under the auspices of the Faculty of Dental Surgery

B

L.N. 448 of 2021

EDUCATION ACT

(CAP. 327)

Bye-Laws of 2021 in terms of the

General Regulations for University Postgraduate Awards, 2021

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

under the auspices of the Faculty of Dental 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 Board of the Faculty of Dental Surgery 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 2021 in terms of

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

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

Dental Surgery.

(2) In these bye-laws, 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 Digital Dentistry - M.Sc.;

“the Degree” means the degree of Master of Science in Digital Dentistry -

M.Sc.;

“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.

B

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 Technology; and

(b) Dental Surgery.

Requirements for Admission

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

(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.

(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 bye-law. Such applicants shall

be required to demonstrate the learning achieved through prior experience and

qualifications through the evaluation procedures established by the University Policy

for the Recognition and Accreditation of Prior Learning (RPL).

(b) The admission of applicants referred to in sub-paragraph (a) of this

paragraph, may be made subject to those conditions that the Faculty Admissions

Committee may impose to address any lacunae in the applicants’ academic preparation.

Conditions imposed may include the satisfactory completion of a preparatory

programme, 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

bye-law 6 of these bye-laws.

(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.

B

(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.

Course Duration

The Course shall extend over two years of full-time study inclusive of the

summer months.

Programme of Study

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

to which a total of 120 ECTS credits shall be assigned, of which 80 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) 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%.

(4) 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.

B

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 for taught and/or clinical study-units shall be given the

opportunity to re-sit the failed assessment 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 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 final 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 to the Board 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.. 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 the components of the

programme of study, all credits being weighted equally.

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