under the auspices of the Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking

L.N. 150 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 Bioinformatics - M.Sc. -

under the auspices of the Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking

IN EXERCISE of the powers conferred upon him by sections 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 Centre for Molecular Medicine and

Biobanking in virtue of the powers conferred upon it by article 7 (b) (v) of the Statute

for the Centre, 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 2019 in terms

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

of Master of Science in Bioinformatics - M.Sc. - under the auspices of the Centre for

Molecular Medicine and Biobanking.

(2)

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

“the Board” means the Board of the Centre for Molecular Medicine and

Biobanking;

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

the Course, on the recommendation of the Board;

“the Centre” means the Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking;

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

of Science in Bioinformatics - M.Sc.;

“the Degree” means the degree of Master of Science in Bioinformatics - M.Sc;

“the Postgraduate Certificate” means the Postgraduate Certificate in

Bioinformatics - P.G. Cert.; 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

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

following qualifications

(a) the degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) from this University, or

from any other higher education institution recognized by Senate, obtained with

at least Second Class Honours in Information and Communication Technology,

Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Applied Biomedical Science, Medical

Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Science, Medical Sciences, Biology, Biology and

Chemistry, or in any other area of study deemed relevant by the Board of Studies; or

(b) the degree of Doctor of Medicine and Surgery from this University or

equivalent obtained from any other higher education institution recognized by Senate.

(2) 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 Board shall announce the number of available places at the time of the

call for applications.

(3) When the number of places is so limited and the number of eligible

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

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 an interview.

(4) For the purpose of selection, applicants whose qualifications as

stipulated in paragraph (1) of this bye-law were obtained by 31 August preceding the

commencement of the Course shall be considered first.

Course Duration

The Course shall extend over three semesters on a full-time basis or the

equivalent on a part-time basis.

Programme of Study

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

90 ECTS credits are assigned, of which 30 ECTS credits are assigned to taught study-

units and 60 ECTS credits are assigned to the dissertation study-unit.

Students who obtain the 30 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 Course, shall be eligible for the

award of the Postgraduate Certificate.

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 for taught study-units, whether following the full-time

or 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 credits permitted under

paragraph (2) of this bye-law, or students who after re-assessment fail to obtain the

credits 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 30,000 words in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Board.

(2) Work on the dissertation shall be undertaken at any time during

the Course after approval of a detailed research proposal which will also include a

provisional title for the dissertation. This detailed research proposal shall be submitted

to the Board of Studies for approval by not later than the end of the first semester.

Each student shall be assigned a supervisor who shall provide guidance and advice

on a regular basis during the period of study.

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

normally composed of three members as follows: the Director of the Centre, or his or

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

supervisor, provided that when the Director of the Centre 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 regarding the students under

their supervision. Students shall seek approval from the Panel for any substantial

modification in the title or content of the dissertation.

(5) The 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 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 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 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.

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