SFU
OFFICE OFTHE VICE-PRESIDKNT, .ACADEMIC AND PROVOST
MEMORANDUM
University Drive, Burnabv, BC
Canada V5A 1S6
TEL: 778.782.3925
FAX: 778.782.5876
www.sfu.ca/vpacademic
attention Senate
FROM
Jon Driver, Vice-President, Academic and
date
June 19,2013
PAGES
1/1
Provost, and Chair, SCUP
Faculty of Science: Full Program Proposal for aJoint Major in Chemistry and Molecular
Biology and Biochemistry in the Departments of Chemistry and Molecular Biology and
Biochemistry (SCUP 13-29)
RE:
At itsJune 19, 2013 meeting, SCUP reviewed and approved the Full Program Proposal for aJoint
Major in Chemistry and Molecular Biology and Biochemistry in the departments of Chemistry and
Molecular Biology and Biochemistry within the Faculty
of Science, effective Spring 2014.
Motion:
That Senate approve and recommend to the Board of Governors the Full Program Proposal for aJoint
Major in Chemistry and Molecular Biology and Biochemistry in the departments of Chemistry and
Molecular Biology and Biochemistry within the Faculty of Science, effective Spring 2014.
c:
D. Leznoff
I. Northwood
SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY
ENGAGING THE WORLD
S.13-97
SFU
MEMORANDUM
ATTENTION
FROM
RE:
SCUP 13-29
OFFICE OF THE ASSOCIATE VICE-PRESIDENT, ACADEMIC
8888 University Drive,
TEL: 778.782.4636
avpcio(r]sfu.ca
Burnaby, BC
www.sfu.ca/vpacademic
Canada V5A1S6
Senate Committee on University
Priorities
Gordon Myers, Chair
Senate Committee on Undergraduate
Studies
\\
Faculty of Science (SCUS 13-25a)
A
date
June 7, 2013
PAGES
1/1
<M
Action undertaken by the Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies at its meeting of
June 6, 2013, gives rise to the following recommendations:
Motion
That SCUP approve and recommend to Senate the Full Program Proposal for the
Joint Major in Chemistry and Molecular Biology and Biochemistry in the
departments of Chemistry and Molecular Biology and Biochemistry within the
Faculty of Science.
The relevant documentation for review by SCUP is attached
SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY
ENGAGING THE WORLD
PROPOSAL
Joint Major in Chemistry,
Molecular Biology and Biochemistry
Simon Fraser University
Executive Summary
A Joint Major in Chemistry, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry has been
developed and is proposed jointly by the two Departments in the Faculty of
Science.
The intent of this proposal is to bring together the expertise from these three
areas and to foster interdisciplinary training of highly motivated students in all
three subjects, something not currently available in a comprehensive manner to
SFU
students.
Given
the
substantial
importance
of
biotechnology,
pharmaceutical and health sectors to the economy of B.C., this Joint Major
program will be attractive to students since it will prepare them to participate at
the leading edge of these sectors; it will also form an excellent foundation for
entry to professional health-related degrees and training. No analogous program
is currently offered at other B.C. universities.
Based upon existing courses, this program can be mounted immediately with no
requirement for new resources.
Background
Simon Fraser University has committed to expand its programming in new and
emerging
areas. The Joint Major in
Chemistry,
Molecular Biology and
Biochemistry is one such area, and will provide advanced interdisciplinary
training in the fields of chemical, biotechnology, pharmaceutical and health
sectors, all areas of importance to B.C. and Canadian society. The subject areas
have always been strongly complementary and this Joint Major will capitalize on
strengths in both departments to educate students to answer biological questions
using the tools of physical science, and will provide a credential that accurately
reflects their broad experience and training at the interface of these disciplines.
Credential to be awarded:
Joint Major, Chemistry, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, B.Sc.
Location:
SFU, Burnaby Campus
April 2013
Faculty/Department/School offering the new program:
Chemistry Department and Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Department,
Faculty of Science
Anticipated program start date:
Summer 2014
Description of proposed program:
a) Aims, goals, and/or objectives
The intent of this proposal is to bring together the expertise from Chemistry,
Molecular Biology
and Biochemistry to capitalize on strengths in both
departments to foster interdisciplinary training of highly motivated students in all
three disciplines, something not currently available in a comprehensive manner
to SFU students. This program can be run with no requirements for new
resources.
b) Anticipated contribution to mandate and strategic plan of the institution
The concept of the program is that it meets the needs of highly motivated
students interested in immersion in Chemistry, Molecular Biology and
Biochemistry. Graduates of the program will be trained to supply the needs of an
increasingly important strategic sector at the intersection of physical and life
sciences,
thereby
relating
to
the
increased
development
of
interdisciplinary/cross-disciplinary
experience and training. According to the BC
Labour Market Outlook 2010-2020,1
"the
occupation group
expected to
experience the strongest growth in demand in the province is Health
Occupations", followed closely by "Natural and Applied Sciences and Related
Occupations". This Program will help to fill this key skills need in B.C.
More generally, research in this area seeks answers to biological questions using
the tools of physical science and has the potential to transform many areas of
human endeavour. A NRC (US) report2 indicates that "further research at this
intersection not only will advance our understanding of the fundamental
questions of science, but will also significantly impact public health, technology
and stewardship of the environment for the benefit of society." Such conclusions
are relevant not just for the US but for Canada as well, and this Joint Major will
prepare SFU students to participate at the leading edge of this sector.
BC Labour Market Outlook 2010-2020, Government of B.C.
2"Research at the Intersection of the Physical and Life Sciences", National ResearchCouncil
(US) Committee on Research at the Intersection of the Physical and Life Sciences, Washington
(DC): National Academies Press (US): 2010.
c)
Target audience
April 2013
The proposed curriculum will graduate Science majors with backgrounds in
Chemistry, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry.
By combining these areas of
expertise these students will fill an emerging niche that is often occupied by
people with post-graduate degrees in a specialized discipline.
Students
interested in working primarily in the areas of biotechnology and pharmaceuticals
either as laboratory workers or as management liaisons, or in government (e.g.
Health, Agriculture) would gain a significant competitive advantage with this
unique degree.
Training in the critical area of genetic engineering would also be
enhanced with this proposed program.
In addition, graduates of this program will be well prepared for advanced degrees
in these areas.
d) Content and summary of requirements for graduation
Content Lower Division (LD) Requirements
Lower Division Requirements: 65 - 66 Units
Breakdown:
31 CHEM, 6
MBB and 28 - 29 other. Note that the "other"
includes 11 units of BISC courses. MBB does not offer 100 level courses.
Upper Division (UD) Requirements
Chemistry UD Requirements: 16-19 required units. MBB UD Requirements: 16
- 19 required units, 35 minimum units required across Chemistry and MBB
courses (the three unit difference depends on whether students take CHEM 360
or MBB 323):
In addition to the above, students complete:
upper division courses from any faculty to total a minimum of44 upperdivision
units
electives at any division from any faculty to provide 120 units as required for the
degree
University Breadth Requirement:
The B-Sci requirement is included in the required coursework, as per the WQB
policy regarding Joint Majors. The 12 B-SocSci and B-Hum units will be required
to complete the total breadth requirements and fulfilled with elective courses.
University Writing Intensive Requirement:
Both the lower and upper-division requirements will be included in the required
coursework.
Co-Operative Education
Optional. Administered through the Science co-op coordinators
e) Delivery Methods
April 2013
Since the program is based upon existing courses, the standard delivery
methods already in place on campus - Lecture/Lab/Tutorial - will be used.
f) Linkages between learning outcomes and curriculum design
The learning outcomes are to train students for proficiency in the areas of
Chemistry, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry for placement in the rapidly
expanding biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, and/or related
government agencies.
g) Distinctive characteristics
The partnership of Chemistry and Molecular Biology and Biochemistry (MBB) in a
Joint Major degree is an obvious expression of the linkages between the three
disciplines and will help bring students (and faculty) in the two Departments
closer together. The proposed new Joint Major will benefit students (and faculty)
who have otherwise been pursuing their interests through major/minor
combinations.
These interests are better accommodated by this focused program
which delivers the content centered at the interface of these three areas.
h) Anticipated completion time
Four years.
i)
Enrolment plan for the length of the program
This program will be attractive to high-school students who have a strong interest
in both chemistry and the life sciences. Admitted Science students can declare
this Joint Major degree at any time. Other students, including transfer students,
should consult with Chemistry and/or MBB advisors prior to officially pursuing this
program.
The Chemistry department will have primary administrative oversight of the
program.
We have informally surveyed current SFU Science students regarding their
potential interest in this
Joint Major program. From this exercise, it is clear that
there is significant interest on both sides for such a program. We estimate the
initial enrolment to be about 10-20 students but there is a large potential to
increase once it has become established.
The surveyed interest of existing students indicates that this Joint Program will
be a specific program offering that can target a new student audience resulting in
increased enrolment into SFU programs.
j)
Policies on student evaluation (degree requirements)
As per general regulations of the University and the Faculty of Science.
k) Policies on faculty appointment (minimum qualifications)
Allcontinuing faculty have a Ph.D. or equivalent.
April 2013
I) Policies on program assessment
All academic units at SFU are subject to external review every seven years.
m) Level
of support and recognition from other post-secondary institutions
(including plans for admission and transfer within BC) and relevant
regulatory or professional bodies
As per SFU's transfer creditprocedures, students may transfer from BC colleges
or universities to enroll into this program.
n) Evidence of student interest and labour market demand
We have informally surveyed current SFU Science students regarding their
potential interest in this Joint Major program. From this exercise, it is clear that
there is significant interest for such a program. Incorporating the principles of the
physical sciences to understand the operation of
living systems is one of the next
frontiers
in Science, particularly with applications to society.
The earlier
referenced 2010 NRC report urges academic institutions to accelerate this cross-
disciplinary education. There should be an enormous demand in many areas
such as pharmaceutical development, other aspects of medicinal chemistry,
environmental technology and genetic engineering for a graduate with a degree
combining the physical and life sciences, as outlined in general in the
aforementioned BC Labour Market Outlook 2010-2020 report.
o) Summary of resources (faculty members, space, and equipment)
required and available to implement the program
No additional resources are required. The program can be accommodated with
present courses and faculty.
p) Brief description of any program and associated resources that will be
reduced or eliminated when the new program is introduced
None.
q) List of faculty members teaching/supervising, what percentage of their
teaching will be devoted to the program, and their areas of specialization
All faculty in both departments will contribute to this program as part of their
normal teaching load.
All courses required for this Joint Major are already
offered on a regular basis by the two Departments.
r) For a program where the intention is to charge a premium fee,
a
budget
developed in collaboration with the dean of the faculty.
This is not a premium fee program.
s) Related programs at SFU and other British Columbia post-secondary
institutions
There is no analogous program at SFU. The closest related program would be a
Double Major in CHEM/MBB or a Major/Minor combination.
The Double Major
requires substantially more credits and the Major/Minor has quite a different
April 2013
balance. This proposed Joint Major focuses on the key courses that a student
anticipating entering the labour force after graduation would need to be "fluent" in
the areas of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
At UBC, there is no analogous program.
As at SFU, UBC has separate
"Chemistry" and "Biochemistry and Molecular Biology" Departments, however the
focus of the latter is very biochemical. The closest that could be achieved would
be the Double Major or Combined Honours degrees in either Chemistry/Biology
or Chemistry/Biochemistry. These
programs have
much
higher credit
requirements and, critically, extremely low flexibility.
Degrees in Biochemistry
from UBC are much more "biochemistry"-focused than the more interdisciplinary
offering of this proposed Joint Major, which includes a substantial Molecular
Biology component.
At Univ. Victoria, there are separate "Chemistry" and "Biochemistry and
Microbiology"
Depts.
Combined
Majors
in
"Chemistry/Biochemistry"
and
"Chemistry/Microbiology" both have a much larger focus on microbiology than
this proposed Joint
Major, and nearly no flexibility and thus are not comparable
degree programs.
Name, title, phone number and e-mail address of the institutional contact person
in case more information is required.
Daniel Leznoff, Professor and Chair of Undergraduate Studies Committee,
Department of Chemistry, 778-782-4887, dleznoff@sfu.ca.
Ingrid Northwood,
Senior Lecturer and
Chair, Undergraduate Curriculum Committee, Department of
Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, 778-782-3536, inorthwo@sfu.ca.
Proposed Calendar Description - Faculty of Science
The following text is proposed to be placed in the Faculty of Science section,
linked to both the Dept. of Chemistry and the Dept. of Molecular Biology and
Biochemistry:
This Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) major program is offered jointly by the Department of
Chemistry andDepartment of Molecular Biology andBiochemistry. Entry requires
permission ofboth Departments.
Lower Division Requirements
Students complete 65-66 units, including all of
•
CHEM 121-4 General Chemistry and Laboratory I
•
CHEM 122-2 General Chemistry II
•
CHEM 126-2 General Chemistry LaboratoryII
•
CHEM 215-4 Introduction to AnalyticalChemistry
•
CHEM 230-3 Inorganic Chemistry
April 2013
CHEM 236W -3 Inorganic ChemistryLaboratory
CHEM 260-4 Atoms, Molecules, Spectroscopy
CHEM 281-4 Organic Chemistry I
CHEM 283-3 Organic Chemistry lib
CHEM 286-2 Organic ChemistryLaboratory II
MATH 152-3 Calculus II
BISC 101-4 Introduction to Biology
BISC 102-4Introductionto Biology
BISC 202-3 Genetics
MBB 222-3 Molecular Biology and Biochemistry
MBB 231-3 Cellular Biology and Biochemistry
and one of
• MATH 150-4 Calculus I with Review
• MATH 151-3 Calculus I
and one of
•
STAT 201-3 Statistics for the Life Sciences
STAT 270-3 Introduction to Probability and Statistics
and all of
PHYS 120-3 Mechanics and ModernPhysics
PHYS 121-3 Optics, Electricityand Magnetism
PHYS 131-2 Physics Laboratory I
or all of
PHYS 125-3 Mechanics and Special Relativity
PHYS
126-3 Electricity, Magnetismand Light
PHYS 131-2 Physics Laboratory I
or all of
•
PHYS 101-3 Physics for the Life Sciences I
•
PHYS 102-3 Physics for the Life Sciences II
•
PHYS 131-2 Physics Laboratory I
or both of
•
PHYS 140-4 Studio Physics - Mechanics and Modern Physics
•
PHYS 141-4 Studio Physics - Optics, Electricity and Magnetism
Upper Division Requirements
April 2013
Students complete all ofthe following (at least 35 units)
•
CHEM 316-4 Introductory Instrumental Analysis
•
CHEM 332-3 The Chemistry ofTransition Metals
•
CHEM 380-4Chemical and Instrumental Methods of Identification of Organic
Compounds
• MBB 309W-4 Biochemistry Laboratory
•
MBB 321-3 Intermediary Metabolism
• MBB 331-3 Molecular Biology
and one of
•
CHEM 360-3 Thermodynamics and Chemical Kinetics
•
MBB 323-3 Introduction to Physical Biochemistry
andaminimum of six units of400 level MBB courses, and a minimum oftwo upper
division chemistry courses, including at least 3 units (excluding CHEM 481) atthe 400-
level.
Electives
In addition to the above, students complete
•
courses chosen to fulfill the WOB requirements
•
upper division courses from anyto total a minimum of44 upperdivisionunits
•
electives at any division from any faculty to provide 120 unitsasrequired for the
degree.
April 2013
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