S-96-17 FACULTY OF SCIENCE Meeting of Faculty Tuesday, December 3, 1996 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. LEACOCK COUNCIL ROOM - L232 ATTENDANCE: As recorded in the Faculty Appendix Book. DOCUMENTS: S-96-14 to S-96-16 Dean Shaver called the meeting to order at 3:06 p.m. (1) MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 12, 1996 S-96-14 Prof. Mucci moved, seconded by Prof. GowriSankaran, that the minutes be approved. The motion carried. (2) BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES Minute 202.2 302.1 Dean Shaver informed members that an acknowledgment letter had been sent recently to Ms. Joan Hagerman. He thanked Prof. Farrell for bringing the issue to the Facultyís attention. (3) ANNOUNCEMENTS 303.1 Dean Shaver announced that Prof. Raj DHINDSA, Department of Biology, had been promoted to the rank of Full Professor. 303.2 Dean Shaver announced that Prof. Roddy R. ROGERS, Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, had been appointed to the rank of Emeritus Professor, effective the end of December 1996. On behalf of the Faculty, Dean Shaver congratulated Prof. Dhindsa and Prof. Rogers. 303.3 Dean Shaver announced that a number of McGill athletes in the Faculty of Science had received bursaries from the Quebec Foundation for University Athletics. They were: J.P. DARCHE, Major in Physiology, a football linebacker; Anna LEONG, Major in Biology, swimmer; Alex HUTCHINSON, Honours Physics, cross-country runner; and Vicky TESSIER, Major in Chemistry, basketball player. 303.4 Dean Shaver said that the bursaries had been awarded at the 11th Annual Foundation Gala on November 29, 1996. He pointed out that Ms. Tessier has been a giant in womenís basketball, and that she had been named, twice in three weeks, the QSSF female athlete-of-the-week, after Ms. Tessier had led the McGill basketball Martlets to victories over Toronto and Queenís. He said that Ms. Tessier had scored her 2000th career basket. Dean Shaver said that there were eight other McGill students who had received bursaries. He congratulated these students, and added that most of the students carry a remarkable GPA. (4) REPORTS OF COMMITTEES a) Committee on Student Standing S-96-15 304.1 Associate Dean de Takacsy reported that four cases had been reviewed; two requests had been accepted and two refused. b) Academic Committee S-96-16 REPORT ON MINOR COURSE CHANGES (AC-96-21) (for information) MATHEMATICS & STATISTICS New Program: - Masters in Mathematics & Statistics (Project Option)(AC-96-22) 189-600A/B/C/L/T Masterís Thesis Research I (AC-96-23) 6 credits Change in Restrictions. New Courses: 189-640A/B/C/L/T Masterís Project Research I (AC-96-24) 6 credits 189-641A/B/C/L/T Masterís Project Research II (AC-96-25) 9 credits Prof. GowriSankaran moved, seconded by Prof. Grutter, that the above be approved. The motion carried. - Thesis Masterís in Mathematics and Statistics (Program Changes)(AC-96-26) Prof. GowriSankaran moved, seconded by Prof. Grutter, that the program changes be approved. The motion carried. - B.Sc./B.A. Major in Mathematics (Program Changes)(AC-96-27) Course Retirements: 189-335A/B/C/L/T Basic Algebra II (AC-96-28) 3 credits 189-336A/B/C/L/T Linear Algebra II (AC-96-29) 3 credits Prof. GowriSankaran moved, seconded by Prof. Franklin, that the above changes be approved. The motion carried. AD HOC JOINT MAJOR IN MATHEMATICS & BIOLOGY (AC-96-30) Prof. GowriSankaran moved, seconded by Prof. Grutter, that the ad hoc program for Mr. Shane Jensen be approved. Prof. Sittman proposed that the name of the ad hoc program be renamed as follows: îAD HOC JOINT MAJOR IN BIOLOGY AND MATHEMATICSî Professors GowriSankaran and Grutter accepted the friendly amendment. The amended motion carried. AD HOC MINOR IN ENVIRONMENTAL FORESTRY (AC-96-31) Prof. Sittman moved, seconded by Prof. GowriSankaran, that the ad hoc minor program for Ms. Erika Marzinotto be approved. The motion carried. MINOR IN MANAGEMENT (AC-96-34) Prof. Grutter moved, seconded by Prof. GowriSankaran, that the changes be approved. The motion carried. COURSE RESTRICTIONS (AC-96-33) 304.1 The Course Restrictions document (amended and approved at the Academic Committee meeting on November 19,1996) should have read: î.. students with only practical or professional ..î 304.2 In response to Prof. Crawford, Associate Dean de Takacsy said that MARS could now be programmed to prevent students registering in such restricted courses, but it is the îotherî faculty that would have to enter the restriction. In any case, a statement on course restrictions must be included in the Calendar. Prof. GowriSankaran moved, seconded by Prof. Farrell, that the document (with the above change) be approved. The motion carried. (5) DEANíS BUSINESS There was no Deanís business. (6) REPORT: McGill School of Environment (MSE) - Prof. Mucci 306.1 Prof. Mucci reported on behalf of Prof. Ingram, that the coordinating committee of the Faculty of Science for the MSE had met every Thursday in November 1996, and had met twice in November with the equivalent committees in the Faculties of Arts, and of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. He said that invitations had been circulated to all members in the Faculty of Science, inviting them to participate in the upcoming workshop, to be held on December 12 and 13, 1996 in Leacock 26. 306.2 Prof. Mucci said that the goal of the workshop was to facilitate a debate on the philosophy, academic design, and administrative structure of the MSE. He said that this would not be a decisional meeting, since the committees were only looking for feedback on straw proposals concerning these issues. The straw proposals would be circulated to chairs via e-mail on December 3 or 4, 1996. A professional facilitator, Mr. Glen Milne, would be organizing the workshop. 306.3 Associate Dean de Takacsy said that there had already been a joint proposal for an MEng/MSc (Applied) degree, from the Faculties of Engineering and of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. 306.4 Dean Shaver said that the Faculties of Engineering and of Medicine had been invited to the workshop. Dean Shaver thanked Prof. Mucci for the report. (7) MEMBERSí QUESTION PERIOD There were no questions. (8) OTHER BUSINESS There was no other business. The meeting adjourned at 3:44 p.m. S-96-19 FACULTY OF SCIENCE ACADEMIC COMMITTEE Report to Faculty of Science Meeting of January 7, 1997 1. Report on Minor Course Changes AC-96-36 2. Mathematics & Statistics - BSc/BA Mathematics & Computer Science Faculty Programs (Program Changes) AC-96-37 3. Minor in Northern Studies (for information) AC-96-40 4. Physiology - Faculty, Major & Honours (Program Changes) AC-96-41 AC-96-36 MINOR COURSE CHANGES Academic Committee Meeting - December 10, 1996 ATMOSPHERIC & OCEANIC SCIENCES - Change in Prerequisite 195-310 MCC-96-48 PSYCHOLOGY - Change in Course Title 204-526A Advances in Visual Perception MCC-96-49 S-96-20 Annual Report to the SCC on Computing Activities in the Faculty of Science, 1995-96 1. Division of Responsibility On 27 November 1996, a Faculty of Science Computing Committee (FSCC) was established to advise the Dean on computing matters. The Chair is Tom Shultz (Psychology) and members are Dean Alan Shaver (ex-officio), Associate Dean Nicholas De Takacsy, Roger Rigelhof (Mathematics and Statistics), Mark Sutton (Physics), and Michael Head (Computing Centre). A set of three computing Workgroups cover instructional, administrative, and technical issues, respectively. Workgroup on Instructional Computing (Chair, Mark Sutton, Physics) Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences: John Gyakum Biology: Hugh Tyson Chemistry: Art Grosser Computer Science: G. Gao Earth and Planetary Sciences: Olivia Jensen Geography: Gordon Ewing Mathematics and Statistics: John Labute Psychology: Tom Shultz Workgroup on Administrative Computing (Chair, Roger Rigelhof, Mathematics and Statistics) Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences: Vicki Loschiavo Biology: Kathryn Petersen Chemistry: Normand Tremp Earth and Planetary Sciences: Anne Kosowski Faculty of Science (Dawson Hall): Lois Manton, Joseph Vacirca Geography: Anne Kendrick Mathematics and Statistics: Raffaella Bruno Physics: Diane Koziol Psychology: Robyn Wiltshire Workgroup on Technology (Chair, Michael Head, Computing Centre) Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences: Alan Schwartz Biology: Robert Lamarche Chemistry: John Finkenbine Computer Science: Luc Boulianne Earth and Planetary Sciences: Steeve McCauley Faculty of Science (Dawson Hall): Joseph Vacirca Geography: Lillian Lee Mathematics and Statistics: Phong Co Physics: Saverio Biunno Psychology: Shelly Feran Mandates for the FSCC and the three workgroups are to review existing programs and resources, propose new projects, and make recommendations on priorities and needs for Faculty level action and resource allocation. The workgroups have the power to select new members and to choose their own Chair. The Science Faculty's representative on the Senate Committee on Computing (SCC) is Tom Shultz (Psychology), who reports on SCC activities to the Dean and to the Workgroup Chairs. 2. Workgroup on Instructional Computing This Workgroup met three times during the 1995-96 academic year. The main issue discussed was V. P. Robaire's proposed Policy on Software Commercialization. Although there was considerable opposition to this proposal, the issue proved to be quite divisive and was not resolved by the Workgroup. The status of the Science Undergraduate Society InfoPoint OPEN- ACCESS project was also reviewed. This initiative is strongly supported by the Workgroup. The Workgroup continued with its tracking of student attitudes and ownership of computers. The trend towards ownership continues upward with 3/4 of Science Freshman owning a relatively modern computer and a slightly higher percentage having access to a computer. The overall attitude of students seems to be pragmatic with regard to computers and information technology, believing them to be a "necessary asset." 3. Workgroup on Administrative Computing This Workgroup had one meeting during the 1995-96 academic year. The issues discussed at that meeting concerned the use of Automated and Secure Approval Process (ASAP) for stationery requisitions and for casual payroll requisitions. This is a computerized electronic forms approval system, which was brought in because it was needed by the Human Resources system ISIS, but can be used for other things. The difficulties encountered were the time taken to sign on to ASAP (64 keystrokes in some cases); difficulties with passwords and RACF codes (the security code for the administrative system). For stationery it was faster and simpler to continue filling out the preprinted forms and faxing them to Boulevard, the company to which stationary needs were outsourced. 4. Workgroup on Technology The Technical Workgroup of the Faculty of Science continued its liason with the Science Undergraduate Society Task Force on Computing. The past year saw the deployment of more than 20 InfoPoint computers for the use of Science undergraduates. In the late Spring, this Workgroup began to look at the WWW presence of the Faculty. All the departments in Science have a Web presence with entries for individual staff members. A few of the entries are rudimentary and the platforms on which the pages are mounted vary. It is envisaged that the Technical Workgroup will take an inventory of the current facilities with a view to ensuring the long-term maintainability of the current product. Coupled with this is the need to increase the ease of creation of Web content in order to ensure the full participation of all members of the Faculty of Science. 5. The Vision Document and the Faculty of Science Dean of the Faculty of Science Alan Shaver and the Faculty's representative on SCC, Tom Shultz, have discussed how the Faculty is dealing with relevant computing issues in the Vision Document. 5.1. Section 5.1 of the Vision Document. By end 1997: Public stations capable of accessing the full range of services will be made available for general use in appropriate areas (e.g., libraries, admin areas, residences, etc.). All stations purchased for general use will be configured according to a university-wide standard look and feel, and will permit access to infrastructure facilities as well as the particular applications for which they are intended. (Depts) The SUS Info-Point program supported by the Science Undergraduate Society and matching amounts from the Dean of Science is implementing this recommendation. More than 20 Windows-based computers have been placed around Science areas of the campus under this program. The are easily identified by their McGill red colouring. 5.2. Section 5.4 of the Vision Document. By end 1997: Faculties will have plans to address issues such as the integration of IT in the curriculum, the selection of the specific technology, the detailed plans for the IT infrastructure, the method of providing personnel support, and the allocation of financial resources. (Faculties) The Faculty regards this as a challenging issue, and an important one for our future. The Dean has established a fund to support the development of new IT teaching techniques. 5.3. Section 5.4 of the Vision Document. By end 1997: The work performed by academics getting involved in developing multimedia based teaching and learning tools will be considered useful and given proper consideration in terms of tenure and promotion. (University) Science Faculty is supportive of this development. A mutually agreeable resolution of issues surrounding the University's software commercialization policy may critical in getting professors involved in IT. 5.4. Section 5.4 of the Vision Document. By end 1997: Departmental computing labs will increasingly focus on specialized tools pertinent to their discipline and in providing services not easily accessible to students. (Depts). By 2000: Expecting that most students will come equipped with their own computers, software and other tools will be made available to ensure that student-owned computers can be used instead of university labs wherever feasible. (Depts/CC) These trends seem reasonable because students can increasingly manage general purpose computing on their own machines. The Faculty will keep this policy in mind when considering equipment requests from departments. The Faculty's Workgroup on Instructional Computing has annual survey data on the proportion of Freshman Science students with their own computers; it has increased to about 3/4. 5.5. Section 6.8 of the Vision Document. Academic units will: a. Provide students with necessary laboratory and workstation infrastructure, b. In shared planning and funding with central services, maintain an adequate complement of classrooms equipped for use of IT, c. be responsible for staffing the IT support functions necessary to make appropriate use of the computing infrastructure, counting on CC and ISR for expert advice, support, and training materials on standard tools and software. Section 7 of the Vision Document. As IT becomes more and more ubiquitous, Deans will increasingly be called to allocate financial resources in support of this evolving and important function. Section 7.5 of the Vision Document. Faculties provide in their budgets the necessary resources for ongoing maintenance of equipment and software, staffing of IT support positions, integration of IT into classrooms, and training of staff in use of IT. The Science Faculty already does a and b. As noted earlier, the Dean has established a fund to support the development of new IT teaching techniques. 5.6. Section 7.4 of the Vision Document. In support of teaching, Faculties will be expected to cover most of the cost of courses and course material. Through CC, CUTL, and ICC, McGill will make available the necessary specialized tools and expertise. Building on recent developments and private funds, McGill will set up a special budget in support of Faculty initiatives, using a budget leveraging approach. The Faculty is in agreement with this. 5.7. In the Appendix of the Vision Document, there is description of a seemingly interesting ISR project on communications between professors and their students (p. 26). It includes exchange of course notes, evaluation and feedback, textbook printing, electronic mark submission, and facility for distance education. Science Faculty would like to keep informed on this because it could impact on all the points covering IT in teaching. 6. Current and Future Developments 6.1. SUS InfoPoints One of the more promising recent developments is the SUS initiative on using student fees to purchase computers placed in strategic locations around the Faculty, perhaps to be linked to a central file server. Indeed, this has been the only fresh infusion of computing funds over the last two years. This is an initiative that should continue to be carefully nurtured and integrated with existing computing resources. There is considerable enthusiasm for this project, both from the students and the departments. 6.2. Distance Education Although there is no identifiable current need for remote computer access in Faculty of Science courses, the future may continue to bring significant changes. There may be further progress in distance education via the Internet, and Science Faculty would like to be a producer and a leader in this area, rather than merely a consumer or a disadvantaged competitor. 6.3 The Faculty's Web Presence The Dean of Science has launched an enquiry into whether the Faculty is adequately represented on the WWW. The FSCC will provide advice on Faculty guidelines for Web pages. Preliminary indications are that the Faculty is well represented on the WWW and that participation from Science professors and laboratories is rapidly increasing. Tom Shultz Faculty of Science Representative Senate Committee on Computing 2 December 1996