AC-99-174 FACULTY OF SCIENCE ACADEMIC COMMITTEE Minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday, April 18, 2000, at 3:00 p.m. in the Arts Council Room (160). PRESENT: Dean Shaver (Chair), Associate Dean Mendelson (Vice- Chair), Professors Cline, Farrell, MÅller-Wille, Panangaden, Paquette, Pasztor, Silvius, Wechsler, Wolfson (in the absence of Prof. Klemes), Yau; Associate Dean Hendershot; A. Kovacs, J. Tsang, C. Ward; J. D'Amico. REGRETS: Professors Baines, Baker, Brawer, Rasmussen; W. Maricar, N. Nurmohamed, A. Organek, T. Samanta; Ms. H. Waluzyniec; Mr. D. Crawford. DOCUMENTS: AC-99-148 to AC-99-168 AC-99-170 to AC-99-173 Dean Shaver called the meeting to order at 3:04 p.m. (1) ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA 801.1 Under Other Business, Item 13, Associate Dean Mendelson was to report on issues raised at a meeting of one of the Student Information System Policy Teams. The amended agenda was approved. (2) LEO YAFFE AWARD COMMITTEE REPORT - PROF. D. WOLFSON, CHAIR 802.1 Prof. Wolfson, Chair, Leo Yaffe Award Committee, said that the 2000 Committee consisted of Prof. L. Hendren (Computer Science - New), Mr. D. Kaplan (Physiology student), Prof. M. Lapointe (Geography), Prof. B. Lennox (Chemistry), Mr. A. Organek (Anatomy & Cell Biology student), Prof. J. Paquette (Earth & Planetary Sciences), Prof. A. Vincent (Biology - New), Prof. H. Warshawsky (Anatomy & Cell Biology) and Prof. Yau (Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences). 802.2 Prof. Wolfson said that Prof. Koestner (Psychology) had originally been on the committee, but withdrew from it because he had been nominated for the Leo Yaffe Award by the Department of Psychology. In keeping with past practice, Prof. Koestner had not been replaced. 802.3 Prof. Wolfson said that Mr. D. Shiff (Microbiology & Immunology student) had stepped down from the committee when he found out that a professor in a course he had taken was one of the nominees - also common practice. Mr. Shiff was replaced by Mr. Organek. 802.4 Prof. Wolfson said the nominees were Prof. D. Briedes (Microbiology & Immunology), Prof. M. Damha (Chemistry), Prof. L. Hermo (Anatomy & Cell Biology), Prof. R. Koestner (Psychology), Prof. N. Kamran (Mathematics & Statistics), Prof. P. Lasko (Biology), Prof. A. Mucci (Earth & Planetary Sciences), Prof. N. Roulet (Geography) and Prof. E. Zorychta (Pathology). 802.5 Prof. Wolfson said that after much discussion and a secret ballot, PROFESSOR LOUIS HERMO had emerged as the unambiguous choice for the nominee for the 2000 Leo Yaffe Award. 802.6 Prof. Wolfson read the citation: "In 1974 Professor Louis Hermo, while still a part time lecturer, began to develop a Limbs and Back course for B.Sc. Physical and Occupational Therapy students at McGill. In those early days he was, by all accounts an outstanding teacher and he has not let up in his enthusiasm or his talent for inspiring and educating students in the field of anatomy and cell biology. It was inevitable that one day he would be rewarded by winning the Leo Yaffe Award for excellence in undergraduate teaching. "Professor Hermo obtained his Ph.D. at McGill in 1975 and joined the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology in 1977 as an Assistant Professor. He has remained at McGill since that time. Year after year his department has nominated him for this award because of his teaching in the classroom, his supervision of undergraduate research projects and his broader dedication to undergraduate affairs. "Human Anatomy is a difficult subject to teach. Visualization in three dimensions must be conveyed and students often start with a preconceived notion that they are in for a tedious time. However, Louis Hermo's teaching of Systemic Human Anatomy in the Faculty of Science, which he has done for many years, demonstrates that the subject can be made to glow. It is remarkable that his course evaluations improved last year even though they have been outstanding ever since he started teaching at McGill in the mid-seventies. The following very small selection of hundreds of quotes from his students over the years, attest to their adulation for him. Student after student refers to Dr. Hermo's fervour and enthusiasm for his teaching." "This was a fun interesting course. Dr. Hermo is a great professor who conveys both knowledge and enthusiasm. I anticipated a boring course, but Dr. Hermo changed my perceptions. He had such great energy and passion for the material that it became one of my favourite and most interesting courses." "I love this course!" "Professor Hermo converts a potentially 'dry' learning experience into a dynamic presentation of the human body, complemented with anecdotes, interesting stories and obvious passion for teaching." "Dr. Hermo is a fantastic teacher and artist." "He is always quick with a joke or ready with a personal anecdote that keeps the class attentive and laughing. He has successfully made it fun to memorize thousands of crazy names ... students are often found in his office discussing course material or hockey." "Superb class! Dr. Hermo's enthusiasm and delivery are amazing. I can see why Systemic Anatomy is one of the most popular courses at McGill." Prof. Wolfson continued with the citation: "Professor Hermo's influence on students is not restricted to the classroom. He has supervised an astounding 46 undergraduate research project students. This supervision requires the time and attention that one would give to a graduate student and it has served as a template for those who have moved on to their own research careers. "In addition to teaching, Professor Hermo has played an important part in the administration of undergraduate affairs in the Department, thereby shaping its undergraduate programs. He has served as Chair of the Undergraduate Student Affairs Committee for many years and has been both a friend of and academic advisor for students in the Department. Professor Hermo's charity "Anatomy Bake Sale" is now legendary and exemplifies his efforts to foster effective rapport with students. His involvement in the McGill Anatomy-Cell Biology Student Society has been described as 'immense'. "While devoting much of his time to undergraduate education, Louis Hermo has also pursued an active research career specializing in the structure and functions of the Golgi apparatus and in the role of the epididymis in sperm maturation. He has supervised a large number of graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. He is a true academic, who demonstrates that it is possible to care about undergraduate teaching and students as well as about research. Professor Hermo's nomination for the Leo Yaffe Award for Excellence in undergraduate teaching is richly deserved and will be acclaimed by the many students that he has supervised and taught." Prof. Paquette moved, seconded by Prof. Wechsler, that Prof. L. Hermo be recommended to Faculty as the 2000 Leo Yaffe Award winner. The motion carried unanimously. 802.7 Dean Shaver thanked Prof. Wolfson for his excellent report. (3) MINUTES OF MARCH 21, 2000 AC-99-148 Associate Dean Mendelson moved, seconded by Prof. Panangaden, that the minutes be approved. The motion carried. (4) BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES There was no business arising from the minutes. (5) REPORT ON MINOR COURSE CHANGES AC-99-149 (for information) (6) AD HOC JOINT MAJOR PROGRAM IN COMPUTER SCIENCE & COGNITIVE SCIENCE AC-99-150 Prof. Panangaden moved, seconded by Prof. MÅller-Wille, that the above ad hoc program be approved. 806.1 The following friendly amendment was made to the last paragraph in Document AC-99-150(REV): Any changes to the above program (for example, if a course is not offered) will be made with the approval of the academic advisor. The amended motion carried. (7) MATHEMATICS & STATISTICS New Course: 189-685D Statistical Consulting AC-99-151 4 credits 807.1 In order to avoid the course possibly being viewed as too restrictive, it was agreed that the first sentence of the fourth paragraph in Document AC-99-151 should read: The intention is to restrict the enrolment to no more than fifteen graduate students. Prof. Wolfson moved, seconded by Prof. Cline, that the course be adopted. The motion carried. (8) COMPUTER SCIENCE Program Changes: - B.Sc. Major Program in Computer Science AC-99-152 - B.Sc. Honours Program in Computer Science AC-99-153 Prof. Panangaden moved, seconded by Prof. Yau, that the program changes be approved. The motion carried. THE FOLLOWING ITEMS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF EARTH & PLANETARY SCIENCES WERE WITHDRAWN FROM THE AGENDA. (9) EARTH & PLANETARY SCIENCES Program Changes: - Major Program in Earth & Planetary Sciences AC-99-154 - Honours Program in Earth Sciences AC-99-155 - Honours Program in Planetary Sciences AC-99-156 (10) DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS New Course: 198-257A Experimental Methods I AC-99-157 3 credits New Course: 198-258B Experimental Methods II AC-99-158 3 credits Prof. Cline moved, seconded by Prof. Panangaden, that the courses be adopted. The motion carried. Program Changes: - Joint Honours Program in Mathematics & Physics AC-99-159 - Honours Program in Physics AC-99-160 - Major Program in Physics AC-99-161 - Faculty Program in Physics AC-99-162 - Minor Program in Physics AC-99-163 - Joint Major Program in Physics & Geophysics AC-99-164 - Joint Major Program in Physics & Computer Science AC-99-165 - Minor Concentration in Science for Arts Students AC-99-166 (for information only) 810.1 In the Joint Honours Program in Mathematics & Physics, document AC-99-159, it was noted that the total number of required credits in the U2 year should be 27 and not 24. 810.2 In the Joint Major Program in Physics & Geophysics (document AC-99-164; list of U2 required courses), it was pointed out that 186-320B should really be an "A" term course, since it is a prerequisite to other U2 courses. Prof. Cline moved, seconded by Prof. Panangaden, that the program changes be approved. The motion carried. - Major Program in Two Subjects for Teachers AC-99-167 (for Fall 2000) - Major Program in Two Subjects for Teachers AC-99-168 (for Fall 2001) 810.3 Document AC-99-167, Page 3, should read: "180-170 or 180-180" (rather than "180-170 or 180-170") "180-543 (3)" (rather than 2 credits) 810.4 Associate Dean Mendelson said that SCTP would not accept the program change proposals without a side-by- side comparison. Prof. Cline moved, seconded by Prof. Pasztor, that the program changes be approved. The motion carried. (11) ATMOSPHERIC & OCEANIC SCIENCES Program Changes: - Joint Major Program in Atmospheric Science & Physics AC-99-170 - Major Program in Atmospheric Science AC-99-171 - Honours Program in Atmospheric Science AC-99-172 Prof. Yau moved, seconded by Prof. Cline, that the program changes be approved. The motion carried. (12) WORKING GROUP ON CREDIT WEIGHT/WORKLOAD FOR LABORATORY COURSES AC-99-173 812.1 Associate Dean Mendelson said that the Academic Committee had mandated a workgroup to review credit weight and workload in laboratory courses. The workgroup consisted of Professors Cline, Rasmussen, Wechsler, Mr. A. Kovacs, Ms. M. Antler, and Associate Dean Mendelson, as Chair. 812.2 Associate Dean Mendelson went over the contents of document AC-99-173. 812.3 A number of issues were raised, including how to monitor the time students spend on courses; the fact that currently there is no general policy on credit weight/workload; the fact that all hours were given equal weight in document AC-99-173, which may not be valid; whether lecture and laboratory hours should be considered to have equal weights; the point that increasing the credit weight of courses would raise problems for programs in general; whether four hours per credit per week might be more appropriate than three; whether a written rule might create more problems than it would solve; whether informal guidelines might be a better option. It was suggested that the problem was really the time spent writing laboratory reports, and that, in general, emphasis should be put on reducing the workload rather than raising the credit weight. 812.4 Separate motions were made for Items #1, #2 and #3 in document AC-99-173. Mr. Kovacs moved, seconded by Prof. Cline, that Item #1 be adopted. The motion carried. Mr. Kovacs moved, seconded by Prof. MÅller-Wille, that Item #2 be adopted. The motion carried. Ms. Tsang moved, seconded by Prof. Cline, that Item #3 be adopted. 812.5 Prof. Silvius proposed the friendly amendment that Item #3 should read as follows: Departments should review the workload of undergraduate courses and should adjust the content or teaching methods, or, failing this, the credit weight, of courses to bring them in line with the policy. The amended motion carried. 812.6 It was agreed that discussion of Item #4 be postponed, and that "4" be removed, thus converting this section of document AC-99-173 into a plain paragraph. (13) OTHER BUSINESS (a) Student Information System Policy 813.1 Associate Dean Mendelson reminded members that McGill was in the process of implementing the Banner System, which will affect the Student Information System. The decision had been made to change from number codes to four-letter codes for each department, e.g., Biology will become BIOL instead of 177. While "BIOL" would be easily recognized as "Biology," there could be ambiguities with other departments, e.g. Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences, Earth & Planetary Sciences, Psychology, Psychiatry. Changing to four-letter codes will mean that all former records would have to be modified. 813.2 Associate Dean Mendelson said that another issue is the fact that the Banner System has limitations on the number of characters per field, e.g. a course title is limited to only 30 characters. This will result in restrictions on the names of programs, causing problems for such designations as "Major Concentration." There had been a suggestion that such programs be designated as "Major." Associate Dean Mendelson reminded members that a Major Concentration in the Faculty of Arts is 36 credits, while a Major in the Faculty of Science is at least 54 credits. He said that this is an academic issue that should be decided by academics, and not by a Banner Committee. 813.3 Members felt that "Major Concentration" should not be changed to simply "Major." 813.4 Dean Shaver said the Faculty of Science has been resisting vehemently the idea that the academic mission of the University should be influenced by computer limitations or quirks. The meeting adjourned at 4:50 p.m. josie\academic\acmn1999f.doc