S-02-15 FACULTY OF SCIENCE Meeting of Faculty Tuesday, November 12, 2002 Leacock Council Room - L232 ATTENDANCE: As recorded in the Faculty Appendix Book. DOCUMENTS: S-02-10 S-02-12 to S-02-14 Before Dean Shaver called the meeting to order, he introduced Ms. Vivienne Rock, Assistant Director of Building Services and Grounds, and Ms. Anna Cerrone, Secretary to the Dean, to give a short presentation concerning McGill's Centraide Campaign. They described activities involved in Centraide's Campaign. Dean Shaver called the meeting to order at 3:10 p.m. (1) ADOPTION OF AGENDA - Item 4b)(i), Disciplinary Officer, to be withdrawn from the Agenda. - Item 4c), Nominating Committee Report (S-02-14), to be added to the Agenda. Prof. GowriSankaran moved, seconded by Prof. Mucci, that the amended Agenda be adopted. 301.1 Associate Dean Mendelson proposed an amendment, seconded by Prof. GowriSankaran, to give Ms. Kaleigh Smith, representative of the PGSS Science Committee, speaking rights regarding Item 4b)(ii), Ad hoc Constitution Review Committee. The amendment carried. A vote was held on the original motion as amended. The amended motion carried. (2) MINUTES OF October 8, 2002 S-02- 12 Prof. GowriSankaran moved, seconded by Prof. Mucci, that the minutes be approved. The motion carried. (3) BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES - Minute 609.6 to 609.9, Grade of A+, Faculty of Science Meeting of February 12, 2002 303.1 Prof. Leighton reported that APPC had considered the Faculty of Science's recommendation that the University adopt a grade of A+. APPC felt that since the issue had been debated at length in the recent past, it was too soon to revisit it. Also, since an A+ grade would affect the whole University, it would need broader support. (4) REPORTS OF COMMITTEES (a) Academic Committee S-02-13 SECTION A: NEW PROGRAMS None SECTION B: MAJOR PROGRAM CHANGES McGill School of Environment - B.Sc. Program Changes: -Environment; Atmospheric Environment & Air Quality Domain AC-02-32 -Environment; Biodiversity & Conservation Domain AC-02- 33 -Environment; Earth Sciences & Economics AC-02-34 -Environment; Ecological Determinants of Health (Population Stream) Domain AC-02- 35 -Environment; Ecological Determinants of Health (Cellular Stream) Domain AC-02-36 -Environment; Environmetrics Domain AC-02-37 -Environment; Food Production & Environment Domain AC-02-38 -Environment; Land Surface Processes & Environmental Change Domain AC-02-39 -Environment; Renewable Resource Management Domain AC-02-40 -Environment; Water Environments & Ecosystems (Biological Stream) Domain AC-02- 41 -Environment; Water Environments & Ecosystems (Physical Stream) Domain AC-02-42 Prof. Paquette moved, seconded by Prof. Leighton, that the above program changes be approved. The motion carried. SECTION C: NEW COURSES McGill School of Environment ENVR 301 Environmental Research Design AC-02- 31 3 credits Prof. Paquette moved, seconded by Prof. Leighton, that the course be adopted. The motion carried. SECTION D: MAJOR COURSE CHANGES None SECTION E: MINOR PROGRAM CHANGES 1) McGill School of Environment -Diploma in Environment AC-02- 43 Prof. Paquette moved, seconded by Prof. Leighton, that the program changes be approved. The motion carried. 2) Chemistry - Major in Chemistry; Bio-organic Option AC-02-45 - Major in Chemistry; Materials Option AC-02- 46 - Honours in Chemistry; Materials Option AC-02-47 Prof. Lennox moved, seconded by Prof. Mucci, that the above program changes be approved. The motion carried. SECTION F: OTHER 1) McGill School of Environment - B.Sc. (Agr. Env. Sc.) - At its meeting of October 22, 2002, the Academic Committee approved a motion supporting the MSE's request to offer their B.Sc. programs also as B.Sc. (Agr. Env. Sc.) programs. Prof. Paquette moved, seconded by Prof. Best, that the Faculty of Science support the MSE's request to offer their B.Sc. programs also as B.Sc. (Agr. Env. Sc.) programs. The motion carried. B.Sc. (Agr. Env. Sc.) New Programs (for information) -Environment; Biodiversity & Conservation Domain AC-02- 44 -Environment; Ecological Determinants of Health Population Stream) Domain -Environment; Ecological Determinants of Health (Cellular Stream) Domain -Environment; Environmetrics Domain -Environment; Food Production & Environment Domain -Environment; Land Surface Processes & Environmental Change Domain -Environment; Renewable Resource Management Domain -Environment; Water Environments & Ecosystems (Biological Stream) Domain -Environment; Water Environments & Ecosystems (Physical Stream) Domain -Diploma in Environment 2) School of Computer Science COMP 701 Thesis Proposal and Area Exam AC-02- 53 Change in Course Description 3 credits Prof. Siddiqui moved, seconded by Prof. Th‚rien, that the change be approved. The motion carried. 304.1 In response to a member, Dean Shaver said that it was not a Faculty requirement that credits be associated with graduate courses, although departments may do this if they wish. Course retirement: COMP 700 Ph.D. Comprehensive Examination AC-02- 54 4 credits Prof. Siddiqui moved, seconded by Prof. Th‚rien, that the retirement be approved. The motion carried. Program Changes: - Ph.D. in Computer Science AC-02- 55 Prof. Th‚rien moved, seconded by Prof. Siddiqui, that the program changes be approved. The motion carried. (3) Centre for Self-Assembled Chemical Structures AC-02- 52 (Revised) Guidelines & Checklist for Research Centres AC-01- 76A 304.2 Dean Shaver said that he had already approved the above proposal during the Summer, due to a deadline concerning funding. (4) Placement Tests AC-02-56 (Revised 2)/AC-01-100 304.3 Associate Dean Mendelson gave background information, and explained the reasons for the changes. 304.4 It was agreed that a vote be held on each of the numbered points in the proposal contained in Document AC-02-56 (Revised 2). A vote was held on Point #1. Approved. 304.5 Regarding Point #2, it was objected that there was no reference in the document to the practical component of courses for which placement exams exist. Also, a 'first-year student' was not defined. 304.6 Prof. Farrell moved, seconded by Prof. Mucci, that Point #2 be referred back to the Academic Committee. The motion carried. 304.7 Prof. Drury moved, seconded by Mr. Lewis, that Points #3,4,5 be referred back to the Academic Committee. The motion carried. (5) Academic Standing AC-02-57 (Revised) Associate Dean Mendelson explained the changes. Associate Dean Mendelson moved, seconded by Prof. Mucci, that the above proposal be adopted. The motion carried. SECTION G: MINOR COURSE CHANGES & OTHER (For Information Only) 1) Minor Course Changes AC-02-30 2) McGill School of Environment - B.A. Program Changes -Environment; Ecological Determinants of Health in Society Domain -Environment; Economics & the Earth's Environment Domain -Environment; Environment & Development Domain -Diploma in Environment 3) Chemistry - B.A. Minor Concentration - Minor Concentration in Chemistry for Arts Students (b) Other Reports or Academic Business (ii) Ad hoc Constitution Review Committee S-02-10 - Associate Dean Mendelson - Kaleigh Smith, PGSS Science Committee Motion Be it resolved that the Constitution of the Faculty of Science be amended as indicated on the attached document (S- 02-10) and that the amendments take effect on January 1, 2003. 304.8 Associate Dean Mendelson gave background information, and explained the proposed changes to the Constitution. 304.9 Ms. Kaleigh Smith, Chair of the PGSS Science Committee, said that the Science Committee had been created in April 2002, with the mandate to elect three graduate- student representatives to Faculty of Science meetings, should the proposed changes to the Constitution pass. The Committee hoped also to be able to represent postdoctoral scholars, who are members of PGSS. Ms. Smith said that she would like to speak strongly in favour of the proposed changes to the Constitution. She said the representatives to the Faculty meetings would give their opinions as students, researchers and teaching assistants. Prof. GowriSankaran moved, seconded by Prof. Ewing, that the above Motion be adopted. The motion carried. (c) Nominating Committee Report - Associate Dean Mendelson S-02- 14 304.10 Associate Dean Mendelson introduced the Nominating Committee Report. Prof. Farrell moved, seconded by Prof. Franklin, that the above document be approved. 304.11 After some discussion concerning the absence of a Mathematics & Statistics student on the Committee, Prof. GowriSankaran moved, seconded by Prof. Drury, that the above document be referred back to the Nominating Committee in order to reexamine the student membership of the Ad hoc Freshman Science Program Committee. A vote was held on the motion to refer. The motion was defeated. A vote was held on the original motion. The motion carried. (5) DEAN'S BUSINESS 305.1 Dean Shaver introduced the new Associate Dean (Research), Prof. David Burns. Dean Shaver welcomed Prof. Burns to the position. - Results of the Election for the Council of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies 305.2 Dean Shaver announced the three Science members of the Council: - Jean Barrette (Department of Physics) - Robert Levine (Department of Biology) - David Wolfson (Department of Mathematics & Statistics) - Result of the Election for Science Senator 305.3 Dean Shaver announced that Prof. David Harpp, Department of Chemistry, had been recently elected to the Senate. (6) REPORT ON ACTIONS OF SENATE - Senate Meeting of October 16, 2002 - Prof. P. Farrell The meeting commenced with two questions - one regarding the opportunities for undergraduate students to gain research experience during their studies, and one asking who has responsibility for determining Faculty admission targets and how these are decided. V.P. Vinet responded to the first question by indicating that many programs required that students experience research training - e.g. in Honours programs in Science - but that patterns varied across and within the Faculties. Although it is not currently known what proportion of students have an opportunity to carry out research, the V.P. stated that he would encourage academic units to create as many research opportunities as possible. To the second question V.P. Vinet indicated that the Principal has ultimate responsibility but that wide consultation takes place to take into account all considerations when deciding admission targets. Senate then supported a motion asking the Principal to encourage faculty members to become informed of the rally and march on October 31st to protest the inclusion of education in the FTAA, and to accommodate students wishing to participate therein. Moving to its regular business, Senate then agreed to change the B.Sc.(Agr) designation to B.Sc.(Ag.Env.Sc.) and to modify slightly the Teaching Portfolio Guidelines. Nominations to various Committees were approved, the report on Scholarships and Student Aid received and then the recommendations of the Ombudsperson's report debated. The major concerns being the low-profile and small staff that the office has at McGill (1/2-time Ombudsperson). - Senate Meeting of November 6, 2002 - Prof. E. Meighen This report will be presented at a later date. (7) MEMBERS' QUESTION PERIOD There were no questions. (8) OTHER BUSINESS 308.1 Prof. GowriSankaran pointed out that Prof. Farrell would be stepping down from the position of Science Senator at the end of the year. He proposed that Faculty thank Prof. Farrell for his long and excellent service to the Faculty as a Senator. 308.2 On behalf of the Faculty, Dean Shaver thanked Prof. Farrell for his dedicated Senatorial service and for his many other contributions to the Faculty and to the University. Dean Shaver said that he would take the resolution of thanks as unanimous. 308.3 Prof. Farrell expressed his thanks, and said that he had enjoyed his time as a Senator and in other capacities. 308.4 Prof. Farrell pointed out, in view of recent changes to the University statutes, that it could be worthwhile for Faculty to reexamine the section in its Constitution dealing with Faculty membership of academic staff from other faculties. 308.5 Prof. GowriSankaran suggested that Faculty could also reexamine its quorum requirements. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:25 p.m.