AGENDA ITEM NO: 8.4
UNIVERSITY COUNCIL
ACADEMIC PROGRAMS COMMITTEE
FOR INFORMATION ONLY
PRESENTED BY:
Gordon Hill, Chair, Academic Programs Committee of Council
DATE OF MEETING:
February 26, 2009
SUBJECT:
Item for Information:
College of Arts & Science: approval of Specializations within
a major
COUNCIL ACTION:
For information only
Arts and Science: Specializations within a major
University Council has delegated to the Academic Programs Committee of Council the authority to
approve program options within degree programs, and to approve new fields of specialization at the minor
level.
The College of Arts and Science has proposed that students in its BSc programs should have the option to
complete courses within the major demonstrating greater depth in a specific area of study. The college
intends to call these areas “Specializations”. The attached documentation describes this concept in detail.
At its January 27 meeting, the committee discussed this proposal with Associate Dean Tom Steele. The
committee agreed to approve this proposal.
According to the approval procedures already in place for new fields of specialization at the minor level
of concentration, the approval procedure for the Arts and Science “Specializations” will be as follows:
- through the University Course Challenge, if the Specialization is in a field which already exists in the
College of Arts & Science (such as, for example, Water Science or Astronomy)
- through the Academic Programs Committee of Council, if the Specialization is in a field which is new to
the College of Arts and Science (such as, for example, Cognitive Neuroscience or Soil Microbiology)
The Academic Programs Committee of Council also noted that the terminology of “Specializations” for
this new option could lead to confusion with existing university nomenclature. A Subcommittee has now
been established to review and consider updates for the 2001 Nomenclature Report. This Subcommittee
is being chaired by APC member Mic Bickis and will include representation from the Associate and
Assistant Deans Group and from SESD.
Respectfully submitted,
Gordon Hill, chair, Academic Programs Committee
1
2
Proposal for Curriculum Change
to be approved by Council or by Academic Programs Committee
1. PROPOSAL IDENTIFICATION
Title of proposal: Proposal for Specialization as recognition of specialized studies in
B.Sc. programs
Degree(s):
B.Sc. Four-year, B.Sc. Honours
Level(s) of Concentration: Specialization (new)
Degree College: Arts and Science
Home College: Arts and Science
Contact person(s) (name, telephone, fax, e-mail):
Tom Steele, Associate Dean,
College of Arts & Science
Tel: 4315
Fax: 7171
E-mail: tom.steele@artsandscience.usask.ca
Grant Cheston
Department of Computer Science
Tel: 4892
Fax: 4884
Email: cheston@cs.usask.ca
Rainer Dick
Department of Physics and Engineering Physics
E-mail: rainer.dick@usask.ca
Dirk de Boer
Department of Geography
E-mail: dirk.deboer@usask.ca
Date: January 2009.
Approved by the degree college and/or home college: May 26th, 2008.
Proposed date of implementation: September 2009.
3
2. Type of change
We propose to create an option for B.Sc. programs to introduce Specializations as recognition
of specialized studies within the Major subject of the B.Sc, and that this specialization be
recorded on the student’s transcript. An example of this would be a Specialization in Water
Science in the B.Sc. Four-year or Honours degree in Geography.
It is intended that a Specialization includes a coherent suite of courses that forms a purposeful,
meaningful experience for the student. The Specialization in Water Science which will be
submitted in parallel with this proposal is an example of such a suite of courses. Students may
include courses in Water Science as part of their disciplinary degree in Geography, but those
wishing to pursue graduate research or professional careers in Water Science will desire to
explore this area of Geography to the greatest extent possible. Formal recognition of this
expertise is important to these students as they seek employment or opportunities for
postgraduate study. The award of a Specialization in Water Science will serve this purpose and
be of potential benefit to the graduate.
Proposal Document
3. RATIONALE
Several Canadian Universities allow their students to get recognition for specialized studies of
areas within the discipline of their Major. Examples from the natural sciences include
Environmental Biology specialization in Biology, Hydrogeology specialization in Geology,
specialization in Chemical Synthesis in Chemistry, specialization in Geochemistry in Geology
and Chemistry, Applied Mathematics specialization in Mathematics, Astrophysics specialization
in Physics. Specializations in science programs from McMaster University and the University of
Waterloo are listed in an appendix.
Areas of specialization within a Major are identified to emphasize special programming
opportunities for students, and to react to new scientific and societal challenges and needs in a
timely and efficient manner, when the introduction of stand-alone full B.Sc. programs may not
be warranted or feasible. Specializations offer the opportunity to showcase areas of particular
strength within a discipline, and to emphasize attractive program options for students.
Specializations as recognition of special studies or a special focus in a Major are a versatile tool
for academic programming. We propose to make this tool available for our academic programs.
4. DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAM CHARACTERISTICS
The concept of Specialization
Specializations recognize opportunities for students to acquire expertise in a particular area in
their Major, or in a very closely related area when no B.Sc. degree is available in that area. The
requirements for a Specialization will encompass a coherent suite of courses which help
students to gain a more advanced level of understanding and proficiency in the Specialization.
Specializations will therefore include a fair amount of advanced course material related to the
area of the Specialization, and we propose that a Specialization requires at least 9 credit units
4
at the 300 or 400 level. Nevertheless, depending on the preparation which students acquire
through the mandatory course work in their Major, requirements for Specializations can also
contain introductory level and intermediate level courses required to lay the foundations for the
advanced courses where necessary.
Distinction between Specializations and Minors
We propose that a Specialization requires 18 to 24 credit units of specialized course work within
a sub-discipline of the Major. The specific number of required credit units would be determined
by the academic unit or department offering the Major. In terms of required amount of course
work, Specializations would therefore compare to Minors. However, Minors recognize study in
a subject outside of the Major, while Specializations recognize special studies or a special focus
within the subjects of the Major. A student can use at most 6 credit units from their Major
towards the 18 credit units required for a Minor. To reflect increased depth or focus in a
particular area, a Specialization would require at least 9 credit units at the 300 or 400 level,
whereas a Minor requires only at least 3 credit units at the 300 or 400 level.
Co-existence of B.Sc. degrees and Specializations with the same title
Specializations recognize specialized studies in a subfield of a Major, or studies in a very
closely related field. The need for offering a Specialization as an option for studies in a very
closely related field usually arises only when a B.Sc. degree in the closely related field is not
available. Therefore co-existence of Specializations and B.Sc. degrees with the same title
would usually not appear, and would be reserved to exceptional circumstances. Furthermore,
we do not propose to convert existing B.Sc. programs into Specializations within larger
programs. A proposal for deletion of an existing B.Sc. program and its conversion into a
Specialization nested within another program would be required to pass through the usual
program discontinuation procedures of the Academic Programs Committee of Council.
Inter-departmental Specializations
There may be Specializations which might naturally be nested within two or more B.Sc.
programs. For example, a Specialization in Material Science could be offered both by
Chemistry and by Physics. In this case corresponding entries could appear in the program
descriptions of both departments, and there could be a B.Sc. degree in Chemistry with a
Specialization in Material Science and a B.Sc. degree in Physics with a Specialization in
Material Science. It would be up to the two departments to decide whether they would use a
common core of courses for the Material Science Specializations in their B.Sc. degrees.
Proposal for a Calendar entry in Arts and Science 1
Specializations would require an amendment to the article on “Degrees, Certificates and
Program Types” in the Arts and Science section of the Calendar. We propose the following
amendment:
______________________________________________________________________
1
Programs in other Colleges and the B.A. programs in Arts and Science may have similar needs to
introduce Specializations to emphasize program options and opportunities within a Major. The reference
of a Calendar entry for B.Sc. programs in Arts and Science is not meant to preclude similar entries for
B.A. degrees or for programs in other Colleges.
5
(New entry) Specialization
Specializations recognize specialized studies in a sub-discipline of a Major.
Specializations require completion of 18 to 24 credit units of special studies in a B.Sc.
Four-year or B.Sc. Honours degree. At least 9 credit units in the Specialization must be
at the 300 or 400 level.
A Specialization must be completed in conjunction with a Major, and must be completed
at the time of graduation with a B.Sc. Four-year or Honours degree.
Not all disciplines offer Specializations. Refer to the program descriptions for the Major
for availability of Specializations and for further regulations.
______________________________________________________________________
5. RESOURCES
Specializations serve to emphasize timely and attractive programming options within academic
Majors. As such they would usually not generate special resource needs in addition to the
resources provided for the host B.Sc. program. It is proposed that once the general concept of
Specializations as a lower level of concentration within Majors has been established,
Specializations are vetted and approved within the existing framework for “Adding a Lower
Level of Concentration”. Submissions for Lower Levels of Concentration require a statement on
resource implications as part of the Proposal Form.
It is expected that pursuit of Specializations will place more demand on senior science courses.
Most senior courses in the sciences have capacity to increase enrolments, so that anticipated
increased demand by students seeking Specializations can be absorbed within the limits of
resources currently available to departments.
6. RELATIONSHIPS AND IMPACT OF IMPLEMENTATION
The creation of the Specialization as a Lower Level of Concentration will require revision to the
Council document on Nomenclature.
The introduction of this new category of program type could potentially be of interest to many
departments or administrative units within the Sciences. It is also possible that units delivering
the B.A. may be interested in adapting this program type to their own needs. In order to fully
inform the science community, Associate Dean Jim Basinger had held consultations in the
following contexts:
Meeting of the Heads, Program Chairs, and Interdisciplinary Program Chairs of all
administrative units delivering B.Sc. degrees. Held Jan. 24, 2007, minutes attached.
Meeting of the Division of Science, Feb. 1, 2007, minutes attached.
In the first instance, the Specialization is developed with the needs of students pursing B.Sc.
degrees in mind. However, it may be that Specializations within the College of Arts and Science
will be of interest to students pursuing majors in other colleges, most notably the College of
Engineering and College of Agriculture and Bioresources, where students pursue B.E. and
B.S.A. degree programs that overlap considerably our B.Sc. programs.
6
Procedure for approval of Specializations
After approval of the concept of Specializations, proposals for Specializations could be
approved within the existing framework for “Adding a Lower Level of Concentration”.
Implementation of the concept of Specializations
If the concept of Specializations in B.Sc. degrees is approved by Council, the description of the
concept would have to be implemented in the article on “Degrees, Certificates and Program
Types” in the Arts and Science section of the Calendar, and “Specialization” would have to be
included as an option in the drop down menu in the form for “Adding a Lower Level of
Concentration” which is available on the Arts and Science website for College Course
Challenge.
Specializations which have been approved would be included under the corresponding program
description of the Major which offers the Specialization.
Application forms for graduation with a B.Sc. degree in Arts and Science would have to include
a field with the heading “Specialization”, similar to the field where students can enter a Minor.
Completion of a Specialization should be recognized on the transcript.
7. BUDGET
Re-allocations of college or departmental budgets could arise if introduction of a particular
Specialization would require offering new classes or laboratories. The case for resources would
have to be made with the submission of the particular Specialization for approval. Existing
offerings of 3rd and 4th year electives in B.Sc. programs can accommodate several interesting
and attractive suites of courses for specialized studies within the scientific disciplines and thus
make better and more efficient use of existing resources.
7
College Statement
From Tom Steele, Associate Dean, College of Arts & Science
The College of Arts and Science sees enormous benefit to all B.Sc. seeking students by
allowing them to tailor their degrees through meeting the requirements of a Specialization to
acquire the knowledge base of specific career goals or post-graduate study. Formal
recognition of the specialization on the student’s transcript is clearly an important aspect of this
proposal. This initiative is more attractive and feasible than the development of numerous new
degrees because of its flexibility and minimal impact on resources. The College supports this
initiative as part of its role in supporting the Integrated Plan for stronger and more focused
academic experience, providing new opportunities for students, and to strengthen recruitment
and retention efforts.
The B.Sc. Specialization proposal was developed by a committee formed by the Associate
Dean of the Division of Science, and was circulated in the January 2008 College Challenge at
all Arts and Science faculty for comment and feedback. No challenges to the proposal were
received. After much discussion amongst the Academic Programs and Standards for the
Sciences Committee, the Division of Science, and the party putting forward the proposal, the
proposal was approved by the Academic Programs and Standards for the Sciences Committee
on April 16, 2008. It was later approved by the Division of Science on May 26th, 2008.
8
Related Documentation
Include any related documentation which is relevant to this proposal, such as:
• Excerpts from the College Plan and Planning Parameters
• SPR recommendations
• Relevant sections of the College plan
• Accreditation review recommendations
• Letters of support
• Memos of consultation
It is particularly important for Council committees to know if a curriculum changes are being made in response to
College Plans and Planning Parameters, SPR recommendations or accreditation recommendations.
This proposal has not appeared in a College Plan, SRC recommendation, or accreditation
recommendation. It arises from a desire in several departments to recognize students who
have developed especially strong concentrations within a discipline, and to encourage other
students to do the same.
Appendix 3 contains excerpts of Minutes of Department Head and Division meetings pertaining
to Specializations. These show consultations with the Division on the topic.
Several departments have expressed interest in developing Specializations. In particular,
Geography has developed a Water Science Specialization, but its approval is awaiting approval
of the new level of concentration. Other departments are waiting for the approval of
Specializations before developing any of them.
APPENDICES
Appendix 1: Specializations in B.Sc. programs at McMaster University and the University of
Waterloo
Appendix 2: Details of the Specializations in B.Sc. (Honours) programs in Physics at McMaster
University and the University of Waterloo
Available on request:
Appendix 3: Excerpts of Minutes of Department Head and Division meetings pertaining to
Specializations
- Minutes, Meeting of the Heads, Program Chairs, and Interdisciplinary Program Chairs of all
administrative units delivering B.Sc. degrees. Held Jan. 24, 2007.
- Minutes, Meeting of the Division of Science, Feb. 1, 2007.
9
Appendix 1: Specializations in B.Sc. programs at McMaster University and the University
of Waterloo
Please note that the lists of Specializations are influenced by organizational structures and
faculty complements. They can serve for illustrative purposes, but one-to-one translations to
the University of Saskatchewan are neither feasible nor recommended. For example, it would
usually not seem appropriate to offer Specializations in an area where a B.Sc. degree is already
offered.
Available Specializations in B.Sc. degrees in the Faculty of Science at McMaster University
B.Sc. degrees in
Biochemistry
Biology
Chemistry
Earth and Environmental Sciences
Materials Science
Mathematics and Statistics
Physics
Available Specializations
Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering,
Molecular Biology, Origins
Biodiversity, Genetics, Microbiology &
Biotechnology, Origins, Physiology
Biological, Physical & Analytical, Synthesis &
Structure, Origins
Geochemistry, Geosciences, Hydrosciences
Computational, Properties & Processing,
Nanomaterials
Applied Mathematics, Mathematics, Origins,
Statistics
Astrophysics, Biophysics, Experimental Physics,
Origins, Theory & Computation
Available Specializations in B.Sc. degrees in the Faculty of Science at the University of
Waterloo
B.Sc. degrees in
Biology
Chemistry
Earth Science
Physics
Available Specializations
Animal Physiology, Ecology & Environmental
Biology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology &
Biotechnology, Plant Biology
Materials Chemistry
Atmospheric, Geology, Geophysics,
Hydrogeology, Environmental
Applied Physics, Astrophysics, Biophysics
There are also inter-departmental Specializations, including Chemical Physics and
Geochemistry.
10
Appendix 2: Details of the Specializations in B.Sc. (Honours) programs in Physics at
McMaster University and the University of Waterloo
Physics students at the University of Waterloo can opt for one of three specializations offered in
their program. Physics students at McMaster University can opt for one of five specializations
offered in their program.
First example: Areas of Specialization in the B.Sc. (Honours) degree in Physics at the
University of Waterloo
Each of the specializations requires a special suite of courses as part of the Physics program.
Students have to use a part of their physics electives and open electives for the required
courses, if they want to opt for a specialization.
Specialization in Applied Physics:
15 cu of mandatory physics courses as part of the electives: analogue electronics, digital
electronics, introduction to optical communications physics, advanced laboratory 1, advanced
laboratory 2.
Specialization in Astrophysics:
12 cu from the following list of courses as part of the electives: introductory astronomy,
astrophysics 1 (solar system), astrophysics 2 (stars and stellar evolution), astrophysics 3
(galaxies and cosmology), introduction to general relativity.
Specialization in Biophysics:
9 cu mandatory biology courses as part of the electives: introductory cell biology, genetics,
molecular biology;
3 cu chemistry course as part of the electives: basic organic chemistry 1;
9 cu mandatory physics courses as part of the electives: molecular biophysics, radiation
biophysics, physics of medical imaging.
Remarks:
- Students can also choose their electives freely and not opt for any specialization.
________________________________________________________________________
Second example: Areas of Specialization in the B.Sc. (Honours) degree in Physics at
McMaster University
Each of the specializations requires a special suite of courses as part of the Physics program.
Students have to use a part of their physics electives and open electives for the required
courses, if they want to opt for a specialization.
Specialization in Astrophysics:
12 cu mandatory astronomy courses as part of the electives: introduction to astronomy and
astrophysics, planetary astronomy, galaxies and cosmology, stellar structure;
12 cu mandatory physics courses as part of the electives: scientific computing, physical optics,
electromagnetic theory, advanced quantum mechanics.
11
Specialization in Biophysics:
15-18 cu mandatory biochemistry courses as part of the electives: nucleic acid and function,
protein structure and enzyme function, inquiry into biochemical techniques (6 cu); at least one of
introduction to computational biochemistry or genomes and evolution;
9 cu mandatory physics courses as part of the electives: statistical mechanics, soft condensed
matter physics, molecular biophysics.
Specialization in Experimental Physics:
18 cu mandatory physics courses as part of the electives: electronics 1, electronics 2, statistical
mechanics, physical optics, electromagnetic theory, advanced quantum mechanics.
Specialization in Computation & Theory:
6 cu mandatory mathematics courses as part of the electives: linear algebra 2, numerical
analysis 1;
24 cu mandatory physics courses as part of the electives: scientific computing, relativity,
statistical mechanics, physical optics, analytical mechanics, electromagnetic theory, advanced
quantum mechanics, computational physics.
Specialization in Origins:
This requires 24 cu mandatory Origin courses as part of the electives. These courses are
labeled Origin and deal with cosmology, structure formation in the universe, origin of the
elements (big bang nucleosynthesis and stellar breeding of the heavier elements), astrobiology,
origins of species and biodiversity, origins of humanity.
Remarks:
- Students can also choose their electives freely and not opt for any specialization.
12