Bachelor Of Science (honours) In Biology And Statistics And Operations Research in University of Malta, Malta

Bachelor Of Science (honours) In Biology And Statistics And Operations Research in University of Malta

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:

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:

(a) 40 credits in one area of study, of which 18 credits are assigned to a dissertation, and

(b) 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.


Biology

The overall aim of the Department of Biology is to provide students with the best possible teaching programmes in Biology in order to impart a sound theoretical and practical background to the subject and therefore to provide them with the necessary skills that would enable them 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. During their course, students 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 students to embark on a four year plan which helps them 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. Due emphasis is given to the mathematical, computational and modelling aspects of Statistics and Operations Research. Students will also be guided to appreciate the research and cultural potential of Statistics and Operations Research within contemporary society. Study-units have been, and are, being designed to incorporate a blend of:

• pedagogical issues
• an acceptable degree of mathematical and logical rigour
• continuous exposure to the practical dimension of the subjects
• responsiveness to current advances in the relevant subjects
• proficiency with reference to the computational aspect of the subjects.

Learning outcomes

Biology

Teaching in the Faculty of Science is organised on the modular system, which means that courses consist of a number of study-units, each allocated a number of ECTS credits. Each study-unit has specific learning outcomes. This modular system is a convenient way of organizing the programme of studies, but students should appreciate the unity of Biology and of its important interactions with other basic and applied fields of scientific endeavour as well as its economic, social and cultural dimensions. 

By the end of the study-unit, the students will be able to:
• 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,
• Appreciate the cutting edge developments in a range of areas specific to biology,
• Willingly apply biological concepts to analyse and solve real-life problems in a multidisciplinary approach,
• Relate and engage the various philosophical, moral and ethical issues arising from current developments in biological sciences,
• Acquire a range of laboratory and field techniques in the areas of biology covered during the course,
• Follow safety instructions and protocols and to work safely in a laboratory,
• Access relevant information from a wide range of sources and to make appropriate use of such information in communicating ideas such as writing of reports,
• Critically interpret and evaluate data and information and apply these to new situations,
• Plan appropriate experimental designs to test specific hypotheses, taking into account limitations of the methods to be applied, and then implementing them with minimal supervision,
• Analyse data, including the application of numerical methods such as statistics and modelling,
• Communicate ideas as well as findings of own research in a coherent and intelligent manner, through verbal and written means as well as graphically,
• Acquire a range of other personal and interpersonal skills that are required by a practicing biologist,
• Continuously update and enhance knowledge in biological sciences after the completion of the studies.

Statistics and Operations Research

At the end of the course students 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.

Course intended for

Biology

Students who have successfully finished their post-secondary studies, or mature students, who have the adequate entry requirements and who wish to pursue a first degree in biology with an aim at developing a professional carrier in biological sciences or related fields as identified above.

Career opportunites and access to further studies

Biology

Many biology graduates are employed in 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 graduates and postgraduates 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.


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.