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FOR INFORMATION ?
S .89 - 14
SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY
?
Senate Graduate Studies Committee
?
Report to Senate
The Dean of Graduate Studies is responsible for the gene-
ral supervision of graduate work at the University and
Chairs the Senate Graduate Studies Committee. This report
outlines the position of graduate studies at Simon Fraser Uni-
versity, describes some changes made in the 1988/89 year and
makes recommendations for future directions.
I.
Enrolments and Degrees
Table I shows the recent history of graduate enrolments
and degrees granted. It is taken from the 1988 S.F.U. Fact
Book which will contain more detailed breakdowns by depart-
ment and Faculty.
The FTE enrolment figures must be treated with caution.
The process for determining them is subject to considerable
variation among departments and is often based on incomplete
information on a student's activities. A more consistent and
logical scheme for determining FTE enrolments is presently
under consideration by the Senate Graduate Studies Committee.
II.
Degree Completion
Table II is a survey of the times required by S.F.U. stu-
dents to earn their graduate degrees. The data are from the
Graduate Studies Database system. I am very pleased to note
a small but significant decrease in average completion times
compared with last year's data. It should be noted that
these data do not take into account the possibility that a
student may have been enrolled part-time for all or part of
the program and thus may overstate completion times, especial-
ly for programs with large numbers of part-time students.
Data on enrolment status may be found in the S.F.U. Fact
Book. I remain concerned by what appear in many cases to be
excessive times for degree completion. When resources are li-
mited, it is especially important that they be used effec-
tively.
I am actively encouraging departments to ensure both that
their degree requirements are realistic and that their stu-
dents make satisfactory progress, as required by Senate regu-
lations, toward meeting those requirements. I am-
,
also consi-
dering more rigorous enforcement of the requlations rern'iinq
annual progress reports.
 
Report to Senate
?
- 2 -
?
February 1989
I am also pressing for timely appointments of supervisory
committees. In establishing the Graduate Studies Database, I
encountered many students who had
been here
for several
years, yet apparently had no supervisory committees. This si-
tuation has largely been remedied; each semester, reminders
about 'delinquent' students are sent to departments by my of-
fice; a minor flood of committee recommendations follows.
III.
Grades
Table III gives information on the S.F.U. graduate grades
of all students enrolled in the Fall 88 semester; it in-
cludes courses taken in that semester up to the end of 88-2
and excludes students who had not yet taken an S.F.U. gra-
duate course. In Tables IV and V will be found corresponding
data from 1986 and 1987, for comparison. Data were taken
from the Registrar's data files and incorporated into and
processed within the Graduate Studies Database system.
For each department, a number of measures of the grade
distribution are presented. The weighted CGPA ('tWted")
weights each student's CGPA by the number of semester hours
completed. The average CGPA ("Aver.") does no weighting, but
counts all students equivalently. The median ("Med.") CGPA
and the N% CGPA give the CGPA at the median of the distribu-
tion and at the Nth percentile. For example, in the third
entry of Table III - Business, the top 10% of the students
have a CGPA of 3.67 or higher, the top 20% have a CGPA of
3.63 or higher and so on. It is interesting to note, in
comparing Tables III - V
1
that there is little evidence for
the "grade inflation" that was predicted by some upon the
introduction of A-, B+, and B- grades in 86-3.
The tremendous range in the nature of the grade distribu-
tions among departments may stem from two causes: (1) dif-
ferences in grading practices and (2) differences in the abi-
lities of students. I believe that, most likely, it is a mix-
ture of these with the former a larger contributor than the
latter. This range is one of the reasons that I have moved
away from interdepartmental comparisons of CGPA in the rank-
ing of applicants for S.F.U. graduate scholarships.
IV.
Special Arrangements
The Senate Graduate Studies Committee serves as the Gra-
duate Program Committee of students enrolled under Special
Arrangements.
?
I have given special attention to these stu-
dents. With the goal of ensuring their satisfactory pro-
gress, I have brought all their supervisory committees into
compliance with Senate's regulations and, as of 86-3, require
up-to-date progress reports as a condition of registration.
To date, the response of students and supervisors has been
excellent.
... 3
 
Report to Senate
?
- 3 -
?
February 1989
I am pleased to report that the defences of theses com-
pleted under Special Arrangements, which I chair, have all
been quite successful. Table VI provides some data on degree
completion. These data are subject to the same caveat about
part-time study as the data in Table II.
Historically, Special Arrangements have been a high risk
area; students either succeed or fail spectacularly. The
number of students enrolled have remained roughly constant
around 25. Degree completion has been highly variable: 4 in
1988, 7 in 1987, 6 in 1986, 2 in 1985, 6 in 1984, 1 in 1983,
2 in 1982, and 4 in 1981. Other students have dropped out..
By the steps outlined above and by rigorous enforcement of
the criteria for entrance into Special Arrangements, I hope
to improve the success rate.
V.
S.G.S.C. Motions
A summary, prepared by the Office of the Registrar, of
the motions passed by the S.G.S.C. is presented in Appen-
dix A.
VI.
The Future
I remain
at S.F.U.
in the Scie:
S.G.S.C. and
before Senate
optimistic about the future of graduate studies
Exciting new program initiatives in the Arts and
aces are presently under consideration by the
its Assessment Committee. These will likely be
in the next few months.
The quality of most of the thesis defences which I have
attended has been high. With rare exception, applicants
recommended by departments for entry into Ph.D. programs have
been very strong. Through more aggressive recruiting of
excellent applicants with the aid of entrance scholarships,
rigorous enforcement of the present requirements for satis-
factory progress, and more careful monitoring of student su-
pervision, it should be possible to improve the quality of
graduate programs and decrease times for degree completion,
thus making more effective use of our limited resources.
B.P. Clayman
Dean of Graduate Studies
BPC: pm
. ?
Attachments
SENATE89
 
TABLE I
?
El
Head Count
FTE
SUMMARY
DATA
Annualized Graduate Enrolments
81/82 82/83 83/84 84/85 85/86 86/87 87/88
?
1243 ?
1355 ?
1414 ?
1419 ?
1377 ?
1366 ?
1426
?
937 ?
1054 ?
1137 ?
1153 ?
1125 ?
1084 ?
1147
Master's
Doctoral
Degrees Awarded
?
121
?
191 ?
208 ?
218 ?
279 ?
214 ?
213
?
25 ?
22 ?
30 ?
37 ?
39 ?
42 ?
50
TOTAL ?
146
?
213 ?
238 ?
255 ?
318 ?
256
0
.18
 
TABLE ?
II
Tiiiiés for Degree Completion
for Graduands Completing
Degree Requirements
in 85-3 through
88-3 ?
as of
January 31,
1989
Number of
Ave. Semesters Median Semesters
Department ?
Program
Graduands
in Program
in Program
Archaeology
MA
10
14.20
15
22
Archaeology
PHD
8
21.00
Biological Sciences
MPM
44
10.25
10
Biological Sciences
MSC
34
10.91
10
Biological Sciences
PHD
32
16.28
16
Business Administration
MBA
23
8.78
6
Business Administration
MBE
101
10.62
10
Chemistry
MSC
17
9.35
9
Chemistry
PHD
14
16.36
16
Communications
MCM
21
12.05
10
Communications
PHD
3
12.00
12
Science
MSC
56
8.96
8
S
omputing
omputing Science
PHD
5
13.80
15
Criminology
MCR
26
12.23
12
-
Criminology
PHD
0
-
Lang., Lit. & Linguistics
MA
4
10.00
9
Lang., Lit. & Linguistics
MAT
7
16.43
15
-
Lang., Lit. & Linguistics
PHD
0
-
Economics
MA
44
7.34
6
18
Economics
PHD
19
17.68
Education
MAE
73
11.90
11
Education
MED
112
11.10
11
Education
MSE
4
12.50
13
Education
PHD
3
10.00
9
English
MA
28
13.46
13
English
PHD
4
18.75
15
Engineering Science
MAP
0
-
-
-
Engineering Science
MEN
0
-
Geography
MA
9
12.11
12
9
Geography
MSC
11
8
8.82
22.75
19
eography
PHD
History
MA
16
11.69
10
History
PHD
3
18.33
15
...continued...
 
TABLE II
Times for Degree Completion for GraduandS Completing Degree Requirements
in 85-3 through 88-3 as of January 31, 1989
Number of Ave. Semesters Median Semesters
Department
?
Program Graduands
?
in Program ?
in Program
.
icinesiology
MSK
22
5
9.41
18.40
8
16
Kinesiology
PHD
Mathematics & Statistics
MSC
29
8.21
14.00
7
13
Mathematics & statistics
PHD
9
Nat'l Resource Management
MRN
42
11.14
9
.Philosophy
MA
0
-
-
Physics
MSC
21
11
9.43
13.36
9
11
Physics
PHD
political Science
MA
7
11.14
15
psychology
MA
28
24
7.46
17.67
7
19
psychology
PHD
Sociology & Anthropology
MA
8
11.75
23.00
10
23
Sociology & Anthropology
PHD
1
Special Arrangements
MAS
6
10.83
15.00
8
16
Special Arrangements
MSS
3
17.20
17
Special Arrangements
PHS
10
Women's Studies
MA
1
7.00
7
Totals: 807 Master's Graduands and 159 Ph.D. GraduandS
10.52 = Average Semesters in the Master's Program Overall
10 = Median Semesters in the Master's Program Overall
16.89 = Average Semesters in the PhD Program Overall
17 = Median semesters in the PhD Program Overall
Note: These data are based on the total elapsed time in program and do not
take into account part-time or on-leave status.
.
.0
 
TABLE III
SUMMARY DATA ON SFU GRADUATE GRADE POINT AVERAGES OF MASTER'S & PHD STUDENTS
?
WHO HAVE TAKEN SFU GRADUATE COURSES AS OF THE END OF SEMESTER 88-2
?
January .31, 1989
# of
Dept Stu.
ARCH 26
BISC 116
BUS 76
CHEM 48
CMNS 39
CMPT 42
CRIM 50
DLLL 9
ECON 59
EDUC 306
ENGL 43
ENSC ?
7 ?
GEOG 23
S ?
HIST 23
KIN ?
37 ?
MAST 47
MRM ?
33
PHIL ?
3 ?
PHYS 35
POL ?
14 ?
PSYC 67
SA ?
24
SAR ?
25
Ws ?
9
CGPA
25%
4.00
3.90
3.57
3. 67
4.00
3.94
3.91
4.00
3.61
3.89
4.00
3.78
3.86
3.92
3.82
3.93
3.78
2.50
4.00
3.83
3.91
4.00
4.00
3.75
CGPA
20%
4.00
3.93
3.63
3.72
4.00
4.00
3.93
4.00
3.67
3.93
4.00
4.00
3.89
3.95
3.83
4.00
3.83
2.50
4.00
3.83
3.94
4.00
4.00
3.75
CGPA CGPA
10% Aver.
4.00 3.73
4.00 3.72
3.67 3.43
3.83 3.51
4.00 3.73
4.00 3.65
4.00 3.68
4.00 . 3.78
3.78 3.31
4.00 3.65
4.00 3.68
4.00 3.65
4.00 3.61
4.00 3.59
3.93 3.52
4.00 3.66
3.94 3.62
3.58 2.67
4.00 3.72
3.89 3.56
4.00 3.74
4.00 3.88
4.00 3.67
3.80 3.64
CGPA
Med.
3.83
3.77
3.46
3.57
3.86
3.61
3.74
3.91
3.43
3.67
3.813
3.67
3.70
3.75
3.67
3.78
3.67
2.50
3. 68
3.56
3.75
3.92
3.79
3.67
CGPA
Wted.
3.72
3.73
3.42
3.53
3.76
3.64
3.68
3.88
3.41
3.66
3.73
3.65
3.62
3.63
3.59
3.68
3.61
2.67
3.71
3.51
3.72
3.89
3.66
3.66
0
 
TABLE IV
Summary Data on SF11 Graduate Grade Point Averages of Master's and
?
Ph.D. Students
Who Have Taken SF11 Graduate
Courses as of Semester 87-2
II
of
CGPA
CGPA
CGI'A
CGPA
CGPA
CGPA
Dept
Stu.
25%
20%
10
Aver.
Ned.
Wtcd.
GEOGENSCENGLEDUCECONDLLLCRIMCMPT
CMNS
dEN
BUS
ARCHDISC
277111
28
14
51
5212
46
53
3538
74
29
3.933.78
4.00
3.933.53
4.003.824.004.003.713.624.004.00
4.003.784.004.00
3.684.003.934.00
4.003.753.674.004.00
4.003.894.004.003.824.004.004.004.004.003.794.004.00
3.643.483.77
3.663.373.88
3.63
3.61
3.743.463.44
3.713.67
3.713.673.833.673.404.003.713.673.783.503.383.753.67
3.67
3.48
3.79
3.67
3.38
3.88
3.64
3.64
3.79
3.51
3.42
3.69
3.65
WS
SAR
SAPSYC
POL
P1IYS
MRN
PHIL
MAST
KIN
luST
222568
14
372942
31
24
8
4
3.78
4.004.00
3.933.67
4.00
3.333.69
4.00
3.80
4.00
3.784.004.003.943.67
4.00
3.333.774.003.864.00
3.894.004.004.004.004.003.673.834.004.00
4.00
3.573.693.893.733.513.633.003.533.533.623.70
3.423.774.003.793.673.613.003.483.643.673.75
3.60
3.66
3.91
3.72
3.52
3.61
2.79
3.54
3.60
3.61
3.73
.
0
 
TABLE V
Summary Data on SFU Graduate Grade Point Averages of Master's and
?
Ph.D. Students Who Have Taken SFU Graduate Courses as of Semester 86-2
# of
CGPA
CGPA
CGPA
CGPA
CGPA
CGPA
Dept
Stu.
25%
20%
10%
Aver.
Ned.
Wted.
KINESHISTGEOGENGLEDUCECONDLLLCRIMCNPTCMNSCHEM
BUS
ARCH
DISC
287135
124
3429
356077
18
50693647
32
4.004.004.004.004.003.624.004.003.834.003.853.504.004.00
4.004.004.004.004.003.674.004.004.004.004.003.604.004.00
4.004.004.004.004.00
3.834.00
4.004.004.004.003.864.004.00
1 ?
3.633.533.673.823.673.433.783.553.533.613.543.373.663.73
3.803.743.714.003.803.433.893.623.663.673.503.333.713.75
3.65
3.59
3.69
3.82
3.69
3.46
3.78
3.53
3.59
3.66
3.56
3.37
3.65
3.72
. ?
WS
SARSAPSYCPOL
NRN
PHYS
PHILMASTA
262576114252
46
33
2.504.004.003.873.833.883.503.784.00
2.504.004.003.914.004.003.503.864.00
4.004.004.004.004.004.003.604.004.00
2.833.773.783.67
3.713.403.26
3.533.53
2.503.884.003.713.673.503.503.643.67
2.71
3.77
3.83
3.69
3.71
3.56
3.33
3.50
3.63
 
TABLE ?
VI
Times
for Degree Completion
for Graduands Completing Degree Requirements
in 85-3
through
88-3 ?
as of January
31,
1989
Semester ?
Semester
Semesters
Dept
Pgm
Name
Completed ?
Started
in
Program
SAR
MAS
86-1 ?
83-3
8
SAR
MAS
85-3 ?
82-3
10
SAR
MAS
88-1 ?
85-3
8
SAR
MAS
86-3 ?
84-3
7
SAR
MAS
88-3 ?
83-3
16
SAR
MAS
88-3 ?
83-3
16
SAR
6
Graduands;
10.83 =
Average Semesters in
the
MAS Program
8 =
Median Semesters in
the
MAS Program
SAR
MSS
85-3 ?
78-3
22
SAR
MSS
85-3 ?
80-3
16
SAR
MSS
87-3 ?
85-3
7
SAR
3
Graduands;
15.00 =
Average Semesters in
the
MSS Program
16 =
Median Semesters in
the
MSS Program
SAR
PHS
88-1 ?
83-1
16
SAR
PHS
88-1 ?
85-3
8
SAR
PHS
86-2 ?
80-1
20
SAR
PHS
87-1 ?
81-2
18
SAR
PHS
86-2 ?
81-1
17
SAR
PHS
86-3 ?
82-3
13
SAR
PHS
86-3 ?
79-3
22
SAR
PHS
86-2 ?
78-2
25
SAR
PHS
88-3 ?
82-3
19
SAR
PHS
87-1 ?
82-3
14
SAR
10
GraduandS;
17.20
Average Semesters in
the
PHS Program
17 =
Median Semesters in
the
PHS Program
Note: These data are based on the total elapsed time in program and do not
take into account part-time or on-leave status.
0
 
APPENDIX A
REPORT TO SENATE OF THE ACTIVITIES OF THE SENATE GRADUATE STUDIES COMMITTEE FROM JANUARY 1988
TO DECEMBER 1988.
,*
Number of Meetings - Four (4)
The Senate Graduate Studies Committee with delegated power from Senate to:-
1. Recommendations for Admission under Special Arrangements. Five recommendations were
considered. Four recommendations were considered once and one recommendation was
considered at two meetings. All five recommendations were approved.
2. Approved the following changes in the General Regulations - Graduate Studies:
a)
Thesis Defence Outcomes
The following added to the last paragraph of 1.10.2:
A decision to pass the thesis or to defer making judgement may not be reached
on a tie vote of the Examining Committee. If a majority vote to pass the thesis
or defer judgement cannot be reached, the thesis will be failed.
The wording under 1.10..2 be replaced with the following:
The thesis may be passed on the condition that minor revisions, which are
essentially editorial in nature and/or affect the form of presentation (but
not the substance) of the thesis, be completed to the satisfaction of the
. ?
Senior Supervisor.
b)
'On Leave' Status
General Regulation 1.8.4 amended as follows:
a)
When a situation arises which make it necessary or desirable to Interrupt
the work, and
b)
When no substantial use will be made of university facilites.
c)
English Language Competence - Section 1.3.11
English Is the language of instruction and communication in the University.
Accordingly, an applicant whose primary language is not English or whose
previous education has been conducted in another language must demonstrate
command of English sufficient to pursue graduate studies in the chosen field.
Applicants normally will be required to achieve a satisfactory score on a
standardized English test acceptable to the University. This test must include
a writing component. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) combined
with the Test of Written English (TWE) are acceptable for this purpose. The
Minimum University requirements for scores on these tests is TOEFL 570 and
TWE = 5; some graduate programs have higher requirements, as described elsewhere
in the Calendar.
3. Graduate curriculum changes in the Departments of Sociology/Anthropology, History,
the School of Criminology, the MBA program and the French Graduate program.
4. Approval of new graduate courses in the School of Kinesiology, the Faculty of Education
and the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. The following courses were deleted:
Educ 872, Chem 881, Math 601 and 602. Revised course description for MRN 602.
 
p ?
•
-2-
5.
The Dean of Graduate Studies was asked to investigate the possibility of setting up a
service available to graduating Ph.D. students which would assist them in the preparation
and distribution of dossiers for employment purposes.
6.
Enrolment in Graduate Courses
The Senate Graduate Studies Committee approved a motion that Special graduate students,
Qualifying students and undergraduate students (including Post-Baccalaureat Diploma
students) normally may enrol in graduate courses only if their cumulative grade point
averages are at least 3.00. In addition, permission of the instructor is required in
each case.
7.
The establishment of Graduate Appeal Procedures.
8.
The approval of a Master's program in Earth Sciences.
fl

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