BYE-LAWS IN TERMS OF THE GENERAL REGULATIONS FOR UNIVERSITY POSTGRADUATE AWARDS FOR THE DEGREE OF

SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION 327.630

BYE-LAWS IN TERMS OF THE GENERAL

REGULATIONS FOR UNIVERSITY

POSTGRADUATE AWARDS FOR THE DEGREE OF

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN BIOINFORMATICS -

M.SC. - UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE CENTRE

FOR MOLECULAR MEDICINE AND BIOBANKING

2nd July, 2019

LEGAL NOTICE 150 of 2019.

(1)

These bye-laws may be cited as the Bye-Laws in

terms of the General Regulations for University Postgraduate Awards

for the degree of Master of Science in Bioinformatics - M.Sc. - under

the auspices of the Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking.

(2)

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

“the Board” means the Board of the Centre for Molecular

Medicine and Biobanking;

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

Senate for the Course, on the recommendation of the Board;

“the Centre” means the Centre for Molecular Medicine and

Biobanking;

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

degree of Master of Science in Bioinformatics - M.Sc.;

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

Bioinformatics - M.Sc;

“the Postgraduate Certificate” means the Postgraduate

Certificate in Bioinformatics - P.G. Cert.; and

“the Principal Regulations” means the General Regulations for

University Postgraduate Awards, 2008.

These bye-laws shall be

applicable

for

courses

commencing in October 2019 or later.

(1)

The Course shall be open to applicants in

possession of one of the following qualifications

(a)

the degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) from

this University, or from any other higher education

institution recognized by Senate, obtained with at

least Second Class Honours in Information and

Communication Technology, Computer Science,

Statistics, Mathematics, Applied Biomedical

Science, Medical Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical

Science, Medical Sciences, Biology, Biology and

Chemistry, or in any other area of study deemed

relevant by the Board of Studies; or

(b)

the degree of Doctor of Medicine and Surgery from

this University or equivalent obtained from any

other higher education institution recognized by

Senate.

(2)

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

number of available places at the time of the call for applications.

(3)

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 an interview.

(4)

For the purpose of selection, applicants whose

qualifications as stipulated in paragraph (1) of this bye-law were

obtained by 31 August preceding the commencement of the Course

shall be considered first.

The Course shall extend over three semesters on a full-

time basis or the equivalent on a part-time basis.

The programme of study shall comprise study-units to

which a total of 90 ECTS credits are assigned, of which 30 ECTS

credits are assigned to taught study-units and 60 ECTS credits are

assigned to the dissertation study-unit.

Students who obtain the 30 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 Course, shall be eligible for the award of the

Postgraduate Certificate.

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.

(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 10 ECTS credits for taught study-units, whether

following the full-time or part-time Course, shall be given the

opportunity to re-sit the failed assessments 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 the credits for any study-unit, shall be

deemed to have failed the Course.

(1)

Students shall be required to submit an individual

dissertation of approximately 30,000 words in accordance with the

guidelines issued by the Board.

(2)

Work on the dissertation shall be undertaken at any time

during the Course after approval of a detailed research proposal

which will also include a provisional title for the dissertation. This

detailed research proposal shall be submitted to the Board of Studies

for approval by not later than the end of the first semester. Each

student shall be assigned a supervisor who shall provide guidance

and advice on a regular basis during the period of study.

(1)

The Board shall appoint a Panel of Supervision for

each student, normally composed of three members as follows: the

Director of the Centre, or his or her delegate as Chairman, and two

other members, one of whom being the principal supervisor,

provided that when the Director of the Centre is the supervisor, he or

she shall not chair the Panel.

(2)

The Panel of Supervision shall follow, as it deems fit, the

progress of students throughout the Course, provided that it meets at

least twice a year to review such progress.

(3)

Students shall be required to report to their supervisors at

least once every two months, and in addition as often as the

supervisor deems necessary.

(4)

At the end of each semester of studies, supervisors shall

be required to submit to the Panel of Supervision reports regarding

the students under their supervision. Students shall seek approval

from the Panel for any substantial modification in the title or content

of the dissertation.

(5)

The Panels of Supervision shall periodically inform the

Board of Studies, in writing, on the general performance of each

student. 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 Degree shall be based on the results obtained in

all 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 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.