AC-97-163 FACULTY OF SCIENCE ACADEMIC COMMITTEE Minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday, April 28, 1998, at 3:00 p.m. in the Arts Council Room (160). PRESENT: Dean Shaver (Chair), Associate Dean de Takacsy (Vice- Chair), Professors Baines, Brawer, Drury, Franklin, GrÅtter, Hogan (in the absence of Prof. Kakkar), MÅller- Wille, Panangaden, Paquette, Pasztor, Wechsler, Yau; H. Waluzyniec; E. Bales-Kogan; J. D'Amico. REGRETS: Professor Silvius; Associate Dean Norris; S. Aggarwal, K. Devon, J. Lefebvre and T. Samanta; D. Cowan. GUEST: Professor D.N. Harpp DOCUMENTS: AC-97-134(Revised) AC-97-142 to AC-97-162 Dean Shaver called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. ADDITIONS/CHANGES TO THE AGENDA - Chemistry, item #9, to be considered after item #1, Leo Yaffe Award Committee. - Three additional items, Mathematics & Statistics(AC-97- 160), Two Requests for Second Programs (AC-97-161, AC- 97-162), to be considered under Other Business, item #12. (1) LEO YAFFE AWARD COMMITTEE - Professor D.N. Harpp 801.1 Prof. Harpp, Chair of the Leo Yaffe Award Committee, reported on the deliberations of the Leo Yaffe Award Committee. "The committee for the Leo Yaffe Award met on April 15, 1998 to consider the dossiers from the various nominations of the Departments in the Faculty. The committee consisted of two students, Rishi Sankar and John Karathanos along with Professors Michael DuBow, Amanda Vincent, David Wolfson, Donald Taylor and myself. "As is usual, the dossiers were excellent and the decision difficult in a close competition. The winner for 1998 is Professor Eddie Chan of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology." Prof. Harpp read the following citation. "This citation was written by Professor Malcolm Baines of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology and enumerates the many accomplishments of the 1998 winner of the Leo Yaffe Award, Professor Eddie Chan. "During his long and distinguished career in the Microbiology Department, Eddie has been personally involved in developing the two core courses in introductory Microbiology to their current state where students from many programs learn about microbial life. "He co-authored both texts for his lecture and laboratory courses and they have become some of the most popular textbooks in the discipline of Microbiology on several continents in a number of languages. His teaching style is lucid and paced in such a way as to directly involve the students. "Eddie always takes a personal pride in the quality of his lecture course and attended every early morning lecture of his guest teachers in the course. His sympathy for and receptivity to the students taking his courses was without equal and Eddie was always available to advise and assist the students and help resolve their problems. "This is an amazing feat, considering the fact that his course in Introductory Microbiology (528-211A) generally has more than 250 students and the laboratory course accommodates 120 students (528-212A). He also contributed to numerous other courses each year and was always receptive to new teaching opportunities. The letters and evaluations from the students describe his teaching style as clear and precise, and the students genuinely appreciated his sincere desire to communicate his awe and knowledge of microorganisms. "Over his 33 years of teaching at McGill, there is no doubt that Eddie Chan is an outstanding teacher of Microbiology and Immunology in the Faculty of Science where generations of McGill students have learned the wonders of Microbiology. Many graduates have vivid memories of the world of Microbiology that was opened to them through the 8:00 a.m. lectures of Eddie Chan. "The Faculty of Science again recognizes and rewards another outstanding McGill teacher in selecting Professor Eddie Chan as its 1998 recipient of the Leo Yaffe Award for Excellence in Teaching." 801.2 Dean Shaver thanked Prof. Harpp for giving the Report. 801.3 Dean Shaver said that the Report of the Leo Yaffe Award Committee will be presented at the last Faculty of Science Meeting, on May 26, 1998. 801.4 Dean Shaver asked members how they felt about the possibility of offering more than one Leo Yaffe Award. He pointed out that there was only one Leo Yaffe Award for excellence in teaching for about 230 professors in the Faculty of Science alone, as well as additional professors in other departments outside the Faculty offering B.Sc. programs. He said it was important to safeguard the prestige of the Leo Yaffe Award because Leo Yaffe is a very powerful name, having been an outstanding teacher, researcher and administrator. Dean Shaver said that two or possibly three Leo Yaffe Awards could be offered to recognize excellence in the Faculty, especially seeing as some faculties offer more than one such award. 801.5 Opinion was divided among Academic Committee members as to whether offering additional awards would more widely recognize excellence, or rather demean the prestige of the Leo Yaffe Award; and as to whether "honourable mentions" would be regarded as honours, or as "second best." It was pointed out that the membership of the Leo Yaffe Award Committee could be increased and its range of expertise broadened. 801.6 Dean Shaver asked Prof. Harpp to discuss with the Leo Yaffe Award Committee the concerns and suggestions raised by the Academic Committee members. (9) CHEMISTRY - B.Sc. Minor in Chemistry(New) AC-97-148 Prof. Brawer moved, seconded by Prof. MÅller-Wille, that the above Minor be adopted. The motion carried. - B.A. Minor Concentration in Chemistry(New) (for information) AC-97-149 - Faculty Program in Chemistry AC-97-150 Prof. Franklin moved, seconded by Prof. Yau, that the above changes be approved. The motion carried. - Faculty Program in Chemistry & Biological Sciences AC-97-151 Prof. MÅller-Wille moved, seconded by Prof. Pasztor, that the above changes be approved. The motion carried. - Faculty Program in Chemistry & Mathematics AC-97-152 Prof. Drury moved, seconded by Prof. Brawer, that the above changes be approved. The motion carried. Dean Shaver thanked Prof. Hogan for answering questions. (2) MINUTES OF MARCH 24, 1998 AC-97-142 Mr. Bales-Kogan moved, seconded by Prof. GrÅtter, that the minutes be approved. The motion carried. (3) BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES There was no business arising from the minutes. (4) REPORT ON MINOR COURSE CHANGES AC-97-143 (for information) (5) AD HOC MINOR IN HUMAN NUTRITION AC-97-144 Associate Dean de Takacsy moved, seconded by Prof. Yau, that the ad hoc Minor for Ms. Kirsten Ingleton be approved. The motion carried. 805.1 Associate Dean de Takacsy said the School of Dietetics and Human Nutrition(FAES) will be proposing a Minor in Human Nutrition for Science Students. (6) AD HOC JOINT HONOURS PROGRAM IN COMPUTER SCIENCE & NEUROSCIENCE AC-97-145 Prof. GrÅtter moved, seconded by Prof. Wechsler, that the ad hoc Joint Honours for Mr. Peter Savadjiev be approved. The motion carried. 806.1 Associate Dean de Takacsy pointed out that normally the term 'Joint' is used when both departments offer a formal Major or Honours program. He said there was no Major or Honours program in Neuroscience, and he questioned whether such proposals should be named 'Joint' programs or not. Associate Dean de Takacsy asked members for comments. There were no comments on the use of the term 'Joint.' (7) AD HOC HONOURS B.Sc. PROGRAM IN COGNITIVE SCIENCE (AC-97-146) Associate Dean de Takacsy moved, seconded by Prof. Brawer, that the ad hoc Honours for Mr. Paul Reeve be approved. The motion carried. 807.1 Associate Dean de Takacsy pointed out that there is a Minor Program in Cognitive Science but that there is no existing Major or Honours program in this area. 807.2 Dean Shaver said he was concerned because there was no indication that this proposal had been examined by a departmental Academic/Curriculum Committee. He said it was important that members of the Academic Committee be made aware of this because this adds extra importance to the deliberations of the Academic Committee in scrutinizing the proposal. He added that Cognitive Science was not a department, and that the proposal had possibly been approved by only one faculty member. (8) ATMOSPHERIC & OCEANIC SCIENCES AC-97-147 Program Retirement: Joint Major in Atmospheric & Environmental Sciences Prof. Yau moved, seconded by Prof. MÅller-Wille, that the above joint major program be retired. The motion carried. (10) PHYSIOLOGY New Course: 552-100A The Body Matters AC-97-153 3 credits Prof. GrÅtter moved, seconded by Prof. Pasztor, that the above course be adopted. The motion carried. (11) GEOGRAPHY - B.A. Minor Concentration in Geography(Urban Systems)(New)(for information) AC-97-154 - B.Sc. Minor in Geography (New) AC-97-155 Prof. MÅller-Wille moved, seconded by Associate Dean de Takacsy, that the above Minor program be adopted. The motion carried. - B.A. Major, Honours & Joint Honours Concentration in Geography, Geography(Urban Systems) (for information) AC-97-156 - B.A. Minor Concentration in Geography AC-97-157 (for information) - Program Retirement: B.Sc. Faculty Program in Climatology AC-97-158 Prof. MÅller-Wille moved, seconded by Prof. Franklin, that the above program be retired. The motion carried. 183-381 Evolution of Geography 3 credits AC-97-134(Revised) Change in course description. Prof. MÅller-Wille moved, seconded by Prof. Baines, that the above change be approved. The motion carried. New Course: 183-470 Wetlands AC-97-159 3 credits Prof. MÅller-Wille moved, seconded by Prof. GrÅtter, that the above course be adopted with the following addition. Item #10, Restriction(s)(AC-97-159) This course is also listed as 367-4XXA,B,C, and is not open to students who have taken or are taking the latter course. The motion carried. (12) OTHER BUSINESS - MATHEMATICS & STATISTICS AC-97-160 Joint Honours in Mathematics & Computer Science Prof. Brawer moved, seconded by Prof. GrÅtter, that the above changes be approved. The motion carried. - REQUESTS FOR SECOND PROGRAMS 812.1 By way of introduction to this topic, Associate Dean de Takacsy said that currently all Science students are required to complete a Faculty, Major or Honours program in order to obtain a B.Sc. degree. In addition, students may also choose to do (1) a Minor program, or (2) a second Faculty, Major or Honours program, provided that all appropriate requirements are fulfilled. Associate Dean de Takacsy said that a second program may also be chosen from the Faculty of Arts. He said that these requests are routinely processed by the SAO, provided that the requests are straight forward; otherwise the requests are brought to the Academic Committee. 812.2 Associate Dean de Takacsy said that the old Major programs in the Faculty of Arts required a minimum of 54 credits, whereas the new Multi-Track Programs require 36 credits to complete a Major Concentration. He asked whether the Faculty of Science would accept a 'Major in Biology and a Major Concentration in Art History' on a B.Sc. transcript/diploma; this is not a normal Science designation. 812.3 Dean Shaver said that there were two issues to be considered for these proposals, the first being whether the academic content of these proposals was appropriate. The second issue was whether the Faculty of Science would like to see a Major Concentration designation on a B.Sc. transcript/diploma, since the Faculty had not formally decided whether Science students would be allowed to take Major Concentrations. Dean Shaver said the second issue would be considered after discussion of the first issue. - B.Sc. Major in Biology and Major Concentration in Art History for Ms.Lisa Mandrusiak AC-97-161 Prof. MÅller-Wille moved, seconded by Prof. Franklin, that the academic content of the above request be approved. The motion carried. - B.Sc. Major in Biology and Major Concentration in English for Mr. Nicholas Brandon AC-97-162 Prof. Baines moved, seconded by Prof. GrÅtter, that the academic content of the above request be approved. The motion carried. 812.4 Dean Shaver asked how members felt about (1) bringing these proposals to Academic Committee meetings every time there is such a request, and (2) B.Sc. transcripts with a Science Major designation and a Major Concentration designation. 812.5 Some members were concerned about: (1) that students doing a B.Sc. degree and a Major Concentration (Arts) would receive acknowledgement from the Faculty of Science, but not from the Faculty of Arts; in turn, how would the Faculty of Arts feel about that (2) that such a designation (e.g. Major in Biology and Major Concentration in English) on a B.Sc. diploma/transcript could imply that there were more Arts credits than Science credits, whereas actually the opposite is the case (3) that it would be unfair not to indicate on the transcript exactly what the student had taken. 812.6 The term 'Elective Major Concentration' was proposed as an alternative to 'Major Concentration.' After some discussion concerning the possible use of this term, Dean Shaver called for a straw vote. B.Sc. Major in Biology and Major Concentration in English For 8 Against 4 B.Sc. Major in Biology and Elective Major Concentration in English For 4 Against 7 812.7 Associate Dean de Takacsy pointed out (1) that if both Majors were called 'Majors,' it would imply that both were worth 54 credits, and (2) that any new term would have to be approved by various committees. He emphasized how expensive and difficult it is to support so many different variations in any centralized system. 812.8 One member said he had no problem with approving a designation such as a B.Sc. Major in Biology and Major Concentration in English, since it had often been stated that Science students should be more multi- disciplinary; possibly this could be formalized immediately. 812.9 Since there seemed to be no strong opposition by the Academic Committee members to the concept, and since a number of members were supportive, and since society is moving in a multi-disciplinary direction, Dean Shaver said that the Major/Major Concentration designation could possibly be formalized on MARS and in the Calendar at a later time. Dean Shaver said the Faculty of Arts would be informed of this. 812.10 Dean Shaver said that requests such as the above would be reviewed by the Associate Dean, and would not have to be presented to the Academic Committee for the next coming year. He suggested that if in one year the Associate Dean felt that these second Major Concentrations should be formalized on MARS, then the issue would be brought back to the Academic Committee for further discussion. The meeting adjourned at 4:40 p.m. f:\usr\josie\academic\acmn7af.doc