BYE-LAWS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN HUMAN NUTRITION, OBESITY AND HEALTH - M.SC.

OBESITY AND HEALTH - M.SC.

SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION 327.642

BYE-LAWS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF

SCIENCE IN HUMAN NUTRITION, OBESITY AND

HEALTH - M.SC. – UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE

FACULTY OF HEALTH SCIENCES

5th November, 2019

LEGAL NOTICE 294 of 2019.

(1)

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

the Degree of Master of Science in Human Nutrition, Obesity and

Health - M.Sc. - under the auspices of the Faculty of Health Sciences.

(2)

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

“the Board” means the Board of the Faculty of Health Sciences;

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

degree of Master of Science in Human Nutrition, Obesity and Health

- M.Sc.;

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

Nutrition, Obesity and Health - M.Sc.;

“the Postgraduate Diploma” means the Postgraduate Diploma in

Human Nutrition, Obesity and Health - P.G. Dip.; 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 a Bachelor’s degree from this University, or from any

other higher education institution recognized by Senate, obtained

with at least Second Class Honours in Applied Food and Nutrition

Sciences or any other area deemed relevant by the Board.

(2)

Practising professionals in possession of the Post-

Qualification or Postgraduate Diploma in Nutrition and Dietetics

may be allowed to proceed directly to the second year of the Course,

provided such applicants shall additionally be required to register for

and successfully complete a study-unit/s on Research Methods as

directed by the Board.

(3)

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.

OBESITY AND HEALTH - M.SC.

(4)

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, if deemed

necessary.

(5)

Interviews, if necessary, shall be conducted by a board

composed of at least three members appointed for the purpose.

(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)

During the first year of the Course, students are required

to undergo an occupational health assessment so as to ascertain that

they are fit to undertake work related to clinical placements. 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.

The Course shall extend over four semesters of full-time

study.

The programme of study shall comprise study-units to

which a total of 120 ECTS credits are assigned, of which 90 ECTS

credits are assigned to taught and practical study-units and 30 ECTS

credits are assigned to a dissertation study-unit.

Students who successfully complete a prescribed set of

study-units totaling 60 ECTS credits for taught and practical 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 Diploma.

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%.

The programme of study shall be published after approval

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

commencement of the Course.

OBESITY AND HEALTH - M.SC.

(1)

The assessment of each taught study-unit shall be Assessment and

completed by the end of the semester in which the teaching of the Progress

study-unit is held.

(2)

Students who in any academic year fail in the assessment

of not more than 20 ECTS credits, shall be given the opportunity to

re-sit the failed assessments during the September supplementary

examination session, provided that, students who fail in a study-unit

involving professional practice that requires assessment over a period

of time shall be required to complete the supplementary assessment

during the following year of the Course or in an additional year of

study, as applicable.

(3)

Students who fail in 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 approximately 20,000 words in accordance with the

guidelines issued by the Board.

(2)

Work on the dissertation shall be undertaken during the

third and fourth 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.

(1)

Students shall be required to have regular contact

with their supervisor.

(2)

Supervisors shall submit to the Board progress reports for

each student under their supervision at the end of each semester of

studies. Such reports may include recommendations 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

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

OBESITY AND HEALTH - M.SC.

of study, all credits being weighted equally.