Biology
The Department provides you with the best possible teaching programmes in Biology by imparting a sound theoretical and practical background to the subject, enabling you to contribute effectively to Malta's changing needs and requirements. Moreover, through its research programmes, the Department makes a direct contribution to the knowledge of the natural resources of the nation, their sustainable management, and to national economic development. You will have many opportunities to contribute directly to such research endeavours.
Chemistry
The main aims of this programme are to help you develop a broad and balanced appreciation of the core areas of chemistry: inorganic, organic, physical and analytical chemistry, as well as basic knowledge in macromolecular chemistry, colloids, solid-fluid and fluid-fluid interfaces, environmental chemistry, photochemistry and radiochemistry. You will possess knowledge and skills from which you can proceed to graduate employment or to further studies in chemistry or multi-disciplinary areas involving chemistry.
Biology
The Course shall consist of two parts, namely, Part One comprising the first three years and Part Two comprising the fourth year.
- Part One shall consist of study-units to which 180 credits are assigned and indicated in the programme of study and divided as follows:
- Part Two shall consist of study-units to which 60 credits are assigned divided as follows:
- 40 credits in one area of study, of which 18 credits are assigned to a dissertation, and
- 20 credits in the other area of study,
First Year: in addition to the compulsory and elective study-units outlined in the programme of studies of the chosen areas (not less than 26 credits in each of the two areas), students are required to register for optional study-units to bring their total for the year to 60 credits,
Second Year: 30 credits in each of the two areas of study,
Third Year: 30 credits in each of the two areas of study.
At the end of Part One, students who obtain 180 credits as specified in paragraph (1) but who either opt not to proceed with the Course leading to the Honours Degree, or having proceeded, do not successfully complete the Course, shall be eligible for the award of the degree of Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.).
provided that in the case of Mathematics, the dissertation may be substituted by one or more additional taught study-units.
Chemistry
The Course shall consist of two parts, namely, Part One comprising the first three years and Part Two comprising the fourth year.
- Part One shall consist of study-units to which 180 credits are assigned and indicated in the programme of study and divided as follows:
- Part Two shall consist of study-units to which 60 credits are assigned divided as follows:
- 40 credits in one area of study, of which 18 credits are assigned to a dissertation, and
- 20 credits in the other area of study,
First Year: in addition to the compulsory and elective study-units outlined in the programme of studies of the chosen areas (not less than 26 credits in each of the two areas), students are required to register for optional study-units to bring their total for the year to 60 credits,
Second Year: 30 credits in each of the two areas of study,
Third Year: 30 credits in each of the two areas of study.
At the end of Part One, students who obtain 180 credits as specified in paragraph (1) but who either opt not to proceed with the Course leading to the Honours Degree, or having proceeded, do not successfully complete the Course, shall be eligible for the award of the degree of Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.).
provided that in the case of Mathematics, the dissertation may be substituted by one or more additional taught study-units.
Communication and Academic Skills Programme
The communication and academic skills programme complements students’ main course of study. It introduces them to writing and presenting as situated within academic contexts sensitive to specific disciplines and develops their competences for future careers.
Biology
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Semester 1 | |||||
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Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) | |||||
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BIO1010 | Cellular and Biochemical Basis of Life | 5 ECTS   | (NC)   | ||
BIO1020 | Diversity of Life: Animals | 5 ECTS   | (NC)   | ||
GSC1000 | Introduction to Earth Science | 2 ECTS   |   | ||
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Students taking Biology and Chemistry are required to register for the this unit: | |||||
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SOR0210 | Data Treatment and Probability | 2 ECTS   |   | ||
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Elective Units (Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints) | |||||
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GSC1200 | Introduction to Physical Oceanography | 2 ECTS   |   | ||
GSC1300 | Introduction to Science of the Atmosphere | 2 ECTS   |   | ||
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Semester 2 | |||||
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Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) | |||||
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BIO1030 | Diversity of Life: Non-Animals | 5 ECTS   | (NC)   | ||
BIO1070 | Perspectives and Research Methods in Biology | 2 ECTS   |   | ||
BIO1080 | Microbial Diversity | 5 ECTS   | (NC)   | ||
BIO1090 | Introduction to Conservation Biology | 2 ECTS   |   | ||
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Students taking Biology and Mathematics, Biology and Physics, or Biology and Statistics and Operations Research are required to register for this study-unit: | |||||
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CHE1015 | Environmental Chemistry for Scientists | 4 ECTS   |   | ||
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Semester 1 | |||||
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Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) | |||||
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BIO2040 | Ecology and Ethology 1 | 8 ECTS   | (NC)   | ||
BIO2070 | Biochemical Strategies of Life | 5 ECTS   | (NC)   | ||
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Semester 2 | |||||
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Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) | |||||
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BIO2020 | Plant Biology | 7 ECTS   | (NC)   | ||
BIO2030 | Animal Form and Function 1 | 6 ECTS   | (NC)   | ||
BIO3030 | Evolution, Phylogeny and Adaptation | 4 ECTS   | (NC)   | ||
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Semester 1 | |||||
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Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) | |||||
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BIO3022 | Parasitology | 2 ECTS   |   | ||
BIO3050 | Animal Form and Function 2 | 5 ECTS   |   | ||
BIO3060* | Field Biology - Coastal and Marine Habitats | 4 ECTS   | (NC)   | ||
BIO3130 | Genetics and Developmental Biology | 6 ECTS   | (NC)   | ||
* Study-unit BIO3060 is an intensive, week-long study-unit which is scheduled for the last week of September and prior to the beginning of the academic year.   | |||||
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Semester 2 | |||||
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Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) | |||||
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BIO2050 | Science, Society and Ethics | 2 ECTS   |   | ||
BIO3023 | Microbiology and Immunology | 5 ECTS   | (NC)   | ||
BIO3040 | Biotechnology 1 | 6 ECTS   | (NC)   | ||
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Year   (This/these unit/s start/s in Semester 1 and continue/s in Semester 2) | |||||
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For students taking Biology as the main area of study:Compulsory Units (All students must register for these units) | |||||
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BIO3110 | Final Year Project in Biology | 18 ECTS   | (NC)   | ||
SCI3502 | Professional and Technical Skills for Scientists | 6 ECTS   |   | ||
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Semester 1 | |||||
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Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) | |||||
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BIO3080 | Introduction to agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries and other biological Resources | 4 ECTS   |   | ||
SCI3501* | Academic Writing and Statistical Techniques for Scientific Research | 4 ECTS   |   | ||
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Industrial Biology TrackElective Units(Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints) | |||||
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BIO3300 | Biotechnology 2 | 6 ECTS   |   | ||
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Environmental Biology TrackElective Units(Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints) | |||||
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BIO3090 | Environmental Applications, Informatics and Management | 4 ECTS   |   | ||
* Study-unit SCI3501 is for students taking Biology as the other area of study only.   | |||||
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Semester 2 | |||||
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Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) | |||||
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BIO3070 | Studies in Conservation Biology | 4 ECTS   |   | ||
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Industrial Biology TrackElective Units(Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints) | |||||
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BIO3100 | Marine Biology | 4 ECTS   |   | ||
CPH4500 | Introduction to Pharmacology for Biology and Chemistry Students | 2 ECTS   |   | ||
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Chemistry
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Year   (This/these unit/s start/s in Semester 1 and continue/s in Semester 2) | |||||
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Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) | |||||
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CHE1215* | Methods of Chemical Calculations | 6 ECTS   |   | ||
CHE1360 | Principles of Organic Chemistry | 6 ECTS   | (NC)   | ||
CHE1700 | Chemistry Practical 1 | 4 ECTS   | (NC)   | ||
* Study-unit CHE1215 is for students taking Chemistry and Biology, or Chemistry and Mathematics, or Chemistry and Statistics and Operations Research only.   | |||||
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Semester 1 | |||||
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Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) | |||||
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CHE1340 | Principles of Inorganic Chemistry | 4 ECTS   | (NC)   | ||
CHE1350 | Principles of Analytical Chemistry | 4 ECTS   | (NC)   | ||
LIN1063** | Academic Reading and Writing in English | 2 ECTS   |   | ||
MAT1091*** | Mathematical Methods | 4 ECTS   |   | ||
SOR0210*** | Data Treatment and Probability | 2 ECTS   |   | ||
** Study-unit LIN1063 is for students taking Chemistry and Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics, or Chemistry and Statistics and Operations Research only.*** MAT1091 and SOR0210 are for students taking Chemistry and Physics only.   | |||||
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Semester 2 | |||||
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Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) | |||||
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CHE1330 | Principles of Physical Chemistry | 4 ECTS   | (NC)   | ||
SOR0220**** | Elementary Statistical Theory | 2 ECTS   |   | ||
**** Study-unit SOR0220 is for students taking Chemistry and Biology only.   |
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Semester 1 | |||||
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Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) | |||||
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CHE1356 | Principles and Industrial Applications of Chemical Metrology | 5 ECTS   |   | ||
CHE2365 | Organic Chemistry 2 | 5 ECTS   | (NC)   | ||
CHE2375 | Chemical Thermodynamics and Kinetics | 5 ECTS   | (NC)   | ||
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Semester 2 | |||||
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Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) | |||||
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CHE2075 | Introductory Environmental Chemistry | 5 ECTS   | (NC)   | ||
CHE2364 | Organic Spectroscopy | 5 ECTS   | (NC)   | ||
CHE2385 | Chemistry of Co-ordination Compounds | 5 ECTS   | (NC)   | ||
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Semester 1 | |||||
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Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) | |||||
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CHE3091 | Organic Photochemistry | 2 ECTS   |   | ||
CHE3155 | Chemistry of Main Group Elements | 5 ECTS   | (NC)   | ||
CHE3245 | Separation Techniques and Analytical Chemistry | 5 ECTS   | (NC)   | ||
SCI3503 | Public Speaking and Presentations Skills for Scientists | 2 ECTS   |   | ||
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Semester 2 | |||||
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Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) | |||||
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CHE3100 | Statistical Mechanics and Molecular Modelling | 5 ECTS   |   | ||
CHE3135 | Physical Chemistry of Liquids and Solutions | 6 ECTS   | (NC)   | ||
CHE3255 | Organic Chemistry 3 | 5 ECTS   | (NC)   | ||
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If Biology is chosen as the other area of study, students are required to register for SCI3501 and 16 ECTS from the list of compulsory study-units.
If Physics or Mathematics or Statistics and Operations Research is chosen as the other area of study, students are required to register for CHE3285 and 16 ECTS from the list of compulsory study-units.
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Year   (This/these unit/s start/s in Semester 1 and continue/s in Semester 2) | |||||
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Compulsory Units Chemistry and Physics, or Chemistry and Mathematics, or Chemistry and Statistics and Operations Research students who do not register for CHE3900 are to register for CHE3285. | |||||
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CHE3285 | Selected Topics in Chemistry | 4 ECTS   |   | ||
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If students opt to do the Project in Chemistry they are to register for CHE3900. | |||||
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CHE3900 | Dissertation in Chemistry | 18 ECTS   | (NC)   | ||
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Chemistry and Biology students who register for CHE3900 are to register for SCI3502. | |||||
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SCI3502 | Professional and Technical Skills for Scientists | 6 ECTS   |   | ||
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Semester 1 | |||||
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Chemistry and Physics, or Chemistry and Mathematics, or Chemistry and Statistics and Operations Research students who register for CHE3900 are to register for CHE3390 | |||||
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CHE3390 | Synthetic Organic Chemistry | 6 ECTS   |   | ||
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Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) | |||||
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CHE3412 | Chemistry of Polymers | 4 ECTS   |   | ||
CHE3470 | Environmental Chemistry | 4 ECTS   |   | ||
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Chemistry and Biology students who do not register for CHE3900 are to register for SCI3501. | |||||
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SCI3501 | Academic Writing and Statistical Techniques for Scientific Research | 4 ECTS   |   | ||
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Semester 2 | |||||
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Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) | |||||
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CHE3461 | Organometallic Chemistry and Structural Determination of Inorganic Materials | 4 ECTS   |   | ||
CHE3480 | Natural Products | 4 ECTS   |   | ||
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This programme of study is governed by the General Regulations for University Undergraduate Awards, 2019 and by the Bye-Laws for the award of Bachelor of Science - B.Sc. and Bachelor of Science (Honours) - B.Sc.(Hons.) under the auspices of the Faculty of Science.