1. SFU Curriculum Workshop
Everything you should know about SFU’s curriculum development process.
Presented by Senate and Academic Services and Office of Graduate Studies

2. Agenda introductions the steps the forms effective dates programs
changes
reminders
resources
Agenda

3. Acronyms Acronyms we all know and love: APR – Academic Progress Report
AEM – Content management system
Curricunet – Curriculum Management System
Docushare – on-line repository of all Senate documents since 1965
FPP – Full Program Proposal
NOI – Notice of Intent
SGSC – Senate Graduate Studies Committee
SCUP – Senate Committee on University Priorities
SCUS – Senate Committee for Undergraduate Studies
SIMS – Student Information Management System
WQB – Writing, Quantitative, Breadth Requirements
Acronyms

4. The Steps 1. Department/Faculty 2. Faculty 3. SCUS / SGSC 4. SCUP
Undergraduate / graduate committees
2. Faculty
3. SCUS / SGSC
4. SCUP
5. Senate
6. Board of Governors*
7. Curricunet / SIMS
8. Calendar / APR
*note: new programs may require BC Ministry of Advanced Education approval
The Steps

5. Baby steps Library resources check Overlap check
* these are required and may take significant amounts of time, so plan ahead, don’t leave it to the last minute or your proposal may get delayed.
WQB approval (creating a new W course does not mean the non-W version will be automatically deleted.)
Baby steps

6. The Forms Undergraduate Graduate
Information on how to propose new courses, modify or delete existing ones, create or modify programs can all be found at
Graduate
Information on how to make calendar edits, create or modify courses, and create new programs can be found at
The Forms

7. Special Temporary Topics
STT (Special Temporary Topics) courses require the approval of the dean and are then implemented by the Registrar’s office.
Must include rationale and plan for offerings
Valid for 3 terms of active offering
Will automatically be deleted
May include WQB designation
Special Temporary Topics

8. Effective Dates Effective dates drive all the systems
Curricunet
SIMS
Scheduling
Calendar
Academic Progress Report (APR)
e.g. Spring 2017, Summer 2017, Fall 2017
Effective Dates

9. Effective Dates Senate approved changes: BE REALISTIC
Between May and July are reflected in the Spring Calendar
Between September and December are reflected in the Summer Calendar
Between January and April are reflected in the Fall Calendar
BE REALISTIC
When Senate approves
Effective Dates

10. Sample Timelines-program changes and courses
Effective Fall 2017
Approved by Senate no later than April
Approved by SCUS/SGSC no later than March
Approved by Faculty ?
Approved by Department ?
Proposed ?
Sample Timelines-program changes and courses
Note: this timeframe best describes what happens when everything is done correctly. Often items are sent back or revised and may take longer. The effective dates still hold true.
Sample timeline
program changes and courses

11. Sample timeline- new programs
Effective Fall 2017**
Approved by Senate no later than April
FPP Approved by SCUP no later than March
FPP Approved by SCUS/SGSC no later than February
NOI approved by both SCUS/SGSC and SCUP prior to the FPP process
Approved by Faculty ?
Approved by Department ?
Proposed ?
** Note – new programs may require Ministry approval, which may delay this timeline. You are advised to contact Susan Rhodes for details
Sample timeline- new programs

12. Program Deletions Two step process:
Step 1 – suspend admission to the program.
This must be approved by SCUS/SGSC/SCUP and must include a plan for students in the program or who might want to get into the program and how this will be communicated to them.
Step 2 – dissolution of the program.
Must be approved by SCUS/SGSC/SCUP/Senate.
Must include rationale and outcome of suspension plan.
Program Deletions

13. changes All curriculum changes require approval by SCUS/SGSC
eg. Pre-requisites, certificate deletions, unit changes, WQB designations, additions to elective lists, admission/continuation gpa, concentration titles
Don’t assume it’s an editorial change.
*new* EXCEPTION – re-instating temporarily withdrawn courses can now come directly to Senate and Academic Services for implementation.
changes

14. Program changes Changes that require approval by SCUP
Name changes to existing credentials
Deletion of programs
Note: these all pass through SCUS/SGSC first but important to remember the extra step.
Program changes

15. Reminders Prerequisites need to have logic
Does the Calendar you are working from include recent curriculum updates?
Does the change apply to ALL your unit’s programs i.e. honours and major and minor?
Are the course components accurately marked?
Consistency between unit value and number of courses required
Equivalent courses – Sequential courses.
Reminders

16. Inaccurate or incomplete documents submitted may result in delay or denial by SCUS, SGSC, SCUP, Senate.
Accuracy

17. Graduate vs Undergraduate
Differences between Graduate and Undergraduate Curriculum process
Course forms and templates
WQB approval not required for graduate courses
Graduate Certificate and Diploma proposals do not require a Notice of Intent (NOI)
Cohort Special Arrangement programs – faster approval process for short-term (max 3 years) graduate programs
Academic Progress Report (APR) is currently being developed for graduate programs
Graduate vs Undergraduate

18. Tying it together Same team, different players
Academic staff, advising staff, administrative staff
Accurate curriculum management = accurate calendars and accurate academic progress reports= happy students and advisors.
Tying it together

19. Resources Resources Departmental / faculty minutes
SCUS dates and minutes
SGSC dates and minutes
Senate documents
SCUP
Senate approved Calendar guidelines
Graduate Curriculum Management
Undergraduate Curriculum Management
Resources
Resources

20. Talking Points Due diligence is required at all levels
Realistic effective dates
Use the proper forms, follow format
Make your changes obvious
Check resources for approvals, what really happened
Don’t be afraid to ask the experts.
Include your advisors in the conversation
Talking Points

21. Questions