L.S. 327.630 Ordinamenti skont ir-Regolamenti Ġenerali għar-Rikonoxximenti Universitarji ta’ wara l-Ewwel Grad għall-grad ta’ Master of Science in Bio

(1)These bye-laws may be cited as the Bye-Laws in terms of the General Regulations for University Postgraduate Awards for the degree of Master of Science in Bioinformatics - M.Sc. - under the auspices of the Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking.

(2)Citation and Interpretation In these bye-laws, unless the context otherwise requires – “the Board” means the Board of the Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking; “the Board of Studies” means the Board of Studies appointed by Senate for the Course, on the recommendation of the Board; “the Centre” means the Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking; “the Course” means the programme of study leading to the degree of Master of Science in Bioinformatics - M.Sc.; “the Degree” means the degree of Master of Science in Bioinformatics - M.Sc; “the Postgraduate Certificate” means the Postgraduate Certificate in Bioinformatics - P.G. Cert.; and “the Principal Regulations” means the General Regulations for University Postgraduate Awards, 2008. 2. These bye-laws shall be commencing in October 2019 or later. applicable for courses 3.

(1)The Course shall be open to applicants in possession of one of the following qualifications: (

1. a)the degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) from this University, or from any other higher education institution recognized by Senate, obtained with at least Second Class Honours in Information and Applicability Requirements for Admission 2 [ S.L. 327.630 MASTER OF SCIENCE IN BIOINFORMATICS - M.SC. Communication Technology, Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Applied Biomedical Science, Medical Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Science, Medical Sciences, Biology, Biology and Chemistry, or in any other area of study deemed relevant by the Board of Studies; or (
2. b)the degree of Doctor of Medicine and Surgery from this University or equivalent obtained from any other higher education institution recognized by Senate.

(2)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 Board shall announce the number of available places at the time of the call for applications.

(3)When the number of places is so limited and the number of eligible applicants exceeds the number of places available, applicants shall be selected using the following criteria, the weighting of which shall be published at the time of the call for applications: (a) degree type and class; (b) experience in the area of the proposed study; and (c) performance during an interview.

(4)For the purpose of selection, applicants whose qualifications as stipulated in paragraph

(1)of this bye-law were obtained by 31 August preceding the commencement of the Course shall be considered first. Course Duration

1. The Course shall extend over three semesters on a fulltime basis or the equivalent on a part-time basis. Programme of Study
2. The programme of study shall comprise study-units to which a total of 90 ECTS credits are assigned, of which 30 ECTS credits are assigned to taught study-units and 60 ECTS credits are assigned to the dissertation study-unit.
3. Students who obtain the 30 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 Course, shall be eligible for the award of the Postgraduate Certificate.
4. Students shall be eligible for the award of the Degree if they obtain the 90 ECTS credits as outlined in the programme of study for the Course with an average mark of at least 50%. MASTER OF SCIENCE IN BIOINFORMATICS - M.SC. [ S.L. 327.630
5. The programme of study shall be published after approval by Senate, normally not less than eight months prior to the commencement of the Course. 9.

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

(2)Students who in any academic year fail in the assessment of not more than 10 ECTS credits for taught study-units, whether following the full-time or part-time Course, shall be given the opportunity to re-sit the failed assessments during the September supplementary examination session.

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

(2)of this bye-law, or students who after re-assessment fail to obtain the credits for any study-unit, shall be deemed to have failed the Course. 10.

(1)Students shall be required to submit an individual dissertation of approximately 30,000 words in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Board.

(2)Work on the dissertation shall be undertaken at any time during the Course after approval of a detailed research proposal which will also include a provisional title for the dissertation. This detailed research proposal shall be submitted to the Board of Studies for approval by not later than the end of the first semester. Each student shall be assigned a supervisor who shall provide guidance and advice on a regular basis during the period of study. 11.

(1)The Board shall appoint a Panel of Supervision for each student, normally composed of three members as follows: the Director of the Centre, or his or her delegate as Chairman, and two other members, one of whom being the principal supervisor, provided that when the Director of the Centre is the supervisor, he or she shall not chair the Panel.

(2)The Panel of Supervision shall follow, as it deems fit, the progress of students throughout the Course, provided that it meets at least twice a year to review such progress.

(3)Students shall be required to report to their supervisors at least once every two months, and in addition as often as the supervisor deems necessary.

(4)At the end of each semester of studies, supervisors shall be required to submit to the Panel of Supervision reports regarding the students under their supervision. Students shall seek approval from the Panel for any substantial modification in the title or content of the dissertation. Dissertation 3 4 [ S.L. 327.630 MASTER OF SCIENCE IN BIOINFORMATICS - M.SC.

(5)The Panels of Supervision shall periodically inform the Board of Studies, in writing, on the general performance of each student. 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. Classification of the Award 12. The Final Weighted Average Mark for the purpose of the classification of the Degree shall be based on the results obtained in all components of the programme of study, all credits being weighted equally. Special Provisions for Part-Time Courses 13. The provisions of the foregoing bye-laws shall apply mutatis mutandis to courses followed on 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.