BYE-LAWS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER IN APPLIED OCEANOGRAPHY - M.Sc. -UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE FACULTY OF SCIENCE

DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN APPLIED

OCEANOGRAPHY - M.Sc. - UNDER THE AUSPICES

OF THE FACULTY OF SCIENCE

SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION 327.479

BYE-LAWS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER IN

APPLIED OCEANOGRAPHY - M.Sc. -UNDER THE

AUSPICES OF THE FACULTY OF SCIENCE

26th November, 2013

LEGAL NOTICE 413 of 2013, as amended by Legal Notices 373 of 2014

and 371 of 2015 and 483 of 2021.

(1) The title of these bye-laws is the Bye-Laws for the

Degree of Master of Science in Applied Oceanography - M.Sc. -

under the auspices of the Faculty of Science.

(2)

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

“the Board” means the Board of the Faculty of Science;

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

for the academic administration and organisation of the Course,

appointed by Senate, which shall also include two experts of

international repute in the area of the programme;

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

degree of Master of Science in Applied Oceanography - M.Sc.;

“the Degree” means the degree of Master of Science in Applied

Oceanography - M.Sc.;

“the Postgraduate Certificate” means the Postgraduate

Certificate in Applied Oceanography - P.G. Cert.;

“the Postgraduate Diploma” means the Postgraduate Diploma in

Applied Oceanography - P.G. Dip.; and

“the Principal Regulations” means the General Regulations for

University Postgraduate Awards, 2021.

These bye-laws shall be

applicable

for

courses

commencing in October 2021 or later.

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

a first cycle degree from the University of Malta in Science,

Engineering, Architecture or Information Technology, or any other

area deemed relevant by the Board.

(2) In exceptional cases the Admissions Board, on the

recommendation of the Board, may admit into the course applicants

not in possession of a Bachelor degree, provided that it is satisfied

that such applicants are in possession of other academic

qualifications and experience that together are deemed to be

comparable to the qualifications listed in paragraph (1) of this bye-

law. The admission of applicants under this bye-law may be made

conditional on the results of an interview conducted by a board

appointed for the purpose.

DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN APPLIED

OCEANOGRAPHY - M.Sc. - UNDER THE AUSPICES

OF THE FACULTY OF SCIENCE

(3) Knowledge of Mathematics and programming skills is

strongly recommended.

(4) The interviewing board appointed by the Board of Studies

shall be composed of at least three members.

The course shall extend over three semesters of full-time

study or the equivalent in part-time 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 the dissertation study-unit.

(2) Students who obtain a minimum of 30 ECTS credits assigned to

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 Course, shall be eligible for the award of the Postgraduate

Certificate.

(3) 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.

(4) The programme of study shall be published after approval

by Senate, normally not less than eight months prior to the

commencement of the course.

(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 full-time course,

or not more than 10 ECTs credits if following the part-time course,

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.

(1) Students shall be required to submit an individual

dissertation of a minimum of 20,000 words and not exceeding

30,000 words, in accordance with the guidelines issued by the

Board of Studies.

(2) Work on the dissertation shall be undertaken during the

third semester 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) A provisional title for the dissertation and a detailed

research proposal shall be submitted to the Board for approval by

the end of the second semester.

DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN APPLIED

OCEANOGRAPHY - M.Sc. - UNDER THE AUSPICES

OF THE FACULTY OF SCIENCE

(1) Students shall be required to have regular contact with

their supervisor, not less than once a month.

(2) Supervisors shall submit to the Board 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 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.

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.

The provisions of the foregoing bye-laws shall apply

mutatis mutandis to courses followed on a part-time basis, and

subject to such changes as may reasonably be deemed by the Board

of Studies as necessary due to the part-time nature of the course.