YORK UNIVERSITY
FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES
Meeting of Council
Minutes
Thursday, February 4, 2010
3:00 p.m.
N940 Ross Building
Present: A. Ainsworth, C. Archer, E. Batdorf, A. Bunting (Vice-Chair), D. Callison, B. Crow, K. Cyrus, C. Dawson, D. Freake, W. Gage, A. Gordon, M. Guadagnoli-Closs, T. Haas, N. Harron, S. Jackson, M. Jenkin (Chair), J. Koh, S. Kwon, V. Lean, B. Lightman, M. Lockshin, K. McRoberts, B. Meisner, S. Meyer, J. Millar, I. Molnar, I. Mosby, J. Mounsteven, D. Murray, D.M. Peers (Dean), R. Perin, T. Pikula, H. Rollman, E. Ross, S. Schecter, M.M. Schiff (Assistant Secretary of Council), R. Schuller, J. Steigerwald, P. Steinersen, S. Strelchik, R. Sufana, P. Tonin (Academic Affairs Officer), A. Topol, P. Vergados, B. Washburn, A. Weiss (Associate Dean), M. Zryd
Guest: N.S. Fisher-Stitt, S. Levesque, B. Poser
Regrets: Y. Elgammal, J. Ippolito, J. Judge, H.I. Macdonald, R. O’Neill, W. Tholen, G. Tourlakis, B. Tran, M. Walton, R. Weisman, J. Zemans
1. Welcome and Chair’s Remarks
Chair Michael Jenkin welcomed members of Council to the meeting.
2. Minutes of Previous Meeting (January 7, 2010)
3. Business Arising from the Minutes
4. Presentations
York-TD Community Engagement Centre
(Guests: Assistant Vice-President (Learning Initiatives) Norma Sue Fisher-Stitt and Sue Levesque)
Assistant Vice-President (Learning Initiatives) Norma Sue Fisher-Stitt introduced Sue Levesque, Executive Director of the York University-TD Community Engagement Centre. Ms Levesque reviewed the nature and mandate of the Centre, located at Yorkgate Mall, and informed Council about opportunities for involvement. The Centre provides contact with the Jane-Finch community and the Black Creek catchment area. In some years, the Centre sees over 12,000 visitors. Means by which to get involved include joining a committee or working group, giving a talk and designing a student engagement complement for a course.
http://www.yorku.ca/grads/council/February‑2010/4‑1‑communityengagementcentre‑council‑february04‑2010.ppt
Atkinson Centre for Mature & Part Time Students
(Guests: Assistant Vice-President (Learning Initiatives) Norma Sue Fisher Stitt and Brian Poser)
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Brian Poser, Associate Director of the Atkinson Centre for Mature & Part-Time Students, spoke to Council about the Centre’s initiatives and activities, and reviewed the importance and ubiquity of the Centre’s student base. He spoke about a “continuous pathway of support” for mature and part-time students, including orientation, mentoring and workshops.
http://www.yorku.ca/grads/council/February‑2010/4‑2‑atkinsonmatureparttime‑council‑february04‑2010.ppt
5. Dean’s Remarks
i) White Paper
Dean Douglas Peers spoke about the White Paper process in advance of related fora in March 2010, encouraging participation by members of Council.
ii) International Students
Dean Peers reported about efforts continue to increase international student enrolment and to seek more funding opportunities for them.
iii) Funding
The Dean reviewed several years of funding policy at York University and in Ontario. He noted that efforts to provide funding through an ‘equity model’ had failed to meet the needs and demands of students and researchers. Furthermore, funding was not in many cases being allocated equitably, with exceptions and variations becoming commonplace. Applications for external awards fell as funds were clawed back from guaranteed York funding. Donations fell. Researchers hired elsewhere. Therefore, new funding models are under consideration. Programs will have greater flexibility to decide how to allocate funds to new students.
iv) Budget
Dean Peers reported that despite a 3.5% budget cut, FGS has not reduced student support.
Questions
In response to questions, the Dean elaborated on changes to graduate student funding, stressing that decisions about the allocation of funds to new students would be handled by programs. Existing university commitments remain. In reply to a question about the CUPE 3903 contract minimum guarantee provision, Dean Peers noted that this funding might be expanded with research funds or scholarships. Finally, he noted that the new funding model, once approved, would be phased in among programs over time.
6. Proposed New Dual Degree
Approved by FGS Academic Planning & Policy Committee’s Academic Affairs Subcommittee December 14, 2009 and by the FGS Academic Planning & Policy Committee on January 20, 2010
* * * F o r A p p r o v a l * * *
Graduate Program in Public & International Affairs and ALORE major, Institut d’Études Politiques, Université de Strasbourg
(Ken McRoberts, Principal, Glendon College; Roberto Perin, Director, Graduate Program in Public & International Affairs)
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Graduate program director Roberto Perin introduced this item to Council, noting that dual degrees are becoming more prevalent at European universities. He stated that students in the new program of study would study one year at York and one in Strasbourg, the seat of the European parliament, for exposure to varied cultural and learning environments, dealing in part with European institutions and questions with a comparative approach. It was moved, seconded and CARRIED, unanimously,
“that the new dual degree proposed by the Graduate Program in Public & International Affairs (Faculty of Graduate Studies) be APPROVED,”
7. Proposed Change in Name of Master’s Program
Approved by FGS Academic Planning & Policy Committee’s Academic Affairs Subcommittee January 6, 2010 and by the FGS Academic Planning & Policy Committee on January 20, 2010
from Master’s Program in Film to Master’s Program in Cinema & Media Studies
Change in name of program
Change in name of courses
Graduate Program Director Michael Zryd spoke briefly about this change in nomenclature. It was then moved, seconded and CARRIED, unanimously,
“that the name changes proposed by the Graduate Program in Film (Faculty of Graduate Studies) be APPROVED.”
8. Changes in Degree Requirements
Approved by FGS Academic Planning & Policy Committee’s Academic Affairs Subcommittee December 14, 2009 and by the FGS Academic Planning & Policy Committee on January 20, 2010
* * * F o r A p p r o v a l * * *
a) Graduate Program in Biology
Change in Degree Requirements
Change in course requirements from 3 required credits in core courses and 3 credits in electives, to 6 credits in core courses (MSc and PhD)
It was moved, seconded and CARRIED, unanimously,
“that the degree requirement changes proposed by the Graduate Program in Biology (Faculty of Graduate Studies) be APPROVED.”
b) Graduate Program in Dance (MFA)
Change in Degree Requirements
Change in course requirements adding option of creative study course
New Course Proposal
Dance 5260 3.0: “Dance Video and Intermedial Performance”
It was noted that a new faculty member with expertise in design and multimedia had joined the program. It was moved, seconded and CARRIED, unanimously,
“that the degree requirement changes proposed by the Graduate Program in Dance (Faculty of Graduate Studies) be APPROVED.”
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c) Graduate Program in Film
Change to replace 7000-level dissertation seminar Film 6220 3.0: “Methods and Research in Cinema and Media Studies” requirement [formerly Film 5220 3.0]
d) Graduate Program in Law
Part-Time Professional Development Program
Accelerated LLM option (General LLM Sub-specialization)
This proposed change provides for study in the General LLM Sub-specialization so that it may be completed in three terms rather than six, with no change in curriculum requirements. It was moved, seconded and CARRIED, unanimously,
“that the degree requirement changes proposed by the Graduate Program in Law (Part-Time Professional Development Program General LLM) (Faculty of Graduate Studies) be APPROVED.
9. Curricular Changes
Approved by Assistant Secretary of Council M. Michael Schiff and received for information by the FGS Academic Planning & Policy Committee’s Academic Affairs Subcommittee on December 14, 2009 and by the FGS Academic Planning & Policy Committee on January 20, 2010
Members of Council were invited to view these documents in the FGS Council office. The curriculum changes were received for information..
* * * F o r I n f o r m a t i o n * * *
a) Graduate Program in Art History
Change in Course Title
Art History 5190 3.0: from “Apprenticeship I” to “Internship”
b) Graduate Program in Biology
New Course Proposals
Biology 5034 1.5: “Molecular Plant Virology”/Prerequisites: Undergraduate courses in biochemistry and cell biology and permission from the course director
Biology 5065 1.5: “Molecular and Cellular Biology of Circadian Rhythms”
Biology 5087 1.5: “Invasion and Community Ecology”
Biology 5128 1.5: “Current Topics in Comparative and Integrative Animal Physiology”
Biology 5145 1.5: “Physiology of Circadian Timekeeping”
Biology 5335 1.5: "Microbial Phylogenetics and Evolution"
Changes in Course Descriptions [add or remove “core”]
Biology 5081 3.0: “Introduction to Biostatistics”
Biology 5146 3.0: “Fundamentals of Neuroscience I: Structures, Neurons, and Synapses”/Prerequisite: undergraduate course in neuroscience or equivalent or by permission of course director/Same as Kinesiology & Health Science 6155 3.0 and Psychology 6257 3.0 [Word core added in Biology program description and statement that Core course for Neuroscience Diploma students only]
Biology 5221B 1.5: “Phylogenetics”
Biology 5086A 1.5: “Critical Skills in Ecology and Evolution”
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Biology 5130 3.0: “Cardiovascular Systems in Health and Exercise”/Same as Kinesiology & Health Science 6300 3.0/Prerequisite: York undergraduate course Arts/Science Kinesiology & Health Science 4010 3.0: Physiology of Exercise or equivalent/Students may not also receive credit for Kinesiology & Health Science 4450 3.0
Biology 5131 3.0: “Molecular Basis of Muscle Physiology”/Same as Kinesiology & Health Science 6351 3.0
Biology 5132 3.0: “Advanced Respiratory Physiology in Health and Exercise”/Same as Kinesiology & Health Science 6310 3.0
Biology 5133 3.0: “Neuromuscular Physiology”/Same as Kinesiology & Health Science 6350 3.0/Prerequisite: An introductory course in mammalian physiology is required. Courses in exercise, muscle and neurophysiology are recommended
Biology 5134 3.0: “Vascular Biology in Health and Disease”/Same as Kinesiology & Health Science 6301 3.0
Biology 5128 3.0: “Regulatory Principles in Animal Biology‑Homeostasis ”
Biology 5126 3.0: “Physiology of Vision and Neural Processing”
Course Deletions
Biology 5035 3.0: “Reproduction”/Students may not also receive credit for Biology 4270 3.0
Biology 5051 3.0: “Membrane Transport”/Prerequisites: undergraduate courses in cell biology and biochemistry, advanced biochemistry and nucleic acid metabolism are strongly recommended/Students may not also receive credit for Biology 4151 3.0 & Biochemistry 4151 3.0
Biology 5052 3.0: “Cell and Molecular Biology of Development”/Integrated with the undergraduate course Science Biology 4061 3.0.
Biology 5061 3.0: “Mechanisms of Muscle Contraction and Cell Motility”
Biology 5064 3.0: “Current Topics and Methods in Cell Biology”/Prerequisites: Science Biology 2020 4.0; Biology 2021 4.0; or equivalent/Students may not also receive credit for Biology 5061 3.0 from Fall/Winter 2002-2003 only/Integrated with the undergraduate course Science Biology 4141 3.0
Biology 5086 3.0: Current Topics in Population Biology, Ecology and Evolution” [replaced by new course proposal for Biology 5086A 1.5]
Biology 5096 3.0: “Pollutants, Invaders and Global Change”/Prerequisite: undergraduate courses in ecology and biostatistics/Students may not also receive credit for Biology 4265 3.0
Biology 5036 3.0: “Bioanalytical Chemistry”/Same as Chemistry 5250 3.0/Integrated with the undergraduate course Science Chemistry 4050 3.0 and Biology 4051 3.0
Biology 5092 3.0: “Entomology”/Integrated with the undergraduate course Biology 4230 3.0
Biology 5099 3.0: “Applied Plant Ecology”/Integrated with the undergraduate course Science Biology 4095 3.0
Biology 5119 3.0: “Parasitology”/Integrated with the undergraduate course ScienceBiology 4360 3.0
Biology 5124 3.0: “Vertebrate Endocrinology”/Students may not also receive credit for Biology 4320 3.0
Biology 5127 3.0: “Physiology of Animal Movement”
Biology 5129 3.0: “Neurobiology”/Integrated with the undergraduate course Science Biology 4370 3.0/Prerequisites: Undergraduate introductory courses in molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry and animal physiology
Biology 5140 3.0: “Fish Biology”
Biology 5145 3.0: “Biological Timekeeping”/Integrated with the undergraduate course ScienceBiology 4310 3.0
Biology 5221 3.0: “Plant Evolution/Students may not also receive credit for Biology 4130 3.0
Biology 5333 3.0: “Origins and Development of Biological Theories”/Same as Philosophy 5230 3.0/Integrated with the undergraduate course Biology 4300 3.0
Biology 5128 3.0: “Regulatory Principles in Animal Biology-Homeostasis”
Biology 5034 3.0: “Molecular Plant Virology/” Prerequisites: undergraduate courses in biochemistry and cell biology
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Biology 5135 3.0: Spatially Coordinated Behaviour/Prerequisites: undergraduate courses in perception, motor control, or systems neuroscience/Same as Psychology 6260A 3.0 and Kinesiology & Health Science 6160 3.0
Biology 5021A 1.5, 5023 3.0, 5031 3.0, 5032 3.0, 5112A 1.5, 5113A 1.5, 5116 3.0, 5121 3.0, 5221B 1.5, 5222 3.0, 5331B 1.5, 5334 3.0
c) Graduate Program in Business Administration
New Course Proposals
Entrepreneurship 6635 3.0: “International Entrepreneurship”
Change in Course Title
Health Management 6150 3.0: from “Financial and Managerial Control Systems in Health Care Organizations” to “Performance Indicators and Evaluation in the Health Care Industry”
d) Graduate Program in Chemistry
Deletion of Crosslisting
Chemistry 5250 3.0: “Bioanalytical Chemistry”/Integrated with the undergraduate course Science & Engineering Chemistry 4050 3.0: “Bioanalytical Chemistry”/Same as Biology 5036 3.0
e) Graduate Program in Education
New Course Proposals
Education 5235 3.0: “Learning Through Archival Encounters”
Education 6205 3.0: “Ethnography of Education”
f) Graduate Program in Environmental Studies
Crosslisting
Environmental Studies 6348 6.0: “Cultural Production Workshop”/Same as Theatre Studies 6348 6.0
g) Graduate Program in Executive Master’s in Business Administration
New Course Proposals
Executive Master's in Business Administration 6420 2.0: “Innovation Strategy and Management”
Executive Master's in Business Administration 6440 2.0: “Analytical Decision Modeling”
Executive Master's in Business Administration 6470 2.0: “Managing Price and Value Perceptions”
h) Graduate Program in Geography
New, Integrated Course Proposals
Geography 5607 3.0: “Ecological Climatology”/Same as the undergraduate course Liberal Arts & Professional Studies Geography 4215 3.0
Geography 5051 3.0: “Spatial Analysis in Geography”/Prerequisites: GIS and/or remote sensing, introductory statistics, and permission from the instructor; some knowledge of the statistical software R would be an asset
i) Graduate Program in Humanities
New Course Proposals
Humanities 6226 3.0: "Mediterranean Cities and the Muslim World: Modernity, Colonialism, and Culture (Sixteenth to Twentieth Centuries)"
Humanities 6322 3.0: "Modernism, Interdisciplinarity, and the Arts"
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j) Graduate Program in Kinesiology & Health Science
New Course Proposals
Kinesiology & Health Science 6170 3.0: “Instrumentation, Signal Processing, and Modelling in Biophysical Research”
Kinesiology & Health Science 6365 3.0: “Mitochondria in Health and Disease”
Kinesiology & Health Science 6430 3.0: “Social Theories of Physical Activity, Health and the Body”
Kinesiology & Health Science 6450 3.0: “Advanced Topics in Sport and Exercise Psychology”
Changes in Course Descriptions
Kinesiology & Health Science 6320 3.0: “Stem Cells and Tissue Regeneration”