Page 1
Page 2
Page 3
Page 4
Page 5
Page 6
Page 7
Page 8
Page 9

..........Mr.H.M ...... ..... ................................................................. .From...........B. 

L.

?

Funt 

etaryofSenate 

?

DeanScience 

Subject

..........................

.............................

Date

............

Februar 

y

19.1969 

At its meeting of February 17th, 1969, .the Faculty of Science 

considered the recommendations on program priorities and agreed that these 

would be: 

1. Computing Science 

2. Biochemistry 

In addition, strong support was expressed for the proposal for a 

summer program for teachers, but this proposal, which was before the Faculty, 

was not considered in sufficiently definitive form to be brought forward at 

this time. 

? .

It is 

essential that I make it clear to Senate that the description 

of course content in the programs is not final, but has been completed 

sufficiently to present a general perspective of the programs and their 

content sufficient to establish their priority positions. 

P

.

If the programs are approved and further competent faculty members 

obtained, variation in general content of individual courses may be brought 

forward. ? 

.

None of the courses recommended for the new programs in Computing 

Science and Biochemistry have beet considered in detailby the Undergraduate 

Curriculum Committee of the Faculty of Science, and it is not intended to 

present such courses for individual detailed approval until approval for the 

program as a whole has been obtained. 

On the other hand, the programs and their general 

,

delineation have 

beencOnsidered in detail by the Faculty and by appropriate committees of 

Faculty, and have been examined and debated extensively. 

Enclosure ? 

.

S1tON FRASER UNIVERiY

22L

A10 M

.OnAWDUM

......................................................

.L.FWl,

Faculty of 

Science.              

Dean 

of ? 

çiençe ................. 

.......................................

Subject ........ ..PP°

...

.

for .

Date

.......

1uary

.

1969

................

Computing Science. 

Computers and computer techniques arehaving profound impact on modern 

society. The have revolutionized the approach to a wide variety of 

disciplines; they have a profound sociological, economic and scientific 

Implication. No branch of science and technology can be predicted to 

have a quicker growth rate or greater impact or a greater potential for 

the next decade. 

These observations arrticularly novel. They are widely recognized 

by the community; they: are widely appreciated by potential students. 

There is therefore a great demand for courses and programs in Computing 

Science. 

There is a correspondingly rapid development in the sophistication 

of computer techniques and in the development of computing science as an 

established discipline with many broad ramifications, including such 

diverse topics as integrated information systems and artificial 

intelligence. 

In terms of selecting a program for which there is a broad need 

?

within the university community and appreciation in external society and 

a real demand from students, computing science is probably the best choice 

and the most highly favoured selection. 

Some courses in computing science are presently taught in the 

Department of Mathematics. The Department prepared a proposal for an 

expanded computing science program and this was discussed at Faculty and 

various recommendations regarding the structuring of the administrative 

portion of the program and the management of the Computer Centre were 

made and are in the process of implementation. 

The Computing Science program in its academic form as prepared-by 

the Department of Mathematics Is based on the core program widely 

employed in both Canadian and American universities. There is little 

doubt that it will be essentially .cdrrect in its ramification. There 

is little doubt also that the senior academic appointment in Computing 

Science will provide leadership. and professional competence and that the 

academic personnel in the computing group will polish the program in terms 

of academic refinement and actual course structure. 

However, although the fine details of the academic program cannot and 

le

?

should not be specified at this time, the broad implications in terms of 

budgetary need, program priorities, and.curriculum development must be 

viewed now. 

S1(Ji ? 

ASL

Members of the Faculty of Science-.... 

From

Dean of Science. 

Subject 

......................................... 

?

Date ................... ... ........1969 

An inspection of the Biochemistry Program shows a maximum of four 

faculty members being added during the next two years. The analysis has been 

based on general 'average figures of operating expenses and salary expenses in 

the Departments of Biological sciences and Chemistry. . It is difficult to 

determine exactly the needs, as part 

,

of the overhead costs do not increase 

proportionately to faculty,' but there would be some special equipment cost in 

initiating new laboratories. I have accordingly taken the ratio which 

corresponds to current figures in Biological Sciences and Chemistry. On this 

basis, the following analysis is probably indicative. 

Salaries: Four 

'

faculty members, $55,000 

Operating Expense: $90,000 

?

.

Total: ' $145,000 annual rate . 

?

.

The projected budget requirement for the next three years will 

probably be as follOws: 

Year 

?

Annual Rte ' 

?

Budget Year Commitment 

'1969-70 

?

$55,000 ' ? 

' ?

$40,000 

1970-71 ? 

$145,000 ? 

' ?

, $100,000 

1971-72 ? 

' ?

$160,000 ? 

$160,000 

The adjustment on the 1971-72 estimates is based-upon-probable 

'increases in salary commitments for the same category of acadçmic and supporting 

members of staff. 

BLF/cj 

•1

Proposal for the Development of the 

?

Biochemistry Programme 

At the January 27 meeting of the Biochemistry Committee 

the undergraduate Biochemistry Programme was discussed. The 

conclusions were as follows: 

The Programme fulfills a demand that arises from two 

principal sources; 

(1) Recent advances in Biochemistry have received 

wide publicity and have resulted in Nobel Prizes for 

several Biochemists. This has stimulated many young people 

to study Biochemistry. Moreover, the subject is now suf- 

ficiently developed to appeal to those who demand the 

scientific rigor formerly associated with pure chemistry 

and physics. 

(2) The Biochemistry Programme is used by many 

students as a prelude to studies in medicine and related 

disciplines. 

However, there are further impending demands that must 

be considered. Research in life sciences for 'example the 

study of the metabolism gf narcotic drugs and the possibility 

of synthesis of new biologically active compounds, and the 

resolution of problems of atmospheric pollution which are 

-

?

in fact biological-chemical problems, demand to greater 

-2-

extent than ever,well trained Biochemists. 

Besides catering to a demand, the Biochemistry Programme 

must help graduands fulfill their chosen role in society. 

The Committee visualized four main roles for graduands. 

They may: 

?

n

(1) Proceed to further studies 

and

a career in 

Biochemical research. 

(2)

Study medicine and related fields. 

(3)

Study educational techniques and teach. 

(4)

Become skilled technicians for employment in 

various biological and chemical establishments. 

The-present Biochemistry Programme was reviewed in 

the light of the above factors. It consists of a core 

programme of 89 prescribed hours. 32 hrs. in Biology, 

39 hrs. in Chemistry, 12 hrs. in Mathematics, and 6 hrs. 

in Physics; plus 31 hrs.of electives, seven of which 

• must be in. Science. 

• ? 

The Committee agreed that, as 75% of the programme 

is presently prescribed, alterations to the programme should 

not increase the prescription. The alterations should, 

if possible, provide more variety and allow the student 

more choice. With these principles accepted there are two 

' ?

means 

'

of altering the programme; (1) substitution of a new 

course for a prescribed one, or (2) no longer requiring. 

)

one or more courses of the core programme. 

The present core programme is made up of selected 

courses from the Biology and Chemistry Programmes. Few, 

if any, courses have been designed specifically for the 

Biochemist. The Committee strongly feels that the present 

demand for the programme merits consideration of amend- 

•

• ment of this policy. 

Changes presently contemplated would require two new 

courses to be given by the Biology Department. 

?

One of 

•

these at the 200 level would combine parts of Biology 201 

(Cell Biology and Biochemistry), 202 (Genetics), and 203 

(Developmental Biology); the second at the 300 level would 

contain parts of Biology 201 (Cell Biology and Biochemistry), 

402 (Physiological Genetics) • and 406 (Microbiology). 

Similarly in Chemistry the requirement for Chem 231 

(Inorganic

Chemistry). would be eliminated; Chem 252 (Organic 

Chemistry II) would be replaced by a new course dealing 

with the organic chemistry of molecules of biological in- 

terest (Chem 20X); and Chem 356 (Organic Chemistry Lab- 

oratory II) would be 

.

replaced by a Chem )OOC (Laboratory). 

At present two courses in Biochemistry are being of- 

fered: ? 

Biology 301 and Chemistry 421. 

?

The Committee pro- 

poses that BiochemiStrY students be required to take 

Biol. 301, which deals largely with pathways of inter- 

mediary metabolism. 

Int

ermediary Metabolism could than be 

dropped from Chem 421 and more emphasis placed on the' 

mechanisms of enzyme action as indicated by recent eluci- 

dation of enzyme structure. 

Finally, 

the

.

r

equirement for Chem 261 (Physical Chemistry 

I) would be eliminated and Chem 422 (Physical Biochemistry) 

amended to fill. the necessary backgrouna. 

The revised core programme would be: 

Bioscience 101-4 Introduction to Biology 

102-4 Introduction to Biology 

20X-3 A new course. 

301-3 

302-3 

3Ô5-3 

315-3 

401-3 

428-3 

Chemistry 102-3 

Biochemistry 

A new course. 

Animal Physiology 

Plant Physiology 

Chemistry 

Ex

perimental 

Techniques Total 29 hrs. 

General Chemistry ii 

103-3 Bonding, Structure and Steriochemistry 

116-2 General Chemistry Laboratory 

117-2 Q 

uantitative 

Chemistry Laboratory 

251

73

Organic Chemistry I 

-5-

•(

Chemistry (cont' d) 

256-2 organic Chemistry Laboratory I 

20X-3 organic Chemistry of Biological Molecules 

421-3 Altered course. 

422-3 Physical Biochemistry 

426-2 Biochemistry Laboratory I 

427-2 Biochemistry Laboratory II 

457-3 Modern Laboratory Techniques in Organic 

• ? 

Chem.3trY 

Total - 

2-1 hrs. 

9

hrs. 

Mathematics 

Physics 

?

100-3 or 101-3 General Physics I 

102-3 

General Physics II 

Total 6 hrs. 

Total 75 hrs. 

*Elimination of Chem 261 will reduce Math requirement. 

The proposed core programme would allow 45 hrs. of 

electives. The committee will suggest new courses to give 

• Biochemistry students, as well as others, an opportunity 

to diversify their interests. Presently one suggestion has 

been made; a course in BiopolyrnerS (Dean Funt?). 

Introduction of the core programme would require little 

additional expense. 

p

robably the changes could be made with 

?

I.

?

-6- ? 

one or at the most two new faculty members in each of the 

?

?

Biology and Chemistry Departments. 

However, the ultimate success of the programme depends 

upon an expansion of present facilities in several ways: 

(1)

provision of modern research equipment. 

(2)

provision of adequate space and equipment for 

research and teaching 

(3)

recruitment of specialists to faculty. 

The University 

presently lacks several pieces of major equipment basic 

to modern biochemical research such as an analytical ultra- 

centrifuge, an amino acid analyzer, or a counter current 

?

distribution apparatus. Without such equipment and with- 

out adequate space for research and teaching, it will be 

difficult, if not impossible, to attract to the faculty 

people presently active in Biochemical Research. And only 

by attracting 

.

men of repute and men with potential can the 

University establish its reputation in the field of Bio- 

chemistry. it will therefore be advisable to allocate 

some areas in Phase 3 for a nucleus of biochemical research 

and to budget for additional staff and equipment for this 

purpose. Phase 4 of the building plans should then provide 

for further extension of this nucleus. 