From: Fornssler, Cathie
To: "Harley Dickinson"; "Alec Aitken";
cc: Zink, Laura; "Sandra Paradis"; trever.crowe;
Subject: Response from APC to discussion of Bachelor of Arts & Science
Date: Friday, May 09, 2008 1:34:00 PM
To: Harley Dickinson and Alec Aitken, College of Arts & Science
From: Trever Crowe, Chair, Academic Programs Committee
Thank you for attending the Academic Programs Committee meeting on April 25 to
discuss the Bachelor of Arts & Science (BASC) proposal document. The Committee
agreed that the College of Arts & Science is demonstrating a great deal of innovation in
developing this proposal, and that this program is special in terms of its design, its
learning outcomes and its attractiveness to very bright students.
While this concept is exciting, and proponents from the College of Arts and Science
demonstrate this enthusiasm, the existing document fails to communicate this excitement.
Though the program aims at highly-qualified and motivated students, the documentation
seems to present this as a weaker program where the minimum expectations are low. It
was suggested that Arts & Science should consider making revisions to the proposal
document as follows:
1. A set of guiding principles for development of the programs, such as learning
communities, would be useful. A preamble might be inserted to discuss the importance of
creating learning communities and how integration will occur.
2. A section on best practices could also be used to encourage departments to require
more than the minimum.
3. The shell of the program should be described so that there is a commonality and a
structure. The committee understands and appreciates that the document describes a
framework of minimum requirements, but it was also clear that the committee expects
specific program proposals that will be submitted in the future to require more than these
minimal levels of competence. Thus, the College of Arts and Science is asked to confirm
these minimum competence levels.
The Committee encourages the College of Arts and Science to consider the suggestions
above and revise the proposal document accordingly. The Academic Programs
Committee plans to ask University Council to approve the BASC program structure
following an acceptable review of the revised document.
Sent on behalf of Trever Crowe.
Cathie
Cathie Fornssler
Committee Coordinator Office of the University Secretary
College of Arts & Science
University of Saskatchewan
9 Campus Drive
Saskatoon SK S7N 5A5
Phone: 306-966-4275
Fax: 306-966-8839
MEMORANDUM
To:
Academic Programs Committee of Council
From:
Harley Dickinson, Acting Associate Dean, Social Sciences
Alec Aitken, Acting Associate Dean, Undergraduate Affairs
Date:
16 May 2008
Re:
Bachelor of Arts & Science
This memo is in response to the Committee’s request of 9 May 2008 for further clarification and confirmation
of the standards and academic rigour of the proposed B.A.Sc. degree framework.
As the Committee noted in its comments, the B.A.Sc. is an exciting innovation at the University of
Saskatchewan. The proposed degree structure provides a framework which university faculty will use to offer
a variety of exciting, challenging and interdisciplinary programs of studies for undergraduate students. For
example, a B.A.Sc. in Health Studies is in the final stages of development and additional discussions are
underway to create a B.A.Sc. in Environmental Assessment. As the APC has acknowledged, the B.A.Sc.
structure provides an exciting new opportunity to:
ƒ Attract and retain excellent undergraduate students; and
ƒ Provide a unique, interdisciplinary, integrative approach to contemporary themes, issues and systems.
It is clear from the experiences of other post-secondary institutions that the best and brightest students are
seeking out new approaches and opportunities to explore issues from multiple perspectives, and that
employers are looking to recruit individuals that are able to approach concepts and systems holistically. It is
these two powerful motivations that the B.A.Sc. structure seeks to address.
APC has questioned whether the minimum requirements articulated for the B.A.Sc. framework actually
support the idea that this degree will be challenging and provide the in-depth, academically rigorous
programming that is promised in the proposal. The B.A.Sc. Framework is more rigorous than any of the
other existing degree frameworks in the College of Arts & Science. We ask that the Committee consider the
following in its final decision-making:
(1) More stringent demands for senior coursework in the major
The College of Arts & Science currently has five different degree types (B.A. Humanities; B.A. Social
Sciences; B.Sc. Natural Sciences; and B.A. Fine Arts; B.F.A.) Each of these degree types specify
minimum major requirements at the senior level (200-level and above). In some cases (B.A. options), a
maximum is also specified. The minimum major requirements for the B.A.Sc. at the senior level exceed
even the most rigorous of the existing degrees. The B.Sc. Honours requires 48 or more senior level
course in the major; in comparison, the B.A.Sc. requires a minimum of 60 c.u. of senior course work in
the major for both the Honours and the Four-Year option.
(Please see the attached chart Degree Requirements for additional details.)
(2) Established minimums for 300- and 400-level courses
Unlike existing degree structures, the B.A.Sc. degree is setting a minimum level of 300-level and above
coursework; students in a B.A.Sc. program will be required to complete a minimum of 12 c.u. at the 300level and above. This requirement is unique to the B.A.Sc. structure – the other degree structures are
silent on the issue of 300 and 400-level coursework. It is only at the level of specific program
requirements that one sees requirements for 300 and 400 level courses. We expect that proponents of
new B.A.Sc. programs also will specify required numbers of credit unitsd of 300 and 400 level courses.
It is the expectation of both the existing degree structures, and of the new degree structure, that as
programs come forward an appropriate complement of courses is identified to ensure that a student
receives an academically rigorous educational experience that will prepare them for graduate level work
and/or entry into the work force. The result is a range in the number of 300 and 400-level courses
required by specific degrees. For example,
ƒ B.Sc. Four-Year in Biology requires. 9 c.u. at the 300- or 400 level;
ƒ B.A. Four-Year Native Studies, requires 18 c.u. at the 300- or 400-level;
ƒ B.A. Four-Year Sociology, 12 c.u. at the 300- or 400-level;
ƒ B.A. Honours Prairie Studies requires 3 c.u. at the 400-level.
In implementing minimum 300- and 400-level courses for the B.A.Sc. degree, the College is making a
strong statement about the additional rigour expected of faculty proposing specific programs, and of the
students who enroll in them.
The College is known for its diversity. This diversity also extends to discipline and department practices
with regards to course numbering. Some disciplines place less emphasis on a hierarchical ordering of
courses; rather the primary distinction is between junior versus senior level courses. It is essential that
the degree structure proposed recognize these differences and allows a framework that recognizes them.
Each program built on this degree will look different – to demand greater consistency is to undermine the
innovation and pedagogy built into the B.A.Sc. structure. It is College policy that final decision of
academic rigour must be made at the program level.
(3) Best practices and example of a proposed program using the B.A.Sc. structure
All new degree structures and programs are subject to rigorous review in the College prior to
implementation. (The proposed B.A.Sc. structure has been approved by all three divisions in the
College). The diversity of disciplines in the College require a greater degree of flexibility in describing the
“shells” or “degree structures” to accommodate this richness and diversity of disciplines. However, as
programs are introduced, they are adjudicated according to strict standards that include consideration of
best practices such as:
ƒ Development of learning communities;
ƒ Opportunities for graduate-level education
ƒ Space for integration of ideas and approaches
ƒ Research and/or work experiences.
Enclosed is a copy of a draft proposal for a B.A.Sc. in Health Studies. This example may provide the
Committee with a clearer understanding of how the B.A.Sc. may be realized. For example, the Health
Studies program offers 9 to 15 c.u. of integrative coursework (Four-Year vs. Honours program); this
includes a 100-level course intended to develop a student learning community as well as a 200-level
course that begins the integrative learning for students. It is felt that waiting until the final year is too
late to begin providing students with opportunities to begin integrating the materials they are acquiring.
The proposal also includes a program specific 300-level course and a 400-level Honours research course
intended to provide students with experiential learning opportunities.
Degree Requirements
Bachelor of Arts & Bachelor of Science
Three-year degree (90 credit units) • Four-year degree (120 credit units) • Honours degree (120 credit units)
Program Types A, B, C & D
Type A
B.A – Humanities – Majoring in:
• Classical and Near
Eastern Archaeology
• Classical, Mediaeval and
Renaissance Studies
• Comparative Literature
and Languages
• English
• French
• German
• History
• International Studies
• Linguistics
• Linguistics and Languages
• Philosophy
• Religious Studies
• Russian
• Spanish
• Ukrainian
• Women’s & Gender Studies
Type B
B.A. – Social Sciences – Majoring in:
• Aboriginal Public
Administration
• Anthropology
• Archaeology
• Business Economics
• Economics
• Geography (Human)
• International Studies
• Land Use and
Environmental Studies
• Linguistics
• Native Studies
• Northern Studies
• Political Studies
• Psychology
• Public Administration
• Regional and Urban
Development
• Sociology
• Sociology of
Biotechnology
• Women’s & Gender Studies
Type C
B.Sc. – Natural Sciences – Majoring in:
• Anatomy & Cell Biology
• Archaeology
• Biochemistry
• Biology
• Bioinformatics
• Biomolecular Structure
Studies
• Biotechnology
• Chemistry
• Computer Science
• Computing
• Geography (Physical)
• Geology
• Geophysics
• Land Use and
Environmental Studies
• Mathematics
• Mathematical Physics
• Microbiology
• Palaeobiology
• Physics
• Physiology
• Environmental Earth Science • Statistics
• Food Science
• Toxicology
Type D
B.A. – Fine Arts – Majoring in:
• Art (Art History or Studio Art)
• Drama
• Music
Requirement 1
Humanities Requirement
• 12 credit units from the Humanities, (at most, 6 credit
units in one subject)
Social Science Requirement
• 12 credit units from the Social Sciences, (at most,
6 credit units in one subject)
Natural Science Requirement
• a minimum of 15 credit units Natural Sciences chosen
from lists A, B, C, D, and E collectively, with at least
3 credit units from 3 distinct lists and at most 6 credit
units from any one list.
Fine Arts Requirement
• 12 credit units which must be selected from two
different subjects from the Fine Arts (at most, 6 credit
units in one subject)
A. Computer Science—CMPT 111.3, 115.3
B. Physics & Astronomy—ASTR 101.6;
PHYS 111.6, 121.6, 128.3
C. Chemistry—CHEM 112.3, 115.3, 250.3
D. Earth Science—GEOG 120.3; GEOL 121.3, 122.3
E. Biological Science— BIOL 120.3, 121.3
(formerly BIOL 110.6)
Requirement 2
Languages Requirement
Humanities Requirement
Natural Sciences Requirement
Natural Sciences Requirement
Social Sciences Requirement
Languages Requirement
General Requirement
General Requirement
Major Requirement
Major Requirement
• 6 credit units from the Languages
Humanities Writing Requirement
• 6 credit units from the Humanities
• 6 credit units from the following: 100-level English;
100-level History; Lit 100.6; Phil 120.3, 133.3
Humanities Requirement
• 6 credit units from the Humanities
Requirement 3
• 6 credit units from the Natural Sciences
Social Science Requirement
• 6 credit units from the Natural Sciences
• 6 credit units from the Social Sciences
Natural Sciences Requirement
• 6 credit units from the Natural Sciences
Requirement 4
• 6 credit units from the Social Sciences
Mathematics/Statistics Requirement
• 6 credit units from the Languages
• 6 credit units (B.Sc. 4 Yr); 3 credit units (B.Sc. 3 Yr)
from List F: MATH 110.3, 112.3, 116.3, 264.3;
STAT 245.3, 246.3; PLSC 314.3.
Languages Requirement
• 6 credit units from the Languages
Requirement 5
• 6 credit units from the Fine Arts, Social Sciences or
Natural Sciences
• 6 credit units from the Fine Arts, Humanities or
Natural Sciences
General Requirement
• 6 credit units from the Fine Arts, Humanities, Social
Sciences or Languages
Social Sciences Requirement
• 6 credit units from the Social Sciences
Requirement 6
• B.A. Four-year—30 or more senior credit units in
a subject chosen under the Humanities or Languages
requirement, above. These must be selected to complete
the department’s requirements of a 36 or more credit unit
major.
• B.A. Three-year— 24 or more senior credit units in
a subject chosen under the Humanities or Languages
requirement, above. These must be selected to complete
the department’s requirements of a 30 or more credit
unit major.
• B.A. Honours—Usually 42 to 54 credit units in a
subject chosen under the Humanities or Languages
requirement above. See department requirements.
• B.A. Four-year—30 or more senior credit units in a
subject chosen under the Social Science requirement,
above. These must be selected to complete the
department’s requirements of a 36 or more credit unit
major.
• B.A. Three-year—24 or more senior credit units in a
subject chosen under the Social Science requirement,
above. These must be selected to complete the
department’s requirements of a 30 or more credit unit
major.
• B.A. Honours—Usually 42 to 54 credit units in a
subject chosen under the Social Science requirement
above. See department requirements.
Major Requirement
Major Requirement
•B
.Sc. Three-year—24 or more senior credit
units in a major chosen under the Natural Science
requirement above selected to complete the department’s
requirements of a 30 or more credit unit major.
• B.A. Three-year—24 or more credit units in a
subject chosen under the Fine Arts requirement, above.
These must be selected to complete the department’s
requirements of a 30 or more credit unit major.
• B.Sc. Honours—48 or more senior credit units in a
major chosen under the Natural Science requirement
above. See department requirements.
• B.A. Honours—Usually 42 to 54 credit units in a
subject chosen under the Fine Arts requirement above.
See department requirements.
• B.Sc. Four-year—36 or more senior credit
units in a major chosen under the Natural Science
requirement above selected to complete the department
requirements of a 42 or more credit unit major.
• B.A. Four-year—30 or more credit units in a subject
chosen under the Fine Arts requirement, above.
These must be selected to complete the department’s
requirements of a 36 or more credit unit major.
Requirement 7
Electives Requirement
Electives Requirement
Electives Requirement
Electives Requirement
• B.A. Three-year—Electives as required, subject to
the condition that of the 90 credit units required for the
degree not more than 42 may be in any one subject and
not more than 48 may be at the junior level; at least
42 credit units must be at the senior level.
• B.A. Three-year—Electives as required, subject to
the condition that of the 90 credit units required for the
degree not more than 42 may be in any one subject and
not more than 48 may be at the junior level; at least
42 credit units must be at the senior level.
• B.Sc. Three-year—Electives as required, subject to
the condition that of the 90 credit units required for the
degree not more than 48 may be at the junior level; at
least 42 credit units must be at the senior level.
• B.A. Three-year—Electives as required, subject to
the condition that of the 90 credit units required for the
degree not more than 42 may be in any one subject and
not more than 48 may be at the junior level; at least
42 credit units must be at the senior level.
• B.A. Four-year & Honours—Electives as required,
subject to the condition that of the 120 credit units
required for the degree, not more than 60 may be in any
one subject and not more than 54 may be at the junior
level; at least 66 credit units must be at the senior level.
• B.A. Four-year & Honours—Electives as required,
subject to the condition that of the 120 credit units
required for the degree, not more than 60 may be in any
one subject and not more than 54 may be at the junior
level; at least 66 credit units must be at the senior level.
• B.Sc. Four-year & Honours—Electives as required,
subject to the condition that of the 120 credit units
required for the degree, not more than 54 may be at
the junior level; at least 66 credit units must be at the
senior level.
• B.A. Four-year & Honours—Electives as required,
subject to the condition that of the 120 credit units
required for the degree, not more than 60 may be in any
one subject and not more than 54 may be at the junior
level; at least 66 credit units must be at the senior level.
Bachelor of Arts & Science: Health Studies
Distribution Requirements (36 c.u.)
1. Natural Science Requirements (18 c.u.):
ƒ CHEM 112.3, 250.3
ƒ BIOL 120.3
ƒ GEOG 120.3
ƒ STATS 246.3 or equivalent
ƒ 3 additional credit units of Natural Science courses chosen to fill College distribution
requirements.
2. Arts Requirements (18 c.u.).
ƒ 12 c.u. selected from: ECON 111.3; GEOG 130.3; POLS 111.3, 112.3; PSY 110.6; SOC
110.6. To maintain options at the senior level, students are strongly encouraged to select at
least one of PSY 110.6 or SOC 110.6
ƒ 3 c.u. of language
ƒ 3 c.u. selected from Fine Arts or Humanities courses
Major Requirements (63 to 69 c.u. / 60 to 66 senior c.u.)
Under Major Requirements, students must take a minimum of 12 credit units at the 300+ level, with
at least 3 credit units at this level from both 4 and 5.
3. Integrative Interdisciplinary Health Studies and methodology courses (9 c.u.): HS 100.3, 200.3
and 300.3
4. Natural Science (27 senior c.u.)
27 credit units selected from the themes below. Students are encouraged to focus in one of the
three theme areas.
Food, Health & Nutrition: BIOL 324.3; FAMS 210.3, 271.3, 323.3, 345.3, 362.3, 415.3, 417.3,
452.3;
Environment & Health: BIOL 312.3, 475.3, FAMS 212.3, 323.3, 360.3, 425.3; TOX 300.3,
321.3, 402.3, 403.3, 412.3
Biomedical: BMSC 200.3, 210.3, 220.3, 230.3, 240.3; BIOL 224.3, 226.3 ; 300- or 400-level
basic science courses
5. Social Sciences (27 senior c.u.)
27 c.u. select from the themes below. Students are encouraged to focus in one of the three theme
areas.
Individuals and Health: ARCH 270.3; HIST 284.3, HIST 391.3; PSY 242.3, 246.3, 256.3,
257.3,
Society and Health: ANTH 231.3; ECON 234.3; PHIL 234.3; POLS 226.3; SOC 235.3, 238.3,
420.3, 426.3; WGST 354.3
Community and Population Health: CHEP 401.6, 402.3; GEOG 240.3, 364.3; ITDL 204.6, PSY
261.3
6. Applied Health Research Project: HS 401.6 – this requirement is for Honours students only. In
consultation with the Program Chair, students may opt to complete a discipline-specific honours
thesis course.
Electives Requirements (15 to 21 c.u.)
7. Additional elective to meet 120 c.u.