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

MQF Level

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.

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.

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:

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.).

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.

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

Second Year: 30 credits in each of the two areas of study,

Third Year: 30 credits in each of the two areas of study.

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.

Statistics and Operations Research

Either

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

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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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

Statistics and Operations Research

In addition to the compulsory study-units, students who have Mathematics, Computing Science, Biology, Chemistry, 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)
SOR1250***	Official Statistics and Demography	4 ECTS
SOR1310	Optimization	4 ECTS	(NC)
SOR1320	Linear Programming	4 ECTS	(NC)
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


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 is for students taking Mathematics or Banking and Finance as the other area.
*** SOR1250 is for students taking Mathematics 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
SOR3212	Foundations of Statistical Learning Methods	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.

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

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.

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.

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.