EDUCATION ACT (CAP. 327)

Master of Science in Applied Chemistry Degree Course Regulations, 2008

IN exercise of the powers conferred upon him by sections 30 (5) and 31 (6) of the Education Act (Cap. 327), the Chancellor of the University of Malta has promulgated the following regulations made by the Senate of the University of Malta by virtue of the powers conferred upon it by sections 31 and 35 of the said Act:

Citation and Interpretation

1. (1) These regulations may be cited as the Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Chemistry ­ P.G. Dip. Appl. Chem. ­ Course Regulations, 2006.

(2) In these regulations, unless the context otherwise requires ­

"the Board" means the Board of the Faculty of Science;

"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 course of studies leading to the degree of Master of Science in Applied Chemistry ­ M.Sc. Appl. Chem.;

"the Degree" means the degree of Master of Science in Applied Chemistry ­ M.Sc. Appl. Chem.; and

"the Diploma" means the Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Chemistry ­ P.G. Dip. Appl. Chem.

Applicability

2. These regulations shall apply to courses starting in October 2005 or later.

Qualifications for Admission

3. (1) To be registered as regular students in the Course, applicants shall be in possession of any one of the following qualifications:

1 (a) a degree in science with chemistry as a main area of study obtained with second class honours or better; or

(b) a degree in pharmacy obtained with second class honours or better; or

(c) a degree in a related area obtained with second class honours or better, as determined by the Board.

(2) Applicants with a degree in science with Chemistry as a main area of study with third class honours may be admitted if they show evidence of significant experience in work relevant to the area of study of the Course obtained after their first cycle degree.

(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 number of available places shall be announced at the time of the call for applications.

(4) If it shall be necessary, applicants shall be selected after an interview by the Board of Studies.

Course Duration

4. (1) The Course shall extend over a period of three semesters of full-time study or its equivalent in part-time study.

(2) The Board may allow students to extend their studies by not more than six months.

Course Programme

5. (1) The Course shall consist of 11 study-units, to which a total of 90 ECTS credits are assigned, of which 60 ECTS credits are for taught study-units and 30 ECTS credits for the writing of a dissertation.

(2) The mode of instruction shall include lectures, seminars and laboratory practical work.

(3) Students shall be required to register for all study-units and to obtain credit for all study-units.

6. (1) The Board of Studies shall draw up the programme of studies for the Course which shall indicate which study-units shall be taken in each semester, and which study-units are compulsory. The Board shall publish the programme of studies for the Course before its commencement, following the approval of Senate.

(2) The level, code, title, description and type of each study-unit, the number of credits assigned to each study-unit, the methods of teaching and assessment, and the lecturer giving the study-unit shall be published in a catalogue of study-units, which shall be published by the Board, following approval by Senate.

Assessment

7. (1) Results for the assessment of the study-units and the dissertation shall be published as a percentage mark and grade as indicated in the table below:

Mark Range       Grade

80% -100%           A
70% - 79%            B
55% - 69%            C
45% - 54%            D
0 - 44%                 F

Both the percentage mark and the grade shall be recorded in the students' academic record. However, only the percentage mark shall be used for the purpose of calculating the final classification of the awards.

(2) Students who fail in any study-unit shall be allowed a supplementary assessment once only, provided that not more than two study-units, assigned a total of 12 ECTS credits, shall be re-assessed during the supplementary sessions in the two years of the Course. Such supplementary assessment shall normally have the same mode of assessment as the corresponding first assessment. In the supplementary assessment, the maximum marks and grade that may be awarded shall be 45% - grade D.

(3) Students who fail in study-units to which more than 12 ECTS credits are assigned or who fail in practical study-units shall be required to withdraw from the Course.

Award of the Diploma

8. (1) Students who obtain the 60 ECTS credits assigned to the taught study-units shall be entitled to the award of the Diploma if they either do not proceed with the Course, or having proceeded, do not successfully complete the Degree Course.

(2) The final classification of students who opt for the Diploma shall take into account all the marks obtained in the assessments of the study-units, which shall be weighted according to the number of credits assigned to each.

(3) The names of students who are awarded the Diploma shall be published in a list in alphabetical order classified as follows:

Passed with Distinction
Passed.

(4) Students who obtain a Final Weighted Average Mark of 60% shall be eligible to proceed to the Course leading to the Degree.

The Dissertation

9. (1) Work for 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 continuous basis during the period of study.

(2) The title of the dissertation and a detailed research proposal shall be approved by the Board not later than two months before the start of the third semester.

(3) Prior to submission, the student shall seek the written permission of the supervisor, which shall be attached to the dissertation, provided that a student may opt to submit his dissertation notwithstanding any negative advice from the supervisor.

(4) A supervisor may advise the Board, in writing, on the performance of a student; such advice may recommend either:

(a) an extension of the study period in terms of the provisions of regulation 4(2) in order to enable the student to complete the dissertation; or

(b) a premature termination of studies if the supervisor deems this to be proper in the circumstances, provided that the student has been given a chance to be heard.

10. (1) Dissertations presented for the Degree shall:

(a) be work of an advanced or original nature performed by students during the Course and the presentation of their findings and conclusions in a document written in a scholarly manner according to specified guidelines;

(b) satisfy the Board of Examiners as regards content and presentation; and

(c) consist of not less than 20,000 words and fulfill all other requirements related to format and presentation as stipulated in the relevant guidelines.

(2) No dissertation shall be accepted which is identical in substance to a document already submitted for a degree in this or any other university or to any other published material. Students shall, however, not be precluded from incorporating such previous work as may be necessary to the presentation and fuller understanding of their exposition, provided that the nature and extent of such incorporation are clearly indicated in the dissertation itself.

(3) Students shall present two bound copies of the dissertation to the Faculty of Science, one of which shall be retained in the University library and another at the Department of Chemistry.

Examination of the Dissertation

11. (1) A Board of Examiners shall be appointed for each dissertation, which shall normally include the supervisor and three other members, including an external examiner who shall be appointed from another university.

(2) The Board of Examiners shall require students to defend the dissertation orally before them. The external examiner need not be present for the oral defence.

(3) Students whose dissertation is found unsatisfactory may either fail or be required by the Board of Examiners to rewrite the document in whole or in part and to re-submit it for examination. Students shall re-submit the dissertation by not later than six months from notification of the decision by the Board of Examiners.

Award of the Degree

12. (1) Students shall be eligible for the award of the Degree if they obtain all the credits assigned to the study-units and the dissertation, as indicated in regulation 5.

(2) The Board shall compute the global final result taking into account all components of the Course and shall also establish the Degree classification.

(3) The names of students who qualify for the award of the Degree shall be published in a list in alphabetical order and classified as follows:

Passed with Distinction
Passed