Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Biology and Physics

Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Biology and Physics

MQF Level

6

Duration and Credits

4 Years

240 ECTS

Mode of Study

Full-time

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.


Physics

The course design reflects the need to provide as wide a base as the human resources of the department permit. It provides a sound basis in the subject during the first three years, with some specialisation in chosen areas offered during the final year. You will be equipped with the necessary knowledge, experience and skills to pursue careers as scientists within the industry, administration, education and, of course, research.


Biology

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.


Physics

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.

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Information for International applicants

Refer to the list of country-specific qualifications

Biology

A pass at Advanced Level at Grade C or better in Biology and a pass at Intermediate Level at Grade C or better in Chemistry.


Physics

Either

A pass at Advanced Level at Grade C or better in Physics together with a pass at Intermediate Level at Grade C or better in Pure Mathematics

or

A pass at Advanced Level at Grade C or better in Pure Mathematics together with a pass at Intermediate Level at Grade C or better in Physics.


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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.

Biology

Students following the Programme of Studies in Biology (B.Sc. Hons) are required to take a number of study-units other than in biology. Such study-units are designed to provide additional skills and knowledge required within the training of a general biologist. Furthermore, most study-units in Biology take the form of a number of lectures (sometimes supplemented by seminars) as well as practical laboratory or field work. The practical work component is considered as essential. Students are informed that regular lecture attendance is obligatory. A grade may be awarded to a particular study-unit only if the student’s attendance to lectures and practical sessions has been regular, and all other course requirements as indicated in the detailed study-unit descriptions have been satisfied.
 
Semester 1
 
Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)
 
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      
GSC1200 Introduction to Physical Oceanography 2 ECTS      
 
Students taking Biology and Chemistry are required to register for the this unit:
 
SOR0210 Data Treatment and Probability 2 ECTS      

*GSC1000 is NOT to be taken by students having Biology and Mathematics, Biology and Physics, or Biology and Statistics and Operations Research as their chosen areas.  
 
Semester 2
 
Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)
 
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      
 
Students taking Biology and Mathematics, Biology and Physics, or Biology and Statistics and Operations Research are required to register for this study-unit:
 
CHE1015 Environmental Chemistry for Scientists 4 ECTS      

 
Requirement for regular progression to Year 2:
30 ECTS credits in this area
30 ECTS credits in the other area

Total credits for this year: 60 ECTS credits

 
Semester 1
 
Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)
 
BIO2040 Ecology and Ethology 1 8 ECTS   (NC)    
BIO2070 Biochemical Strategies of Life 5 ECTS   (NC)    

 
 
Semester 2
 
Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)
 
BIO2020 Plant Biology 7 ECTS   (NC)    
BIO2030 Animal Form and Function 1 6 ECTS   (NC)    
BIO3030 Evolutionary Biology 4 ECTS   (NC)    

 
Requirement for regular progression to Year 3:
30 ECTS credits in this area
30 ECTS credits in the other area

Total credits for this year: 60 ECTS credits

 
Semester 1
 
Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)
 
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 study-unit held over seven consecutive working days which is scheduled for mid-September, prior to the beginning of the academic year (i.e. prior to the start of Semester 1 for continuing students).
 
 
Semester 2
 
Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)
 
BIO2050 Science, Society and Ethics 2 ECTS      
BIO3023 Topics In Microbiology 5 ECTS   (NC)    
BIO3040 Biotechnology 1 6 ECTS   (NC)    

 
Requirement for regular progression to Year 4:
30 ECTS credits in this area
30 ECTS credits in the other area

Total credits for this year: 60 ECTS credits

In addition to the compulsory study-units, final year Biology students are required to follow one of two elective blocks. The first elective block focuses on Industrial Biology (including Biotechnology) whilst the second elective block focuses on Environmental Biology. Each elective block consists of 8 ECTS credits.
 
Year   (This/these unit/s start/s in Semester 1 and continue/s in Semester 2)
 
For students taking Biology as the main area of study:
Compulsory Units (All students must register for these units)
 
BIO3110 Final Year Project in Biology 18 ECTS   (NC)    
SCI3502 Professional and Technical Skills for Scientists 6 ECTS      

 
 
Semester 1
 
Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)
 
BIO3080 Introduction to agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries and other biological Resources 4 ECTS      
SCI3501* Academic Writing and Statistical Techniques for Scientific Research 4 ECTS      
 
Industrial Biology Track
Elective Units(Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints)
 
BIO3300 Biotechnology 2 6 ECTS      
 
Environmental Biology Track
Elective Units(Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints)
 
BIO3090 Environmental Applications, Informatics and Management 4 ECTS      

* Study-unit SCI3501 is for students taking Biology as the other area of study only.
 
 
Semester 2
 
Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)
 
BIO3070 Studies in Conservation Biology 4 ECTS      
 
Industrial Biology Track
Elective Units(Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints)
 
CPH4500 Introduction to Pharmacology for Biology and Chemistry Students 2 ECTS      
 
Environmental Biology Track
Elective Units(Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints)
 
BIO3100 Marine Biology 4 ECTS      

 
Requirement for successful completion of Year 4:
40/20 ECTS credits in this area
40/20 ECTS credits in the other area

Total credits for this year: 60 ECTS credits

Requirement for the award of Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Biology and another area: 240 ECTS credits

Physics

 
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)
 
PHY1105 Fundamentals of Experimental Physics 4 ECTS   (NC)    
PHY1197 Introduction to Classical Mechanics and Waves 6 ECTS      

 
 
Semester 1
 
Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)
 
PHY1125 Mathematics for Physicists 1 4 ECTS      
PHY1133 Python for Physicists 4 ECTS      
PHY1134 Introduction to Numerical Methods 2 ECTS      
PHY1193 Thermodynamics and Kinetic Theory 4 ECTS      

 
 
Semester 2
 
Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)
 
PHY1145 Electricity and Magnetism and Optics 6 ECTS      

 

 
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)
 
PHY2145 Electromagnetism 4 ECTS      
PHY2230 Experimental Physics 4 ECTS   (NC)    

 
 
Semester 1
 
Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)
 
PHY2195 Classical and Relativistic Mechanics 6 ECTS      
PHY2211 Analytical Methods for Physicists 6 ECTS      

 
 
Semester 2
 
Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)
 
PHY2140 Quantum Mechanics 6 ECTS      
PHY3110 Physical Optics 4 ECTS      

 

 
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)
 
PHY3111 Advanced Experimental Physics 6 ECTS   (NC)    
PHY3145 Statistical Mechanics 5 ECTS      
PHY3228 Foundations of Physical Cosmology 6 ECTS      

 
 
Semester 1
 
Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)
 
PHY3130 Atomic Physics 4 ECTS      
PHY3225 Fluid Mechanics 4 ECTS      

 
 
Semester 2
 
Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)
 
PHY3155 Solid State Physics 5 ECTS      

 

If Physics is chosen as the main area of study:
Students are required to register for 32 ECTS credits from the list of compulsory study-units, and 8 ECTS credits from the list of Elective Stream linked to their project area to a total of 40 ECTS credits.

If Physics is chosen as the other area of study:
Students are required to register for 12 ECTS credits from the list of compulsory study-units and 8 ECTS credits from the list of Elective Stream of their choice to 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)
 
PHY3200* Physics Project 18 ECTS   (NC)    
PHY3208 Short Review Paper and Philosophy of Science 6 ECTS      
PHY3209* Seminar 2 ECTS      
PHY3232 Nuclear and Particle Physics 6 ECTS      
 
Elective Stream A: Space Sciences.
 
PHY3289 Advanced Astrophysics and Cosmology 4 ECTS      
 
Elective Stream B: Electromagnetics.
 
PHY3277 Bioelectromagnetism 4 ECTS      
PHY3279 Applied Electromagnetism 4 ECTS      

 
 
Semester 1
 
Elective Stream A: Space Sciences.
 
PHY3287 Computational Astronomy 4 ECTS      
 
Elective Stream C: Quantum Physics.
 
PHY3227 Quantum Optics 4 ECTS      

 
 
Semester 2
 
Elective Stream C: Quantum Physics.
 
PHY3229 Modern Quantum Theory 4 ECTS      

 
*Study-units PHY3200 and PHY3209 are only for students taking Physics as their main area.

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.

Biology

By the end of the course, you will:

  • Critically understand the basic theoretical concepts of biology.
  • Perceive and appreciate the various cross-links and interactions of biology with other basic and applied fields of scientific endeavour as well as its economic, social and cultural dimensions.
  • Willingly apply biological concepts to analyse and solve real-life problems in a multidisciplinary approach.
  • recall and explain of essential facts, concepts, principles and theories relating to the subject areas as identified above
  • apply such knowledge and understanding to the solution of both qualitative and quantitative problems in chemistry
  • recognise and analyse problems and plan strategies for their solution

Physics

By the end of the course, you will:

  • Demonstrate a refined and intricate understanding of the concepts and fundamentals of physics principles.
  • Communicate physics reasoning effectively in the oral and written form.
  • Solve complex physics problems through the use of sophisticated mathematical techniques.

    • Non EU Applicants:

    Fee per academic year: Eur 10,800

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    Biology

    As a biology graduate, you will have a wide range of jobs and professions. These include professions related to the following:

    • Food, pharmaceutics and other industries
    • Fish farming and fisheries
    • Agricultural sciences
    • Professions ancillary to medicine
    • Environmental planning and management (Malta Environment and Planning Authority, Malta Resources Authority, etc.)
    • Science teaching
    • Science administration
    • Consultancy work

    On the basis of world-wide recognition of University of Malta degrees, our alumni have been accepted to continue their studies in a wide range of overseas institutions in Europe, the United States of America and elsewhere.

    A growing number of international students are following courses in the Department of Biology, especially postgraduate courses leading to the M.Sc., M.Phil., and Ph.D. degrees. These overseas students are attracted by the Department's track record as well as by the facilities and expertise we are able to offer in a wide range of fields of study.

    The course also provides you the necessary academic background for a chemistry career in industrial and teaching environments and fulfils the requirements for postgraduate studies at Masters or Doctoral level in chemistry and related subjects.


    Physics

    As a physicist, you will be the most versatile of scientists, capable of tackling a variety of both every-day and specialist problems. You may find employment in government departments, with private industry, with public authorities, as teachers in state and private or church schools and research laboratories, both locally and abroad.

    The physics programme equips you to join postgraduate courses (both locally and abroad). Such courses may range from taught and/or research Masters to M.Phil. and Ph.D.


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