AC-04-120 FACULTY OF SCIENCE ACADEMIC COMMITTEE Minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday, January 18, 2005, at 3:00 p.m. in Arts Council Room, Arts 160. PRESENT: Dean Shaver (Chair), Associate Dean Mendelson (Vice-Chair), Associate Dean Leighton; Professors Chmura, Cline, Fabry, Kakkar, Kemme, Silvius, Yau; Associate Dean Hendershot; E. Gibb; L. Bondy, R. Friedlander, C. Lee, A. Malone, C. Walsh, J. D’Amico. REGRETS: Professors Arkani-Hamed, Baines, Levine, Mandato, Schmidt, Shultz, Wechsler; E. Bensoussan, A. Patel. DOCUMENTS: AC-04-92 to AC-04-119 Dean Shaver welcomed a new member, Prof. Gail Chmura from the Department of Geography. He called the meeting to order at 3:03 p.m. (1) ADOPTION OF AGENDA - An announcement concerning "Academia Week" would be made under Other Business. Mr. Friedlander moved, seconded by Prof. Chmura, that the amended Agenda be adopted. The motion carried. (2) MINUTES OF DECEMBER 14, 2005 AC-04-92 Prof. Yau moved, seconded by Prof. Kakkar, that the Minutes be approved. The motion carried. (3) BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES 503.1 In reply to a member, Associate Dean Mendelson said that the issue of project courses would probably be discussed at the next Academic Committee meeting. (4) REPORT ON MINOR COURSE CHANGES AC-04-93 (for information) (5) McGill School of Environment - Executive Summary AC-04-94 New Course: ENVR 490 Independ. Study – Environment AC-04-95 3 credits New Course: ENVR 491 Honours Research AC-04-96 6 credits New Course: ENVR 492 Independ. Proj - Environment AC-04-97 1 credit 505.1 Associate Dean Mendelson suggested that the MSE consider the possibility of having more than one reader evaluate ENVR 490. Secretary's Note: The MSE has considered this issue and has concluded that a single reader is sufficient for ENVR 490. 505.2 With regard to ENVR 491, Associate Dean Hendershot tabled a document (AC-04-96A). He said that Banner had problems with spanned courses. The Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences had considered the courses the previous week, and had approved the splitting of ENVR 491 into two courses, in order to enable Banner to better deal with ENVR 491. 505.3 Associate Dean Mendelson said that there were good academic reasons for having spanned courses, and that the Faculties of Arts and of Science had so many spanned courses that the patch applied to Banner, imperfect though it was, was the only solution for these faculties. He said that the Academic Committee should consider only the academic issues involved with ENVR 491. 505.4 With regard to the course outlines for these three courses, it was pointed out that research involving human subjects must be reviewed by the two appropriate Ethics Committees. 505.5 Prof. Fabry moved, seconded by Prof. Cline, that the above courses be adopted. The motion carried. Secretary's Note: Since the Academic Committee meeting, ENVR 492 has been renumbered to ENVR 491. What was ENVR 491 has been separated into Faculty of Science and Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences versions (Arts and Science - ENVR 495; FAES - ENVR 496, ENVR 497, which will be administered by FAES and restricted to FAES Honours Environment students). - Summary of Changes AC-04-98 B.Sc. Program Changes: Major in Environment; Atmospheric Environment & Air Quality AC-04-99 Major in Environment; Earth Sciences and Economics AC-04-100 Major in Environment; Biodiversity and Conservation AC-04-101 Major in Environment; Environmetrics AC-04-102 Major in Environment; Food Production and Environment AC-04-103 Major in Environment; Land Surface Processes and Environmental Change AC-04-104 Major in Environment; Renewable Resource Management AC-04-105 Prof. Fabry moved, seconded by Mr. Friedlander, that the above program changes be approved. The motion carried. B.Sc. New Programs: Major in Environment; Ecological Determinants of Health – Population AC-04-106 Major in Environment; Ecological Determinants of Health – Cellular AC-04-107 Major in Environment; Water Environments and Ecosystems – Biological AC-04-108 Major in Environment; Water Environments and Ecosystems – Physical AC-04-109 Prof. Fabry moved, seconded by Prof. Yau, that the above programs be adopted. The motion carried. Honours in Environment AC-04-110 505.6 After some discussion concerning Section #7, Item #4, Description, of the Program Proposal Form, during which it was pointed out that the University has a requirement of a CGPA of 3.0 for Honours graduation, it was decided that the issue would be examined further before the proposal went to Faculty. 505.7 Associate Dean Mendelson suggested that the MSE consider increasing the number of 400-level courses for the program. Prof. Fabry moved, seconded by Prof. Yau, that the program be adopted. The motion carried. B.Sc. Program Retirements: Major in Environment; Ecological Determinants of Health – Population Stream AC-04-111 Major in Environment; Ecological Determinants of Health – Cellular Stream AC-04-112 Major in Environment; Water Environments and Ecosystems – Biological Stream AC-04-113 Major in Environment; Water Environments and Ecosystems –Physical Stream AC-04-114 Prof. Fabry moved, seconded by Prof. Yau, that the above program retirements be approved. The motion carried. B.A. & Sc. New Programs: Faculty in Environment AC-04-115 Honours in Environment AC-04-116 505.8 Associate Dean Mendelson listed a number of modifications to the above programs that the B.A. & Sc. Program Administration Committee had made at its most recent meeting. Secretary's Note: These modifications have been communicated in writing to the MSE. The PAC Minutes have been filed with the records of the Academic Committee meeting (Document AC18Jan2005-PAC). 505.9 A member suggested that GEOG 350 be included under the category "Population, Community and Ecosystem Ecology." Prof. Fabry moved, seconded by Prof. Cline, that the above programs be adopted, as modified by the B.A. & Sc. PAC. The motion carried. For Information: B.Sc.(AgEnvSC) Program Changes Major in Environment; Biodiversity and Conservation Major in Environment; Environmetrics Major in Environment; Food Production and Environment Major in Environment; Land Surface Processes and Environmental Change Major in Environment; Renewable Resource Management For Information: B.Sc.(AgEnvSC) New Programs Major in Environment; Ecological Determinants of Health – Population Major in Environment; Ecological Determinants of Health – Cellular Major in Environment; Water Environments and Ecosystems – Biological Major in Environment; Water Environments and Ecosystems –Physical Honours in Environment For Information: B.Sc.(AgEnvSC) Program Retirements Major in Environment; Ecological Determinants of Health – Population Stream Major in Environment; Ecological Determinants of Health – Cellular Stream Major in Environment; Water Environments and Ecosystems – Biological Stream Major in Environment; Water Environments and Ecosystems – Physical Stream - For Information: B.A. New Program Honours in Environment For Information: B.A. Program Changes Faculty in Environment; Ecological Determinants of Health in Society Faculty in Environment; Economics and the Earth’s Environment Faculty in Environment; Environment and Development (6) PSYCHOLOGY/NURSING/SOCIAL WORK - Ph.D. in Psychology; Psychosocial Oncology Option AC-04-117 506.1 A member asked whether PSYC 754 in the list of Complementary Courses, could be used to satisfy an area seminar requirement in the Ph.D. Program in Psychology. Associate Dean Mendelson said that he would look into the issue. Associate Dean Mendelson moved, seconded by Prof. Fabry, that the program be adopted. The motion carried. (7) For Information Only: Biology - Minor Concentration in Science for Arts Students (8) ACADEMIC PROGRAM REVIEW UPDATE AC-04-118 508.1 Associate Dean Mendelson described Document AC-04-118, and said he would keep the Academic Committee informed of the review process. (9) UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES AC-04-119 509.1 Associate Dean Mendelson highlighted Document AC-04-119, and asked members to let him know of any omissions in the tables of undergraduate research courses, as well as comments on the document. 509.2 The question arose as to the definition of research with regard to undergraduate courses, and whether the definition of research courses within the document was necessarily appropriate. 509.3 A member pointed out there was a website giving information and resources for students interested in undergraduate research opportunities. The address is research.sus.mcgill.ca 509.4 Dean Shaver said that the current document was a draft and he asked for members' feedback. He said he hoped the issue could be discussed at the next Academic Committee meeting. (10) OTHER BUSINESS 510.1 Mr. Lee announced that SUS was holding “Academia Week” from January 24-28, 2005, and he gave out invitations for members to attend. 510.2 Mr. Lee also announced that as well as the website mentioned above, there was a site relating to medical, dental, graduate and pharmacy school admission at redbooks.sus.mcgill.ca 510.3 Mr. Lee added that SUS was gathering information from departments about how they conduct advising, and would be putting together a website on advising in the Faculty of Science. 510.4 Associate Dean Leighton said there would be a meeting of departmental and Student Affairs Advisors in early March, and that he would very much like SUS representatives to be present. 510.5 Dean Shaver said the associate deans would be meeting with the president and vice-president of SUS to discuss ways in which to improve student advising. There was no other business. The meeting adjourned at 4:25 p.m. 5 ACMinutesJanuary18.doc