under the auspices of the Faculty of Health Sciences

L.N. 294 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 Human Nutrition, Obesity and Health - M.Sc. –

under the auspices of the Faculty of Health Sciences

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 Faculty of Health Sciences in virtue

of the powers conferred upon it 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 Human Nutrition, Obesity and Health - M.Sc. - under the

auspices of the Faculty of Health Sciences.

(2)

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

“the Board” means the Board of the Faculty of Health Sciences;

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

of Science in Human Nutrition, Obesity and Health - M.Sc.;

“the Degree” means the degree of Master of Science in Human Nutrition,

Obesity and Health - M.Sc.;

“the Postgraduate Diploma” means the Postgraduate Diploma in Human

Nutrition, Obesity and Health - 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

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

Bachelor’s degree from this University, or from any other higher education institution

recognized by Senate, obtained with at least Second Class Honours in Applied Food

and Nutrition Sciences or any other area deemed relevant by the Board.

(2) Practising professionals in possession of the Post-Qualification or

Postgraduate Diploma in Nutrition and Dietetics may be allowed to proceed directly

to the second year of the Course, provided such applicants shall additionally be

required to register for and successfully complete a study-unit/s on Research Methods

as directed by the Board.

(3) 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.

(4) 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, if deemed necessary.

(5) Interviews, if necessary, shall be conducted by a board composed

of at least three members appointed for the purpose.

(6) 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.

(7) During the first year of the Course, students are required to undergo

an occupational health assessment so as to ascertain that they are fit to undertake

work related to clinical placements. Students who do not fulfil this requirement may

be barred from progressing with their studies. Failure to disclose information about a

physical or mental health problem that could affect patient safety is considered to be

a serious breach of the University Suitability to Practise Regulations.

Course Duration

The Course shall extend over four semesters of full-time study.

Programme of Study

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

120 ECTS credits are assigned, of which 90 ECTS credits are assigned to taught and

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

Students who successfully complete a prescribed set of study-units

totaling 60 ECTS credits for taught and practical 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

Diploma.

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

the 120 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 20 ECTS credits, shall be given the opportunity to re-sit the failed

assessments during the September supplementary examination session, provided

that, students who fail in a study-unit involving professional practice that requires

assessment over a period of time shall be required to complete the supplementary

assessment during the following year of the Course or in an additional year of study,

as applicable.

(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 required to withdraw from the Course.

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.

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

fourth 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 for approval by the end of the second

semester.

(1)

Students shall be required to have regular contact with their

supervisor.

(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 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 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.

€0.36