Master of Science in Gerodontology - M.Sc. - Degree Course Regulations, 2020

L.N. 264 of 2020

EDUCATION ACT

(CAP. 327)

Master of Science in Gerodontology - M.Sc. - Degree Course Regulations, 2020

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 regulations made by the Senate of the University of Malta by virtue of

the powers conferred upon it by articles 75 (3) and 79 (b) of the said Act

Citation and Interpretation

(1) These regulations may be cited as the Master of Science in

Gerodontology - M.Sc. - Degree Course Regulations, 2020.

(2)

In these regulations, unless the context otherwise requires –

“the Board” means the Board of the Faculty of Dental Surgery;

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

the Course, on the recommendation of the Board;

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

of Science in Gerodontology - M.Sc.;

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

“the Faculty” means the Faculty of Dental Surgery;

“the Senate” means the Senate of the University of Malta; and

“the University” means the University of Malta.

Applicability

These regulations shall be applicable for courses commencing in

October 2020 or later.

Areas of Study

The Course shall be offered in any one of the following areas of study

and in any other area of study that falls within the academic responsibility of the

Board

(a)

Dental Hygiene;

(b)

Dental Technology; and

(c)

Dental Surgery.

Qualifications for Admission

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

the qualifications listed hereunder, awarded by this University or any other higher

education institution recognised by Senate

(a) the degree of Master of Dental Surgery awarded from July 2018

onwards; or the degree of Bachelor of Dental Surgery obtained with at least Second

Class Honours or better, if awarded prior to July 2018; or

(b) the degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Dental Technology

obtained with at least Second Class Honours or better; or

(c) the degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Dental Hygiene

obtained with at least Second Class Honours or better.

(2) The admission of applicants may be made conditional on the

result of an interview conducted by an interviewing board composed of at least three

members, appointed by the Board for the purpose.

(3) (a) The Admissions Board, on the recommendation of the Faculty

Admissions Committee, may admit into the Course applicants not in possession of

a first cycle degree, if it is satisfied that such applicants are in possession of other

academic or professional qualifications and a minimum of ten years’ documented

professional experience, that together are deemed to be comparable to one of the

qualifications indicated in paragraph (1) of this regulation. Such qualifications and

experience shall be evaluated in accordance with the procedures established by the

University Policy for the Recognition and Accreditation of Prior Learning.

(b) The admission of such applicants may be made subject to

those conditions that the Faculty Admissions Committee may impose to address

any lacunae in their academic preparation. Conditions imposed may include the

satisfactory completion of a preparatory programme as provided for in regulation 5 of

these regulations, or the requirement to follow and pass supplementary study-units,

up to a maximum of 12 ECTS credits, in addition to the programme of study specified

in regulation 7 of these regulations.

(4) 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 areas of study and the number of available

places at the time of the call for applications.

(5) 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 the interview, if deemed necessary.

(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) Prior to enrolling for the Course, accepted applicants are required

to undergo an occupational health assessment so as to ascertain that they are fit for the

duties related to their proposed studies. 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.

Preparatory Programme

(1) Applicants admitted under paragraph (3) of regulation 4 may be

required to complete a preparatory programme, comprising not less than 30 ECTS

credits and not more than 60 ECTS credits, and to obtain an overall average mark of

55% or better, prior to their admission as regular students on the Course.

(2) The Board may grant applicants full or partial exemption from the

requirement of the preparatory programme if it is satisfied that the applicant possesses

post first-cycle degree work experience that is relevant to the Course.

Course Duration

(1) The Course shall extend over three years of full-time study which

may include the summer months.

(2) The Board of Studies may allow students to extend their studies

by not more than six months, provided that in special circumstances, Senate, on the

recommendation of the Board of Studies, may grant students a further extension of

up to two years in order to enable them to complete their studies.

Programme of Study

(1) The programme of study shall consist of taught and practical

study-units to which a total of 180 ECTS credits shall be assigned, of which 140

ECTS credits are assigned to taught and clinical study-units and 40 ECTS credits to

the dissertation study-unit.

(2) Depending on the qualification presented for entry into the Course,

students shall be required to register for and obtain credit for the study-units indicated

in the programme relevant to the area of study they are qualified to join.

(3) The programme of study shall be published by the Board 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 study-unit shall be completed by the end

of the semester in which the teaching of the study-unit is held.

(2) Results for the assessment of the study-units and the dissertation

shall be published as a percentage mark and grade as indicated below

Mark Range

Grade

80% - 100%

A

70% - 79%

B

55% - 69%

C

50% - 54%

D

45% - 49%

E

0% - 44%

F

provided that the minimum pass mark for the dissertation shall be 50%.

(3) Students who fail in the assessment of not more than 20 ECTS

credits for taught and/or clinical study-units shall be given the opportunity to re-sit

the failed assessment during the September supplementary examination session. The

maximum grade/mark that can be awarded after re-assessment of taught study-units

shall be 45%/Grade E.

(4) Practical, laboratory and clinical placements shall be carried out

throughout the Course, including during the periods when the University is in recess

and may take place in the teaching clinics of the Faculty and/or in community or

hospital settings as indicated by the Board before each placement.

(5) Students who fail in the dissertation shall be allowed a re-

examination in terms of regulation 11. The maximum grade/mark that can be awarded

after re-examination shall be 50%/Grade D.

(6) Students who fail more than the number of credits permitted under

paragraph (3) of this regulation, or students who after re-assessment fail to obtain

credit for any study-unit, shall be deemed to have failed the Course.

Attendance

(1) Unless otherwise specified in the description of a study-unit,

attendance for lectures, tutorials, seminars, practical, laboratory and clinical

placements, and any other teaching session in whatever mode is obligatory. Following

consultation with the Head of Department, lecturers may bar a student whose

attendance in a study-unit is not satisfactory from being assessed in that study-unit.

(2) Before being allowed to sit for any of the assessments specified in

the programme of study, students must present to the Dean a certificate, signed by the

heads of department concerned, showing that they have completed satisfactorily the

schedule of clinical placements prescribed for the year.

(3) Students shall not be allowed to re-sit any study-unit unless they

have satisfactorily followed such studies and/or practical and/or clinical work and/or

laboratory work as the Board may in each case determine.

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 year

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) Students shall submit for approval a title and a detailed research

proposal by the deadline and in the format specified by the Board.

(1)

Students shall be required to have regular contact with their

supervisor.

(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 regulation 6 of these 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.

(3) The role of the supervisor shall cease when the dissertation is

submitted for examination but may be re-assumed, on the advice of the Board of

Examiners, in order to provide guidance to students whose dissertation is referred

back for significant correction pending final acceptance.

(1) Each dissertation shall be examined by a Board of Examiners,

composed of at least three members one of whom may be an external examiner from

an overseas institution.

(2) Students shall be required to take a viva voce examination to

defend their dissertation.

Students whose dissertation is found unsatisfactory may be allowed by

the Board of Studies, on the recommendation of the Board of Examiners, to resubmit

it in a revised form, within a period of up to six months from the day on which it is

referred back to them.

Classification of the Award

(1) For the purpose of the classification of the Degree, the Final

Weighted Average shall be based on the results obtained in all the components of the

programme of study, all credits being weighted equally.

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

the 180 ECTS credits as outlined in the programme of study for the Course with an

average mark of at least 50%.

(3) Students whose Final Average Weighted Mark is between 0 and

49% shall be considered to have failed to qualify for the Degree.

(1) The names of students who qualify for the award of the Degree

shall be published in a list in alphabetical order classified as follows

Pass with Distinction

Pass with Merit

Pass.

(2) The Award Classification Board shall consult the following

guidelines when deciding upon the final classification of the Degree

Final Weighted Average Mark

Classification

80 – 100%

Pass with Distinction

70 – 79%

Pass with Merit

50 – 69%

Pass.

(3) The Award Classification Board, at its own discretion, may award

the Degree with a higher classification than that indicated in paragraph (2) of this

regulation to students whose Final Weighted Average Mark is up to five marks less

than the minimum for the classification, provided that all students who obtain the

same or a higher Final Weighted Average Mark within that category/class shall be

awarded the higher classification. In such cases, the Award Classification Board is

required to minute the decision and the justification for it.

(4) The Award Classification Board, at its own discretion, may also

award the Degree with a lower classification than that indicated in paragraph (2)

of this regulation, provided that all students who obtain the same or a lower Final

Weighted Average Mark within that category/class shall be awarded the lower

classification. In such cases, the Award Classification Board is required to obtain the

authorisation of the Board that shall minute the decision and the justification for it.

The students concerned may appeal to Senate against the decision within 15 days of

the publication of the classification.

General Provision

In matters not provided for by these regulations, the Board shall be

guided by the provisions of the General Regulations for University Postgraduate

Awards, 2008, published as Legal Notice 120 of 2008, as applicable.

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