AC-02-59 FACULTY OF SCIENCE ACADEMIC COMMITTEE Minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday, October 22, 2002, at 3:00 p.m. in Room 409, Dawson Hall. PRESENT: Dean Shaver (Chair), Associate Dean Mendelson (Vice- Chair), Professors Arkani-Hamed, Baines, Bennett, Drury, Kakkar, Leighton, Nishioka, Panangaden, Paquette, Silvius, Sutton; Associate Dean Hendershot; E. Gibb; L. Bondy, J. Capling, C. Caserly, S. Chakkalackal, I. Halperin, E. Lewis, C. Ward; J. D'Amico. REGRETS: Professors Baker, Lapointe and Wechsler. DOCUMENTS: AC-01-76, AC-01-100 AC-02-29 to AC-02- 58 In the temporary absence of Dean Shaver, Associate Dean Mendelson took the chair. He called the meeting to order at 3:05 p.m. (1) ADOPTION OF AGENDA 201.1 Associate Dean Mendelson said that the third part of item #5, B.Sc. (Agr. Env. Sc.), Program Changes, should read New Programs, and that before this item was considered, there would be a general motion concerning the new programs. Prof. Kakkar moved, seconded by Prof. Bennett, that the amended Agenda be approved. The motion carried. (2) MINUTES OF TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2002 AC-02- 29 Prof. Bennett moved, seconded by Ms. Bondy, 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-02- 30 (for information) (5) McGILL SCHOOL OF ENVIRONMENT New Course: ENVR 301 Environmental Research Design AC-02- 31 3 credits Prof. Paquette, MSE representative on the Academic Committee, answered members' questions. Prof. Paquette moved, seconded by Prof. Leighton, that the course be adopted. The motion carried. B.Sc. Program Changes: -Environment; Atmospheric Environment & Air Quality Domain AC-02-32 -Environment; Biodiversity & Conservation Domain AC-02- 33 Prof. Paquette moved, seconded by Prof. Bennett, that the above program changes be approved. The motion carried. -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 -Diploma in Environment AC-02- 43 205.1 Associate Dean Mendelson pointed out that in document AC-02-42, Page 2, there were two calculus courses listed under the statistics requirement, and he asked Prof. Paquette to check into this. Prof. Paquette moved, seconded by Prof. Arkani-Hamed, that the above program changes be approved. The motion carried. Dean Shaver took over the chair. B.Sc. (Agr. Env. Sc.) 205.2 Associate Dean Mendelson moved, seconded by Prof. Paquette, the general motion that the Faculty of Science support the MSE's request to offer their B.Sc. programs also as B.Sc. (Agr. Env. Sc.) programs. 205.3 Dean Shaver gave some background on the MSE and the motion. 205.4 There were some questions, which were answered by Prof. Paquette and Associate Dean Hendershot. 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 B.A. Faculty Program Changes (for information) -Environment; Ecological Determinants of Health in Society Domain -Environment; Economics & the Earth's Environment Domain -Environment; Environment & Development Domain -Diploma in Environment (6) CHEMISTRY - Program Changes: 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. Kakkar moved, seconded by Prof. Sutton, that the above program changes be approved. 206.1 It was pointed out that in the Major with Bio-organic Option (AC-02-45), MIMM 211 is a prerequisite to MIMM 314 and MIMM 323, and thus there was no point in having the last two courses on the list since the requirement for the program would be met by MIMM 211. 206.2 Associate Dean Mendelson proposed an amendment that MIMM 314 and MIMM 323 be removed from the list. The amendment was accepted as friendly. The amended motion carried. CHEM 150 World of Chemistry: Food AC-02-48 Change in Restriction 3 credits CHEM 160 World of Chemistry: Technology AC-02- 49 Change in Restriction 3 credits CHEM 170 World of Chemistry: Drugs AC-02- 50 Change in Restriction 3 credits CHEM 180 World of Chemistry: Environment AC-02- 51 Change in Restriction 3 credits 206.3 There was a lengthy discussion during which members expressed concern about negative perceptions that might arise because of Science students having a number of 100-level courses on their transcripts, especially if these were taken during their later B.Sc. years. 206.4 Associate Dean Mendelson moved, seconded by Prof. Drury, that the proposal be referred back to the Department of Chemistry with the suggestion that the department consider the possibility of creating 200- level versions of these courses for Science students. 206.5 There was some discussion as to whether or not to refer the courses back to the Department of Chemistry. The motion carried. B.A. Minor Concentration (for information): - Minor Concentration in Chemistry for Arts Students (7) SCHOOL OF COMPUTER SCIENCE COMP 701 Thesis Proposal and Area Examination AC-02- 53 Change in Course Description 3 credits 207.1 It was pointed out that the course description for COMP 701 was longer than 50 words. Prof. Panangaden moved, seconded by Prof. Drury, that the above changes be approved. The motion carried. Course retirement: COMP 700 Ph.D. Comprehensive Examination AC-02- 54 4 credits Prof. Panangaden moved, seconded by Prof. Drury, that the above changes be approved. The motion carried. Program Changes: - Ph.D. in Computer Science AC-02- 55 207.2 Associate Dean Mendelson said that on Page 2, the statement "Thesis containing original and significant research" should be modified to reflect more accurately the specifications in the Graduate Calendar. Prof. Panangaden moved, seconded by Prof. Drury, that the above changes be approved. The motion carried. (8) CENTRE FOR SELF-ASSEMBLED CHEMICAL STRUCTURES AC-02- 52 (Revised) Guidelines & Checklist for Research Centres AC-01- 76A 208.1 Dean Shaver said that because of time constraints, he had approved the above proposal on behalf of the Faculty. He said that the centre had been successful in obtaining funding from external sources. 208.2 In response to a member who asked why Laval University had apparently not contributed matching funds, Dean Shaver said the matter would be looked into. (9) PLACEMENT TESTS AC-02-56/AC-01- 100 209.1 Associate Dean Mendelson introduced and explained the above documents. 209.2 Associate Dean Mendelson moved, seconded by Prof. Sutton, that the proposal in the above document be adopted. 209.3 After a general discussion of the issues, Dean Shaver suggested that the proposal be considered on a point-by- point basis, with individual votes for each point. This was acceptable to the mover and seconder. A vote was held on Point #1. Approved. A vote was held on Point #2. Approved. A vote was held on Point #3. Approved. A vote was held on Point #4. Approved. 209.4 It was suggested that Point #5 be split in two, with the reference to exemption and credit becoming Point #5 and the reference to the P/F grade becoming Point #6. This was accepted as a friendly amendment. 209.5 Prof. Panangaden moved, seconded by Prof. Baines, that the words "and credit for" be removed from Point #5. The amendment carried. A vote was held on the amended Point #5. Approved. 209.6 A number of members felt that students should not have a record of a failure in a placement test recorded on their transcript. A vote was held on Point #6. Defeated. (The result of the defeat of Point #6 is that students will have a placement-test pass recorded on their transcript, but not a failure.) (10) ACADEMIC STANDING AC-02- 57 210.1 Associate Dean Mendelson introduced the above document, and explained the proposed changes. Associate Dean Mendelson moved, seconded by Prof. Paquette, that the recommendations in the above document be adopted. The motion carried. (11) GENERAL DOCUMENT FOR INFORMATION AC-02- 58 (A Battle Plan for Professors to Recapture the Curriculum) 211.1 Dean Shaver drew members' attention to the document. (12) STREAMLINING PROGRAM CHANGES THAT ACCOMPANY COURSE CHANGES Due to insufficient time, the above item was not discussed. (13) OTHER BUSINESS There was no other business. The meeting adjourned at 5:20 p.m.