Master of Science in Conservation Technology for Masonry Buildings

The Institute for Masonry and Construction Research of the University of Malta is organising its sixth postgraduate course on Conservation Technology for Masonry Buildings, starting in October.

Eligible candidates include those in possession of an Honours degree, of at least second class category, in a discipline related to architecture, civil engineering, material science, chemistry or physics, obtained from the University of Malta or from a foreign university or institute recognised by the University of Malta.

The course, leading to a Diploma, has a duration of one academic year of full-time study, the lectures being generally organised on three days of the week, so that it is possible for candidates to make work release arrangements with their employers.

The Postgraduate Diploma is awarded to those candidates who are successful in the final examinations, held at the end of the study units. If an overall grade 'A' or 'B' is obtained, the respective candidate will be eligible to register for the course leading to the M.Sc. degree. Candidates admitted to the course leading to the M.Sc. are required to write a thesis on an original research project.

Study areas covered during the taught course include History and Theory of Conservation; Studies in Conservation (including Musuem Studies); Urban, Legislative and Economic Contexts; Documentation and Research; History of Technology and Building; Masonry Materials and Structures (including stone, mortars and plasters, and concrete); Ancillary Materials in Buildings (including metals, wood, glass, ceramics and polymers); Environment and Monitoring; Deterioration of Masonry Materials; Deterioration of Ancillary Materials; Deterioration of Masonry Fabric; Structural Masonry Interventions; Conservation of Masonry Materials; and Conservation Projects.

Lecturers include members of staff of various faculties and institutes of the University of Malta, as well as local and foreign conservation professionals. Lecturers in previous courses have come from University College London (UCL), the Istituto Universitario di Architettura di Venezia (IUAV) and the Budapest University of Technology and Economics. Experts in glass conservation and the conservation of wooden structures have also been invited as visiting lecturers. For more information visit the Website at http://home.um.edu.mt/masonry-construction, or e-mail course co-ordinator, Dr JoAnn Cassar at joann.cassar@um.edu.mt or the Institute for Masonry and Construction Research at masonry&construction@um.edu.mt.