Faculty of Information and Communication Technology

B

L.N. 370 of 2021

Bye-Laws of 2021 in terms of the

General Regulations for University Postgraduate Awards, 2021

for the Degree of Master of Science in Digital Health - M.Sc. -

under the auspices of the Faculty of Health Sciences and the

Faculty of Information and Communication Technology

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 of Health Sciences and

the Faculty of Information and Communication Technology 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 2021 in terms

of the General Regulations for University Postgraduate Awards, 2021 for the Degree

of Master of Science in Digital Health - M.Sc. - under the auspices of the Faculty of

Health Sciences and the Faculty of Information and Communication Technology.

(2)

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

“the Boards” means the Board of the Faculty of Health Sciences and the Board

of the Faculty of Information and Communication Technology;

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

the Course on the recommendations of the Boards of the Faculty of Health Sciences

and the Faculty of Information and Communication Technology;

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

of Science in Digital Health- M.Sc.;

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

“the Postgraduate Diploma” means the Postgraduate Diploma in Digital

Health - P.G. Dip.; and

“the Principal Regulations” means the General Regulations for University

Postgraduate Awards, 2021.

Applicability

These bye-laws shall be applicable for courses commencing in October

2021 or later.

Requirements for Admission

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

degree pegged at least at Level 6 on the Malta Qualifications Framework, in an area

of study related to health care, ICT or any other area deemed suitable by the Board,

awarded by this University or any other higher education institution recognized by

Senate. Applicants in possession of a degree classified with Third Class Honours or

Category III may also be admitted provided they satisfy the Board of Studies that

they are in possession of other qualifications, or relevant work experience, obtained

following their first cycle degree.

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

results of an interview conducted for the purpose.

(3) Interviews, when necessary, shall be conducted by a board

composed of at least three members.

Course Duration

The Course shall extend over three semesters of full-time study or the

equivalent in 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 of Health Sciences and the Dean of the Faculty

of Information and Communication Technology, or their respective delegate, one

of whom shall be appointed Chairperson on the joint recommendation of the two

(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.

B

Programme of Study

(1) 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 a 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 of study for the Course.

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 20 ECTS credits, if following the Course full-time, or 10 ECTS credits

if following the Course part-time, 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 required to withdraw from 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 final

two 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.

B

(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)

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. 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 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 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 for

courses followed on a part-time basis, and subject to such changes as may reasonably

be deemed by the Board as necessary due to the part-time nature of the Course.

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