Senate Minutes - January 31, 2000

The University Senate met on January 31, 2000, at 3pm in Tweedie Hall, I. Newbould in the chair.
Present:
I. Newbould, R. Summerby-Murray, D. Cameron, N. Grant, P. Baker, P. Ennals, I. Cohen, B.A. Miller, J.-G. Godin, K. Hamer, M. McCullough, S. Lochhead, T. Craig, G. DeBenedetti, R. Wehrell, R. Aiken, R. Beattie, M. Blagrave, P. Bryden, B. Campbell, E. Dawe, J. Houtsma, B. McNally, A. Nurse, N. Ralph, B. Robertson, J. Stewart, C. Storm, P. Varma, J. Weiss, C. Wiktorowicz, L. Cameron, C. Cohoon, N.J. MacPhee, B. Mallory, S. Melanson, J. Hollett, A. Deb, C. Hayward.

00.1.1 Approval of Agenda
With items 8 through 11 of the circulated agenda being moved up the order to appear after item 4, the agenda was approved.

00.1.2 Approval of Minutes of Meeting of 25 November 1999
Moved by R. Aiken, seconded by J. Weiss, that the minutes of 25 November 1999 be approved as circulated.

00.1.5 Report of the Committee on Academic Matters
P. Ennals noted that the Registrar was absent through illness and introduced the recommendations of the committee. These are listed as follows by department.

Biology
J.-G. Godin moved, seconded by R. Aiken, that the recommended changes for Biology noted below be adopted.

Biology 5101 - Graduate Studies in Biology I
Biology 5111 - Graduate Studies in Biology II
Biology 5201 - Graduate Studies in Biology III
Biology 5211 - Graduate Studies in Biology IV
b) that the first sentence of Regulation 7.24.4 be changed to the following:
A research programme, a thesis based on this research, and at least four three credit graduate courses must be completed by all candidates.
c) that the following Biology courses be deleted:
Biology 3301, 4501, 4601 and 4801
d) that the following new Biology courses be approved:
3021 PALEONTOLOGY
Life on Earth did not always exist in the form we know today. Both physical and biological aspects of the environment have changed repeatedly and dramatically over time. This course will provide an overview of the major fossil plant and animal taxa in the context of history of life on Earth. Morphology and anatomy of organisms will be discussed in relation to accompanying changes in marine and terrestrial environments. The diagnostic features of the organisms used as time (biostratigraphy) and/or environmental (paleoecology) indicators will be emphasized when appropriate. We will discuss both macroscopic and microscopic forms of life.

3361 MARINE BIOLOGY I: COASTAL SYSTEMS
Estuarine, intertidal and subtidal ecosystems exist at the interface of marine and terrestrial environments. In this course, students will study the ecology of these systems at the individual, population and community level. Topics will include community structure, food webs, reproductive biology of benthic organisms, effects of physical and anthropogenic factors. The course will involve a field trip to the Huntsman Marine Sciences Centre in St. Andrews, N.J. Students will be expected to contribute to their accommodation costs.

Prereq.: Biology 2101, 2301, 2401; or permission of the Department. Credit cannot be obtained for both Biology 3301 and 3361.

3371 MARINE BIOLOGY II: OPEN OCEAN
Two-thirds of the Earth surface is occupied by pelagic environment of an approximate mean depth of 3700 metres, the open ocean. The evolution of the oceanic basins and the physical and chemical properties of their waters will be discussed in the context of their biological significance. Emphasis will be placed on functioning of major ecological groups (plankton, nekton and benthos) and on processes controlling their interactions. The course will involve a field trip to the Huntsman Marine Science Centre at St. Andrews where students will study populations and communities of local plankton, nekton and benthos. Students will be expected to contribute to their accommodation costs.

Prereq.: Biology 2101, 2301, 2401; or permission of the Department. Credit cannot be obtained for both Biology 3301 and 3371.

3611 MAMMALOGY
Mammals are a successful and diverse group of vertebrates which have long been of cultural, economic and scientific interest to humans. This course will outline the evolution, radiation and biogeography of mammals, followed by a detailed examination of all extant mammalian orders. A strong emphasis of the course will be the biology, ecology and conservation of North American mammals, however, students will also gain an appreciation for the world-wide diversity of mammals, their life history strategies, and related conservation issues.

4141 MYCOLOGY
The course will give an overview of true Fungi (Ascomycetes, Basidiomycetes, Zygomycetes and Chytridiomycetes), and of the fungus-like Oomycetes, Structure/function relationships will be emphasized, as well as the significance of the various groups in ecology, medicine, plant disease and their use in industry.

4151 VIROLOGY
This is an introductory course on virology that will cover the fundamental features of animal, bacterial, and plan viruses. Lectures will cover the biochemical and genetic features of viral structure and replication, techniques used in studying viruses, the evolution of viruses, cell defense against viruses, the history of viruses as the casual agents of animal and plant disease, and current antiviral strategies. The role of viruses as agents of evolutionary change, and their use in modern molecular genetics will be also be discussed.

Prereq.: Biology 2601, 3101 (Bio 3101 may also be taken as a co-requisite): or permission of the Department.

4211 ENDOCRINOLOGY
This is a course that will cover vertebrate hormone systems generally although some aspects of invertebrate systems may be examined. Lectures and seminars will discuss hormone synthesis, control of secretion, modes of secretion and general mechanisms of action. Also, specific hormone systems such as the hypothalamus-pituitary axis, renin-angiotensin system, pituitary-adrenal axis etc., will be examined.

4371 ADVANCED MARINE SCIENCE
This course provides students who are seriously interested in marine science with an opportunity of in depth study of selected topics from the most progressive areas of marine science. Depending on student interests all or some of the following areas will be addressed: advances in biological, geological, chemical and physical oceanography and methodology (e.g. application of remote technology in marine exploration, ultra-clean methods of measuring trace nutrients). Emphasis will be placed on specific topics whose progress carries global significance and may include, ocean/atmosphere interactions, sustainable fisheries, integrative aquaculture, marine ecological engineering, etc.

4711 ADVANCED BIOMETRICS
This course deals with the collection and analysis of biological data. Throughout the course, the model-comparison approach will be used, using both parametric and non-parametric techniques. The different approaches to hypothesis testing as developed by Fisher, Neyman-Pearson and Bayes, simple power calculations and an introduction to computer-intensive methods (Monte Carlo, Bootstrap, etc.) will be presented. Examples discussed during lectures or assignments will be analyzed with SYSTAT and Resampling Stats. Both programs will be available on Maclab computers. The course is intended for students who have taken an introductory course in statistics, and who are familiar with the basic assumptions of classical statistical analysis. The range of topics covered depends to some extent on the interest and experience of the participants.

i) change the line reading '6 from Biology 3011, etc.' to read:
6 from Group I Biology courses (Biology 3011, 3331, 3341, 3361, 3371, 3401, 3551, 3711, 3801, 4001, 4101, 4371, and 4701)
ii) change the line reading '6 from Biology 3111, etc.' to read:
6 from Group II Biology courses (Biology 3111, 3201, 3211, 3311, 3901, 3941, 4201, 4211, 4301, Biochemistry 3501, 3531, 4521, 4541, 4551, Psychology 3051, 4051.
iii) change the line reading '6 from Biology 3101, etc.' to read:
6 from Group III Biology courses (Biology 3021, 3101, 3351, 3411, 3451, 3501, 3611, 3651, 3751, 4141, 4151, 4511).
f) the following pre-requisite changes:
i) Biology 3351 - change to: Biology 2301 and one of 3361 or 3371; or permission of the Department.
ii) Biology 4701 - change to: Biology 2101, 2401 and one of 3361 or 3371; or permission of the Department.
g) that the second line of the Biology listings in the Natural Sciences Stream section of the Major in Environmental Science be changed to the following:
9 from Biology 3331, 3341, 3351, 3361, 3371, 3551, 3711, 4001, 4701 or other Group I or Group III Biology courses with permission of the Department.
Discussion noted that these changes reflected the deletion of courses that were no longer taught due to changes in faculty, the addition of new courses to better reflect existing teaching and research strengths, particularly where topics covered by these courses had been included formerly under the 'special topics' rubric, and various pre-requisite adjustments. On question called, the motion
CARRIED.
English
K. Hamer, seconded M. McCullough, moved that the recommended changes noted below for the English programme be adopted.

(3 credits each chosen from at least five of the eleven Subject Areas listed below; at least 9 credits overall must be chosen from the four Subject Areas prior to 1800 - that is from the 18th Century, the 17th Century, the Renaissance, and the Medieval periods.)

3751 POST-COLONIAL AFRICAN LITERATURE
This course examines African literature in English from 1950, covering the novel, drama, and poetry, relating the literature to both Post-Colonial theory and to the historical developments in African politics and cultures.

Prereq.: 6 credits of English at the 2000 level; or permission of the Department.

3761 LITERATURES OF AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND, AND THE SOUTH PACIFIC
This course traces the development from their beginnings in the 1800's of the literatures of Australia and New Zealand, and introduces the more recent literature from the South Pacific island states.

Prereq.: 6 credits of English at the 2000 level; or permission of the Department.

3771 CARIBBEAN LITERATURE
This course offers an introduction to the literature of the Carribean Islands since 1945.

Prereq.: 6 credits of English at the 2000 level; or permission of the Department.

3781 THE LITERATURE OF INDIA AND SOUTH-EAST ASIA
This course examines 20th century literature of India and S.E. Asia against the history of the various independence movements and other ideological movements important to the cultures of the area.

Prereq.: 6 credits of English at the 2000 level; or permission of the Department.

In discussion, S. Lochhead asked whether the issue of scheduling these courses had been raised with the Department of English. K. Hamer replied that the department was proposing to teach the courses in rotation beginning in the next academic year. On question put, the motion

CARRIED.
Geography
P. Baker, seconded P. Ennals, moved that the recommended changes to the Geography programme noted below be adopted.

3101 ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT
This course will examine and synthesize current thinking on environment and development. Topics may include: rural land use change, forest management, community-based conservation, sustainable development, trade and environment, and the role of multi-lateral development banks and international environmental agreements.

b) approval of the following revised title, description and pre-requisite for Geography 4811:

4811 - GENDER, CULTURE AND THE CITY
In this course, students will examine the relationship between socially constructed gender relations and the nature and form of urban areas. We will consider how the production of urban space is shaped by social and cultural categories and historical processes, how we shape it and in turn are shaped by it.

6 from Geography at the 3/4000 level, chosen in consultation with the Programme Advisor

d) that the Geography listings in the final section of the Minor in Environmental Studies be changed to:

e) that the Geography listings in the final section of the Major in Environmental Studies be changed to:

f) that the Geography listing under the Natural Sciences Stream of the Major in Environmental Science be changed to:

J.-G. Godin, seconded B.A. Miller, moved that recommendations for changes in the Mathematics and Computer Science programme be approved, as below.

3141 VECTOR CALCULUS
Topics covered include vectors in the plane and in three space, vector functions, curves, tangent and normal vectors, velocity and acceleration; curvature and arc length, directional derivatives and the gradient, vector fields, line integrals; the Fundamental Theorem of line integrals, divergence and curl, Green's Theorem, parametrized surfaces, surface area and surface integrals; flux, Stokes' Theorem, and the Divergence Theorem.

4911 COMPUTER NETWORKS
An introduction to computer network applications and design. Topics will include: layered models, data transmission protocols, network topology, and security.

Prereq.: Computer Science 2611, 2911, and 3 credits from Computer Science at the 3/4000 level; or permission of the Department.

2111 MULTIVARIABLE CALCULUS
Topics include: Sequences and series, power series, Taylor and MacLaurin series; conic sections, quadric surfaces, cylindrical and spherical coordinates in three space; functions of several variables: continuity, partial derivatives, tangent planes, chain rule, maximum and minimum values, Lagrange multipliers, double and triple integrals.

2121 ELEMENTARY DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
This is an introduction to the techniques and applications of first and second order differential equations. Included will be: applications of first order equations to areas such as growth and decay, cooling and diffusion, mixture problems, chemical reactions, the logistic equation, orthogonal trajectories; higher order differential equations and applications, and power series solutions of differential equations.

e) That the following revised Honours programme in Mathematics and Physics be approved:

18 from Mathematics 1111, 1121, 2111, 2121, 2211, 2221
3 from Computer Science 1711
6 from Chemistry 1001, 1021
12 from Physics 1051, 1551, 2251, 3701
9 from Mathematics 3111, 3211, 3311
9 from Mathematics 3131, 3141, 4131
6 from Mathematics 3121, 3151, 3231, 3321, 3411, 3431, 3531, 4111, 4151, 4211
15 from Physics 3101, 3201, 3401, 3811, 3821
3 from Physics at the 4000 level
6 from Physics 4990

In discussion, I. Newbould noted that the term 'engineering' may have fewer restrictions on its use in the future as a result of a recent court decision involving Memorial University of Newfoundland. D. Cameron asked for clarification whether students could take Mathematics 3141 if they had already taken the former Mathematics 2111. B.A. Miller and J.-G. Godin noted that a rider should be added to the descriptions for Mathematics 3141 and 2111 respectively noting that students could not get credit for Mathematics 3141 if they had taken the former Mathematics 2111, and that student could not get credit for the new Mathematics 2111 if they had already taken the previous 2111. On question called, the motion

Chemistry
J.-G. Godin, seconded P. Ennals, moved that the recommendations for changes to the Chemistry programme be approved, as follows:

i). Under the Major in Chemistry (P.43 Calendar) in line two, Math 2121 should be replaced by Math. 2111.
ii) Under the Honours in Chemistry (P. 43 Calendar) in line one, Math. 2111 should be replaced by 2121.
iii) Under the course description for Chemistry 3211 (P. 44 Calendar), the prerequisite of Math. 2121 should be removed.
iv) Under the course description for Chemistry 3221 (P. 44 Calendar), the prerequisite of Math. 2121 should be removed.
v) Under the course description for Chemistry 4201 (P.45 Calendar), the prerequisite of Math. 2121 should be removed.
b) That the Minor should read:
MINOR in Chemistry is 24 credits earned as follows:

6 from Chemistry 1001, 1021
3 from Mathematics 1111
9 from Chemistry at the 2000 level*
6 from Chemistry at the 3000/4000 level

*Where insufficient Chemistry courses are available at the 2000 level to fulfill this requirement, Chemistry courses at the 3000/4000 level may be substituted.

CARRIED.
Physics
J.-G. Godin, seconded P. Varma, moved that the recommendations for changes to the Physics programme be approved, as follows:

a) That the Mathematics requirements for the Physics Major be altered to replace Mathematics 2221 with Mathematics 3141. The new Physics Major requirements will be:

6 credits from Mathematics 2221, 3131
3 credits from Mathematics 3221, 3411, 3431, 4131, 4151

The prerequisite for Physics 3101 should be changed from Mathematics 2111 to Mathematics 3141.
The prerequisite for Physics 3601 should be changed from Mathematics 2111 (co-registration) to Mathematics 1121.
The prerequisite for Physics 3811 should be changed from Mathematics 2121 to Mathematics 2121 (co-registration).
The prerequisite for Physics 4601 should be changed from Physics 3311 to Physics 2801.
The prerequisite of Geoscience 2201/Physics 2201 should be dropped for Physics 4201.
d) That the following course be dropped:
Physics 3961 - Linear Network Analysis should be dropped as it has not been offered in the past many years and there is no expectation of offering it in the near future. It does not fit into the present Physics program.

Physics 4201 - Solids - should be given the new name of Physics 4201 - Solid State Physics.
Physics 3511 - Applications of Physics in Life Sciences I - should be given the new name of Physics 3511 - Physics Applications in Life Sciences.
Physics 3521 - Applications of Physics in Life Sciences II - should be named Physics 3521 - Bio-Sensory Physics.
f) That the following course description be changed:
In the calendar description of Physics 3701 remove the word 'engineering' from "...engineering problems..." and change the sentence to read: "The objective of the course is to develop a clear and broad understanding of the First and Second Law of Thermodynamics, with application to a wide range of problems."

2801 - COMPUTING TECHNIQUES FOR SCIENTISTS
This experimentally oriented course is designed to give the students an exposure to the techniques and software tools that can assist them in using computers to enhance their work throughout a Science curriculum. Basic methodology for data manipulation is introduced (error analysis, statistical analysis of data, linear regression, graphing, Fourier transform techniques), as are aspects of simulation, digitization, interfacing and data acquisition, digital image analysis and presentation.

Note: This course is required for a Physics Honours or Majors degree (and should be considered for joint Mathematics/Physics Honours). Physics 2801 cannot be counted toward the requirement of one full credit in Physics for the general Bachelor of Science degree requirements. Physics 2801 and Computer Science 1851 cannot both be taken for credit.

CARRIED.
00.1.6 Report from Joint Board-Senate Committee on Honorary Degrees
I. Newbould outlined the process by which the Committee determined its recommendations for Honorary Degree recipients and circulated written recommendations and ballots to Senators only, stressing the confidential nature of these recommendations and noting that associate members of Senate did not have voting privileges on this item. By ballot, six names were added to the pool of potential candidates. (These names and subsequent discussion are contained in a confidential appendix (Appendix 1) to the file copy of these minutes.)

00.1.7 Report of the Advisory Committee on Emeriti Appointments
P. Ennals presented this report, noting the criteria. Four names were recommended to Senate. Following a ballot, Professors David Beattie, Roger Calkins, Douglas Grant, Colin Patterson were all approved by Senate for recommendation to the Board for the honour of Professor Emeritus. (Further discussion and questions of voting procedure are contained in a confidential appendix (Appendix 2) to the file copy of these minutes.)

00.1.8 Report from Committee on International Exchanges
P. Baker, seconded P. Ennals, moved approval in principle of exchanges with Mid-Sweden University and Murdoch University in Australia. R. Aiken asked why Murdoch was chosen over the University of Western Australia. J. Hollett replied that the University of Western Australia was a large institution with many exchanges while Murdoch was looking for Canadian partners and had active exchange opportunities. Several Senators requested further information on these and Mount Allison's other exchange programmes, while others expressed concerns with the impacts of exchange experiences on students' programmes, including the meeting of pre-requisites and the fulfilling of honours requirements. P. Baker responded that the Committee will assemble summary information and noted that the successful operation of exchanges required flexibility in a number of areas. On question called, the motion

CARRIED.
00.1.9 Report from Faculty Council
B.A. Miller provided an overview of the recent Faculty Council meeting (Report attached to file copy as Appendix 3). I. Newbould noted that there are further meetings of Faculty Council being held to consider issues raised during the Strategic Planning process.

00.1.10 Calendar for 2000/2001
P. Ennals outlined the proposed Calendar for 2000/2001, noting that the proposal responded to concerns raised at Faculty Council and with the Student Life Committee of the Board and that a wide consultation was necessary to accommodate the various interest groups involved. It was noted that Senate has not in the past set guidelines on the number of teaching days, hours of contact in a course etc. Further information on other relevant aspects of the university's operations such as food services and residences were presented. Considerable discussion took place on the number of teaching days in the proposed calendar with some Senators arguing that the proposal would reduce the number of available teaching days to 120, down from a recent average of 123. Other concerns included student travel arrangements at the beginning and ending of term, beginning term on Labour Day, changes in the Orientation schedule, pedagogical issues and the academic integrity of the term. C. Hayward applauded the efforts of P. Ennals in consulting widely on this issue and spoke to student concerns with the proposed schedule. On the Students' Administrative Council's behalf, a counter-proposal was circulated for information and C. Hayward urged Senate to develop a formal motion of recommendation on this issue so that academic issues would be given priority in this process.

J. Houtsma, seconded G. DeBenedetti, moved that Senate recommend to the senior administration the scheduling of 62 and 63 teaching days respectively for the academic terms between September and April.

A. Nurse asked when the calendar needs to be finalised and P. Ennals noted that there was some urgency to move forward with this. Subsequent discussion of the motion noted the need for approximately equal length terms, the importance of wide consultation, and the abilities of Senate to recommend on this issue. I. Newbould noted that the latter point went well beyond the motion under discussion. On quorum being called and found to be lost, the meeting adjourned at 5:30pm.

R. Summerby-Murray undertook to write to C. Hunter expressing Senate's condolences on the passing of his mother.