MASTER OF SCIENCE IN GERODONTOLOGY - M.SC. *

SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION 327.650

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN

GERODONTOLOGY - M.SC. *

26th June, 2020

LEGAL NOTICE 264 of 2020.

(1)

These regulations may be cited as the Master of

Science in Gerodontology - M.Sc. - Degree Course Regulations.

(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, on the recommendation of the Board;

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

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

“the Degree” means the Master of Science in Gerodontology -

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.

These regulations shall be applicable for courses

commencing in October 2020 or later.

The Course shall be offered in any one of the following

areas of study and in any other area of study that falls within the

academic responsibility of the Board

(a)

Dental Hygiene;

(b)

Dental Technology; and

(c)

Dental Surgery.

(1)

The Course shall be open to applicants in

possession of one of the qualifications listed hereunder, awarded by

this University or any other higher education institution recognised

by Senate

(a)

the degree of Master of Dental Surgery awarded

*Repealed by Legal Notice 290 of 2022.

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

(b)

the degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) in

Dental Technology obtained with at least Second

Class Honours or better; or

(c)

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 qualifications and experience shall be evaluated in accordance

with the procedures established by the University Policy for the

Recognition and Accreditation of Prior Learning.

(b)

The admission of such applicants may be made

subject to those conditions that the Faculty Admissions Committee

may impose to address any lacunae in their academic preparation.

Conditions imposed may include the satisfactory completion of a

preparatory programme as provided for in regulation 5 of these

regulations, 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 7 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 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.

(1)

Applicants admitted under paragraph (3) of

regulation 4 may be required to complete a preparatory programme,

comprising not less than 30 ECTS credits and not more than 60

ECTS credits, and to obtain an overall average mark of 55% or

better, prior to their admission as regular students on the Course.

(2)

The Board may grant applicants full or partial exemption

from the requirement of the preparatory programme if it is satisfied

that the applicant possesses post first-cycle degree work experience

that is relevant to the Course.

(1)

The Course shall extend over three years of full-

time study which may include 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 studies.

(1)

The programme of study shall consist of taught and

practical 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 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.

(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

supplementary examination session. The maximum grade/mark that

can be awarded after re-assessment of taught 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.

(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.

(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 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 6 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.

(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. 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.

In matters not provided for by these regulations, the Board

shall be guided by the provisions of the General Regulations for

University Postgraduate Awards, 2008, published as Legal Notice

120 of 2008, as applicable.