S-97-27 FACULTY OF SCIENCE Meeting of Faculty Tuesday, February 24, 1998 Leacock Council Room - L232 ATTENDANCE: As recorded in the Faculty Appendix Book. DOCUMENTS: S-97-21 to S-97-26 In the absence of Dean Shaver, Associate Dean de Takacsy called the meeting to order at 3:04 p.m. (1) RESOLUTION ON THE DEATH OF PROFESSOR JULIUS D. METRAKOS, DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY Prof. C. Fraser read a formal resolution on the death of Prof. Metrakos (Appendix C, attached to the permanent copy of the minutes). The resolution was passed unanimously. (2) CANDIDATES FOR DEGREES a) Bachelor of Science S-97-22 602.1 Associate Dean de Takacsy introduced Mr. D. Sedgwick, Chief Advisor, Student Affairs Office, to answer any questions. 602.2 Associate Dean de Takacsy said that there were 94 candidates recommended for the Bachelor of Science degree. Prof. GowriSankaran moved, seconded by Prof. Mucci, that the above candidates be recommended to the Senate Steering Committee for the Bachelor of Science degree. The motion carried. b) Diploma in Environmental Studies S-97-23 602.3 Associate Dean de Takacsy said that there was one candidate recommended for the Diploma in Environmental Studies. Prof. Barrette moved, seconded by Prof. Mucci, that the above candidate be recommended to the Senate Steering Committee for the Diploma in Environmental Studies. The motion carried. Prof. GowriSankaran further moved, seconded by Prof. Barrette, that the Dean be given discretionary power to make such changes in the degree list as would be necessary to prevent injustice. The motion carried. c) Diploma in Meteorology S-97-24 There were no students recommended for this diploma. (3) MINUTES OF JANUARY 27, 1998 S-97-21 Prof. Farrell moved, seconded by Prof. GowriSankaran, that the minutes be approved. The motion carried. (4) BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES Minute 504.6, Biology 177-453B 604.1 Associate Dean de Takacsy said that Biology 177-453B had not been approved at the last Faculty meeting. He said that this course and the other two relevant (Panama) courses (one Geography, and one Agricultural and Environmental Sciences course) would be presented at the next Academic Committee meeting, and then at a subsequent Faculty of Science meeting. Minutes 504.2 & 504.3, Ad Hoc Joint Major in Biology & Religious Studies (AC-97-72) 604.2 Having consulted with Prof. Farrell and Prof. Rigelhof, Associate Dean de Takacsy reported that Ms. Caroline Kim would graduate with a Major in Biology, and a Major in Religious Studies. The motion of approval from the last Faculty meeting would be interpreted as a motion to approve a Major in Religious Studies as a component of the BSc program for Ms. Kim. (5) ANNOUNCEMENTS 605.1 Associate Dean de Takacsy reported that the Distribution Credit Requirements in the Multi-track Programs had been abolished at the last Faculty of Arts meeting. Therefore, the Multi-track Programs consist only of Minor Concentrations and Major programs. Associate Dean de Takacsy said that the distribution courses would not appear in the Faculty of Arts' section of the 1998-99 Calendar. 605.2 Associate Dean de Takacsy announced that the Quinzaine des Sciences will take place on May 1-16,1998. This is a free-form operation coordinating many activities across the province. Possibly major laboratories could provide an open-house, in the context of operation 'megalab.' There will be a Fàte dÇs Polymäres. Anybody who has an idea or is willing to provide some sort of activity that is attractive to the general public, in particular children and high school students, and who is able to schedule it for that week, should contact the organizers. The Faculty would facilitate activities to the best of its ability. (6) REPORT OF COMMITTEE a) Academic Committee S-97-25 Academic Committee Meeting of January 20, 1998 REPORT ON MINOR COURSE CHANGES (AC-97-100) (for information) BIOLOGY 177-313B Structure and Function of Cells(AC-97-101) 3 credits Change: seminar hours 177-350A Insect Biology and Control(AC-97-102) 3 credits Change: course description 177-373A Biostatistical Analysis(AC-97-103) 3 credits Change: course description Prof. Kramer moved, seconded by Prof. Bell, that the above changes be approved. The motion carried. SCHOOL OF COMPUTER SCIENCE - BSc Major/Honours(AC-97-76) Prof. GowriSankaran moved, seconded by Prof. Mucci, that the changes to the above programs be approved. The motion carried. 308-202A/B Introduction to Computing I(AC-97-104) 3 credits Change: course description Prof. GowriSankaran moved, seconded by Prof. Barrette, that the above change be approved. The motion carried. PHYSICS - Joint Major in Atmospheric Sciences & Physics (Regular Program & Internship Option) (AC-97-105) Prof. Derome moved, seconded by Prof. Barrette, that the changes to the above programs be approved. The motion carried. - Physics Honours (AC-97-106) Prof. Barrette explained the reason for the change in the Physics Honours program. Prof. Barrette moved, seconded by Prof. GowriSankaran, that the above change be approved. The motion carried. GEOGRAPHY 183-203 Environmental Systems(AC-97-109) 3 credits Changes: title & course description 183-372 Running Water Environments(AC-97-110) Changes: title, pre/corequisite, & course description Prof. Moore moved, seconded by Prof. Pollard, that the changes be approved. The motion carried. Program Retirement: - BSc Joint Major in Geography & Environmental Sciences (AC-97-111) 606.1 Associate Dean de Takacsy said that all old Environmental Studies programs would be retired. Prof. Moore moved, seconded by Prof. Mucci, that the above program be retired. The motion carried. Academic Committee Meeting of February 10, 1998 BIOLOGY 177-462B Evolution of Life Histories (AC-97-112[Revised]) 3 credits Changes: course title & description Prof. Kramer moved, seconded by Prof. Bell, that the changes be approved. The motion carried. ARTS MINOR CONCENTRATIONS FOR SCIENCE STUDENTS - Canadian Ethnic Studies(AC-97-108) - Humanistic Studies(AC-97-115) - Philosophy(AC-97-116) - Social Studies of Medicine(AC-97-117) - Women's Studies(AC-97-118) Prof. Moore moved, seconded by Prof. Barrette, that the above Minor Concentrations for Science students be adopted. The motion carried. (7) DEAN'S BUSINESS There was no Dean's business. (8) REPORT: McGILL SCHOOL OF ENVIRONMENT(MSE) S-97-26 - Prof. Nigel Roulet 608.1 Prof. Roulet highlighted the main points of the MSE document (S-97-26). The Report was adopted unanimously. 608.2 On behalf of the Faculty of Science, NRCP & APPC, Associate Dean de Takacsy thanked Prof. Roulet for the excellent work. (9) MEMBERS' QUESTION PERIOD There were no questions. (10) REPORT ON ACTIONS OF SENATE* Prof. GowriSankaran - Senate Meeting of February 4, 1997. At the outset, the Principal announced that he will have to leave at 4 p.m. to catch a flight out of Dorval and that V.-P. Chan will take the chair after that. He also apologised for cancelling the meeting of the Senate scheduled for January 21,1998. He added that the closure of the University caused as a result of the ice-storm did not leave enough time to prepare and send out documents to enable such a meeting to be held. 1. There was a resolution on the death of Professor William M. Telford presented by Dean Dealy. 2. There was a resolution on the death of Professor Gerald Danovitch presented by Dean Lawton. 3. The Senate adopted the Steering Committee Report, which in particular authorised speaking rights to Prof. Nigel Roulet. 4. There were three motions by Anna Kruzynski (V.-P. PGSS) (i) Be it resolved that the Senate of McGill University support, in principle, the students in Quebec who will be fighting for accessible publicly- funded education on February 11,1998, and join them in condemning federal cutbacks to transfer payments, and resultant provincial cutback to education. (ii) Be it resolved that the Senate recommend to the Board of Governors that students receiving salaries or financial aid in the form of teaching assistantships and research assistantships, not be financially penalized for failure to work on February 11, 1998. (iii) Be it resolved that the faculty treat participation in the February 11,1998 day of action as grounds for academic concession. Be it further resolved that the faculty be encouraged to reschedule any exams, quizzes, and mandatory assignments for February 11,1998. The first one was passed but the other two were voted down. 5. (A) The APPC (V.-P. Chan) presented several of the Faculty of Arts Multi-track program proposals. These were passed. 5. (B) On behalf of the APPC, Vice-Principal Chan proposed the adoption of the establishment of the McGill School of Environment. (Seconded by Dean Shaver). Dean Dealy proposed an amendment to refer the report back to the APPC, citing the 'lack of real consultation with the Engineering Faculty'. There was a lot of discussion. Dean Dealy and Prof. Vera spoke on behalf of the amendment. Opposing the amendment, a number of senators, including Professors Farrell, de Tacksay, Shaver, Buszard, Noumoff, Roulet and myself, presented their interventions. Finally, on the suggestion of V.-P. Chan, Dean Dealy agreed to withdraw the amendment and substitute it with a motion which mandated the MSE to consult with all the interested faculties. The motion carried. Then V.-P. Chan presented the various Major and Minor programs of the Faculties concerned with the MSE, and these were approved by the Senate. At this point Principal Shapiro left the meeting and V.- P. Chan assumed the chair. 6. Dean R. Jukier presented the 1995-96 and 1996-97 annual report of the Committee on Student Discipline. She also presented the 1996-97 annual report of the Committee on Student Affairs. 7. Professor Rigelhof presented a report from the University Committee on Scholarships and Student Aid covering the period May - December 1997. 8. On a motion proposed by Dean Buszard, Senate voted to extend its thanks to the individuals who worked to put together the proposals leading to the establishment of the MSE, in particular Professor Nigel Roulet, staff, and students of the three Faculties who participated in workshops, and the Executive Committee, which, through its untiring efforts, made the idea a reality. The Meeting adjourned about 4:40 p.m. *Senate documents are available in the Dean's Secretariat for consultation. (11) OTHER BUSINESS Their being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:35 p.m. usr\josie\facsci\fmn7ff