S.09-119
OFFICE OF THE VICE-PRESIDENT, ACADEMIC
AND
PROVOST
8888 U
ni
versity Drive, Burnaby, BC
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TEL: 778.782.3925
Canada VSA 1S6
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FAX: 778.782.5876
MEMORANDUM
ATTENTION
Senate
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DATE October 13, 2009
FROM ?
Jon Driver, Vice-President, Academic and
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PAGES
1/1
Provost, and Chair, SCUP
RE: ?
Full Program Proposal for a Graduate Certificate in Modelling of Complex Soc
www.sfu.ca/vpacadeinic
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(SCUP 09-46)
At its October 7, 2009 meeting SCUP reviewed and approved the full program proposal for a Graduate
Certificate in Modelling of Complex Social Systems.
Motion
That Senate approve and recommend to the Board of Governors, the proposal for a Graduate Certificate
in Modelling of Complex Social Systems.
end.
C:
W. Parkhouse
.
ci
SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY
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THINKING
OF
THE WORLD
SCUP 09-46
MEMO
Dean of
Graduate Studies
STREET ADDRESS
Maggie Benston
Student Services
Centre 1100
Burnaby BC VA iS6
Canada
I
TO Senate Committee on University Priorities
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I
TEL
FROM Wade Parkhouse. Dean. Graduate Studies
RE Faculty Applied Sciences: Graduate Certificate in Modelling
Of ComDlex Social
S y
stems (MoCSS
y
) [QS2009.18]
I
CC F. Popowich
MAILING ADI)RESS
8888 University Drive
Burnaby BC VA
so
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DATE September 9, 2009
Canada
At its meeting of 13 July 2009, SGSC approved the proposal for a graduate
certificate in Modelling of Complex Social Systems (MoCSSy) and is
recommending it to SCUP.
[GS2009.18]
.'
SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY
THINKING OF THE WORLD
Proposal for a?
GRADUATE CERTIFICATE?
in ?
MODELLING OF COMPLEX SOCIAL SYSTEMS?
at ?
Simon Fraser University
1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In July of 2008, Simon Fraser University approved the CTEF proposal entitled
"Modelling of Complex Social Systems" thereby providing funding and university buy-in
to the program. The MoCSSy program brings together researchers with extensive
expertise in criminology, health sciences, urban dynamics, computing science, and
mathematical modelling, under the unifying theme of modelling the complex dynamics
that drive the linked epidemiologies of crime, disease, homelessness and other social ills
in urban neighborhoods. The program's long-term goals are to:
•
Generate a modelling and visualization toolset that will be applied to
elevate the knowledge and understanding of urban complex systems
to an unprecedented level.
•
Develop a new generation of researchers who understand the complex
dynamics of urban systems.
In order to meet the second goal of the program, and in order to support the strategic
goals of the University (such as strategic investment in health, computation, safety,
security, criminal behaviour, and infectious diseases), we propose the creation of a
Graduate Certificate in Modelling of Complex Social Systems. This Certificate Program
will recognize individual achievement in the interdisciplinary study of Modelling of
Complex Social Systems, providing them with proof of a stronger graduate degree.
2 PREAMBLE
Many of the social issues of the 21'
t
century are captured in the studies of criminology
(crime, safety, security, privacy), health sciences (harm reduction, disease spread, mental
health, tractable public health care), and urban dynamics (homelessness, unemployment).
Research into these areas will have a profound impact on the quality of life for everyone
by reducing crime, reducing harm and addiction, enhancing safety and security while
maintaining privacy, and improving health and welfare. In the past, much of the
quantitative research in these areas focused on applying statistical techniques to
determine relationships. Although these studies provide great insight into these issues,
they are limited in their ability to model the complicated dynamics that arise from the
overlap between social issues, the spatiotemporal nature of social systems, and the
dynamic nature of social interactions. Furthermore, previous techniques have been
limited in their ability to predict the impact of various policy decisions. Simon Fraser
University is in a position to take a leading role nationally and internationally in the
development of an innovative research and training program that examines how these
challenges can be understood and addressed through mathematical and computational
modelling.
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0
The MoCSSy program brings together researchers with extensive expertise in
criminology, health sciences, urban dynamics, computing science, and mathematical
modelling. The unifying theme of this project is the modelling of the complex dynamics
that drive the linked epidemiologies of crime, disease, homelessness and other social ills
in urban neighborhoods. This group has secured CTEF funding which demonstrates
university support and provides the chance to create a program that will attract and train a
new generation of researchers who will understand the complex dynamics of urban
systems. To that end,
we propose the creation of a Graduate Certificate in Modelling of Complex
Social Systems.
This novel, interdisciplinary graduate certificate is anticipated to attract high quality
graduate students to SFU, enhancing SFU's role both nationally and internationally in the
Modelling of Complex Social Systems.
3 PURPOSE OF GRADUATE CERTIFICATE
The Graduate Certificate will provide students an opportunity to learn within the
framework of a novel interdisciplinary program that will enhance their achievement and
encourage collaborative and integrative approaches to research of national importance.
By providing formal recognition of the M0CSSy students' accomplishments, SFU will
increase the students' academic potential and mobility.
3.1 Increased Academic Potential
The MoCSSy program represents a new and rapidly growing field of research. Students
with interdisciplinary training will be in the position to apply for a greater variety of jobs,
and have a stronger academic background to support them. Students in the MoCSSy
program will be encouraged to publish in high quality journals, and to participate and
present research results at international conferences. MoCSS' hosted events will bring
internationally renowned researchers to SFU and introduce them to M0CSSy students,
providing opportunities for collaboration and knowledge transfer.
3.2 Increased Student Mobility
Industrial and government sectors are rapidly recognizing the value that mathematical
and computational modelling has in improving system performance. However, they
cannot employ individuals with no understanding of their sectors. Students with
expertise in one field and a strong understanding of a second field can be expected to
have a strong competitive edge over other graduates in the job market.
As part of the M0CSSy program, students are encouraged to work with industrial and
government sponsors on applications of modelling complex social systems. This provides
students a chance to apply their skill sets to real-world problems, and build a better
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understanding of the complex nature inherent social issues. Furthermore, this assists
students in the acquisition and development of valuable professional skills (such as,
explaining complex modelling techniques to policy-makers without modelling expertise,
writing policy recommendation reports, and conducting surveys and interviews). This
will greatly increase the demand for MoCSSy graduates.
In most cases, MoCSSy related research learning can be expected to be related to, but
distinct from, the student's thesis research. MoCSSy students must demonstrate that the
contributions in the thesis research belongs to themselves and not other team members. It
may occur that collaborations with industrial and government partners through MoCSSy
participation leads to academic publications and/or be incorporated into student thesis
research, and in such instances, MoCSSy members are expected to respect the
confidentially requests of the partners. Please consult with the Graduate Studies Office
for a sample confidentialty form.
4 CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS
4.1 Participation in the MoCSSy certificate
Graduate students may opt to participate in the MoCSSy certificate. All students
intending to participate are strongly encouraged to discuss their intentions with their
supervisory committee first. If appropriate, the supervisory committee may discuss the
student's intention with the MoCSSy Managing Director and/or the MoCSSy
Management Committee prior to formally communicating to the MoCSSy Program their
intention to participate.
4.2 Home Department Definition and Responsibilities
The department, school, or faculty to which a student is originally admitted shall be
referred to as the student's
home department.
The student's home department is
responsible for providing standard student administrative support (photocopying,
computer access, graduate secretary access, etc...).
4.3 Tuitions and Student Fees
There are no additional fees for students in the MoCSSy program. Tuition is based on
the student's home department.
4.4 Certificate Program Requirements
Students must satisfy all graduate requirements of their home department's graduate
studies program.
The MoCSSy certificate requires that students take fifteen (15) credit hours
(5
courses) of
applicable MoCSSy courses (see Appendix 1). Of these, at least twelve of the credit
hours (4 courses) must be graduate level courses.
A maximum of 9 credit hours (3 courses) may be from the students home department
(consult with the MoCSSy program director regarding prior course credit eligibility).
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For students in the Faculty of Applied Sciences or the Faculty of Science a minimum of
six (6) credit hours must be taken in courses offered in departments outside of these
Faculties. Course taken in order to meet the requirements of earlier degrees may not
count towards these credit hours.
In addition, students are expected to participate in the MoCSSy graduate seminar series
and workshops for at least one semester of each year they are in the program. Typically
this would mean M.Sc. students participate at least twice, and Ph.D. students participate
at least four times, however some flexibility will be provided to students joining the
program near graduation.
4.4.1 Current MoCSSy students
Several M.Sc. students and Ph.D. students are currently active in the MoCSSy program
(see Appendix 2), flexibility will be provided to these students regarding M0CSSy
Certificate Program Requirements in order that they may graduate in a timely fashion.
4.5 MoCSSy Graduate Seminar Series and Workshops
The MoCSSy graduate seminar series and workshops are a collection of training events
covering a variety of topics on Modelling of Complex Social Systems. The seminar
0
series is organized by a MoCSSy Graduate Student and provides a chance for MoCSSy
Graduate students to share their research. MoCSSy workshops are organized by the
MoCSSy program director, and precise focus varies each semester. MoCSSy students are
expected to participate in these M0CSSy events as their timetable permits.
5
PROCESS AND TIME LINES
Assuming approval every step of the way, the next steps in the process will be as follows:
• Discussions with potential host departments,
fall 2008
• Review and approval by host Faculty
Deans,
fall 2008
/spring
2009
• Review and approval by Senate Graduate Studies Committee SGSC,
spring 2009
• Review and Approval by Senate,
spring
2009
First MoCSSy certificate granted,
summer 2009
.
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APPENDIX 1: COURSES
Computing Science
(students majoring in computing science are required to take
700/800 level courses)
CMPT 305 Computer simulation and modelling
CMPT 310 Artificial intelligence survey
CMPT 454 Database Systems II
CMPT 456 Information retrieval and Web search
CMPT 467 Visualization
CMPT 471 Networking II
CMPT 705 Design and Analysis of Algorithms
CMPT 721 Knowledge Representation and Reasoning
CMPT 740 Database Systems
CMPT 741 Data Mining
CMPT 745 Software Engineering
CMPT 764 Geometric Modeling in Computer Graphics
CMPT 765 Computer Communication Networks
CMPT 767 Visualization
CMPT 771 Internet Architecture and Protocols
CMPT 813 Computational Geometry
CMPT 814 Algorithmic Graph Theory
CMPT 815 Algorithms of Optimization
CMPT 816 Theory of Communication Networks
Criminolo
gy
(students majoring in criminology are required to take 800 level courses)
CRIM 410 Decision-Making in Criminal Justice
CRIM 413 Terrorism
CRIM 454 Criminal Profiling (Surrey Campus)
CRIM 457 Crime and Criminal Intelligence Analysis
CRJM 800 Theories of Crime
CRIM 810 The Phenomena of Crime I
CRIM 811 The Phenomena of Crime II
CRIM 820 Criminal Justice Policy Analysis I
CRIM 821 Criminal Justice Policy Analysis II
CRJM 862 Research Methods III (Qualitative Analysis)
Geography
(students majoring in geography are required to take 600 level courses)
GEOG 352: Spatial Analysis
GEOG 451. Spatial Modeling
GEOG 453W: Remote Sensing of Environment
GEOG 455: Theoretical and Applied GIS
GEOG 457: Geovisualization Interfaces
GEOG 604: Research Design and Analytical Techniques in Human Geography
GEOG 606: Research Design and Analytical Techniques in Physical Geography
GEOG 651. Advanced Spatial Analysis and Modeling
GEOG 653: Theoretical and Applied Remote Sensing
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GEOG 655: Advanced Principles of Geographic Information Science
Health Sciences
HSCI 802 Principles of Epidemiology for Public Health
HSCI 805 Intermediate Epidemiologic Methods
HSCI 803 Qualitative and Survey Research Methods
HSCI 815 Concepts of Population and Public Health Practice
HSCI 824 Global Health Systems
HSCI 826 Program Planning and Evaluation
HSCI 827 Analysis of the Canadian Health Care Delivery System
HSCI 835 Social Behavioural Contexts of Health and Disease
HSCI 845 Environmental and Occupational Health
HSCI 861 Principles of Demographic Analysis for Health researchers
Mathematics
(students majoring in mathematics are required to take 700 level courses)
MACM 316 Numerical Analysis I
MATH 308 Linear Optimization
MATH 309 Continuous Optimization
MATH 348 Probabilistic Models in Operations Research
MACM 409 Numerical Linear Algebra and Optimization
MATH 408 Discrete Optimization
MACM 416 Numerical Analysis II
MATH 445 Graph Theory
MATH 448 Network Flows
MATH 709 Numerical Linear Algebra and Optimization
MATH 708 Discrete Optimization
MATH 716 Numerical Analysis II
MATH 745 Graph Theory
MATH 748 Network Flows
Statistics
(students majoring in statistics are required to take 800 level courses)
STAT 302 Analysis of Experimental and Observational Data
STAT 350 Linear Models in Applied Statistics
STAT 403 Intermediate Sampling and Experimental Design
STAT 410 Statistical Analysis of Sample Surveys
STAT 430 Statistical Design and Analysis of Experiments
STAT 602 Generalized Linear and Nonlinear Modelling
STAT 650 Quantitative Analysis in Resource Management and Field Biology
STAT 802 Multivariate Analysis
STAT 804 Time Series Analysis
STAT 805 Non-Parametric Statistics and Discrete Data Analysis
STAT 806 Lifetime Data Analysis
STAT 870 Applied Probability Models
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APPENDIX 2: SUPPORT
Principal MoCSSy Faculty
• Dr. Peter Borwein (Mathematics)
• Dr. Patricia Brantingham (Criminology)
• Dr. Uwe Glaesser (Computing Science)
• Dr. Michael Hayes (Health Sciences)
• Dr. Robert Hogg (Health Sciences)
• Dr. Nadine Schuurman (Geography)
• Dr. Steve Thompson (Statistics)
MoCSSy SFU Supporting Faculty
•
Dr. Martin Andresen (Criminology)
•
Dr. Binay Bhattacharya (Computing Science)
•
Dr. Eric Beauregard (Criminology)
•
Dr. Paul Brantingham (Criminology)
•
Dr. Suzana Dragicevic (Geography)
•
Dr. Diane Finegood (Kinesiology)
•
Dr. Robert Hogg (Health Sciences)
•
Dr. Michel Joffres (Health Sciences)
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•
Dr. Bryan Kinney (Criminology)
Dr. Greg Mon (Computing Science)
•
Dr. Oliver Schulte (Computing Science)
•
Dr. Andrew Sixsmith (Gerontology)
•
Dr. Richard Vaughan (Computing Science)
•
Dr. Gary Wang (Mechatronics)
•
Dr. Ke Wang (Computing Science)
MoCSSy Program's Current Graduate Students
•
Azadeh Alimadad (Ph.D. candidate, Health Sciences)
•
Afsaneh Bakhtiari (M.Sc. candidate, Mathematics)
•
Laurens Bakker (M.Sc. candidate, Computing Science)
•
Chris Bone (Ph.D. candidate, Geography)
•
Jiyi Chen (M.Sc. candidate, Computing Science)
•
Niki Huitson (Ph.D. Candidate, Criminology)
•
Piper Jackson (Ph.D. candidate, Computing Science)
•
Ozge Karinfil (Ph.D. candidate, Kinesiology)
•
Hassan Khosravi (Ph.D. candidate, Computing Science)
•
Mani Ranjbar (Ph.D. candidate, Computing Science)
•
Alireza Saremi (Ph.D. candidate, Engineering)
•
Valerie Spicer (Ph.D. candidate, Criminology)
•
•
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•
Mona Vajihollahi (Ph.D. candidate, Computing Science)
Kyle Vincent (Ph.D. candidate, Statistics)
•
Katie Wuschke (Ph.D. candidate, Criminology)
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MoCSSy External Supporters
• Dr. John Blake (Industrial Engineering, Dalhousie)
• Dr. Sally Brailsford (Management Science, U. South Hampton)
• Ms. Martha Burd (Director, Health Economics and Analysis, BC Ministry of
Health)
• Sgt. Tim Chad (NCO, RCMP)
• Dr. Roberto Cominetti (Ingenieria Matematico, Universidad de Chile)
• Dr. Vahid Dabbaghian (CSMG, adjunct Mathematics SFU)
• Dr. Nicolas Figueroa (Facultad de Ciencias Fisicas y Matematicas, Universidad
de Chile)
• Mr. Eduardo Garza (Manager, Operations Research, Fraser Health)
• Mr. Jason Goto (President, AnalysisWorks)
• Dr. Shane Henderson (Operations Research, Cornell)
• Mr. Steven Kabanuk (Director, Surgical Projects, Fraser Health)
• Mr. Peter Lepine (Superintendent, Coquitlam, RCMP)
• Dr. Aili Maim (Criminal Justice, California State U., Long Beach)
• Dr. Raiil Manásevich (Ingenieria Matematico, Universidad de Chile)
• Dr. Carrie Matteson (PDF Kinesiology, SFU)
• Ms. Sue Melnychuk (Director, Mental Health and Addictions, Fraser Health)
• Dr. Bojan Ramadanovic (CSMG)
• Dr. Alexander Rutherford (CSMG, adjunct Mathematics SFU)
• Ms. Nancy South (Director, Monitoring and Reporting, Ministry of Health)
• Dr. Les Vertesi, M.D. (E.R. Physician, Royal Columbian Hospital)
• Dr. Jeff Walker (Criminal Justice, U. Arkansas, Little Rock)
• Dr. Yanchao Wang (CSMG)
• Ms. Angela Wolff (Director, Clinical Education, Fraser Health)
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APPENDIX 3: Management for Program Changes and Funding
Management Committee and Structure
The management committee consists of the
• M0CSSy Principal Investigators (at least 4, each from a different MoCSSy
discipline),
• M0CSSy Program Director, and
• MoCSSy Managing Director.
The current
MoCSSy Principal Investigators
are
• Peter Borwein (Mathematics)
• Patricia Brantingham (Criminology)
• Uwe Glasser (Computing Science)
• Michael Hayes (Health Sciences)
These are the initial principal investigators on the SFU supported CTEF grant that helps
support the MoCSSy program. The M0CSSy Principal Investigators are responsible for
providing overall leadership and decision support for the MoCSSy program. This
includes developing overall research directions for the program, liaising with University
Deans and VPs to help promote the MoCSSy program at SPU, and selecting and hiring
the Program Director and Managing Director for the MoCSSy program.
The current
MoCSSy Program Director
is Vahid Dabbaghian. The MoCSSy Program
Director works closely with the MoCSSy Managing Director to ensure the day-to-day
running of the MoCSSy program. This includes organizing M0CSSy symposiums,
seeking new MoCSSy graduate students, providing a first filter on funding of graduate
students, maintaining a high level understanding of all M0CSSy sub-projects. The
MoCSSy Program Director is viewed as a short-term position; a Program Director is
instated for a maximum period of 3 years.
The current
MoCSSy Managing Director
is Pam Borghardt (IRMACS, SFU). The
MoCSSy Managing Director works closely with with MoCSSy Program Director to
ensure the day-to-day running of the MoCSSy program. This includes personnel contracts
and grant management for all M0CSSy funded researchers, and financial management
support for new funding to the M0CSSy program. The M0CSSy Managing Director is
viewed as a long-term position.
Program Changes
Once established, it may become necessary or desirable to change the requirements for a
student to receive a special graduate certificate in MoCSSy.
• Changes in course lists for each department must be approved by the MoCSSy
Management Committee, the Graduate Chair of the effected department, and the
Chair of the effected department.
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• Changes in requirements regarding the MoCSSy Graduate seminar series must be
approved by the MoCSSy Management Committee.
• Bringing new departments into the MoCSSy Graduate Certificate program must
be approved by the Management Committee, the Graduate Chair of the effected
department, the Chair of the effected department, the appropriate Dean, and the
SGSC.
Funding
Currently the MoCSSy program has access to CTEF funding, some of which is being
used to support MoCSSy Graduate Student Members and M0CSSy Research Associates.
The MoCSSy program management committee decides allocation of these funds.
In order for a student to be eligible for MoCSSy funds, the management committee must
agree that
1.
the student has shown appropriate interest in the MoCSSy program (for example
by actively participating in the MoCSSy Graduate Seminar Series that semester)
2.
the student's research fits within the MoCSSy program goals,
3.
the student is of high academic standing.
Currently, MoCSSy graduate student scholarships are valued at $8,000 for one semester.
This value will be adjusted as inflation and funding dictates.
It should be noted that a student may graduate with a special certificate in MoCSSy
without ever receiving
.
M0CSSy funding.
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