SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY ?
MEMORANDUM
To: ?
Senate ?
From: ?
J.M. Munro, Chair
Senate Committee on
Academic Planning
Subject- Faculty of Applied Sciences
?
Date ?
December 10, 1991
Graduate Curriculum Revisions
Action undertaken by the Senate Committee on Academic Planning and the Senate
Graduate Studies Committee, gives rise to the following motion:
Motion: "that Senate approve and recommend approval to the Board of
Governors as set forth in S.92-4 graduate curriculum revisions
in the Faculty of Applied Sciences as follows:
i)
S.92-4a
?
School of Computing Science
ii)
S.92-4b ?
School of Engineering Science
iii)
S.92-4c ?
School of Resource and Environmental Management"
S
.0
r
?
S.92-4a
School of Computing Science
Summary of Graduate Curriculum Revisions
SGSC Reference: Mtg. of November 25, 1991
SCAP Reference: SCAP 91-44
1. ?
Change to the Computing Science Ph.D. Research regulations.
.
S
1. New Regulations - Research Section, the Degree Requirements for the Ph.D. Program
.
The modified Research Section of the Degree Requirements for the Ph.D. Program
is as follows. The original articles, 4(a) and 4(b), are modified and merged into one
article, 4(a). For other sections, see pp. 224-227, Simon Fraser University Calendar,
1990-1991.
Section 4.
?
Research
The major portion of the Ph.D. program consists of original research under the
direction of a Supervisory Committee. A Ph.D. Supervisory Committee Consists of a
Senior Supervisor, at least one other faculty member from the School of Computing
Science, and other committee members as appropriate.
(a)
The student is required to pass an oral Ph.D. Preliminary Examination. The
- -- - ?
- student is required to-submit before- the- exam a-written Research Review and Proposal - -. - -
?
- -
which should Consist of a survey of the proposed research area, a summary of his/her
preliminary research results, and a proposal for further research. The student must
demonstrate that he/she possesses both the ability and adequate knowledge of the chosen
research area to pursue and complete original research at an advanced level. Moreover,
he/she should demonstrate some preliminary research results related to the proposed
research. The proposal should be appropriate in level and scope for a Ph.D. thesis. The
Supervisory Committee must be satisfied with the preliminary research results and the
research proposal of the candidate. The Ph.D. Preliminary Examination is conducted by
the student's Supervisory Committee under the arrangement of the Graduate Program
Committee, and should normally take place within one year after the student has satisfied
the Breadth Requirement. In case the student cannot take the Examination within the
specified period of time, he/she can request for one year extension, in writing, to the
student's Supervisory Committee. A student must pass the Ph.D. Preliminary
Examination within two years after he/she has satisfied the Breadth Requirement.
(b)
The student is required to present a seminar based on his/her thesis research.
This seminar is normally presented a few weeks before the candidate's thesis defense.
(c)
The student is required to submit and defend a thesis based on substantial original
research. For regulations governing the composition of a Ph.D. Examining Committee
and the conduct of Ph.D. Thesis Examinations, see Sections 1.9 and 1.10 of the
Graduate General Regulations.
I.
2
2. Old Regulations - Research Section, the Degree Requirements for the Ph.D. Program
4. ?
Research
The major portion of the Ph.D. program consists of original research under the
direction of a Supervisory Committee. A Ph.D. Supervisory Committee consists of a
Senior Supervisor, at least one other faculty member from the School of Computing
Science, and other committee members as appropriate.
(a)
The student is required to pass a Research Area Examination in his/her chosen
research area. The student must demonstrate that he/she possesses both the ability,
and adequate knowledge of the chosen research area, to pursue and complete
original research at an advanced level. The Research Area Examination is
conducted by the student's Supervisory Committee and should normally take place
within six months after the student has satisfied the Breadth Requirement.
(b)
The student is required to submit a written Research Proposal to the School for
approval by the student's Supervisory Committee. The Supervisory Committee
must be satisfied that the proposed research is appropriate in level and scope for a
Ph.D. thesis.
(c)
The student is required to present a seminar based on his/her thesis research.
This seminar is normally presented a few weeks before the candidate's thesis
defence.
(d)
The student is required to submit and defend a thesis based on substantial original
research. For regulations governing the composition of a Ph.D. Examining
Committee and the conduct of Ph.D. Thesis Examinations, see Sections 1.9 and
1.10 of the
Graduate General Regulations.
For further information and regulations for both the M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees,
refer to the
Graduate General Regulations.
is
3
?
06M
Message: 3612790, 19 lines
.
Posted: 5:48pm PST, Mon Nov 25/91,
Subject: Calendar Change Justification
To: Bruce Clayman
Cc: burton@cs.sfu.ca
From: burton@cs.sfu.ca
imported: 5:48pm PST, Mon Nov
25/9
1
Here is some further justification for the proposed change to the Ph.D.
Research regulations in Computing Science, approved at the Senate Grad
Studies Committee meeting earlier today.
The proposed change to the Computing Science Ph.D. Research regulations
combines two research requirements into one. At present there is an
-oral Research Area Examination that is designed to test the student's
knowledge of his or her chosen research area. There is also a
requirement for a Research Proposal. Often the student will meet with
the Supervisory Committee at the time the Proposal is submitted. There
is some confusion, on the part of both students and faculty, on where
the line should be drawn between the research area and the research
topic. By combining these requirements into one, the confusion is
removed, the research area may be examined in light of a more specific
research proposal, and one "stage" is removed from the Ph.D. process.
.
3.
•
?
S.92-4b
School of Engineering Science
Summary of Graduate Curriculum Revisions
SGSC Reference: Mtg. of November 25, 1991
SCAP Reference: SCAP 91-45 and SCAP 91-46
1.
New course ENSC 890-3, Advanced Robotics: Mechanics and Control
2.
Calendar editorial changes
3.
Change defining the M.Eng. degree requirements.
4.
Changes to qualifying examinations
•
New Graduate Course Pro
p
osal Form
0
CALENDAR INFORMATION:
Department:
School of Engineering Science
?
Course Number:
?
ENSC 890
Title: Advanced Robotics: Mechanics and Control
Description: see attached
Credit Hours: 3
?
Vector: 3-0-0 Prerequisite: ENSC 438, 801 or permission of instructor
ENROLLMENT AND SCHEDULING:
-Estimated-Enrollment:
10 --------
When will-the course-fkst be offered: Spring1993_
How often will the course be offered: Once a year or upon sufficient demand
JUSTIFICATION:
Increased
application
of
robot manipulator require better approaches for their modelling and control. This course discusses
such approaches and presents examples of advanced robotics
applica tions.
RESOURCES:
Which Faculty member will no, mally teach the course: Shahram Payandeh
What are the budgetary Implications of mounting the course: No additional faculty or staff is required.
Are there sufficient Library resources (append details): yes
Appended: ?
a) ?
Outline of
the Course
b) ?
An indication of
the competence of the Faculty member to give the course.
C) ?
Library resources
Approved: ?
Departmental Graduate Studies Committee: &f,-Date:
Tu.2
?
r j qqi
Faculty:
Faculty Graduate Studies Committee: •-----. c -
?
—Date:
?
Date:
o-.--
?
.
ii
Senate Graduate Studies Committee:
?
Date: k1L----.- ?
7
/ 9
Senate:
?
Date:
ADVANCED ROBOTICS:
MECHANICS AND CONTROL
a) course Outline
I. Kinematic Geometry and Statics -
4
weeks
• line geometry and Screw systems
• screw operator
• kinematic modelling of robot manipulator using the theory of screw
2.
Robot Dynamics and Control. 5 weeks
• Euler-Lagrange and Newton-Euler formulations
• independent joint control
• multivariab]e control
• adaptive control
• contact force control
3.
Grasping and Manipulation- 3 weeks
• grasp model
• control of grasping forces
• grasped object manipulation
4.
Advanced Robotics and Manufacturing - 1 week
b)
Instructor
Dr. Shahram Payandeh - The major research interests and publications of Dr. Payandeh are in the
areas of robot kinematics, grasping, manipulation and force control of robot manipulator(s).
c)
Library Facilities
SFU library holds adequate number of books, journals and conference proceedings in the areas
which are covered in this course. The following is a list of some of them.
• Spong and Vidyasagar,
Robot Dynamics and Control,
1989
• McCarthy, Introduction to Theoretical Kinematics, 1990
• Waldron, Advanced Robotics,
1989
• Brady, Robotics Science,
1989
• Cutkosky, Robotic Grasping and Fine Manipulation,
1985
1 ?
S
• Mason and Salisbury,
Robot Hand and the Mechanics
of Manipulation,
1985
S• An, Atkenson and Hollerbach,
Model-Based Control
of
Robot Manipulator, 1988
• IEEE Journal of Robotics and Automation
• International Journal of Robotics Research
• IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics
• IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control
• Proceedings of the IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation
• Proceedings of the International Symposium on Robotics Research.
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION
ENSC 8904
The course presents advanced approaches to modelling, control and applications of robot ma-
nipulators. Topics include kinematic modelling of manipulators using the theory of screw and screw
operators; methods for obtaining dynamic model of manipulators; control of manipulators based
on independent joint and multivariable control approaches; control of the contact forces between
a manipulator and its environment; and adaptive control of manipulators. The course also dis-
cusses modelling and control of grasping/manipulation using a dexterous end-effector. Laboratory
experiments are performed to complement the control theoretic part of the course.
PREREQUISITE: ENSC 438, 801 or PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR
.•• ?
2
3.
I !IQN'RA ER UN I'7ER. I PY
I4EMOR21NDtJ!4
To: John D. Jones
?
From: Sharon Thomas
Engineering Science
?
Collections Management
Subject: New Course
?
Date: July 16, 1991
The proposed new course, ENSC 890: Advanced Robotics:
Mechanics and Control, falls well within the Library's
current collections parameters and should present no
particular difficulties for us. However much of the
material is already heavily used and it might be advisable
to purchase additional copies of a few core titles. This
could easily be done within the range of current
expenditures for Engineering Science and will entail no
extraordinary new obligations for the Library.
S
S
S
S
MEMORANDUM
.
??
SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING SCIENCE
DATE: ?
October
25,
1991
To: ?
Dr. Richard S. Gruneau
Chairman, Faculty of Applied Science
Graduate Studies Committee
RE: ?
Proposed Calendar Changes for the 1992/93 Calendar
FROM: ?
Dr. John D. Jones
Graduate Chairman
School of Engineering Science
Please find enclosed our proposed calendar changes for the School of Engineering Science. The
rationales for these changes are as follows:
items #1,3 and 4
These proposed changes are editorial changes.
Item #2
This proposed change defines the M.Eng. degree requirements based on the student's
specialization.
Item
#5
Two changes to the qualifying examinations are proposed: firstly, the names of the latter
three subjects are changed to reflect a more rational grouping of material; secondly, the number
of minor exams is reduced from two to one. The former change is editorial, while the latter is
substantive. Our experience has shown that, due to the diversity of the graduate options offered
in engineering, and the diverse background of our graduate students, requiring students to take
exams in three separate options usually results in their being obliged to study material remote
from their background and irrelevant to their research. This discourages otherwise well qualified
graduate students from applying to the School, and is thus inimical to the health of our graduate
program.
Item #6
The proposed changes provide more detailed course descriptions.
All the changes were passed unanimously at the departmental level.
S
5/.
2
The ?
hlihi
text is new. It will replace the previous entry and in some cases it is an
addition.
FROM
DEGREES OFFERED
Engineering Science offers three distinct programs of study, leading to a Master of Engineering
(M.Eng.), Master of Applied Science (M.A.Sc.) or Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.).
TO
DEGREES OFFERED
2.
FROM
M.ENG. Requirements
Course Work
M. Eng. candidates are required to complete a minimum of 24 semester hours course
work, at least 20 of which must be at the graduate level. Of the courses listed below, ENSC
805,
ENSC 810 and ENSC 820 are required.
TO
DEGIkEE REQUIREMENTS
MiO
?ROORAM
Course Work
M.Eng. candidates are required to complete a minimum of 24 semester hours course work,
at least 20 of which must be at the graduate level.Of
the
courses listed bel*w students must
3.
FROM
M.A.Sc. Requirements
M.A.Sc. candidates are required to complete 30 semester hours work as a minimum of
12 semester hours course work, plus a thesis with a weight of 18 semester hours. The courses
will, in consultation with the senior supervisor, normally be selected from the list below.
TO
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS M A SC PROGRAM
M.A.Sc. candidates are required to complete 30 semester hours work as a minimum of
12 semester hours course work, plus a thesis with a weight of 18 semester hours. The courses
will, in consultation with the senior supervisor, normally be selected from the list below.
I
3
FROM
Ph.D.
Program
Admission Requirements
To qualify for admission to the Ph.D. program a student must have a Master's degree in
electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, physics, computer science or a related field, have
submitted evidence that he or she is capable of undertaking substantial original research in
Engineering Science, and
have identified a faculty member willing to act as Senior Supervisor.
See the
Graduate Regulations
for admission requirements for entry
,
to the Ph.D.
program.
Admission from Master's Program to Ph.D. Program
The school does not encourage students to proceed to a Ph.D. without first completing
a Master's degree. However, a student may be admitted after at least 12 months in the M.A.Sc.
TO
Ph.D.
Program
To qualify for admission to the Ph.D. program a student must have a Master's degree in
electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, physics, computer science or a related field, have
submitted evidence that he or she is capable of undertaking substantial original research in
Engineering Science, and have identified a faculty member willing to act as Senior Supervisor.
See the
Graduate Regulations
for admission requirements for entry to the Ph.D.
program.
Thmsfrfrc)mtl1
The school does not encourage students to proceed to a Ph.D. without first completing
a Master's degree. However, a student may be admitted after at least 12 months in the M.A.Sc.
5.
?
FROM
Qualifying Examination
The student will take a qualifying examination at a time determined by his/her
Supervisory Committee, normally between the 6th and the 12th month from admission to the
Ph.D. program. The student must demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of material normally
associated with
undergraduate and first level graduate studies. There will be written examinations
set in each of the following four subjects: communications, electronics, intelligent systems
and
control, computing.
The material for the comprehensive examinations will be determined by the departmental
graduate committee. With the approval of the Supervisory Committee, students select three
subject areas to be covered by examinations, as follows: one is declared a major (specialty) area
and
the other two are minor areas. The written examination in the major area is followed shortly
by an oral examination.
Possible results of the qualifying examination are pass; marginal (student
may
be required
.
I
1^
4
to take more courses, and is permitted a second and last opportunity to take the full qualifying
?
S
exam within 12 months); fail (the student withdraws from the Ph.D. program). The results are
given for the full qualifying exam.
Research
Students are to define and undertake a program of original research, the results of which
are reported in a thesis. The examining committee will be formed as defined in section 1.9.3 of
the
Graduate General Regulations.
Students will conform to residence requirements as outlined
in section 1.7.3 of the
Graduate General Regulations.
The senior supervisor shall be an
Engineering Science
faculty member approved by the departmental graduate program committee.
TO
Qualifying Examination
The student will take a qualifying examination at a time determined by his/her
Supervisory Committee, normally between the 6th and 12th month from admission to the Ph.D.
program. The student must demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of material normally
associated with undergraduate and first-level graduate studies
These will be........
written
.
examinations
The material for the comprehensive examinations will be determined by the departmental
graduate committee.
other nor
?
The written examination in the major area is followed shortly by an oral
examination.
Outcomes
of the qualifying examination are pass, marginal (student may be required to
take more courses, and is permitted a second and last opportunity to take the full qualifying exam
within 12 months); fail (the student withdraws from the Ph.D. program). The results are given
for the full qualifying exam.
Thesis
Students are to define and undertake a program of original research, the results of which
are reported in a thesis. The examining committee will be formed as defined in section 1.9.3 of
the
Graduate General Regulations.
Students will conform to residence requirements as outlined
in section 1.7.3 of the
Graduate General Regulations.
The senior supervisor shall be an
Engineering Science faculty member approved by the departmental graduate program committee.
0
5
GRADUATE COURSES (ENSC)
FROM
ENSC 801-3 Linear S
y
stems Theory
A comprehensive treatment of finite dimensional linear dynamical systems.
Prerequisite: Grad. Standing
TO
FROM
ENSC 802-3 Stochastic Systems
This is a course in probability, random variable and stochastic processes, and the application of
. ?
these theories to analyse different engineering systems.
Prerequisite: Grad.
Standing and a Bachelor's degree in engineering, mathematics or physics
TO
ENSC
802-3 Stochastic Systems
Prerequisite: Grad. Standing
FROM
ENSC 836-3 Error Correctin
g
Codes
Introduction to error detecting and correcting codes and their implementations.
Prerequisite: undergraduate courses in probability and discrete mathematics.
r
q.
TO
ENSC 836-3 Error Correctin
g Codes
Prerequisite: undergraduate courses in probability and discrete mathematics; MATH 447; o
*
r
permission
of instructor.
FROM
ENSC 855-3 Passive Microwave Circuits
Review of electromagnetic theory, transmission lines and waveguides, passive microwave circuit
analysis,
'
filters couple lines and directional couplers.
Prerequisite. Grad. Standing
.
TO
ENSC 855-3 Passive Microwave Circuits
Prerequisite: Grad. Standing
FROM
ENSC 883-3 O
ptimal
Control Theory
Comprehensive treatment of the optimal control theory, variational calculus and continual optimal
control, the maximum principle and Hamilton-Jacob theory, optimal control system examples
such as minimum time, regulators, minimum fuel, and minimum energy problems.
Prerequisite: ENSC 423 and ENSC 801
ffoll
FROM
ENSC 887-3 Vision for Robotics
Advanced machine vision techniques as applicable in robotics.
I *
.
ID.
Prerequisite: none
7
• ?
Prerequisite: none
TO
ENSC 887-3 Vision for Robotics
Prerequisite: none
FROM
ENSC 888-3 Finite-Element Methods in Engineering
Finite-element methods are examined from the viewpoint of the user (rather than the
- - mathematician); the objective-of the course is.. that - the student, should be able to use FEM with -
an intelligent grasp of its limitations.
Prerequisite: none
FROM
ENSC 889-3 3D Object Representation and Solid Modelling
Description of current approaches, limitations. Applications in manufacturing and engineering.
Prerequisite: ENSC 439 and CMPT 351..
kill
Prerequisite: ENSC 439-CMPT 351
1/.
S.92-4c
4
School of Resource and Environmental Management
Summary of Graduate Curriculum Revisions
SGSC Reference: Mtg. of November 25, 1991
SCAP Reference: SCAP 91-47
1.
Change to Master's Degree Requirements
2.
New course MRM 610-5, Management of Contaminants and the Environment.
0
Proposed Change to Master's Degree Requirements of the School of?
Resource and Environmental Management
July 11, 1991
Master'sDre Reciuirements Currently Read
Seventy-three (73) credit hours are prescribed for the program, 48 of
which are from the required group and 25 are from the electives. With
the approval of the program director, up to seven courses (35 credit
hours) may be transfer credits from another institution.
Proposed Version
_(chanqe is underlined)
j
Seventy--three (73) credit hours are prescribed for the program, of
-------whi-ch 48-are -from-the required--group--and -25 from the-elec-t-ives-.-
-Wit-h-
the approval of the program director, up to seven courses (35 credit
hours) may be transfer credits from another institution. In
exceptinal cases, a student presentin
g
y
LL
nced
education
eguij_Q_one ohe_
p
rQgrarncou.rsesJL
p
m the required grou
p
mzly
be ?
owed to waive that course b
y
the prog
?
ector, thereby
ned
.
gqjpq_the
?
de g ree re
q uirements to 68.
.Rationa e for the_QQQ
The School of Resource and Environmental Management is an unusual
program because of its provision of graduate level interdisciplinary
training. As a consequence, its master's degree requires an
exceptionally heavy course load. Most students benefit from taking
all the required courses because even if a given course is in their
area of expertise (economics, geomorphology, law, planning, ecology),
there are usually additional issues to explore.
However, there are exceptional cases in which a student has such a
high level of academic and applied expertise in a field covered by a
certain required course that their participation in that course has
negligible benefit. Since the course load of the school is already
heavy, faculty feel that it is counterproductive to ask such students
to take another course simply to meet the full credit requirement; the
heavy course requirements are there solely to ensure the
interdisciplinary training of students. It is for this reason that we
propose to only allow the waiver possibility for courses from the
required group of courses in the program.
'
Note that even with this waiver, master's students in the School of
Resource and Environmental Management would still face course
requirements that greatly exceed the university's minimum requirements.
for a project-based master's degree.
I,
ew Graduate Course Proposal korm
CALENDAR INFORMATION:.
School of Resource and Environmental Managemerit
?
Number:
MRN 610-5
Department:
?
Course
Title:
??
Management of Contaminants in the Environment
?
-
Description:
Appiicatio i of Scientific Methodology and Concepts Regarding Pollutant
Behaviour and Effects. in Environmental Management.
Credit Bours:_
?
Vector:- 3 °
2
?
Prerequisite(s) if
any: none
ENROLLMENT AND SCHEDULING:
Estimated Enrollment:
10-15
?
When
vii]. the course first
be offered:91/92
Bow often will the course be offered:
?
once per academic year
JUSTIFICATION:
see attached
RESOURCES:
Which Faculty
member will normally
teach
the course: Dr. Frank Cobas
What are the budgetary implications of mounting the course:
?
none
Are there
sufficient Library resources (append details): yes
Appended: a) Outline of the Course
b)
An indication of the competence of the Faculty member to give the course.
c)
Library
resources
Approved: Departmental Graduate Studies Committee:
?
Date:
JD/.,,
3-;/7f
Faculty Craduat
?
udiee Committee:
?
Date:
Faculty:
?
Date:
Senate Graduate Studies Committee:
?
t e:
I
COURSE PROPOSAL
Frank Gobas
?
School of Resource & Environmental Management
COURSE
TITLE: MANAGEMENT OF CONTAMINANTS IN THE ENVIRONMENT
(MAM 610-5)
COURSE OBJECTIVES & OUTLINE:
I.
to provide students with knowledge of
(a) scientific processes controlling the distribution and impacts of chemical
substances, pollutants and-waste (biotic-andabiotic) in-environmental systems
This includes a discussion of
(I) the environmental pathways of contaminants:
This includes environmental partitioning, dynamics of environmental
distribution, mass-balances, mechanisms of transport, global transport &
cycles (e.g. carbon cycle), long range atmospheric transport, cold-finger effect.
(ii) chemical-biota interactions:
At the single species level: uptake and elimination mechanisms, exposure
dynamics, toxicokinetics and bioaccumulation (in phytoplankton, benthos, fish,
birds, human)
At a multi species/community level: trophodynamics and food-chain dynamics
of chemicals & pollutants.
(iii)
impacts of chemical substances and pollutants on natural resources such
as fish, forests and wildlife:
Biophysical impacts: Ozone depletion, pH changes, temperature
Toxicological impacts (single species level): toxicology (dose-effect relationship,
toxicity of single and mixtures of substances).
Biological impacts (multi species level): ecotoxicology, community impacts.
Examples include effect of acid emissions on forests and the ecology of lakes,
I ?
the effects of PAHs, dioxins and other contaminants on tumor incidence in fish,
and the impacts of metals and radioactive substances on wildlife populations.
3.
(b) the methodologies and techniques to measure, monitor, assess and predict
the environmental behaviour and impacts of chemical substances and pollutants
As part of methodologies and techniques we will discuss
(i) Methods and techniques used for quantitative and qualitative
measurements, including
a)
Chemical analysis (This section focuses on what techniques are available
for quantitative and qualitative measurement of environmental contaminants)
b)
Toxicological impact assessment (Acute lethality tests, Enzyme Bioassays
(e.g. MFO), Ames test, others)
c)
Ecotoxicological impact assessment (e.g. species and community
composition, enumeration studies etc.)
(ii) Risk assessment methodologies•
(iii) Monitoring techniques and methodologies, including physical-chemical
monitoring, biomonitoring, early-warning systems
(iv) Methods for predicting and management of substances and pollutants in
the environment, including environmental modelling, expert systems, response
systems.
II. The application of scientific concepts, methodologies and techniques in
environmental management..
The second objective of the course is to investigate the practical application of
scientific research, methodologies and techniques in environmental management.
In
a series
of case studies, the students examine the scientific basis of environmental
management practices, including the development of standards and environmental
(air, water) quality criteria/guidelines, screening, risk assessment, hazard assessment,
testing protocols, monitoring and others.
This course provides students with the ability to apply and integrate various scientific
principles and techniques regarding the biophysical behaviour of contaminants. This
will
enable them to develop effective management
strategies
and impact assessments based
on sound and best available scientific knowledge.
.
'I
r
L
I]
Justification of course MRM-61 0
Future environmental and resource managers must be exposed to and become familiar
with multidisciplinary aspects of environmental & resource management issues. This is
the objective of MRM-610, which discusses various topics related to biophysical impact
assessment and management of contaminants.
Some of the topics that will be discussed in MRM-61 0 are discussed in considerably more
detail in other courses. For example, water chemistry is discussed in detail in CHEM 371-
3 and some topics in toxicology are covered in Industrial Toxicology (BISC 650), Problem
Analysis in Environmental Toxicology (BISC 652) and Environmental Toxicology II (BISC
313). The nature of these courses is quite different from that of MRM-610, reflecting the
focus and objectives of the respective departments. The focus of MRM-61 0 is not to
provide detailed insights into toxicology, chemistry or biology, but to integrate various
disciplines to develop management strategies. The course is not meant to train chemists-
or toxicologist, but to provide students with tools to apply chemical, biological and other
principles. In addition, most students taking this course are students from the School of
Resource & Environmental Management. Many of these students do not have any former
training in chemistry, toxicology, biology or engineering. This means that the detail in this
course will be considerably different from that of other courses in for example Chemistry
or Biological Sciences.
MRM-61 0 can thus be justified on the grounds that:
1)
The majority of the topics discussed in MRM-610 are not being offered in any other
SFU courses.
2)
No other single course at SFU provides the combination of environmental topics that
environmental managers require as basic background knowledge.
3)
The focus of the course is to integrate and apply principles from different research
areas. This requires that various topics be discussed in one course.
4)
The background of the anticipated students requires that chemical, biological,
toxicological, engineering and other principles and techniques be discussed in a special
format, that provide opportunities to all students (science and non-science students) to
master all aspects of environmental management discussed in this course.
6.
Dr.
Regarding
F. Gobas
the
has
competence
published
of
21
Dr.
refereed
F. Gobas
journal
to teach
papers
Course
in various
MRM
scientific
610-5:
?
journals, 6
0
refereed book chapters, 4 technical reports and 5 non-refereed publications on a variety
of topics related to the dynamics and impacts of toxic substances in the environment.
These topics include the physical chemical behaviour of toxic organics, chemical-biota
interactions (in fish, benthic invertebrates, plants and humans), toxicokinetic and
toxicological aspects of chemical behaviour in the environment, environmental modelling
and risk assessment.
Dr. Gobas is also the principal editor of a book "entitled "Chemical Dynamics in Fresh
Water Ecosystems", to be published this winter by Lewis Publishers.
He received approximately $690,000 in research funding (i.e. funding directly allocated
to him), over a 3 year period (i.e. from 1988 to 1991), amounting to $230,000 per year.
Research funding was obtained from the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, the
International Joint Commission and the BC Ministry of the Environment to develop tools
for environmental management of toxic substances in the Great Lakes and the Fraser
River.
Dr. Gobas is Canada's expert on bioaccumulation for Environment Canada. He has been
a member of the Lake Ontario Toxics Committee Review Panel, a binational committee
set up to review whole lake management models for toxic substances in the Great Lakes.
Dr. Gobas was the work group coordinator of "Biotic Models" section of the Great Lakes
Mass Balance work group of the International Joint Commission. Dr. Gobas has been
consultant to the Health Advisory Committee of the International Joint Commission
regarding chemical contaminants in human breast milk.
Dr. Gobas' research has won awards from the Society of Environmental Toxicology and
Chemistry and the J.R. Brown Foundation for research in environmental and occupational
health. A CV and publication list are attached for more specific information about Dr.
Gobas' credentials in the area of environmental research and management.
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I11cbI FIA FI LJ ]:'vF
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1DTJ4
To: Marion McGinn
Subject:
NEW COURSE PROPOSAL
From: Sharon Thomas
Collections Management
Date: November 28, 1991
-
I
have-examined-the reading list and course- proposa-1 - - -- -
for
MRN 610-5 ?
MANAGEMENT OF CONTAMINANTS IN THE
ENVIRONMENT.
and it appears that we are reasonably able to support the
stated requirements of the course.
V
0
