AC-98-55 FACULTY OF SCIENCE ACADEMIC COMMITTEE Minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday, November 17, 1998, at 2:30 p.m. in the Arts Council Room (160). PRESENT: Associate Dean Mendelson (Chair, on behalf of Dean Shaver), Professors Brawer, Damha (on behalf of Prof. Kakkar), Drury, Franklin, GrÅtter, Lapointe, Panangaden, Paquette, Pasztor, Silvius, Straub (in the absence of Prof. Yau), Wechsler; Associate Dean Norris; J. Lefebvre, J. Liao, T. Samanta, G. Tsimiklis; J. D'Amico. REGRETS: Professors Baines, Rasmussen; A. Chaudhry; Ms. H. Waluzyniec; Ms. D. Cowan. GUEST: Prof. H. Vali, Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology DOCUMENTS: AC-98-32 to AC-98-47 AC-98-49 to AC-98-53 Associate Dean Mendelson, on behalf of Dean Shaver, called the meeting to order at 2:35 p.m. ADDITIONS/CHANGES TO THE AGENDA - Earth & Planetary Sciences, 186-205A, to be the first item on the Agenda. (8) EARTH & PLANETARY SCIENCES New Course 186-205A Astrobiology AC-98-40 3 credits 308.1 Prof. Vali, joint appointment in the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology and the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, introduced the proposed course, and answered members questions. 308.2 Prof. Brawer said that the course, Earth and Planetary Sciences 186-205A, will be cross-listed with the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, with the latter department having its own unit number, i.e. 504-205A. He said similar cross-listing already exists between the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology and the Department of Biochemistry. Anatomy and Cell Biology 504-205A will be submitted to the Biomedical Science Curriculum Review and Planning Committee and then to the Academic Committee. 308.3 A revised reading list and letters of consultation were tabled. After a short discussion, Prof. Pasztor moved, seconded by Prof. Brawer, that the course be adopted. 308.4 The motion carried, pending (i) consultation with the Departments of Biochemistry and Physiology, (ii) the adoption of 504-205A, (iii) a change in the course outline (page 2, AC-98-40) to indicate the term 'week' instead of 'class.' (1) MINUTES OF OCTOBER 20, 1998 AC-98- 32 Prof. Paquette moved, seconded by Prof. Brawer, that the minutes be approved. The motion carried. (2) BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES 302.1 Associate Dean Mendelson informed members that the Guidelines for Undergraduate Research Courses (approved at the Academic Committee meeting of October 20,1998 [AC-98-29]) and the GPA Requirements for a Second Program (approved at the Academic Committee meeting of September 23, 1998 [AC-98-19]) had both been approved at the Faculty of Science meeting held on November 10, 1998. (3) MINOR COURSE CHANGES AC-98- 33 (for information) (4) AD HOC HONOURS IN COGNITIVE SCIENCE AC-98-34 304.1 Associate Dean Mendelson said that there was a Minor Program in Cognitive Science but that there was no Major program in Cognitive Science. Associate Dean Mendelson asked members if there were any objections to the general principle of the proposed ad hoc Honours. Following a short discussion, Prof. Franklin moved, seconded by Prof. Lapointe, that the ad hoc Honours Program in Cognitive Science for Mr. Anand Indulal Rughani be approved. 304.2 The motion carried, pending the specification of the course number for the six-credit honours thesis and with the restriction that only one of the two Computer Science courses, 308-330 or 308-530, can be taken. (5) BIOCHEMISTRY Program Changes: - B.Sc. Honours in Biochemistry AC-98- 35 Prof. Silvius moved, seconded by Prof. Lapointe, that the changes be approved. The motion carried. - B.Sc. Major in Biochemistry AC-98- 36 Prof. Silvius moved, seconded by Prof. Pasztor, that the changes be approved. The motion carried. - B.Sc. Faculty in Biochemistry AC-98- 37 Prof. Silvius moved, seconded by Prof. GrÅtter, that the changes be approved. The motion carried. 305.1 NOTE: The change in course number of Biology 177-204 to 177-304 (item # 10 of this meeting), has necessitated a number of changes to the above Biochemistry programs. These Biochemistry programs will be resubmitted to the Faculty of Medicine approval process and then submitted again to the Faculty of Science Academic Committee. Calendar changes will be made in January 1999. (6) PHYSIOLOGY New Course: 552-618A Research Topics in Physiology I AC-98- 38 3 credits New Course: 552-619B Research Topics in Physiology II AC-98- 49 3 credits Prof. Wechsler moved, seconded by Prof. Straub, that the above courses be adopted. The motion carried. (7) COMPUTER SCIENCE 308-520 Compiler Design AC-98- 50 4 credits Change: Credit weight from 3 Prof. Panangaden moved, seconded by Prof. GrÅtter, that the change be approved. 307.1 The motion carried, subject to "Consultation" being added to item 7f, Other, in the Course Proposal Form. New Course: 308-537 Internet Programming AC-98- 39 3 credits 307.2 Prof. Panangaden explained the reasons for the proposed new course. He added that "week" (page 2, document AC- 98-39) referred to the start of each topic, and not the total number of weeks in the course Prof. Panangaden moved, seconded by Prof. Damha, that the course be adopted. The motion carried. (8) EARTH & PLANETARY SCIENCES Program Changes: 308.5 Prof. Paquette gave a brief explanation of the changes to the following programs. - Majors in Earth & Planetary Sciences, Honours in Earth Sciences and Honours in Planetary Science AC-98- 41 Prof. Paquette moved, seconded by Prof. Wechsler, that the changes be approved. The motion carried. - Minor Program in Earth & Planetary Sciences AC-98-42 (for Science and Arts students) Prof. Paquette moved, seconded by Prof. Franklin, that the changes be approved. The motion carried. 308.6 Associate Dean Mendelson mentioned that there were now two Minor programs available to Arts students in the Faculty of Science. 308.7 During the discussion of the Earth & Planetary Sciences programs, it was noted that there were two Physics courses (198-242 and 198-340) with the same title. Associate Dean Mendelson suggested that one of the titles be modified to more easily distinguish the courses. (9) PSYCHOLOGY New Course: 204-473A Social Cognition and the Self AC-98- 54 3 credits Prof. Franklin moved, seconded by Prof. Wechsler, that the course be adopted. 309.1 The motion carried, pending explanation of the reason for the course being 'capped.' New Course: 204-534A Community Psychology AC-98- 43 3 credits 309.2 In response to a question regarding the prerequisites, Associate Dean Mendelson suggested, and members agreed to, adding "or equivalent" under Restrictions, #11 of the Course Proposal Form. Prof. Franklin moved, seconded by Prof. GrÅtter, that the course be adopted. 309.3 The motion carried, pending a consultation report from the School of Social Work. New Course: 204-535B Advanced Topics in Social Psychology AC-98- 44 3 credits Prof. Franklin moved, seconded by Prof. GrÅtter, that the course be adopted. 309.4 The motion carried, pending explanation of the reason for the course being 'capped.' (10) BIOLOGY 310.1 Prof. Pasztor said that the Biology courses 177-204A and 177-308B were required courses for the Biology Major and Honours programs. She said that 177-204A had been taught at a very rigorous level, and that students had found it difficult. Also, she said the Ecology course, 177-308B, came too late in students' programs. Consequently, it was being proposed that 177-308B would be changed to 177-208A and be taught at the U1 level, while 177-204A would be changed to 177-304B and be taught at the U2 level. She said that these changes would necessitate changes in prerequisites to many of the other 'organismal' courses. These would be submitted for the next Academic Committee meeting. She also said that she would notify all the various departments that make reference to the Biology courses, so modifications can be made. 177-208A Introduction to Ecology AC-98- 51 3 credits Course number change from 177-308B, prerequisite and course title 310.2 It was noted that under "Restriction, item # 10 of the Course Proposal Form, the following should be added: "Not open to students who have taken 177-308B" 177-304B Evolution AC-98-52 3 credits Course number change from 177-204A, prerequisite and course description 310.3 It was noted that under "Restriction, item # 10 of the Course Proposal Form, the following should be added: "Not open to students who have taken 177-204A" 310.4 Prof. Silvius pointed out that the above changes were not merely bookkeeping changes. He said the changes would affect the Biochemistry programs that had just been approved by the Academic Committee. These programs had already been approved by the Biochemistry Department and by the Biomedical Science Curriculum Review and Planning Committee of the Faculty of Medicine. Because the Biochemistry programs would now have to be changed, this process would have to be undergone again. As well, the modified Biochemistry programs would have to be resubmitted to the Academic Committee. Prof. Pasztor moved, seconded by Prof. Lapointe, that the changes to the above two courses be approved. 310.5 The motion carried, pending assurances that no unit other than Biochemistry would be directly or indirectly affected by the above changes. (11) SUBSTITUTION OF COURSES IN B.SC./B.ED. PROGRAM AC-98-45 (for information) 311.1 Associate Dean Mendelson said that there were a number of Education courses that are currently listed for the Science component of the B.Sc./B.Ed. Program and that he was informing members that he had approved the possibility of replacing two of the Education courses with courses listed in the document. He added that there had been a request for other replacement courses, but because the courses were inappropriate, the request had been refused. (12) RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT FOR MCGILL STUDENTS ON APPROVED EXCHANGE PROGRAMS AC-98- 46 312.1 There was general discussion of the possibility of reducing the residency requirement for Approved Exchange Programs and of the possibility of requiring departmental approval for a reduction of the residency requirement for non-approved exchange programs. It was decided that Associate Dean Mendelson would present a specific proposal to the next Academic Committee meeting. (13) CREDIT LIMIT ON PROJECT COURSES AC-98- 47 313.1 There was general discussion of the possibility of allowing students in all Science units to be credited with a maximum of 12 credits for individual project/independent study courses. It was agreed that Associate Dean Mendelson will bring a specific proposal for further consideration to the next Academic Committee meeting. (14) INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE AC-98- 53 314.1 There was general discussion of the implications for Science student admissions of modifications to the current IB programs in some CEGEPS. Associate Dean Mendelson suggested that discussion continue within departments (especially the Departments of Biology and of Physics). The Academic Committee had reservations about the modifications to the current IB programs. Associate Dean Mendelson said he would consult with the Faculties of Engineering and of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Further information would be sought, and the issue would be brought back to a future Academic Committee meeting. (15) OTHER BUSINESS There was no other business. The meeting adjourned at 4:40 p.m. academic\acmn1998novf.doc