L.S. 327.590 Ordinamenti għall-grad ta’ Master of Science in Environmental Monitoring and Assessment – M.Sc. – taħt il-patroċinju tal-Istitut tas-Sist

(1)These bye-laws may be cited as the Bye-Laws for the degree of Master of Science in Environmental Monitoring and Assessment – M.Sc. – under the auspices of the Institute of Earth Systems.

(2)In these bye-laws, unless the context otherwise requires – Citation and Interpretation. Amended by: L.N. 208 of

1. Substituted by: L.N. 243 of
2. Amended by: L.N. 101 of
3. “the Board” means the Board of the Institute of Earth Systems; “the Board of Studies” means the Board of Studies responsible for the academic administration and organisation of the Course, appointed by Senate; “the Course” means the programme of study leading to the degree of Master of Science in Environmental Monitoring and Assessment - M.Sc.; “the Degree” means the degree of Master of Science in Environmental Monitoring and Assessment - M.Sc.; “the Institute” means the Institute of Earth Systems; “the Postgraduate Certificate” means the Postgraduate Certificate in Environmental Monitoring and Assessment - P.G. Cert.; “the Postgraduate Diploma” means the Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Monitoring and Assessment - P.G. Dip.; and “the Principal Regulations” means the General Regulations for University Postgraduate Awards,
5. These bye-laws shall be applicable for courses commencing in October 2018 or later. Applicability. Amended by: L.N. 208 of
7. The Course shall be offered in any area of study that falls within the academic responsibility of the Board, after approval by Senate. Areas of Study. 4.

(1)To be registered as regular students in the Course, applicants shall be in possession of: Requirements for Admission. Amended by: L.N. 101 of 2024; L.N. 8 of 2025. (

1. i)a first cycle degree in Science with Earth Systems as a main area of study obtained with Second Class Honours or better; or (
2. ii)a first cycle degree in Science obtained with Second Class Honours or better in an area that is deemed relevant by the Board.

(2)Applicants with a first cycle degree in Science with Earth 2 DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN EARTH SYSTEMS - M.SC Systems as a main area of study obtained with Third Class Honours may be admitted if they show evidence of significant experience in work relevant to the area of study of the Course, obtained after their first cycle degree. The admission of applicants under this bye-law may be made conditional on the results of an interview. [ S.L.327.590

(3)Repealed by Legal Notice 8 of 2025. 5. The Board shall recommend to Senate the number of applicants that may be allowed to register for the Course, depending on the availability of resources. The number of available places shall be announced at the time of the call for applications. 6. When the number of places is so limited and the number of eligible applicants exceeds the number of places available, applicants shall be selected according to the following criteria, the weighting of which shall be published at the time of the call for applications: (

1. a)degree type and class; (
2. b)experience in the area of the proposed study; and (
3. c)performance during the interview. 7. Interviews, when necessary, shall be conducted by an interviewing board appointed by the Board, and shall be composed of at least three members. 8. Applications for the Course shall be submitted by the deadline announced by the University of Malta. For the purpose of selection, applicants who fully satisfy the entry requirements by 31st August preceding the commencement of the Course shall be considered first. Course Duration. 9. The Course shall extend over three semesters of full-time study, which shall include a summer period, or the equivalent in part-time study. Programme of Study. 10. The programme of study shall comprise study-units to which a total of 90 ECTS credits are assigned, of which 60 ECTS credits are assigned to taught study-units and 30 ECTS credits are assigned to the dissertation study-unit. Added by: L.N. 101 of 2024. 11. Students who obtain 30 ECTS credits for taught study-units with an average mark of at least 50% and do not proceed with the Course shall be eligible for the award of the Postgraduate Certificate. Renumbered by: L.N. 101 of 2024. 12. Students who obtain the 60 ECTS credits assigned to the taught study-units with an average mark of at least 50% and do not proceed with the Course, or having proceeded do not successfully complete the dissertation, shall be eligible for the award of the Postgraduate Diploma. Renumbered by: L.N. 101 of 2024. 13. The programme of study shall be published after approval by Senate, normally not less than eight months prior to the commencement of the Course. DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN EARTH SYSTEMS - M.SC [ S.L.327.590 3 14.

(1)The assessment of each taught study-unit shall be Assessment and completed by the end of the semester in which the teaching of the Progress. Amended by: study-unit is held. L.N. 243 of 2023.

(2)Students who in any academic year fail in the assessment of not more than 20 ECTS credits, if following the full-time Course, or not more than 10 ECTS credits if following the part-time Course, shall be given the opportunity to resit the failed assessments during the September supplementary examination session. Renumbered by: L.N. 101 of 2024.

(3)Students who fail more than the number of credits permitted under paragraph

(2)of this bye-law, or students who after reassessment fail to obtain credit for any study-unit, shall be considered to have failed the Course. 15.

(1)Students shall be required to have regular contact with their supervisor, not less than once a month. Re-numbered: L.N. 435 of 2021.

(2)Supervisors shall submit to the Board progress reports for each student under their supervision at the end of each semester of studies. Such reports may include a recommendation to either (

1. a)extend the period of study in order to enable the student to complete the dissertation; or (
2. b)terminate studies prematurely if the supervisor deems this to be proper in the circumstances, provided that: (
3. i)the extension of the study period referred to in (
4. a)shall be in accordance with the provisions of the Principal Regulations; and (
5. ii)the Board may not terminate studies prematurely according to (
6. b)until it has first given the student a chance to be heard. 16. The Final Weighted Average Mark for the purpose of the classification of the Postgraduate Diploma and of the Degree shall be based on the results obtained in all the components of the programme of study, all credits being weighted equally. Classification of the Awards. Re-numbered: L.N. 435 of 2021. 17. The provisions of the foregoing bye-laws shall apply mutatis mutandis to courses followed on a part-time basis, and subject to such changes as may reasonably be deemed by the Board of Studies as necessary due to the part-time nature of the Course. Special Provisions for Part-Time Courses. Re-numbered: L.N. 435 of 2021.