Skip to main content Skip to local navigation
Faculty of Science
Home » Teaching & Learning » Instructor Resources » Curriculum Change Toolkit

Curriculum Change Toolkit

Welcome to the Faculty of Science Curriculum Toolkit.

This page provides information resources for faculty proposing graduate and undergraduate curriculum in the Faculty of Science.

Proposals must be submitted to: scicurri@yorku.ca

Quick Links

Deadlines

Deadline for complete Undergraduate proposal packages: April 1

The curriculum committee welcomes proposal submissions throughout the year. We prioritize review according to submission date.

Proponents are welcome to submit proposals at any time of year; however, proposals submitted after the April 1 deadline may not be guaranteed review in time for offering in the next academic session.

Packages must contain all relevant documentation, including evidence of unit-level approval, consultation with affected programs, and a library statement (for new course proposals). Proposals are reviewed in the order submitted.

The ideal time to submit a major modification or new program proposal is between March and April so that once the proposal receives full approval by Senate and/or the Quality Council, the approved proposal can meet the Academic Calendar deadline (February) and the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre deadline (March) for publishing updates to available programs.

Graduate program calendars are published in the fall every year by the Faculty of Graduate Studies; for additions and changes to be included in the calendar, proposals must be fully approved by the end of the previous academic session (April 30).

Minor Modifications

Minor modifications are curriculum proposals dealing with courses or less substantive changes to existing degree programs or certificates. There are two types of minor modifications: (1) detailed minor modification, and (2) standard minor modification. A detailed minor modification is a modification to a program or degree option that does not rise to the level of a major modification but the modification may have a broad impact, require consultation across units/groups, and/or include substantial changes to an existing program option established through a major modification (e.g., minor, graduate specialization, option, certificate, or WIL option). A standard minor modification is a modification to a program or degree option that does not rise to the level of a major modification or a detailed minor modification and that can be handled at the Faculty-level. New Course Proposals, Course Expiries, and Change to Existing Course proposals are reviewed according to the processes listed below. If you are unsure whether a change you want to propose is a major modification or minor modification, please consult Michael Scheid, Associate Dean, Students, at sciadstu@yorku.ca for additional clarification. The York University Quality Assurance Protocol stipulates that, in ambiguous cases, the Office of the Vice-Provost Academic decides which proposal type and process proponents should follow.

  • Please note that Change to Existing Program proposals may require a curriculum map, as outlined by the York University Quality Assurance Procedures.

Approvals

UNDERGRADUATE PROCESS FOR CHANGES TO
EXISTING DEGREE AND CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS (NON-MAJOR)

  1. Department-level committee
  2. Curriculum Committee
  3. Faculty Council
  4. Academic Policy, Planning & Research Committee (APPRC)
  5. Senate

GRADUATE PROCESS FOR CHANGES TO EXISTING DEGREE

  1. FGS acknowledges non-major modification.
  2. Department-level committee
  3. Graduate Education Committee
  4. Faculty Council
  5. Academic Standards, Curriculum, and Pedagogy Committee (ASCP)
  6. Academic Policy, Planning and Research Committee (APPRC)

UNDERGRADUATE GOVERNANCE PROCESS FOR NEW COURSE PROPOSALS, CHANGES TO EXISTING COURSES & RETIRED COURSES

  1. Department-level committee
  2. Curriculum Committee
  3. Faculty Council

GRADUATE GOVERNANCE PROCESS FOR NEW COURSE PROPOSALS, CHANGES TO EXISTING COURSES & RETIRED COURSES

  1. Department-level committee
  2. FGS (for information, not formal approval)
  3. Graduate Education Committee
  4. Faculty Council

A standard minor modification is a modification to a program or degree option that does not rise to the level of a major modification or a detailed minor modification and that can be handled at the Faculty-level. Contact your Faculty for a Faculty-specific form that addresses these types of program modifications.

UNDERGRADUATE MODIFICATION FORMS

GRADUATE MODIFICATION FORMS

Program Modifications & New Programs

Major modifications involve substantial changes to existing programs due to curricular renewal, program restructuring, program mergers and proposals for new programs. New Course Proposals, Course Expiries, and Change to Existing Course proposals are reviewed based on the processes below. If you are unsure whether a change you want to propose is a major modification or minor modification, contact Michael Scheid, Associate Dean, Students, at sciadstu@yorku.ca for additional clarification.

The development of new programs follows the protocol for new program approvals as outlined in the York University Quality Assurance Process and also complies with the Quality Council’s Quality Assurance Framework.

Please visit the New Degree Program Approvals page for further details.

Please note that before proponents develop a full proposal for either a new program or new program with expedited approval, the Dean must first approve the proponent’s Notice of Intent (NOI) to develop a proposal.

UNDERGRADUATE GOVERNANCE PROCESS FOR NEW PROGRAMS AND CLOSURES

  1. Dean and VPA sign Notice of Intent
  2. Unit-level approval of full proposal
  3. Curriculum Committee
  4. Academic Policy & Planning Committee (Science)
  5. Faculty Council
  6. Academic Policy, Planning & Research Committee (APPRC) 
  7. Senate 
  8. Quality Council (PDF)

GRADUATE GOVERNANCE PROCESS FOR NEW PROGRAMS AND CLOSURES

  1. Dean and VPA sign Notice of Intention (new programs)
  2. Unit-level approval of full proposal
  3. FGS acknowledges full proposal
  4. Graduate Education Committee
  5. Academic Policy & Planning Committee (Science)
  6. Faculty Council  
  7. Academic Standards, Curriculum & Pedagogy Committee (ASCP) 
  8. Academic Policy, Planning & Research Committee (APPRC) 
  9. Senate 
  10. Quality Council (new programs) (PDF)

In some cases, new program proposals can be expedited when the Quality Council does not require an external review of the proposed program. Ultimately, the Office of the Vice-Provost, Academic- in consultation with the Quality Council- determines which process a program brief will follow.

Please visit the New Programs with Expedited Approvals page for further details.

The protocol for a program closure includes the closure of degrees, diplomas, and certificates. Examples of reasons for program closures include:

  • low enrolment
  • changes in academic programs
  • poor program quality whether articulated in cyclical reviews or determined solely by the institution.

Please visit the Program Closure  page for further details.

Major modifications to existing programs typically involve at least one of the following:

  • Significant changes to program requirements
  • Addition of a new major or specialization where a similar one exists at the undergraduate level.
  • Merger of two or more programs.
  • Significant changes to the learning outcomes of an existing program
  • Significant changes to the faculty complement delivering an existing program
  • Change to the essential resources of a program that impair its delivery.

Please visit the Major Modification: Templates and Guidelines page for further details.

UNDERGRADUATE GOVERNANCE PROCESS FOR CHANGE TO EXISTING PROGRAMS

  1. Department-level committee
  2. Dean and VPA
  3. Curriculum Committee
  4. Academic Policy and Planning Committee (Science)
  5. Faculty Council
  6. Academic Standards, Curriculum & Pedagogy Committee (ASPC)
  7. Academic Policy, Planning & Research Committee (APPRC)
  8. Senate

GRADUATE GOVERNANCE PROCESS FOR CHANGE TO EXISTING PROGRAMS

  1. Dean and VPA sign Notice of Intent
  2. Unit-level approval of full proposal
  3. Graduate Education Committee
  4. Academic Policy and Planning Committee
  5. Faculty Council
  6. Academic Standards, Curriculum & Pedagogy Committee (ASPC)
  7. Academic Policy, Planning & Research Committee (APPRC)
  8. Senate

Questions?

Learn more about degree expectations, program learning outcomes and further resources by contacting the individuals below.

Contact

Michael Scheid, Associate Dean, Students
sciadstu@yorku.ca

Ashley Nahornick, Educational Developer
ashleynk@yorku.ca