The University of Malta’s Programme in the Liberal Arts and Sciences (PLAS) is an excellent opportunity for personal and professional development. You may apply for any and as many study-units as you wish from the broad range of PLAS study-units on offer.
PLAS study-units consist of weekly evening lectures between 18:00 and 20:00, normally spread over 14 weeks. Each study- unit is of 4 ECTS which involves between 20 to 28 contact hours.
Timetable[PDF] Updated 22/02/24
* Study-unit at Introductory Level (MQF Level 5)
**Study-unit at Higher Level (MQF Level 6)
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The intention of this basic study-unit in nature photography is not only to go into the technical details of how to take a photograph or of how the equipment works but to present a simple introduction to those that are new to photography and to highlight the possibilities that exist on these islands that allow those interested in nature photography to participate in this rewarding activity. This will be presented with topics related to Maltese habitats and the opportunities these present to the photographer, nature photography in different habitats such as tropical rain forests, savannas and grasslands, basic information on the technical aspects such as camera bodies, lenses and other equipment used in the field, hints and tricks on how to take better nature photographs, ethics in photography with special reference to environmental respect.
Study-unit at Introductory Level (MQF Level 5)
This study-unit is designed for those who are interested to develop an understanding of the basic principle of the field of human communications. The main aim is to obtain a theoretical understanding of communication studies that facilitates the establishment and maintenance of effective personal relationships. It provides an opportunity to learn, master and sharpen communication skills so as to communicate effectively in various relationships with oneself and others. The method of learning and training will involve lecturing, small group work and experiential learning experiences.
Study-unit at Introductory Level (MQF Level 5)
The Art of paper folding is one of those skills you didn’t know you needed until you’ve learnt it! This study-unit is designed to provide the key basic hand folding techniques, pleating, scoring and manipulation to produce a variety of exciting folds from easy to complex using different types of paper. Every section is broken down into simple steps and techniques in a workshop environment with a focus on practical learning, with one-to-one individual tutor support. There will also be group discussions and reviews with a brief history of folding and the work of several contemporary paper and origami artists to examine how folding is used in fashion, architecture and design. The knowledge acquired in the drawing and practical lessons helps to crack the basics of structural paper folding, creating geometric paper models.
Study-unit at Introductory Level (MQF Level 5)
The study-unit concerns Malta's collective memory, its sources and compilation. It can be approached orally or through documents. The subject-matter will be treated by first referring to Maltese society in general and then by cross-referring to individual Maltese towns and villages. The sources will vary from records kept in the various State, ecclesiastical and private entities. to several interviews conducted with elderly persons across the island. Maltese toponymy, onomastics, religious cults and traditions will be pinpointed and compared to bring out the lifestyle and habits of the population over the years.
(First come first served basis - 25 students max.)
(OPEN ONLY TO MALTESE-SPEAKING PEOPLE)
Study-unit at Introductory Level (MQF Level 5)
This study-unit offers a foundational understanding of cartography, GIS, spatial analysis, and drone mapping. Starting with basic principles of map design and representation, it progresses into practical applications using GIS software. Students will engage with various aspects, from data manipulation and visualization to drone technology for mapping. The course is designed for real-world relevance in fields like urban planning and environmental management, enhancing students' mapping and analytical skills.
Study-unit at Introductory Level (MQF Level 5)
The history of Malta’s food supply is one of shocks and vulnerabilities. Already, in 1590, when the population reached a mere 30,000 inhabitants, depending solely on local supplies was already dubious. This study-unit examines the issue of food security from an island perspective, particularly when the impacts of climate change are becoming more evident and agricultural output is dwindling, while investigating possible localised solutions to increase security.
Study-unit at Introductory Level (MQF Level 5)
Starting a business is easy... making it sustainable is not... more than 50% of all new businesses cease trading within five years. This course will give you the tools to assess your idea and to determine where the risk factors are and how to minimise them. If you want to start your own business then this is the course for you.
Study-unit at Introductory Level (MQF Level 5)
Throughout history the quest of deeper knowledge has driven humanity against limits which do not seem to be just boundaries of rational reasoning, but which lead to paradoxes and apparent contradictions. What might be surprising is that this has happened in virtually all directions of human intellectual endeavours, being mathematics, computation, science, mysticism; and rather than set boundaries to knowledge, these have typically led to breakthroughs in their domain.
Study-unit at Higher Level (MQF Level 6)
This study-unit provides and understanding on antibiotic use and misuse beyond humans. Antibiotics in crops and animals enter the food chain, ultimately affecting humans. World Health Organisation recognises this concern and recently established a global Codex Alimentarius working group to address it. Antibiotics are unavoidable, but they should be used rationally to reduce human risk. This study-unit explains how bacteria enter food chains. The different types of microorganisms will be highlighted.
Study-unit at Higher Level (MQF Level 6)
How do The Beatles embody counterculture politics? What can Titanic tell us about social class? What is the Holocaust represented in Schindler’s List or La vita è bella? What does The Lord of the Flies or The Hunger Games reveal about social organisation? What does Mdina reveal about the politics of urban planning? What are the political messages in Picasso’s Guernica? This study-unit will discuss important political themes through an exploration of artworks, literature, architecture, music and films. Lectures will also look into how dissidents, social critics and governments themselves utilise artistic and literary representations of politics to criticise, inform, educate, lampoon, celebrate and mythologise for political ends.
Study-unit at Higher Level (MQF Level 6)
The study-unit deals with Legal, Legislative and Judicial History with particular reference to Malta under the Order of St John, British rule and post-Independence Malta. The difference but correlation and interplay between the three aspects of the subject-matter will be drawn. Measures and decisions that brought about or moved with the development of the State and National set-up of Malta will be used to exemplify the three aspects. The themes concerned will especially be taken against the politico-constitutional, socio-economic, religious and cultural backgrounds of Malta's general history.
(First come first served basis - 25 students max.)
(OPEN ONLY TO MALTESE-SPEAKING PEOPLE)
Study-unit at Higher Level (MQF Level 6)
Malta's two responsible governments or self-rule of 1921-1930/1932-1933 and 1947-1958 will be described and compared. It will be shown by legislative illustrations that the second self-government was built on top of the first government by virtue of ordinary legislation passed through Parliament (or the Legislatures of the time, namely a Legislative Assembly with or without a Senate). Individual protagonists in the law-making process will be emphasised. The approach taken will be through "external legal history" so that outside forces of influence (i.e. the Church, the military authorities, the Press, the Chamber of Commerce and the rest) will be mentioned.
(First come first served basis - 50 students max.)
(OPEN ONLY TO MALTESE-SPEAKING PEOPLE)
Study-unit at Introductory Level (MQF Level 6)
This study-unit provides the basic information required for anyone interested in setting up an apiculture industry and provide knowledge on how to keep healthy bees, production of queens and recognizing bee diseases and their control. It will also provide a focus on how the honey bee collects nectar from the different floral sources present in the Maltese Islands and how this is transformed in the three main honey types for Malta: Spring honey, wild thyme honey and Autumn honey. It will provide basic information on honey extraction and honey handling and all properties associated with quality honey.
Study-unit at Introductory Level (MQF Level 5)
If you are interested in knowing how to set up, manage, and run a successful business in agriculture and rural development, then this course is for you. Take a brand-new look at how farming can be turned into a viable enterprise that delivers what consumers want. Together, we shall learn about the factors in the business landscape, and use business tools and models to build a sound business plan.
Study-unit at Introductory Level (MQF Level 5)
This study-unit will provide art and antiques lovers, collectors, dealers and individuals who are interested to venture into the business of antiques, an introduction to the history of art and design with special reference to the art and artefacts produced throughout the centuries. Focusing on the Maltese context, the study-unit will help students to appreciate better art and antiques from a stylistic, cultural, historical and economic point of view. Furthermore, the study-unit will highlight the evolution of collections in Malta while helping students to comprehend better the various contexts of art and antiques through site visits to collections, both national and private, to antique dealers and auction houses who operate in the local sector.
Study-unit at Introductory Level (MQF Level 5)
The Art of Winemaking Part 1 introduces local wine legislation as regulated by the EU Directives. It will present an overview of the basics of viticulture and the conditions leading to harvesting quality grapes. The use of winery equipment will be explained and discussed. The wine processing will be dealt with in detail with emphasis to the different ways white, rose’ and red wines are produced
Study-unit at Higher Level (MQF Level 6)
This study-unit focuses on drawing and working of a 19th century style in Gozo Patterns called ‘Festuni’. Most importantly features the 8-pointed Maltese Cross known also as ‘Salib tal-Kavallieri’.
Design drawing also follows a continuation of the patterns taught in Diacono’s school. It incorporates the introduction to drawing ‘Festuni’ which include the ‘tal-Balla’ and the English Stitch Grounds.
Study-unit at Higher Level (MQF Level 6)
Having studied the "English Stitch" and its importance in Maltese Bobbin Lace since its early stages, according to Diacono's instructions taught at the Casa Industriale at Xagħra in 1893, we have now reached an Advance Level in the subject. Basing on the introductory knowledge acquired in LAS1082 -The Art of Maltese Bobbin Lace 1 and LAS2050 - The Art of Maltese Bobbin Lace 2, we shall experiment with exploring our ingenuity by creating designs and actually work samples of a fringe, a border, the Palma, flowers and foliage motifs as a composition embedded on the English Stitch ground.
Study-unit at Higher Level (MQF Level 6)
The rationale of these study-units is to respond to the need for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) professionals to enrich their academic education with focused expertise on a selection of currennt and emerging software technologies and tools.
In the fast-paced world of software development, agile teams strive to deliver functional software at the end of each iteration. However, maintaining and enhancing software quality and efficiency is a formidable challenge. Automated tests have become a crucial requirement to achieve this goal. Test automation involves using software tools to execute repeatable tests on the application being developed, offering advantages in test consistency and execution speed. Various commercial and open source tools assist in test automation, yet companies still grapple with selecting suitable tools and integrating automation effectively. The task is further complicated by the need to sustain tests as the evolving system undergoes changes. This instructional unit offers practical training using top tools and methods to create a tailored automation framework capable of testing diverse software applications.
Study-unit at Higher Level (MQF Level 6)
In this study-unit, students will become familiar with audio terminology and recording equipment, setting up microphones for recording, live sound reinforcement and using audio recording software to edit and mix multi track recordings. By the end of the study-unit, they will know how to set up a good listening space with basic room treatment, how to select appropriate microphones for a given recording, how to take care of studio equipment and how to record, edit and mix various instruments, including voice. The study-unit will delve into the theoretical and also the practical component of audio engineering, where students will learn to set up and use their own DAW (Digital Audio Workstation).
Study-unit at Higher Level (MQF Level 6)