INTERNATIONAL MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY [ S.L. 327.702 SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION 327.702 INTERNATIONAL MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY – M.SC. – DEGREE COURSE REGULATIONS UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE INSTITUTE OF EARTH SYSTEMS 19th September, 2023 LEGAL NOTICE 220 of 2023. 1.
(1)These regulations may be cited as the International Master of Science in Environmental Management and Sustainability – M.Sc.– Degree Course Regulations.
(2)In these regulations, unless the context otherwise requires “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, which shall include members from each Partner Institution; “the Course” means the programme of study developed by the Partner Institutions leading to the degrees of Master of Science in Environmental Management and Sustainability – M.Sc.– and Master of Science in Integrated Science and Technology – M.S. (ISAT) – as applicable; “the Degree” means the double degree of Master of Science in Environmental Management and Sustainability – M.Sc.– of the University and Master of Science in Integrated Science and Technology - M.S. (ISAT) - of the Partner University; “the Partner Institutions” means the University of Malta and James Madison University; “the Partner University” means James Madison University; “the Postgraduate Certificate” means the Postgraduate Certificate in Environmental Management and Sustainability - P.G. Cert. - of the University; “the Postgraduate Diploma” means the Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Management and Sustainability – P.G. Dip. - of the University; “the Senate” means the Senate of the University of Malta; and Citation and Interpretation 1 2 INTERNATIONAL MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY [ S.L. 327.702 “the University” means the University of Malta.
(3)This Degree is an International Master’s degree of the University and this shall be taken to mean that the Course is taught in collaboration with the Partner University within the framework of a double degree programme. The Degree shall only be awarded if the Partner Institutions declare the student to be eligible for its award. Applicability. 2. These regulations shall apply to courses commencing in August 2023 or later. Qualifications for Admission. 3.
(1)The Course shall be open to applicants in possession of a first cycle degree in Earth Systems, Science or Engineering or in another area of study which the Board considers as appropriate, provided that the first cycle degree is obtained with a Second Class Honours or better classification, or an equivalent classification.
(2)Applicants are required to demonstrate that their standard of English satisfies the University’s English language requirement as published on the University’s official website at the time of the call for applications.
(3)All applicants shall be further required to submit with their application a letter written in English giving their motivation for applying for the Course.
(4)Depending on the availability of resources, the Senate, on the recommendation of the Board of Studies shall determine the number of applicants that may be allowed to register on the Course. The number of available places shall be announced at the time of the call for applications.
(5)If there are more eligible applicants than there are available places, applications shall be evaluated on the basis of the following criteria, agreed to by the Partner Institutions: (
- a)relevance of topics, results and final classification of degree - 65%; and (
- b)statement of intent and motivation for following the Course and letters of recommendation - 35%.
(6)When the above criteria are not sufficient to decide on the selection of applicants, interviews may be held for that purpose.
(7)When held, interviews shall be conducted by an interviewing board appointed by the Board of Studies, which shall be composed of at least three members and will include members from both Partner Institutions. INTERNATIONAL MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY [ S.L. 327.702
(8)The interviewing board may make use of electronic means of communication in order to conduct such interviews. 4.
(1)All applications must be made online via the Partner University’s website (jmu.edu) in accordance with the published instructions and before the deadlines stated on the website. Application and Registration.
(2)Applicants who are selected to join the Course, shall be registered as students at both Partner Institutions. 5.
(1)The Course shall extend over three semesters of full-time study. Course Duration.
(2)The Board may allow students to extend their studies by not more than six months, provided that in special circumstances, Senate, on the recommendation of the Board, may grant students a further extension of up to two years in order to enable them to complete their studies. Such extensions are subject to prior approval by the Partner Institutions, and to the study-units included in the programme being available during the period of extension.
(3)If students following the Course supported by a scholarship require an extension, the scholarship shall not be extended. Such extensions may be given in terms of the applicable regulations at the Partner Institution involved. 6.
(1)The programme of study shall consist of studyunits to which a total of 90 ECTS credits shall be assigned, comprising taught study-units assigned 70 ECTS credits and a capstone project assigned 20 ECTS credits. The Board shall publish the programme prior to the commencement of the Course, following the approval of Senate. Programme of Study.
(2)All students shall be required to spend study periods at each of the Partner Institutions as indicated below: Semester 1 – James Madison University Semester 2 – University of Malta Semester 3 – at either of the two Partner Institutions. 7.
(1)The Board of Studies shall draw up a catalogue of all study-units. The catalogue shall indicate the level, code, title, description and type of each study-unit, the ECTS credits assigned to each study-unit, the methods of teaching and assessment, as well as the re-assessment opportunities for each study-unit.
(2)The study-units included in the programme shall be subject to the rules and regulations applicable at the Partner University responsible for the delivery of the respective study-unit. Catalogue of Study-Units. 3 4 [ S.L. 327.702 Assessment and Progress. INTERNATIONAL MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY 8.
(1)Senate shall appoint a Board of Examiners for each study-unit undertaken at the University, in accordance with the provisions of the University Assessment Regulations.
(2)The method of assessment for each study-unit shall be indicated in the study-unit description. 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.
(3)The students’ performance throughout the Course shall be assessed in accordance with the approved method of assessment for each study-unit. Assessments shall be graded according to the marking and grading scheme of the delivering Partner Institution and then converted to the University’s marking and grading scheme in accordance with a conversion grade which is agreed by the Partner Institutions.
(4)Students who fail in any of the taught study-units shall be allowed one re-assessment. The re-assessment of study-units shall be held at the next scheduled examination session. The maximum mark/ grade that can be awarded after re-assessment of taught study-units shall be 45%/Grade E.
(5)Students who obtain 30 ECTS for taught study-units undertaken at the University and opt not to proceed with the Course, or having proceeded do not successfully complete the Course, shall be eligible for the award of the Postgraduate Certificate from the University.
(6)Students who obtain 60 ECTS for taught study-units and opt not to proceed with the Course, or having proceeded do not successfully complete the Course, shall be eligible for the award of the Postgraduate Diploma from the University. Capstone Project. 9.
(1)Students shall be required to submit an individual capstone project in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Board of Studies.
(2)Work on the capstone project shall be undertaken during the second and third semesters of the course. Students shall submit for approval a title and a detailed research proposal by the deadline and in the format specified by the Board of Studies.
(3)Students shall be required to familiarise themselves with and adhere to the instructions and guidelines as set out in the Capstone Project Handbook provided by the Board of Studies.
(4)Students shall seek approval from the Board of Studies for any substantial modification in the title or content of the capstone project. INTERNATIONAL MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY [ S.L. 327.702 5
(5)Capstone projects shall include a declaration signed by the students that it is their own original work.
(6)Before graduating, students shall present an electronic version to each of the Partner Institutions, which shall include a signed declaration of authenticity. The electronic version must conform to the standards set by each of the Partner Institutions. 10.
(1)Each student shall be assigned a principal supervisor who shall provide guidance and advice on a continuous basis during the period of study. A co-supervisor may also be assigned.
(2)Supervisors shall periodically inform the Board of Studies, in writing, on the general performance of each student under their supervision. 11.
(1)Each capstone project shall be examined by a B o a r d of E xa m in e r s com p o s e d o f at l eas t three members, representing each of the Partner Institutions, and shall normally include the supervisor.
(2)Students shall normally be required to take a viva voce examination to defend their capstone project and this may be conducted using electronic means of communication if so approved by the Board of Studies.
(3)Students whose capstone project is found unsatisfactory may either fail or may be required by the Board of Examiners to rewrite the document in whole or in part and to re-submit it for examination. Students may re-submit the capstone project not later than six months from notification of the decision by the Board of Examiners. 12.
(1)Students who successfully complete the 90 ECTS included in the programme of study for the Course shall be eligible for the award of the Degree. Classification of the Awards.
(2)The overall evaluation of each student’s performance in the Course for the purpose of the classification of the Degree and the Postgraduate Diploma shall be based on the results obtained, all credits awarded being weighted equally.
(3)The names of students who qualify for the award of the Degree or Postgraduate Diploma shall be published in a list in alphabetical order classified as Pass with Distinction, Pass with Merit or Pass. The Postgraduate Certificate shall be awarded unclassified.
- The testimonial given by the University shall include a statement to indicate that the Partner University has separately Testimonial of the Award. 6 [ S.L. 327.702 INTERNATIONAL MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY awarded a degree for the successful completion of the same Course. General Provision.
- In matters not provided for by these regulations, the Board and the Board of Studies shall be guided by the provisions of the General Regulations for University Postgraduate Awards, 2021, published as Legal Notice 371 of 2021, as applicable. Repeal.
- The Bye-Laws of 2015 in terms of the General Regulations for University Postgraduate Awards, 2008 for the Degree of International Master of Science in Environmental Management and Sustainability - M.Sc. (EMS) - under the auspices of the Institute of Earth Systems, published as Legal Notice 548 of 2010, shall be deemed to cease to be in force as from the 1st August 2023, provided that students registered for this course before the 1st August 2023 shall continue to be governed by the bye-laws that were in force at the time of their joining the course.