INTERNATIONAL MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND

SUSTAINABILITY

SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION 327.702

INTERNATIONAL MASTER OF SCIENCE IN

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND

SUSTAINABILITY – M.SC. – DEGREE COURSE

REGULATIONS UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE

INSTITUTE OF EARTH SYSTEMS

19th September, 2023

LEGAL NOTICE 220 of 2023.

(1)

These regulations may be cited as the International

Master of Science in Environmental Management and Sustainability

– M.Sc.– Degree Course Regulations.

(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

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND

SUSTAINABILITY

“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.

These regulations shall apply to courses commencing in

August 2023 or later.

(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.

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND

SUSTAINABILITY

(8)

The interviewing board may make use of electronic means

of communication in order to conduct such interviews.

(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.

(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.

(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.

(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.

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND

SUSTAINABILITY

(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.

(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.

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND

SUSTAINABILITY

(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

B o a r d of E xa m in e r s com p o s e d o f at l eas t 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.

(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.

The testimonial given by the University shall include a

statement to indicate that the Partner University has separately

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND

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awarded a degree for the successful completion of the same Course.

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.

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.