Degree Course Regulations, 2022

L.N. 290 of 2022

EDUCATION ACT

(CAP. 327)

Master of Science in Clinical Dentistry - M.Sc. -

Degree Course Regulations, 2022

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 Clinical

Dentistry - M.Sc. - Degree Course Regulations, 2022.

(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/area of study, on the recommendation of the Board;

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

of Science in Clinical Dentistry - M.Sc.;

“the Degree” means the Master of Science in Clinical Dentistry - 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 2022 or later.

Areas of Study

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

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

of the Board

(a)

Endodontology;

(b)

Gerodontology; and

(c)

Paediatric Dentistry.

Qualifications for Admission

(1) Depending on the chosen area of study, or area of specialisation

within the area of study, the Course shall be open to applicants in possession of one of

the following qualifications awarded by this University or any other higher education

institution recognised by Senate

(a) Endodontology: the degree of Master or 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;

(b) Gerodontology: (i) the degree of Master or 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

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

obtained with at least Second Class Honours or better; or

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

obtained with at least Second Class Honours or better;

(c) Paediatric Dentistry: (i) the degree of Master or 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

(ii) 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 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 regulation 5 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/specialisation 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.

Course Duration

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

inclusive of 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 studie

Programme of Study

(1) The programme of study shall consist of 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 or specialization 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 assessment session. The maximum grade/

mark that can be awarded after re-assessment of taught and/or clinical 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 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, 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 4 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, and provided that no student shall be awarded the degree with a final

weighted mark that is less than 50%. 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, 2021, as applicable.

Repeal

The following regulations shall be deemed to cease to be in force as

from the 1 st October, 2022, provided that students registered on these courses before

1 st October, 2022 shall continue to be governed by the regulations that were in force

at the time of their joining the Course

(a) Master of Science in Gerodontology Degree Course Regulations, 2020,

published as Legal Notice 264 of 2020; and

(b) Master of Science in Paediatric Dentistry Degree Course Regulations,

2021, published as Legal Notice 449 of 2021.

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