AC-00-167 FACULTY OF SCIENCE ACADEMIC COMMITTEE Minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday, December 12, 2000, at 2:30 p.m. in the Arts Council Room (160). PRESENT: Dean Shaver (Chair), Associate Dean Mendelson (Vice- Chair), Professors Baines, Baker, Brawer, Cline, Drury (in the absence of Prof. Klemes), Farrell, Leighton, MÅller-Wille, Panangaden, Pasztor, Wechsler; H. Waluzyniec; P. Charbonneau, Andrew Organek, M. Sanagan, D. Selvadurai; J. D'Amico. REGRETS: Professors Paquette, Rasmussen, Silvius; Associate Dean Hendershot; S. Baptista, Alison Organek, S. Waterston; D. Crawford. GUESTS: Prof. R. Harris and Prof. T. Meredith DOCUMENTS: AC-00-58(REV), AC-00-100(REV), AC-00-144 to AC- 00-166 Dean Shaver called the meeting to order at 2:30 p.m. (1) ADOPTION OF AGENDA - Science for Teachers, Item #12, to be considered as the first item on the Agenda. - African Field Studies Semester, Item #11, to be considered as the second item. - Low-level Science Courses for Science Students, Item #16, to be considered before Item #10, Physics 198- 200A. (2) MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 21, 2000 AC-00- 144 Prof. Brawer moved, seconded by Prof. Cline, that the minutes be approved. The motion carried. (3) BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES - Minute 318.3, Automated Timetable System (CATS) 403.1 Associate Dean Mendelson said that within 24 hours of departments putting information on CATS concerning which professors are teaching which courses, this information is available to students. He said that this is the most efficient way of keeping teaching information up to date. 403.2 In response to a member, Associate Dean Mendelson said that he would check to see whether CATS information is archived. (4) REPORT ON MINOR COURSE CHANGES AC-00- 145 (for information) (5) AD HOC INTERDEPARTMENTAL HONOURS DEGREE IN COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AC-00- 58(REV) 405.1 It was pointed out that under "Neuropharmacology," 204- 422 should read 204-522, and 552-301 should read 555- 301. "Research Component" should read: At least 6 credits selected from 504-432 (9) Research Program in Anatomy and Cell Biology or 204-450D (6) Research Project and Seminar or 204-495 (3) Psychology Research Project and 204- 492A/493B (3 each) Seminars in Special Topics Prof. Wechsler moved, seconded by Prof. MÅller-Wille, that the ad hoc program be approved, pending the above. The motion carried. 405.2 Associate Dean Mendelson will report back to the next Academic Committee meeting on the above issues. Referred to the Department of Physics (6) AD HOC ARTS MAJOR CONCENTRATION IN QUANTITATIVE SCIENCE AC-00-146 Prof. Farrell moved, seconded by Prof. Cline, that the ad hoc program be referred to the Department of Physics for a consultation report. The motion carried. (7) PSYCHOLOGY 204-474B Interpersonal Relationships AC-00- 147 3 credits Number Change from 204-354 204-475B Intergroup Relations AC-00- 148 3 credits Number Change from 204-331 407.1 Restrictions should be added to the above courses specifying that the courses are not open to students who have taken them under the old course numbers. Prof. Baker moved, seconded by Prof. Brawer, that the above courses be adopted. 407.2 In response to a member's concern, Associate Dean Mendelson made the friendly amendment that 204-333A be added as a prerequisite to 204-475B. The Department of Psychology should examine the appropriateness of this. The amended motion carried. Secretary's Note: The Department of Psychology has since withdrawn the proposal to change 204-331 to 204-475. - B.Sc. Program Changes: Faculty Program in Psychology AC-00- 149 Major Program in Psychology AC-00- 150 Honours Program in Psychology AC-00- 151 Prof. Baker moved, seconded by Ms. Sanagan, that the program changes be approved. The motion carried. - B.A. Program Changes For Information: Major Concentration in Psychology AC-00- 152 Honours Program in Psychology AC-00- 153 Minor Concentration in Behavioral Science AC-00-154 Minor Concentration in Psychology AC-00- 155 (8) CHEMISTRY New Course: 180-629 Organic Synthesis AC-00- 156 5 credits 408.1 It was suggested that the Rationale contain an explanation for the course being five credits. Also, the hours per week should be modified. Prof. Farrell moved, seconded by Prof. Leighton, that the course be adopted. The motion carried. CHEMISTRY/PHARMACOLOGY New Course: 180-503A Drug Design and Development 1 AC-00- 157 3 credits New Course: 180-504B Drug Design and Development 2 AC-00- 158 3 credits 408.2 It was pointed out that two hours/week should be added to 180-504B to obtain the listed total of six hours/week. Also, it was noted that there was a discrepancy between the projected enrolment for the Chemistry and Pharmacology courses. It was further noted that "Or permission of instructor" was present on the proposal for 180-503A, but was missing from the form. 408.3 It was suggested that Prof. Farrell consult with the instructors of the courses concerning the percentage of the final grade given for class participation. Prof. Farrell moved, seconded by Prof. Wechsler, that the courses be adopted, pending the above. The motion carried. 549-503A Drug Design and Development 1 AC-00- 159 3 credits Addition of Restriction 549-504B Drug Design and Development 2 AC-00- 160 3 credits Addition of Restriction Prof. Farrell moved, seconded by Prof. Wechsler, that the changes be approved. The motion carried. (9) McGILL SCHOOL OF ENVIRONMENT New Course (NEO - Resubmitted): 170-610B Foundations of Environ. Policy AC-00- 100(REV) 3 credits Prof. MÅller-Wille moved, seconded by Prof. Pasztor, that the course be adopted. The motion carried. - Program Changes: B.Sc. Environment; Environmentrics AC-00- 161 B.Sc. Environment; Biodiversity and Conservation AC-00- 162 Prof. Baines moved, seconded by Mr. Organek, that the program changes be approved. The motion carried. (10) PHYSICS 198-200A Space, Time & Matter AC-00- 163 3 credits Changes in Description & Restriction 410.1 The Department of Physics should check whether there were any courses that non-Physics students might take that would overlap with 198-200A, and report back to Associate Dean Mendelson. Prof. Cline moved, seconded by Prof. Leighton, that the changes be approved. After some discussion, Prof. Farrell, seconded by Prof. Baines, proposed an amendment that the course not be open to students in the Department of Chemistry. The vote was tied, and the Dean voted down the amendment. The motion to approve the changes to 198-200A carried. (11) AFRICAN FIELD STUDIES SEMESTER AC-00- 164 411.1 Prof. Meredith introduced the proposal, gave some background information, and answered members' questions. 411.2 Associate Dean Mendelson said that throughout the document "good standing" should be replaced by "in satisfactory standing with a CGPA of at least 2.7." 411.3 A number of concerns were raised, including: the proposal not having come from the MSE, this being the most suitable unit to offer it; it being unclear which unit would be taking responsibility for the semester; the lack of detailed consultation from the units involved in the courses; the lack of written support from the MSE; the courses given in Africa being different from those given at McGill, but having the same course number; the possible limitation of choice of courses for students; the potential problems in obtaining credit for McGill students doing courses offered by other universities, and vice-versa; the availability of library resources. 411.4 Dean Shaver said that if the MSE did not take responsibility for the proposal, then he would assume responsibility for it, but entertain proposals from other units. 411.5 Associate Dean Mendelson suggested approving the proposal. He said that although there were problems associated with it, approval would serve to stimulate the proposal's development. The proposal should be reviewed in several years to see how well it has developed. 411.6 A member strongly recommended the creation of at least one course specific to the semester, and/or that a narrative be included on students' transcripts, in order to show that students had done the African Field Study Semester. As well, the member suggested that the semester come back to the Academic Committee each year, in order to keep track of the courses being offered. Prof. MÅller-Wille moved, seconded by Prof. Pasztor, that the academic content of the proposal be adopted. The motion carried. Secretary's Note: The MSE has declined responsibility for the African Field Study Semester, thus responsibility remains with the Faculty of Science as agreed. The proposal will be brought to Faculty for approval with appropriate administrative arrangements in place in the Faculty and with the Canadian Field Studies in Africa program. (12) SCIENCE FOR TEACHERS AC-00-165 412.1 Prof. Harris introduced the document, and explained the reasons for the proposed changes. 412.2 During the discussion it was pointed out that many upper-year students who wish to go into teaching but who have not hitherto made any moves in that direction, transfer to another province after completing their B.Sc. because of the time it would take in QuÇbec to fulfil the requirements for teaching. 412.3 Associate Dean Mendelson proposed the following changes to Variation #3, Section A, Document AC-00-165: That under Recommendation, the second sentence read "Then after completing the requirements for a 90-credit B.Sc., but before receiving their degree, students ..." That under Advantage, the first sentence read "Faculty of Science students could be employable as science/math teachers within one year of completing the requirements for a B.Sc." Prof. Cline moved, seconded by Ms. Sanagan, that Document AC-00-165, Section A, Variations 1,2 and 3, with the above changes, be approved. The motion carried. 412.4 After several questions on Sections B, C and D (which were not for approval by the Academic Committee), Dean Shaver suggested that members contact Prof. Harris outside the current meeting regarding any concerns they might have. Dean Shaver thanked Prof. Harris for appearing at the meeting, and for his work on the proposal. (13) STATISTICS COURSE EQUIVALENCIES AC-00-166 413.1 Prof. Baines said that since submission of Document AC- 00-166, the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics had introduced three new courses: 513- 693C, 513-694L and 513-695L. 413.2 It was pointed out that: under number 3, Page 3, Document AC-00-166, 189-203A should read 189-203A,B,C,L; 198-219A should be removed from the entire document; Associate Dean of Science should be replaced by Associate Dean of Science (Academic and Student Affairs) throughout the document; under number 5, Page 3, "outside of the Faculties of Arts and Science" should be replaced by "in the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences". 413.3 Prof. Baines pointed out that it was critical that departments specify exactly which statistics courses are appropriate for their programs. Associate Dean Mendelson added that these courses should be listed in the departmental program entries in the Calendar. 413.4 It was pointed out that the two Chemistry courses listed in the table on Page 5 of Document AC-00-166 should be removed, as they are not statistics courses. Prof. Baines moved, seconded by Prof. MÅller-Wille, that the list of equivalent statistics courses for publication in the Calendar (Page 3, Document AC-00- 166) be adopted. The motion carried. Associate Dean Mendelson thanked Prof. Baines and his committee for the large amount of work involved in putting together the document on statistics course equivalencies. (16) LOW-LEVEL SCIENCE COURSES FOR SCIENCE STUDENTS 416.1 There was some discussion of this issue, and members felt that there should not be a specified limit on the number of general Science courses open to Science students. Renumbering these courses to the 100-level would require coordination with the Faculty of Arts, and would result in complications. The Faculty should keep track of the number of general Science courses given, and advisors should warn students intending to apply to graduate school that taking a number of low- level courses in their final year would not be appropriate. Due to time constraints, the following items were postponed to a future academic committee meeting: (14) ALTERNATE COURSES LISTED UNDER "REQUIRED COURSES" (15) COURSE/PROGRAM CONSULTATION PROCESS (17) GUIDELINES FOR CLASS-PARTICIPATION GRADES (18) OTHER BUSINESS - Workload Involved in Course/Program Submissions The meeting adjourned at 5:07 p.m. josie\academic\ACDecMin.doc