under the auspices of the Institute of Earth Systems

L.N. 220 of 2023

EDUCATION ACT

(CAP. 327)

International Master of Science in Environmental Management and

Sustainability – M.Sc. –

Degree Course Regulations, 2023

under the auspices of the Institute of Earth Systems

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) (v) of the said Act

Citation and Interpretation

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

Science in Environmental Management and Sustainability – M.Sc.– Degree Course

Regulations, 2023.

(2)

In these regulations, unless the context otherwise requires -

“the Board” means the Board of the Institute of Earth Systems;

“the Board of Studies” means the Board of Studies responsible for the academic

administration and organisation of the Course, which shall include members from

each Partner Institution;

“the Course” means the programme of study developed by the Partner

Institutions leading to the degrees of Master of Science in Environmental Management

and Sustainability – M.Sc.– and Master of Science in Integrated Science and

Technology – M.S. (ISAT) – as applicable;

“the Degree” means the double degree of Master of Science in Environmental

Management and Sustainability – M.Sc.– of the University and Master of Science in

Integrated Science and Technology - M.S. (ISAT) - of the Partner University;

“the Partner Institutions” means the University of Malta and James Madison

University;

“the Partner University” means James Madison University;

“the Postgraduate Certificate” means the Postgraduate Certificate in

Environmental Management and Sustainability - P.G. Cert. - of the University;

“the Postgraduate Diploma” means the Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental

Management and Sustainability – P.G. Dip. - of the University;

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

“the University” means the University of Malta.

(3) This Degree is an International Master’s degree of the University

and this shall be taken to mean that the Course is taught in collaboration with the

Partner University within the framework of a double degree programme. The Degree

shall only be awarded if the Partner Institutions declare the student to be eligible for

its award.

Applicability

These regulations shall apply to courses commencing in August 2023 or

later.

Qualifications for Admission

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

degree in Earth Systems, Science or Engineering or in another area of study which the

Board considers as appropriate, provided that the first cycle degree is obtained with a

Second Class Honours or better classification, or an equivalent classification.

(2) Applicants are required to demonstrate that their standard of

English satisfies the University’s English language requirement as published on the

University’s official website at the time of the call for applications.

(3) All applicants shall be further required to submit with their

application a letter written in English giving their motivation for applying for the

Course.

(4) Depending on the availability of resources, the Senate, on the

recommendation of the Board of Studies shall determine the number of applicants

that may be allowed to register on the Course. The number of available places shall

be announced at the time of the call for applications.

(5) If there are more eligible applicants than there are available places,

applications shall be evaluated on the basis of the following criteria, agreed to by the

Partner Institutions

(a)

relevance of topics, results and final classification of degree - 65%;

and

(b) statement of intent and motivation for following the Course and

letters of recommendation - 35%.

(6) When the above criteria are not sufficient to decide on the selection

of applicants, interviews may be held for that purpose.

(7) When held, interviews shall be conducted by an interviewing board

appointed by the Board of Studies, which shall be composed of at least three members

and will include members from both Partner Institutions.

(8) The interviewing board may make use of electronic means of

communication in order to conduct such interviews.

Application and Registration

(1) All applications must be made online via the Partner University’s

website (jmu.edu) in accordance with the published instructions and before the

deadlines stated on the website.

(2) Applicants who are selected to join the Course, shall be registered

as students at both Partner Institutions.

Course Duration

(1)

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

(2) The Board 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, may grant students a further extension of up to two years in order to

enable them to complete their studies. Such extensions are subject to prior approval

by the Partner Institutions, and to the study-units included in the programme being

available during the period of extension.

(3) If students following the Course supported by a scholarship require

an extension, the scholarship shall not be extended. Such extensions may be given in

terms of the applicable regulations at the Partner Institution involved.

Programme of Study

(1) The programme of study shall consist of study-units to which a

total of 90 ECTS credits shall be assigned, comprising taught study-units assigned

70 ECTS credits and a capstone project assigned 20 ECTS credits. The Board shall

publish the programme prior to the commencement of the Course, following the

approval of Senate.

(2) All students shall be required to spend study periods at each of the

Partner Institutions as indicated below

Semester 1 – James Madison University

Semester 2 – University of Malta

Semester 3 – at either of the two Partner Institutions.

Catalogue of Study-Units

(1) The Board of Studies shall draw up a catalogue of all study-units.

The catalogue shall indicate the level, code, title, description and type of each study-

unit, the ECTS credits assigned to each study-unit, the methods of teaching and

assessment, as well as the re-assessment opportunities for each study-unit.

(2) The study-units included in the programme shall be subject to the

rules and regulations applicable at the Partner University responsible for the delivery

of the respective study-unit.

Assessment and Progress

(1) Senate shall appoint a Board of Examiners for each study-unit

undertaken at the University, in accordance with the provisions of the University

Assessment Regulations.

(2) The method of assessment for each study-unit shall be indicated

in the study-unit description. 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.

(3) The students’ performance throughout the Course shall be

assessed in accordance with the approved method of assessment for each study-unit.

Assessments shall be graded according to the marking and grading scheme of the

delivering Partner Institution and then converted to the University’s marking and

grading scheme in accordance with a conversion grade which is agreed by the Partner

Institutions.

(4)

Students who fail in any of the taught study-units shall be

allowed one re-assessment. The re-assessment of study-units shall be held at the next

scheduled examination session. The maximum mark/grade that can be awarded after

re-assessment of taught study-units shall be 45%/Grade E.

(5) Students who obtain 30 ECTS for taught study-units undertaken at

the University and opt not to proceed with the Course, or having proceeded do not

successfully complete the Course, shall be eligible for the award of the Postgraduate

Certificate from the University.

(6) Students who obtain 60 ECTS for taught study-units and opt not

to proceed with the Course, or having proceeded do not successfully complete

the Course, shall be eligible for the award of the Postgraduate Diploma from the

University.

Capstone Project

(1) Students shall be required to submit an individual capstone project

in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Board of Studies.

(2) Work on the capstone project shall be undertaken during the second

and third semesters of the course. Students shall submit for approval a title and a

detailed research proposal by the deadline and in the format specified by the Board of

Studies.

(3) Students shall be required to familiarise themselves with and

adhere to the instructions and guidelines as set out in the Capstone Project Handbook

provided by the Board of Studies.

(4) Students shall seek approval from the Board of Studies for any

substantial modification in the title or content of the capstone project.

(5) Capstone projects shall include a declaration signed by the students

that it is their own original work.

(6) Before graduating, students shall present an electronic version

to each of the Partner Institutions, which shall include a signed declaration of

authenticity. The electronic version must conform to the standards set by each of the

Partner Institutions.

(1) Each student shall be assigned a principal supervisor who shall

provide guidance and advice on a continuous basis during the period of study. A co-

supervisor may also be assigned.

(2) Supervisors shall periodically inform the Board of Studies, in

writing, on the general performance of each student under their supervision.

(1) Each capstone project shall be examined by a Board of Examiners

composed of at least three members, representing each of the Partner Institutions, and

shall normally include the supervisor.

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

to defend their capstone project and this may be conducted using electronic means of

communication if so approved by the Board of Studies.

(3) Students whose capstone project is found unsatisfactory may either

fail or may be required by the Board of Examiners to rewrite the document in whole

or in part and to re-submit it for examination. Students may re-submit the capstone

project not later than six months from notification of the decision by the Board of

Examiners.

Classification of the Awards

(1) Students who successfully complete the 90 ECTS included in the

programme of study for the Course shall be eligible for the award of the Degree.

(2) The overall evaluation of each student’s performance in the Course

for the purpose of the classification of the Degree and the Postgraduate Diploma shall

be based on the results obtained, all credits awarded being weighted equally.

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

Postgraduate Diploma shall be published in a list in alphabetical order classified as

Pass with Distinction, Pass with Merit or Pass. The Postgraduate Certificate shall be

awarded unclassified.

Testimonial of the Award

The testimonial given by the University shall include a statement to

indicate that the Partner University has separately awarded a degree for the successful

completion of the same Course.

General Provision

In matters not provided for by these regulations, the Board and the Board

of Studies shall be guided by the provisions of the General Regulations for University

Postgraduate Awards, 2021, published as Legal Notice 371 of 2021, as applicable.

Repeal

The Bye-Laws of 2015 in terms of the General Regulations for University

Postgraduate Awards, 2008 for the Degree of International Master of Science in

Environmental Management and Sustainability - M.Sc. (EMS) - under the auspices

of the Institute of Earth Systems, published as Legal Notice 548 of 2010, shall be

deemed to cease to be in force as from the 1st August 2023, provided that students

registered for this course before the 1st August 2023 shall continue to be governed by

the bye-laws that were in force at the time of their joining the course.

€0.63