" F
ION FRASER UNIVEPTY. ?
S
227
MMORADUM
Mr. H.M. Evans
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.From ....... ...
B.
.
L. Funt
eta'yofSenate
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Science
Subject .......
....
.
ç gramP
9.
1S
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Date:
...........Fruan' ...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.
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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 been considered in detail by 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
been considered in detail by the Faculty and by appropriate committees of
Faculty, and have been examined and debated extensively.
Enclosure ?
.
04
S11'ON FRASER UNIVERiY
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. S
22L
MMOflADUM
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......
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From
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FUfl
t,
tYof
SdLence
..
.
..................................................
Subject ........ .
Propos.
l
for
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P r
ogram .
in
I Computing Science.
Dean of Science.
Date ....... .
!rUary ... 6 ....... 1969
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................
Computers and computer techniques are
.
having
.
profound impact on modern.
society. The have revolutionized the approach to a wide variety of.
d
isciplines; they have a profowd 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.
Ot
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
st
?
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 correct 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
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should not be specified at this time, the broad implications in terms of
budgetary need, program priorities, and curriculum development must be
viewed now.
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S.f)i'
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Sz2
Members of the Faculty of Science
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From
Dean of Science
Subject..
.
Program
?
.
Date
............
!brY
14, 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
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Operating Expense: $90,000
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Total: $145,000 annual rate .
The projected budget requirement for the next three years will
probably be as follows:
Year .
?
Annual Rate
?
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 academic and supporting
members of staff.
BLF/cj
C.
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Proposal for the Development of the
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Biochemistry Programme
to
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)
Reôent 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 of 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
C
-2-.
extent than ever,well trained Biochemists.
Besides catering to a demand, the Biochemistry Programme
must he].pgraduands fulfill their chosen role in society.
The Committee visualized four main roles for graduands.
They may:
(1) . Proceed to further Studies and a career in
Biochemical research.
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(2) Study medicine and related fields.
(3)
Study educational techniques and teach.
(4)
Become skilled technicians for employment in
various biological and chemical establishments.
,
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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
his. 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
a
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
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means of altering the programme; (1) substitution of a new
course for a prescribed one, or (2) no longer requiring.
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3
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 XXX (Laboratory).
At present two ourses in Biochemistry are being of-
feted: Biology 301 and Chemistry 21. The Committee pro-
poses that Bioi
L
chemitry students be required to take
LL
C
Biol.
301, which
deals largely with pathways of inter-
mediary metabolism.
Intermediary 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 requirement for Chem 261 (Physical Chemistry
•
I) would be eliminated and Chem 422 (Physical Biochemistry)
amended to fill, the necessary background.
The revised
core programme would be:
Bioscience
?
101-4
Introduction
to Biology
102-4
Introduction
to Biology
20X-3
A new course.
301-3
Biochemistry
302-3
A new course.
305-3
Animal Physiology
315-3
Plant Physiology
401-3
Chemistry
428-3
Experimental
Techniq
ues_Total 29hrs.
• Chemistry
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102-3
General Chemistry iI
103-3
Bonding, Structure and Sterioohemistry
116-2
Generai.hemistry Laboratory
•
117-2
.i;
Q
u
antitative Chemistry Laboratory
251-3
Organic Chemistry 1
0
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W.,
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
ChemstrY
.
ft,
6 100
Total
--3-1 hrs.
Mathematics
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9 hrs.
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,
p
resently one suggestion has
been made; a course in
BiopolymerS (Dean runt?)'.
Introduction of the core programme would require little
additional expense. probably the changes could be made with
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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.
.Theserequirements are' interrelated. 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.
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