Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Geosciences and Statistics and Operations Research

Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Geosciences and Statistics and Operations Research

Course Title

Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Geosciences and Statistics and Operations Research

MQF Level

6

Duration and Credits

4 Years

240 ECTS

Mode of Study

Full-time

Information for International applicants

Refer to the list of country-specific qualifications

Geosciences

Either passes in Physics (Advanced, grade C or better) and Pure Mathematics (Intermediate, grade C or better)

or passes in Pure Mathematics (Advanced, grade C or better) and Physics (Intermediate, grade C or better),

or passes in Chemistry (Advanced, grade C or better) and Pure Mathematics (Intermediate, grade C or better) and Physics (Intermediate, grade C or better),

or passes in Computing (Advanced, grade C or better) and Pure Mathematics (Intermediate, grade C or better) and Physics (Intermediate, grade C or better).


Statistics and Operations Research

Either

A pass at Advanced Level at Grade C or better in Pure Mathematics

or

A pass at Advanced Level at Grade C or better in Computing or Information Technology together with a pass at Advanced Level at Grade D or better in Pure Mathematics.


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Applications for our February and October intakes have been officially open since the third week in November. You can submit your application online. The deadlines for submission of applications vary according to the intake and courses. We encourage all international applicants to submit their applications as soon as possible. This is especially important if you require a visa to travel and eventually stay in Malta.

You can compare your national qualifications to the local requirements by visiting our qualifications comparability webpage. Access more information about our admission process and English language requirements.

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Our dedicated team at the student recruitment office is here to support you every step of the way. From the moment you start your application to the moment when you receive your decision letter, we're here to assist you. If you have any questions or need further information, don't hesitate to reach out to us. You can contact us at info@um.edu.mt, and our team will be more than happy to help.

After you receive an offer from us, our International Office will assist you with visas, accommodation and other related issues.

Geosciences

The Geosciences are at the core of many of today's global issues, such as natural resources and their exploration/exploitation, climate change, geohazards and environmental problems. As a prospective student, you will be a part of the Department of Geosciences' aim to develop a new generation of highly skilled geoscientists who will have a rigorous scientific education in the natural and earth sciences, field and computational proficiency, as well as hands-on experience with modern equipment and facilities. Geoscience graduates have a holistic understanding of how the Earth works and how to solve real-world problems.


Statistics and Operations Research

The four-year programme of studies for Statistics and Operations Research as part of the B.Sc. (Hons) degree has been designed for you to embark on a four-year plan which will help you to learn a number of topics considered to be fundamental in the academic disciplines of Statistics and Operations Research, and to follow fruitfully a set of accompanying study units which are oriented towards specialized areas.


Geosciences

The Course shall consist of two parts, namely, Part One comprising the first three years and Part Two comprising the fourth year.

  1. Part One shall consist of study-units to which 180 credits are assigned and indicated in the programme of study and divided as follows:

    2. 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.).

  2. Part Two shall consist of study-units to which 60 credits are assigned divided as follows:
    1. 40 credits in one area of study, of which 18 credits are assigned to a dissertation, and
    2. 20 credits in the other area of study,

provided that in the case of Mathematics, the dissertation may be substituted by one or more additional taught study-units.


Statistics and Operations Research

The Course shall consist of two parts, namely, Part One comprising the first three years and Part Two comprising the fourth year.

  1. Part One shall consist of study-units to which 180 credits are assigned and indicated in the programme of study and divided as follows:

    2. 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.).

  2. Part Two shall consist of study-units to which 60 credits are assigned divided as follows:
    1. 40 credits in one area of study, of which 18 credits are assigned to a dissertation, and
    2. 20 credits in the other area of study,

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.

Geosciences

 
Year   (This/these unit/s start/s in Semester 1 and continue/s in Semester 2)
 
Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)
 
GSC1100 Geology 1 - Fundamentals of Geology 6 ECTS    
PHY1105* Fundamentals of Experimental Physics 4 ECTS    

* Study-unit PHY1105 is not available for students following Geosciences and Physics.
 
 
Semester 1
 
Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)
 
CHE0305 Introduction to Chemistry 4 ECTS    
GSC1201 Introduction to Oceanography 2 ECTS    
GSC1300 Introduction to Science of the Atmosphere 2 ECTS    
SOR0210** Data Treatment and Probability 2 ECTS    

** Study-unit SOR0210 is not available for students following Geosciences and Mathematics or Geosciences and Statistics and Operations Research.
 
 
Semester 2
 
Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)
 
GSC1400 IT Skills for Geoscientists (GIS) 4 ECTS    
GSC1401 Thermal Physics of the Earth’s Atmosphere 4 ECTS    
GSC1402 Earth Observations from Space 4 ECTS    
SOR0220*** Elementary Statistical Theory 2 ECTS    

*** Study-unit SOR0220 is not available for students following Geosciences and Mathematics or Geosciences and Statistics and Operations Research.
 

 
Year   (This/these unit/s start/s in Semester 1 and continue/s in Semester 2)
 
Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)
 
GSC2100 Geology 2 – Structural Geology, Sedimentology and Stratigraphy 6 ECTS    

 
 
Semester 1
 
Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)
 
GSC2101 Fundamentals of Geophysics 4 ECTS    
GSC2102* Earth Surface Processes; Hydrology and Hydrogeology 4 ECTS    
GSC2340 Ocean Dynamics 4 ECTS    
GSC2400 IT Skills for Geoscientists (Matlab) 4 ECTS    
MAT2803** Laplace and Fourier Transforms 2 ECTS    
PHY1133*** Python for Physicists 4 ECTS    
PHY1134*** Introduction to Numerical Methods 2 ECTS    

* Study-unit GSC2102 is not available for students following Geosciences and Mathematics or Geosciences and Statistics and Operations Research.
** Study-unit MAT2803 is not available for students following Geosciences and Mathematics or Geosciences and Statistics and Operations Research.
*** Study-units PHY1133 and PHY1134 are not available for students following Geosciences and Physics.  
 
Semester 2
 
Compulsory Unit
 
GSC2341 Atmospheric Processes 6 ECTS    

 

Students choosing Geosciences and Mathematics are required to choose 4 ECTS from the elective study-units (or 8 ECTS If not eligible to follow GSC3406).
Students choosing Geosciences and Physics are required to choose 10 ECTS from the elective study-units (or 14 ECTS If not eligible to follow GSC3406).
Students choosing Geosciences and Statistics and Operations Research are required to choose 6 ECTS from the elective study-units (or 10 ECTS If not eligible to follow GSC3406).
 
Year   (This/these unit/s start/s in Semester 1 and continue/s in Semester 2)
 
Elective Units (Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints)
 
GSC3101 Seismology 6 ECTS    
GSC3102 Marine Geology and Ocean Surveying 6 ECTS    

 
 
Semester 1
 
Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)
 
GSC3100 Applied Geophysics 4 ECTS    
GSC3401 Time Series Analysis, DSP and Inverse Theory 4 ECTS    
GSC3406* Atmospheric Radiative Transfer and Global Warming 4 ECTS    
PHY3225** Fluid Mechanics 4 ECTS    
 
Elective Units (Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints)
 
GSC2102*** Earth Surface Processes; Hydrology and Hydrogeology 4 ECTS    
GSC3110 Geoenvironmental Hazards and Related Risks 4 ECTS    
GSC3500 Geosciences Placement 4 ECTS    

* Study-unit GSC3406 is available for students who have successfully completed study-unit GSC1401 or equivalent, or for students who have received permission by a tutor following a brief interview.
** Study-unit PHY3225 is not available for students following Geosciences and Physics.
*** Study-unit GSC2102 is not available for students following Geosciences and Physics.
 
 
Semester 2
 
Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)
 
CHE2070 Introductory Environmental Chemistry 4 ECTS    
GSC3402 Environmental Management Concepts 4 ECTS    
LIN1063*** Academic Reading and Writing in English 2 ECTS    
 
Elective Units (Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints)
 
BIO2050 Science, Society and Ethics 2 ECTS    
GSC3105 Continuum Mechanics for Geoscientists 4 ECTS    
GSC3200 Fundamentals of Chemical and Biological Oceanography 4 ECTS    
GSC3201 Computational Fluid Dynamics 4 ECTS    
GSC3301 Instrumentation for Environmental Measurements 4 ECTS    
GSC3303 Gaussian Dispersion Theory and Modelling 4 ECTS    
GSC3400 Forensic Geosciences 4 ECTS    

*** Study-unit LIN1063 is not available for students following Geosciences and Physics or Geosciences and Statistics and Operations Research.
 

If Geosciences is chosen as the main area of study:

Students are required to register for 18 ECTS credits assigned to a project study-unit and 22 ECTS credits in elective study-units for a total of 40 ECTS credits.

If Geosciences is chosen as the other area of study:Students are required to register for GSC3404 (Research Seminar) and 12 ECTS credits in elective study-units for a total of 20 ECTS credits.
 
Year   (This/these unit/s start/s in Semester 1 and continue/s in Semester 2)
 
Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)
 
GSC3403* Independent Research Project 18 ECTS   (NC)  
GSC3404** Research Seminar 8 ECTS    
 
Elective Units (Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints)
 
GSC3101 Seismology 6 ECTS    
GSC3102 Marine Geology and Ocean Surveying 6 ECTS    
GSC3107 Practical Geophysical Exploration 6 ECTS    

* Study-unit GSC3403 is compulsory only for students taking Geosciences as their main area of study.
** Study-unit GSC3404 is compulsory only for students taking Geosciences as their other area of study.
 
 
Semester 1
 
Elective Units (Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints)
 
GSC3108 Global Geodynamics and Earth Deformation Processes 4 ECTS    
GSC3110 Geoenvironmental Hazards and Related Risks 4 ECTS    
GSC3500 Geosciences Placement 4 ECTS    

 
 
Semester 2
 
Elective Units (Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints)
 
BIO2050 Science, Society and Ethics 2 ECTS    
GSC3105 Continuum Mechanics for Geoscientists 4 ECTS    
GSC3200 Fundamentals of Chemical and Biological Oceanography 4 ECTS    
GSC3201 Computational Fluid Dynamics 4 ECTS    
GSC3202 Machine Learning and Computer Vision for the Environmental Sciences 4 ECTS    
GSC3301 Instrumentation for Environmental Measurements 4 ECTS    
GSC3303 Gaussian Dispersion Theory and Modelling 4 ECTS    
GSC3400 Forensic Geosciences 4 ECTS    

 

Statistics and Operations Research

In addition to the compulsory study-units, students who have Mathematics as their other area of study are required to choose study-units to the value of 10 ECTS credits from the elective study-units on offer during the year.

In addition to the compulsory study-units, students who have Computing Science, Biology, Chemistry, Geosciences, or Physics as their other area of study are required to choose study-units to the value of 2 ECTS credits from the elective study-units on offer during the year.

No elective study-units in the Statistics and Operations Research area are to be taken by students choosing Banking and Finance as their other area of study.
 
Year   (This/these unit/s start/s in Semester 1 and continue/s in Semester 2)
 
Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)
 
MAT1212* Introductory Analysis 6 ECTS    
SOR1110 Probability 4 ECTS   (NC)  
SOR1222 Statistical Computing 8 ECTS   (NC)  
SOR1310 Optimization 4 ECTS   (NC)  
SOR1320 Linear Programming 4 ECTS   (NC)  
SOR1450** Principles of Financial Mathematics and Life Policies 4 ECTS    
 
Elective Units (Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints)
 
SOR1450*** Principles of Financial Mathematics and Life Policies 4 ECTS    

 
 
Semester 1
 
Elective Units (Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints)
 
CIS1044 SQL for Statisticians 2 ECTS    
ELP1062 English Proficiency 2 ECTS    
SOR1250 Official Statistics and Demography 4 ECTS    

 
 
Semester 2
 
Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)
 
MAT1116**** Introduction to Vector Spaces 2 ECTS    

 
* MAT1212 is for students not taking Mathematics as the other area.
** SOR1450 as a compulsory study-unit is for students taking Banking and Finance as another area.
*** SOR1450 as an elective study-unit cannot be taken by students taking Banking and Finance as the other area.
**** MAT1116 is for students not taking Mathematics or Banking and Finance as the other area.

 
Year   (This/these unit/s start/s in Semester 1 and continue/s in Semester 2)
 
Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)
 
SOR2120 Convergence and Limits in Probability 4 ECTS   (NC)  
SOR2211 Families of Random Variables and Random Vectors 6 ECTS   (NC)  
SOR2221 Statistical Inference 1 6 ECTS   (NC)  
SOR2230 Time Series 1 4 ECTS    
SOR2250 Sampling 1 4 ECTS    
SOR2330 Nonlinear Programming 4 ECTS   (NC)  

 
 
Semester 1
 
Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)
 
SOR2110 History and Philosophy of Probability and Statistics 2 ECTS    

 

In addition to the compulsory study-units, students are required to choose study-units to the value of 4 ECTS credits from the elective study-units on offer during the year.
 
Year   (This/these unit/s start/s in Semester 1 and continue/s in Semester 2)
 
Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)
 
SOR3110 Stochastic Processes 1 5 ECTS   (NC)  
SOR3210 Multivariate Analysis 1 5 ECTS   (NC)  
SOR3221 Regression Models 4 ECTS   (NC)  
SOR3243 Bayesian Statistics 4 ECTS    
SOR3350 Combinatorial Optimization 4 ECTS    
SOR3500 Computational Methods in Statistics and Operations Research 4 ECTS    
 
Elective Units (Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints)
 
SOR3411 Risk Modelling in Insurance and Finance 4 ECTS    
SOR3430 The Mathematics of Financial Markets: Discrete Models 4 ECTS    

 
 
Semester 1
 
Elective Units (Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints)
 
CIS1044 SQL for Statisticians 2 ECTS    
SOR3242 Robust Statistics 2 ECTS    
SOR3250* Design of Experiments 2 ECTS    

* Study-unit SOR3250 cannot be taken by Biology and Statistics and Operations Research students.
 

If Statistics and Operations Research is chosen as the main area of study:
Students are required to register for 22 ECTS credits from the list of Electives and 18 ECTS credits assigned to a project study-unit to a total of 40 ECTS credits.

If Statistics and Operations Research is chosen as the other area of study:
Students are required to register for 20 ECTS credits from the list of Electives.
 
Year   (This/these unit/s start/s in Semester 1 and continue/s in Semester 2)
 
Compulsory Unit

Either
 
SOR3101 Project in Statistics and Operations Research: Probability 18 ECTS   (NC)  
 
Or
 
SOR3201 Project in Statistics and Operations Research: Statistics 18 ECTS   (NC)  
 
Or
 
SOR3301 Project in Statistics and Operations Research: Operations Research 18 ECTS   (NC)  
 
Or
 
SOR3401 Project in Statistics and Operations Research: Financial and Actuarial Mathematics 18 ECTS   (NC)  
 
Elective Units (Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints)
 
SOR3121 Stochastic Processes 2 6 ECTS    
SOR3211 Generalized Linear Models 4 ECTS    
SOR3222 Nonlinear and Nonparametric Regression Analysis 4 ECTS    
SOR3231 Time Series 2 4 ECTS    
SOR3311 Stochastic Programming 6 ECTS    
SOR3351 Dynamic Programming and Optimal Control 4 ECTS    
SOR3411 Risk Modelling in Insurance and Finance 4 ECTS    
SOR3430 The Mathematics of Financial Markets: Discrete Models 4 ECTS    

 
 
Semester 1
 
Elective Units (Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints)
 
SOR3241 Survival Analysis 4 ECTS    
SOR3242 Robust Statistics 2 ECTS    
SOR3250* Design of Experiments 2 ECTS    

* Study-unit SOR3250 cannot be taken by students taking Biology and Statistics and Operations Research.
 

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.

Geosciences

At the end of the course, you should be able to:

  • Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the structure, physical properties, processes and interactions within the various spheres making up our planet.
  • Use acquired mathematical, physical and computational skills to formulate, model and solve a variety of problems relating to earth science, dynamic systems and the environment.
  • Demonstrate familiarity with a number of instrumental techniques and computational software related to geoscientific investigation, and develop adaptability to a number of outdoor situations and tasks.

Statistics and Operations Research

At the end of the course you will be able to:

  • deal competently with the notions of uncertainty and randomness in a logically valid and mathematically sophisticated way
  • know which branch of relevant theory should help in understanding practical problems involving probabilistic, statistical and operations research contexts
  • be confident in the use of software commonly used in the numerical solution to problems in the relevant areas.

Non EU Applicants:

Fee per academic year: Eur 10,800

You are viewing the fees for non EU nationals. Switch to EU nationals if you are a national of any country from within the EU/EEA.

Geosciences

Geoscience is a highly rewarding and interdisciplinary field of study which exposes you to a wide array of interesting methodologies, field, laboratory and computational experiences, providing them with a highly flexible skill set that can be applied in a choice of career options. As a graduate, you will thus be prepared to work on some of society's most challenging problems.

Related Job Opportunities:

  • geo- , marine-, and atmosphere-related industries and services
  • the energy industry
  • environmental consulting
  • resource management and planning
  • policy making ֠climate change, ocean governance, building policies
  • legislative fields and governance
  • environmental and science education
  • fundamental and applied research in various geoscience areas

The degree in Geosciences provides an excellent platform for pursuing postgraduate research in the Earth Sciences, both locally and abroad, in particular the Department's taught Masters courses in Applied Oceanography or Petroleum Studies, as well as M.Sc. by research. Well-qualified graduates may also proceed to M.Phil/Ph.D. programmes.


Statistics and Operations Research

Career opportunities in this area have so far included:

  • National Statistics Office
  • Other government departments and authorities (e.g. NAO, MFSA, Central Bank, MFSS, Communications Authority)
  • Finance (e.g. banks, insurance, investment)
  • Manufacturing companies
  • Airline industry
  • Communications industry
  • Lottery and Betting companies
  • Education

The course also gives access to further postgraduate studies and research positions, both at the University of Malta and overseas, and a number of our former students have pursued Masters, Doctorate and Post-doctorate positions, both locally and abroad. The course has also served as a good background for other specialized courses required by specific areas in the job market.


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