FACULTY OF SCIENCE
SCIENCE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE – F455668
MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD 20 AUGUST 2013
PRESENT
W/Prof Brendan Waddell, W/Prof Tim Ackland, W/Prof Tim Colmer , W/Prof Sarah Dunlop, A/Prof
Peter Hammond, Prof Murray Maybery, W/Prof Ian McArthur, W/Prof David Pannell, Ms Abbe
Rorrison, W/Prof Small, W/Prof Mark Spackman, Ms Jan Taylor, Prof Matthew Tonts.
1. APOLOGIES
W/Prof Tony O’Donnell, Ms Christine Richardson, W/Prof Shaun Collin, W/Prof Linc Schmitt
2. WELCOME
The Chair welcomed Members to the meeting.
3. DECLARATIONS OF POTENTIAL OR PERCEIVED CONFLICTS OF INTEREST - REF: F45668
Nil
4. MINUTES (16 July 2013) – REF: F45668
It was
RESOLVED 97/2013
To confirm the Minutes of the 16 July 2013 Meeting of the Science Executive Committee and its
attachments as a true and correct record of that meeting.
5. UPDATE ON ACTION ITEMS
ITEM
DUE DATE /
RESPONSIBILITY
International recruitment in
the Sciences
Associate Dean Research
Dean
Follow up from Science Exec
planning session
Five Year Staffing Plans
School IT Services
All members, with timelines as
indicated
Dean
Faculty Managers
Faculty Workshop Services
Heads, Faculty Managers
Funding of Study Leave
Faculty Manager (Business)
Indonesia Strategy
Tony O’Donnell
Dean,
Academic Delegations
Turnitin and Plagiarism
Risk Register – Faculty of
Science
Bristol University collaboration
STATUS
The Faculty’s Internationalisation Plan will be discussed
at a future Science Exec.
See agenda item
Update at each meeting
The Dean will discuss further with each Head of School.
Faculty to survey Schools regarding their current
handling of IT services.
Heads have provided general information on workshop
services through their workshops
Will be part of wider discussion on strategic funding.
Request made for this to be progressed and resolved
before 2014 budgets are to be set.
To brief members of Science Exec.
Discussion at next meeting
Deputy Dean; Science Teaching &
Learning Committee
Matrix discussed with School Managers and updated
document sent to Risk Management section.
Deputy Dean; Science Teaching &
Learning Committee
ITEM
DUE DATE /
RESPONSIBILITY
CENRM directly enrolling HDR
students
Centre for Safety proposal
Dean
Resolutions 41 – 70 (course
related decisions)
Faculty Manager (Academic)
Dean
STATUS
Recommendation forwarded to Dean, Graduate
Research School for action
Centre formation has been approved by Research
Committee and will be forwarded to Academic Council
for final approval.
Passed to APS for implementation
ITEMS FOR THE ATTENTION OF THE SECRETARIAT: 8, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17
6. MINUTES OF THE SCIENCE TEACHING & LEARNING COMMITTEE
Members were provided with the Minutes of the Science Teaching & Learning Committee held on
25 July 2013 for their information. Those items requiring endorsement by Science Executive
Committee were included elsewhere in this agenda.
7. CENTENARY PROFESSORSHIPS
Following discussion amongst the members of the Science Executive on 6 August 2013, it was
agreed that 2 proposals would go forward for funding through the Science Centenary Professorship
scheme. They are:

Centenary Professorship in Development

Centenary Professor in Wheat Translational Genomics and Breeding
The Faculty will have discussions with the Vice Chancellor to establish a process by which it can
advertise at Level D or Level E and be able to appoint at Level E without commencing a new Level E
selection and recruitment process. This is likely to require a selection committee with a broader
membership base than normal and a formally constituted Search and Screen Committee. The
successful proponents will create the role statement for their professor position, clearly identifying
the differences in appointing at Level D or Level E and associated search plan. The proponents are
also required to commence development of their Masters course and have it available for
enrolment in 2015.
It was
RESOLVED 98/2013
That the Faculty of Science progress the two proposals for Centenary Professorships (Development,
Wheat Translational Genomics and Breeding) through to recruitment.
8. MASTER OF GEOSCIENCE (COURSEWORK) (725550)
Members were advised that the Science Teaching and Learning Committee had, at its meeting on 25
July 2013, recommended changes to the rules for the postgraduate course in the Master of
Geoscience (Coursework) (725550).
It was
RESOLVED 99/2013
That two minor changes to the structure of the Master of Geoscience Degree (moving GEOS5503
Petroleum Resources from a Group A (Level 4) option to a Group B (Level 5) option and adding
MING5504 Advanced Ore Deposits to the Group B option list) be made to enhance the ability of
students to progress through the degree in the minimum time.
Faculty of Science – Science Executive Committee Minutes 20 August 2013
Page 2
9. NEW UNIT PROPOSAL – WEST CHINA: INTERACTIONS AMONG HISTORY, CULTURE FOOD AND
ECOSYSTEM
Members were advised that the Science Teaching and Learning Committee had, at its meeting on 27
June 2013, recommended the approval of a new “West China: Interactions among Culture, Food
Production and Ecosystem” be approved subject to the inclusion of the note regarding group
assessment. That information was included with the agenda item for this meeting.
The Head of School requested that discussion of this item be deferred until the next meeting.
10. NEW POSTGRADUATE COURSE – CENTRE FOR FORENSIC SCIENCE
Members were advised that the Science Teaching and Learning Committee had, at its meeting on 25
July 2013, recommended that the phase one proposal for the new Graduate Certificate in Digital
Forensics be approved.
Comments included:

Concerns about only a singular adjunct professor being available to teach the unit

Only phase one approval is required at this stage, with phase two being the point at which
more details become available
It was
RESOLVED 100/2013
That the phase one proposal for the new Graduate Certificate in Digital Forensics be approved.
11. CENTRE PROPOSAL – CENTRE FOR PLANT GENETICS AND BREEDING (PGB)
Members were advised that the Head of the School of Plant Biology, the Director of the Centre for
Legumes in Mediterranean Agriculture (CLIMA) and the International Centre for Plant Breeding
Education and Research (ICPBER) and the Director of the Institute of Agriculture have proposed that
CLIMA and ICPBER merge to form the Centre of Plant Genetics and Breeding within the School of
Plant Biology and that the School had provided supporting documents. The Head of School
attended the meeting to outline the proposal.
The overall goal of the Centre of Plant Genetics and Breeding is to establish UWA as the leading
research and education centre in plant genetics and breeding in Australia, the Asia-Pacific region
and the lndian Ocean Rim; contributing to national and international efforts to enhance world food
and feed security. PGB's educational mission is to address the global skills shortage in plant breeding
by producing “Professional Plant Breeders for Tomorrow”.
In regard to research, the case to establish the Centre has been highlighted since the 'food crisis' in
2008 focused world attention on the deteriorating supply-demand balance for major staple food
crops. PGB provides an avenue to address the genetics and improvement of a range of commodity
and crop/pasture types; importantly, including the training of skilled plant breeders that will be
required internationally to underpin these global aims. PGB aims to link the Life Sciences with
research and education in plant breeding providing an opportunity for translational research from
model plants to crops. Research will cover cereals, oilseeds and legumes, with a priority especially to
increase work on cereals at UWA (Target: 3-4 major pre-breeding projects at UWA. The project
portfolio attributable to the Centre will aim for a total income of approx. $5,000,000 per year).
The proposal lists the involvement of approximately 20 staff and an FTE of approximately 7.
Comments from the members included:

Collaborations with Plant Energy Biology will be enhanced, including a strong link to the new
Centenary Professorship in Wheat Translational Genomics and Breeding.
Faculty of Science – Science Executive Committee Minutes 20 August 2013
Page 3
It was
RESOLVED 101/2013
That the Science Executive Committee recommends to the Dean that he support the formation of
the Centre for Plant Genetics and Breeding as a centre based within the School of Plant Biology and
forward the proposal to the Deputy Vice Chancellor Research for the attention of the Research
Committee.
12. CENTRE PROPOSAL – RENEWAL - CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMICS AND POLICY (CEEP)
Members were advised that the Head of the School of Agricultural & Resource Economics and
Director of the Centre for Environmental Economics and Policy has proposed that CEEP be renewed
for a further 5 year term as a centre located within the School of Agricultural & Resource Economics.
The Head of School attended the meeting to outline the proposal.
The Centre’s role will be to continue to improve the cost-effectiveness of Australia’s policy programs
for land, water and biodiversity conservation. The work of the Centre will continue to assist
Australia’s environmental managers and policy makers to invest more efficiently in environmental
outcomes. The Centre’s multidisciplinary team of economics specialists will use their expertise to
tackle environmental threats such as climate change, pest plants and animals, fire, salinity,
fragmentation and movements of nutrients and sediments.
The Centre is self-sustaining and has been very successful in attracting external research funds. With
the completion of David Pannell’s Federation Fellowship at the end of 2012, the Centre’s focus is
shifting further outwards with major collaborations with the Centre of Excellence in Environmental
Decisions $1,882,645 over 7 years, National Environmental Research Program Environmental
Decisions Hub $1,047,230 over 4 years and National Environmental Research Program Marine
Biodiversity Hub $571.00 over 4 years.
The Centre has a Total staff FTE of 11.1, with Total research-only FTEs externally funded of 9.8.
It was
RESOLVED 102/2013
That the Science Executive Committee recommends to the Dean that he support the renewal of the
Centre for Environmental Economics and Policy as a centre based within the School of Agricultural &
Resource Economics and forward the proposal to the Deputy Vice Chancellor Research for the
attention of the Research Committee.
13. ASSOCIATE DEAN GRADUATE STUDIES
Members were advised that the Dean proposes that, rather than create a position of Associate Dean
Research, the role of Associate Dean Graduate Studies be developed to support and enhance
graduate studies or research training across the Faculty. The appointee would work closely with the
Dean and other members of the Science Executive to encourage, promote and coordinate graduate
research studies across the Faculty and the University with the goal of improving the quality, impact,
and productivity of research training. The role would include:
• Encouraging collaboration between the Graduate Research Coordinators in Science to
enhance growth in our student cohort, and to achieve focus and greater visibility for
both our programs and our students
• Assisting in the development of the Masters route to PhD
• Making recommendations to minimize administrative burdens on staff supervising PhD
students
Faculty of Science – Science Executive Committee Minutes 20 August 2013
Page 4
Comments from the members included:
 Role should also include strategic recruitment, i.e. promoting UWA to international HDR
students
 Successful candidate is to negotiate a reduction of their duties with their Head of School to
ensure they are not over burdened
It was
RESOLVED 103/2013
That the Science Executive Committee support the Dean’s proposal to create the position Associate
Dean Graduate Studies instead of filling the Associate Dean Research role.
14. FACULTY OF SCIENCE RULES FOR UNDERGRADUATE COURSES
Members were advised that staff in the Science Student Office have recently completed a major
project of updating the rules of pre-existing courses in the Faculty of Science ready for University
publications for students enrolled in 2014. The Rules needed to be changed to reflect issues such as:
changes to unit availability in 2014 (and beyond); the availability of new third year units in 2014 (for
NC2012); the deletion of legacy courses with few or no students; some changes to the rules of
legacy courses to improve alignment with general principles of NC2012 courses; some simplification
of rules in legacy courses and some conversion of 12 point units to six point units.
The General Manager and Faculty Manager (Academic) have met with staff in the Science Student
Office to review the changes within the document and to be briefed on the consultation process
with Schools. All Schools have been consulted about key changes that affect their schools and the
final document reflects that feedback.
The document (Attachment A to the Minutes) has been circulated to members.
It was
RESOLVED 104/2013
That the Faculty of Science Rules for Undergraduate Courses be approved and forward to Academic
Policy Services for implementation.
15. FACULTY OF SCIENCE RULES FOR COMBINED DEGREES
The members were advised that minor changes in regard to the following legacy combined degrees
are needed:
11.1.29 Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Science (51180)
11.1.30 Bachelor of Engineering and Bachelor of Science
(51160) 11.1.39A Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of
Science (71120)
In the main, the changes are deletion of units no longer available and the changes to some unit
names. The document (Attachment B to the Minutes) has been circulated to members.
It was
RESOLVED 105/2013
That the Faculty of Science Rules fo r Combined Degrees be approved and forwarded to
Academic Policy Services for implementation.
Faculty of Science – Science Executive Committee Minutes 20 August 2013
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16. DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (00890) AND MASTER OF PSYCHOLOGY (52590/51590)
The members were advised that minor changes in regard to the following degrees are needed:
Doctor of Philosophy (00890)
Master of Psychology (52590/51590)
The changes are deletion of units no longer available. The document (Attachment C to the
Minutes) has been circulated to members.
It was
RESOLVED 106/2013
That the Rules for Doctor of Philosophy (00890) and Master of Psychology (52590/51590) be
approved and forwarded to Academic Policy Services for implementation.
17. FACULTY OF SCIENCE RULES FOR POSTGRADUATE COURSES
The members were advised that minor changes are needed for legacy postgraduate courses. In the
main, the changes are deletion of units no longer available and the rescission of degrees only
available to re-enrolling students or with nil enrolments. The document (Attachment D) has been
circulated to members.
It was
RESOLVED 107/2013
That the Faculty of Science Rules for Postgraduate Courses be approved and forwarded to Academic
Policy Services for implementation.
18. 2015 HONOURS
The Head of School of Sport Science, Exercise and Health raised the importance of furthering the
development of 2015 Honours courses.
Feedback from the members included:



The item is on the Science Teaching & Learning Committee’s agenda
Only concerns ex-LPS Schools
Sufficient time is still available as the deadline is April 2014
Action: to remain on the Science Teaching & Learning Committee’s agenda.
19. FUTURE FELLOWS AND ONGOING APPOINTMENTS
The Head of School of Animal Biology informed the members that UWA’s website states:
“Future Fellowship appointees at UWA will receive ongoing positions at the end of the
Fellowships subject to continuing outstanding performance during the Fellowship as assessed by
the relevant Head of School and Dean” (link: http://www.research.uwa.edu.au/futureresearchers/internal-guidelines).
Given that an ongoing position is only available to an outstanding performer if there is sufficient
funding and if there is an actual role for the person concerned, the Head of School of Animal Biology
has concerns in regard to expectations of both existing and future staff on Future Fellowships.
Feedback from the members included:
 There is no definition of “outstanding performance”
 There is no mention of a probationary period
 There is a need for Future Fellows to make themselves invaluable to their School in terms of
teaching and HDR supervision
 Concern that this issue could extend to staff on DECRA funding
Action: to be discussed further at the next informal Science Executive Committee meeting.
Faculty of Science – Science Executive Committee Minutes 20 August 2013
Page 6
20. STATE CABINET MEETING DAY 4 NOVEMBER 2013
The Faculty Manager (Business) advised the members that State Cabinet is to spend the day on
campus on 4 November 2013 and that the Faculty has been asked to put in a submission in regard to
event(s) for the day. A breakfast followed by a showcase was discussed, as were the launch of the
SPIRIT radio telegraph and a tour of the CMCA facilities in the Physics Building.
It was agreed that the following Ministers be included in our invitation list for the breakfast and
showcase:










Honourable Colin J Barnett MEc MLA - Premier; Ministers for State Development; Science
Honourable Dr Kim D Hames MB BS JP MLA - Deputy Premier; Minister for Health
Honourable Brendon J Grylls MLA - Minister for Regional Development; Lands; Minister
Assisting the Minister for State Development
Honourable John H Day BSc BDSc MLA – Minister for Planning, culture and the Arts
Honourable Terry Redman MLA - Minister for Training and Workforce Development; Water;
Forestry
Honourable W R Marmion BE MBA MLA - Minister for Mines and Petroleum; Housing
Honourable Ken C Baston MLC - Minister for Agriculture and Food
Honourable Dr Mike D Nahan BEc MS PhD MLA - Minister for Energy; Finance; Citizenship
and Multicultural Interests
Honourable Terry K Waldron MLA - Minister for Sport and Recreation; Racing and Gaming
Honourable Albert P Jacob JP MLA - Minister for Environment; Heritage
Action: Faculty Manager (Business) to progress the submission
21. CENTENARY FUNDRAISING
The Deputy Dean advised the members that more funds will be available from the Centenary
fundraising campaign than originally anticipated, and as such, the Dean is seeking ideas that could
be attractive to potential philanthropists. Lateral thinking around areas that are unique and
important to WA (including health and wellbeing and biodiversity, for example) is needed.
Comments from the members included:

Endowed Chairs ($5m to $6m) are the most valuable
Action: Members to feedback ideas to the Dean
22. RISK MANAGEMENT
The Head of School of Chemistry and Biochemistry queried the necessity of the depth to which
Pandemic Response plans that are being prepared.
Action: Faculty Managers to discuss with Risk Management
23. NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Science Executive Committee is scheduled for 3:00 pm on Tuesday 17
September 2013 in the Science Board Room. An informal meeting of the members of the Science
Executive Committee will be held on Tuesday 3 September 2013 in the same venue.
Signed
Faculty of Science – Science Executive Committee Minutes 20 August 2013
(Chair)
Page 7