Addiction Studies - M.Sc. - under the

auspices of the Faculty for Social Wellbeing andthe Faculty of Medicine and

Surgery

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 Boards of the Faculty for Social Wellbeing and

the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery in virtue of the powers conferred upon them 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 2019 in terms of

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

Master of Science in Addiction Studies - M.Sc. - under the auspices of the Faculty for

Social Wellbeing and the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery.

(2)

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

“the Boards” means the Board of the Faculty for Social Wellbeing and the

Board of the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery;

“the Board of Studies” means the Board of Studies appointed by Senate for

the Course, on the recommendation of the Boards;

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

of Science in Addiction Studies - M.Sc.;

“the Degree” means the degree of Master of Science in Addiction Studies -

M.Sc.;

“the Postgraduate Diploma” means the Postgraduate Diploma in Addiction

Studies - 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

2019 or later.

Requirements for Admission

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

degree, obtained with at least a Second Class classification, in an area of study deemed

relevant by the board.

Course Duration

The Course shall extend over six semesters of part-time study.

Board of Studies

(1) The academic administration of the Course shall be entrusted to a

Board of Studies appointed for the purpose.

(2) The Board of Studies, which shall be appointed for a period of one

academic year, shall be composed as follows

(a) the Dean of the Faculty for Social Wellbeing and the Dean of the Faculty

of Medicine and Surgery or their respective delegate, one of whom shall be appointed

as Chairman on the joint recommendation of the two Boards;

(b) at least two academic members of staff from each of the two faculties;

(c) two students elected from amongst the students registered on the Course.

Programme of Study

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

90 ECTS credits shall be assigned, of which 60 ECTS credits are assigned to taught

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

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.

Students shall be eligible for the award of the Degree if they obtain the 90

ECTS credits as outlined in the programme of study for the Course with an average

mark of at least 50%.

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 10 ECTS credits shall be given the opportunity to re-sit the failed assessments

during the September supplementary examination session.

(3) Students who fail in 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 deemed to have failed the Course.

Dissertation

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

approximately 15,000 to 20,000 words in accordance with the guidelines issued by

the Board of Studies.

(2) Work on the dissertation shall be undertaken during the fifth and

sixth semesters 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

third semester.

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

student, composed of three members as follows: the Head of Department (of either

the Department of Psychology or the Department of Physiology and Biochemistry) ,

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

principal supervisor, provided that when the head of department 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 once a year to review

such progress.

(3) Students shall be required to report to their supervisor 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 reports regarding the students under their supervision to the Panel of

Supervision. Students shall seek approval from the Panel of Supervision for any

substantial modification in the title or content of the dissertation.

(5) Panels of Supervision shall periodically inform the Board of Studies, 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) 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 the Degree shall be based on the results obtained in all

the components of the programme of study, all credits being weighted equally.

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