Faculty of Life and Physical Sciences

FACULTY GOVERNANCE AND STRUCTURE

1. FACULTY

1.1 MEMBERSHIP

The membership of the Faculty of Life and Physical Sciences is as prescribed in Clause 4 of Statute 8 which reads as follows:

'4.(1) Each faculty comprises:

(a) the academic staff in all schools, centres and institutes funded by the faculty; ¹ and

(b) as many academic staff from other schools, centres and institutes which teach in the faculty's courses as the Academic Board determines; and

(c) members in any other categories which the Academic Board approves; and

(d) any other persons which the members in paragraphs (a) to (c) appoint for specified periods.

(2) The Chancellor, Pro-Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Pro Vice-Chancellors, Chair of the Academic Board, Registrar and any other officers of the University which the Academic Board declares, are ex-officio members of all faculties but are not counted for the purpose of determining whether a quorum is present at a meeting.

(3) A faculty is properly constituted even if any of the members required by its constitution to be elected or nominated have not as yet been elected or nominated.'

¹ As defined in Statute No 8, 'academic staff' means those staff members holding academic appointments on a full-time or 50 per cent or greater fractional basis other than those holding emeritus, visiting, adjunct, clinical or honorary appointments.

and comprises:

(a) the Dean of the Faculty;

(b) the Deputy Dean of the Faculty;

(c) the Associate Dean (Research);

(d) the Associate Dean (Teaching and Learning);

(e) the Academic Student Adviser;

(f) the academic staff ¹ as defined in Clause 1 of Statute 8 in all schools and centres funded by the Faculty;

(g) the general staff in all schools and centres funded by the Faculty and the Faculty Office who hold appointments on a full-time or 50 per cent or greater fractional basis;

(h) the Heads of the Schools of Animal Biology; Earth and Environment; Plant Biology; Social and Cultural Studies; Computer Science and Software Engineering; Mathematics and Statistics; Medicine and Pharmacology; Surgery; Pathology and Laboratory Medicine; and of such other schools or disciplines as are involved in the teaching of the Bachelor of Science, or their nominee;

(i) the Directors of the Centres for Learning Technology and Forensic Science;

(j) the Faculty Manager;

(k) the School Managers of the School of Anatomy and Biology; Biomedical, Biomolecular and Chemical Sciences; Sport Science, Exercise and Health; Physics; and Psychology;

(l) a nominee from each of the Faculties of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; Engineering, Computing and Mathematics; Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences; and Natural and Agricultural Sciences;

(m) three members of the Science Union of this University, enrolled in the Faculty, elected annually by and from that Union;

(n) one postgraduate student enrolled in the Faculty, elected annually by and from the Postgraduate Students' Association; and

(o) such other persons, not exceeding ten in number, as may be co-opted by the foregoing members from time to time, provided that each shall be co-opted for a period not exceeding two years and may be co-opted again at the end of a period of office.

¹ As defined in Clause 1 of Statute No 8, 'academic staff' means those staff members holding academic appointments on a full-time or 50 per cent or greater fractional basis other than those holding emeritus, visiting, adjunct, clinical or honorary appointments.

1.2. POWERS

The powers of the Faculty are set out in Clause 6 of Statute 8 which reads as follows:

'6.(1) A faculty, subject to the Statutes and regulations and to the resolutions of the Senate, and within the constraints of University policies, has power to determine the administration of courses under its governance.

(2) a faculty may—

(a) provide advice to its dean on all policy issues relating to the faculty's resources; and

(b) make recommendations to the Academic Board, through its dean, on any matter related to research of the teaching of its courses; and

(c) provide to other University bodies or officers, through its dean, advice on any matter referred to it for consideration.'

1.3. MEETINGS

Meetings are held in accordance with Clause 7 of Statute 8 which reads as follows:

'7.(1) Meetings of a faculty are held—

(a) at least once in each academic year; and

(b) within ten working days of the service on its dean, of a requisition signed by at least six members of the faculty and containing a statement of the matters to be discussed; and

(c) whenever its dean sees fit.

(2) The dean must ensure that, as far as is practicable, all members receive the agenda for a meeting of the faculty at least three working days before the meeting.

(3) Meetings of a faculty are chaired by the dean but, in the absence of the dean, the members present determine which one of them will take the chair.

(4) All questions which are before a faculty are decided by a majority of the members present.

(5) The chair of the meeting has an ordinary vote and a casting vote.

(6) Subject to the Statutes and regulations and to resolutions of the Senate, a faculty has the power to regulate its own procedures but if a dispute arises, the standing orders of the Senate apply.'

1.4 QUORUM

One third of the membership of the Faculty or 25 members, whichever is the lesser, constitutes a quorum.

1.5 NOTICE OF MEETINGS

Notice of meetings is as prescribed in Clause 7(2) of Statute 8.

2. FACULTY OFFICERS

2.1 DEAN

The role of the Dean (formerly known as the Executive Dean) is as prescribed by Senate Resolution 102/93 which states:

'that the . . . Dean shall have—

(a) a Faculty executive role, such that he or she will be bound by Faculty resolutions that cover research, teaching, academic structures and academic processes; and

(b) delegated authority from the Vice-Chancellor to manage University resources and to implement Faculty plans, University policies and priorities.'

2.1.1 Reporting Procedures

By Senate Resolution 102/93:

(a) the Dean is required to report biennially to the Senate, through the Academic Council, on the Faculty's achievements against the Faculty Plan; and

(b) the Dean's report shall be presented to the Faculty whose comments are transmitted to Academic Council at the same time as the Dean's report.

2.2 DEPUTY DEAN

The appointment of the Deputy Dean will be in accordance with Clause 11 of Statute 8 which states that:

'The Vice-Chancellor, after taking appropriate advice, appoints for a specified period a deputy for each dean who performs the duties of the dean during the dean's absence.'

2.3 FACULTY MANAGER

The Faculty Manager has delegated responsibility for the overall administration of the Faculty including, in particular, responsibility to—

(a) assist the Dean in the execution of his/her duties;

(b) ensure that there is an effective interface between the Faculty and the Central Administration and committee system;

(c) provide supervision of, and training for, Faculty Office staff;

(d) ensure effective compliance with statutory requirements and other legal imperatives of University governance;

(e) oversee all matters of students and academic administration;

(f) initiate, develop, maintain, monitor and evaluate strategic plans and the resultant operational plans;

(g) initiate, develop and administer appropriate Faculty budget distribution models; and

(h) manage the Faculty budget.

2.4 ACADEMIC STUDENT ADVISER

The role of the Academic Student Adviser is to—

(a) provide advice to students and prospective students on a wide range of matters relating to academic study;

(b) provide general advice to students on study problems and other problems affecting their capacity to benefit from their University studies, and/or refer them for appropriate professional help; and

(c) make decisions on particular student cases within University and/or Faculty policy, on such matters as variations to course structure, credits and special consideration;

(d) provide advice to the Dean and staff on matters relating to students and courses;

(e) finalise examination results and provide advice to the Board of Examiners;

(f) manage selection process for degrees offered in the Faculty; and

(g) manage course rules within the Faculty. 

2.4.1 Method of Appointment

The position is appointed in accordance with the University's standard procedures for the selection of academic staff.

2.5 ASSOCIATE DEANS

(1) Clause 12 of Statute 8 states that:

'With the approval of the Academic Board, through its chair, a dean of a faculty may delegate any of the duties and responsibilities of the office to other officers or members of the faculty for a specified period.'

(2) The Faculty has two Associate Deans to whom certain duties and responsibilities of the Dean have been delegated in accordance with Clause 12 of Statute 8.

2.5.1 Associate Dean (Teaching and Learning)

(1) The Associate Dean (Teaching and Learning)—

(a) has delegated authority to represent the Faculty on academic matters in terms of University and Faculty Rules;

(b) chairs the Faculty's Teaching and Learning Committee and Board of Examiners;

(c) provide leadership within the Faculty in respect to teaching and learning activities;

(d) identify opportunities to improve teaching and learning within the Faculty; and

(e) identify opportunities to improve student experience.

(2) The Dean may delegate to the Associate Dean (Teaching and Learning) authority to chair other Faculty committees.

2.5.1.1 Method of Appointment

The Associate Dean (Teaching and Learning) is appointed from within the Faculty by a selection process determined by the Dean in consultation with the Faculty.

2.5.2 Associate Dean (Research)

The role of the Associate Dean (Research) is to—

(a) chair the Faculty Research Committee;

(b) provide reports to the Dean and Faculty on the overall research profile of the Faculty including metrics for research performance;

(c) represent the Faculty on research matters;

(d) provide leadership within the Faculty in respect of research and research training activities;

(e) manage Faculty ranking of scholarship applications;

(f) foster greater awareness of collaborative research opportunities within the Faculty and beyond;

(g) identify strategic areas of research and associated funding opportunities;

(h) foster research links with industry;

(i) undertake other activities as determined through consultation with the Dean and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation).

2.5.2.1 Method of Appointment

The Associate Dean (Research) is appointed from within the Faculty by a selection process determined by the Dean in consultation with the Faculty.

3. FACULTY BOARD

(1) By R104/03 the Senate resolved—

'(a) that faculties have faculty boards which shall be responsible to the Faculty for the conduct of all faculty business (except constituting the Faculty Board);

(b) that resolutions of the Faculty Board that relate to research, teaching, academic structures and academic processes, be binding on the Dean and that the Faculty Board be advisory to the Dean on resource matters;

(c) that the composition of the Faculty Board be determined by Senate on the recommendation of the Faculty to Academic Council.'

(2) Certain matters of faculty business are conducted by the Faculty's Executive Committee (See 5.)

3.1 FUNCTION

(1) The function of the Faculty Board is to—

(a) consider issues relating to teaching, academic structures and academic processes;

(b) consider and approve those items which have been endorsed by the Board of Studies and relate to the introduction of new units, changes to existing programmes and changes to rules; and

(c) approve the introduction of new prizes and scholarships within the Faculty and any changes to existing prizes and scholarships.

(2) The decisions of the Faculty Board are binding on the Dean.

3.2 MEMBERSHIP

The membership comprises:

(a) the Dean as Chair;

(b) the Deputy Dean;

(c) the Associate Dean (Teaching and Learning);

(d) the Associate Dean (Research);

(e) the Heads of Schools within the Faculty, or their nominees;

(f) the Faculty Manager;

(g) the Academic Student Adviser;

(h) a school manager elected every two years by and from the School Managers of the Faculty;

(i) a technical officer elected every two years by and from the technical staff employed on a full-time or 50 per cent or greater fractional basis within the Faculty;

(j) five members of academic staff, elected every two years by and from the academic staff of the Faculty;

(k) a research active staff member who holds a position at the level of Research Associate or above, elected every two years by the academic staff of the Faculty;

(l) a nominee from each of the Faculties of: Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; Engineering, Computing and Mathematics; Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences; and Natural and Agricultural Sciences;

(m) the Directors of the Centres for Learning Technology and Forensic Science;

(n) one member of the general staff who holds a full-time or 50 per cent or greater fractional appointment in a school, centre or institute funded by the Faculty, elected every two years by and from the general staff in the schools centres and institutes funded by the Faculty; and

(o) a nominee from the Science Union.

3.3 MEETINGS

(1) Meetings are chaired by the Dean or, in the Dean's absence, by the Deputy Dean.

(2) If both the Dean and the Deputy Dean are absent, the members present determine which of them will take the chair.

(3) A minimum of three meetings a year must be held.

3.4 QUORUM

Seven members constitute a quorum.

3.5 TERMS OF OFFICE

All members, other than those holding ex-officio positions, are elected for a two-year term and are eligible for re-election for one further term of two years.

3.6 METHOD OF ELECTIONS

Elections for the Faculty Board are held every two years at the full meeting of the Faculty.

3.7 SAFEGUARDS

(1) Agendas and minutes must be circulated to all members of the Faculty at the same time as to the Faculty Board. ²

(2) Any Faculty member may make a submission to the Faculty Board, in writing or in person, on any matter listed in the agenda.

(3) If six or more Faculty Board members request the Dean to transfer an item from the Faculty Board agenda to a full Faculty meeting, this request must be granted, provided that a justification is given and those making the request are prepared to make a written or verbal submission to the full Faculty meeting.

(4) If six or more Faculty Board members request the Dean to hold a full faculty meeting, this must be held within ten days.

² An email to members advising the Web address will suffice.

3.8 DELEGATION

The Faculty Board may delegate some matters to be dealt with by the Executive Committee.

4. SUB-COMMITTEES OF THE FACULTY BOARD

4.1 BOARD OF STUDIES IN SCIENCE

4.1.1 Function

The role of the Board of Studies in Science is to—

(a) oversee on behalf of the Faculty of Life and Physical Sciences and the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences academic matters concerning the teaching and assessment of the Bachelor of Science course;

(b) consider changes to the structure of the Bachelor of Science course and any of its majors and programmes (including changes to units) and make recommendations to the Faculty of Life and Physical Sciences and the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences;

(c) consider changes to other courses within the two Faculties; and

(d) consider items referred to it by the Deans of the two Faculties.

4.1.2 Membership

The Board of Studies in Science comprises:

(a) the Dean of the Faculty of Life and Physical Sciences or nominee;

(b) the Dean of the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences or nominee;

(c) the Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Life and Physical Sciences;

(d) the Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences;

(e) the Academic Student Adviser of the Faculty of Life and Physical Sciences;

(f) the heads of schools in the Faculty of Life and Physical Sciences and the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences;

(g) the Associate Dean (Teaching and Learning) of the Faculty of Life and Physical Sciences;

(h) the Associate Dean (Teaching and Learning) of the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences;

(i) the co-ordinators of the programmes of the Bachelor of Science;

(j) up to five co-opted members to ensure that all disciplines which offer a major in the Bachelor of Science are represented;

(k) the Faculty Manager of the Faculty of Life and Physical Sciences;

(l) the Senior Faculty Administrative Officer of the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences; and

(m) two representatives of the Science Union, elected annually by and from its members.

4.1.3 Meetings

(1) Meetings of the Board of Studies are held at least four times in each academic year.

(2) Either the Dean of the Faculty of Life and Physical Sciences or the Dean of the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences acts as Chair.

(3) Responsibility for providing the chair and executive secretary alternates between the Faculties annually.

4.1.4 Quorum

Ten members constitute a quorum.

4.2 BOARDS OF EXAMINERS

4.2.1 Functions

The Faculty has two Boards of Examiners which make all decisions on examination results and report them to the Registrar. The boards also have powers delegated by the Faculty to make decisions where appropriate and in accordance with Faculty policy on: the award of honours, student progress and progress status, and prizes.

4.2.2 Membership

(1) The Undergraduate Board of Examiners comprises:

(a) the Dean as Chair;

(b) the Academic Student Adviser;

(c) the Faculty Manager;

(d) a representative from each school nominated by and from the staff in the school; and

(e) the co-ordinator of each of the Bachelor of Science programmes in the Faculty.

(2) The Postgraduate Board of Examiners comprises:

(a) the Dean as Chair;

(b) the Faculty Manager; and

(c) two members of the Teaching and Learning Committee.

4.2.3 Examiners must be available to be consulted by the Faculty Office during the period for consideration of examination results.

4.2.4 Examination results are circulated electronically to members of the Board of Examiners for consideration before being made available to the Registrar for publication and recording.

4.3 FACULTY APPEALS COMMITTEE

In accordance with the University's regulations governing appeals against academic assessment available at http://www.secretariat.uwa.edu.au/home/policies/appeals/, the Faculty will constitute a Faculty Appeals Committee as necessary with membership as set out in those regulations.

5. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

5.1 FUNCTION

(1) The role of the Executive Committee is to—

(a) consider issues relating to research;

(b) advise the Dean on matters relating to planning, resources and internationalisation; and

(c) consider any matters delegated to it by the Faculty Board.

(2) Decisions of the Executive Committee relating to research are binding on the Dean.

5.2 MEMBERSHIP

(1) The Faculty Executive Committee comprises:

(a) the Dean as Chair;

(b) the Deputy Dean;

(c) the heads of schools within the Faculty, or their nominees;

(d) the Associate Dean (Teaching and Learning);

(e) the Associate Dean (Research);

(f) the Faculty Manager;

(g) the Academic Student Adviser;

(h) all school managers of schools within the Faculty;

(i) a technical officer elected every two years by and from the technical staff employed within the Faculty;

(j) a member of the academic staff, elected every two years by and from the academic staff of the Faculty; and

(k) a research active staff member who holds a position of Research Associate or above, elected every two years by the academic staff of the Faculty.

(2) Up to two members may be co-opted for the purpose of obtaining specialist advice or achieving representation by a specific group or groups.

5.3 MEETINGS

5.3.1 Meetings are chaired by the Dean or, in the Dean's absence, by the Deputy Dean.

5.3.2 If both the Dean and the Deputy Dean are absent, the members present determine which of them will take the chair.

5.4 QUORUM

Five members constitute a quorum.

5.5 TERMS OF OFFICE

All members, other than those holding ex-officio positions, are elected for a two-year term and are eligible for re-election for one further term of two years.

5.6 METHOD OF ELECTIONS

Elections for the Faculty Executive Committee are held annually at the full meeting of the Faculty.

5.7 SAFEGUARDS

(1) The section of the agenda relating to items to be dealt with under delegated authority from the Faculty Board will be circulated to all members of the Faculty Board. ²

(2) Any Faculty member may make a submission to the Executive Committee, in writing or in person, about any matter listed in the agenda.

(3) If six or more Executive Committee members request the Dean to transfer an item from the Executive Committee agenda to a Faculty Board or full Faculty meeting, this request must be granted, provided that a justification is given and those making the request are prepared to make a written or verbal submission to the Faculty Board or full Faculty meeting.

² An email to members advising the Web address will suffice.

SUB-COMMITTEES OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

6. RESEARCH COMMITTEE

6.1.1 Functions

The role of the Research Committee is to—

(a) advise the Dean and the Faculty Executive Committee on matters relating to research, allocation of discretionary funding for research, new developments in the disciplines covered by the Faculty, and research links with industry, government agencies and institutions outside the University; and

(b) deal executively with matters relating to research degrees and professional doctorates offered by the Faculty.

6.1.2 Membership

(1) The Research Committee comprises:

(a) the Dean;

(b) one head of school appointed by the Dean provided that a head of school has not already been appointed under (c) below;

(c) the Associate Dean (Research) as Chair;

(d) one member of the academic staff from each of the schools within the Faculty nominated by the Executive Committee;

(e) two members of the research active staff of the Faculty at the level of Research Associate or above nominated by schools and appointed by the Executive Committee;

(f) one postgraduate student enrolled in the Faculty elected annually by and from the Postgraduate Students' Association;

(g) one of the School Managers in the Faculty nominated by and from the School Managers and appointed by the Executive Committee, who acts as the Executive Officer;

(h) the Faculty representative on the University Research Committee if not already appointed under (b), (c), (d) or (e); and

(i) the Faculty Manager.

(2) Up to two members may be co-opted for the purpose of obtaining specialist advice or achieving representation by a specific group or groups.

(3) The Dean appoints one of the members to chair the committee.

6.1.3 Terms of Office

Members hold office for a period of one year and may be reappointed.

6.2 HIGHER DEGREES COMMITTEE

6.2.1 Functions

(1) The role of the Higher Degrees Committee is to deal with such matters as appeals by master's students, processing of doctorates and the postgraduate selection exercise.

(2) Items requiring attention are conducted mostly by circular.

6.2.2 Membership

(1) The Higher Degrees Committee comprises:

(a) the Dean as Chair;

(b) the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Research Training); and

(c) three members from the Research Committee.

6.3 TEACHING AND LEARNING COMMITTEE

6.3.1 Functions

The role of the Teaching and Learning Committee is to—

(a) advise the Dean, the Faculty Executive Committee and the Board of Studies in Science on matters relating to curriculum design and delivery in the disciplines covered by the Faculty; and

(b) deal executively with matters relating to postgraduate courses offered by coursework, or by coursework and dissertation, in the Faculty.

6.3.2 Membership

(1) The Teaching and Learning Committee comprises:

(a) the Associate Dean (Teaching and Learning) as Chair;

(b) one member of the academic staff from each of the schools within the Faculty nominated by and from the schools and appointed by the Executive Committee;

(c) one undergraduate student enrolled in the Faculty nominated by the Science Union and appointed by the Executive Committee;

(d) the Academic Student Adviser;

(e) the Faculty Manager;

(f) one research active staff member who holds a position at the level of Research Associate or above, nominated by and from the schools and appointed by the Executive Committee;

(g) the Director of the Centre for Learning Technology;

(h) one postgraduate student enrolled in the Faculty nominated by the Postgraduate Student's Association and appointed by the Executive Committee; and

(i) a representative from the Teaching and Learning Committee of the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences.

(2) Up to two members may be co-opted for the purpose of obtaining specialist advice or achieving representation by a specific group or groups.

6.3.3 Terms of Office

Members hold office for a period of one year and may be reappointed.

6.4 MARKETING AND INTERNATIONALISATION COMMITTEE

6.4.1 Function

The role of the Marketing and Internationalisation Committee is to promote the Faculty including its research and the undergraduate and postgraduate courses which it offers.

6.4.2 Membership

The Marketing and Internationalisation Committee comprises:

(a) the Dean as Chair;

(b) the Marketing Officer;

(c) one of the school Business Managers in the Faculty nominated by schools and appointed by the Executive Committee, who shall act as the Executive Officer; and

(d) two members of the academic staff of the Faculty nominated by the schools and appointed by the Executive Committee.

6.4.3 Terms of Office

Members hold office for a period of one year and may be reappointed.

6.5 FACULTY ADJUNCT APPOINTMENTS COMMITTEE

6.5.1 Functions

The role of the Faculty Adjunct Appointment Committee is—

(a) to consider nominations from Heads of School for the award of the title of Adjunct Associate Professor or above, in order to recognise academic achievements, or professional or career achievements in industry or the community, that are of relevance to the work of the University; and

(b) to make recommendations in this regard to the Vice-Chancellor.

6.5.2 Membership

The Faculty Adjunct Appointments Committee comprises:

(a) the Dean as Chair;

(b) two professors elected by and from the Faculty;

(c) the Chair of the Academic Board or nominee; and

(d) the Chair, Academic Promotions Committee or nominee.

6.5.3 Terms of Office

Members hold office for a period of one year and may be reappointed.

6.5.4 Meetings

Items requiring the committee's attention are normally dealt with by the committee by way of circular.