There’s been a lot of discussion regarding the potential name change for the Faculty of Applied Science. I’m writing this post to clear some misconceptions about the initiative, along with an overview of the arguments for and against such a change.
What’s happening: The Faculty of Applied Science is currently considering changing its name to the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science.
Who’s being consulted: The faculty is making an effort to talk to all stakeholders in this process. The Dean made an appearance at the Engineering Society council in September to explain the proposal and collect feedback from student representatives. Additionally, all EngSoc reps were urged to go out and stoke discussion on this topic. The Faculty will also be consulting with each department to gather feedback.
Applied Science vs. Engineering: Applied Science is a broad term that covers several areas of studies including Engineering, Nursing and Rehabilitation and Therapy Studies. Currently Applied Science is the name of the engineering faculty at Queen’s, however; other schools encompass the previously mentioned disciplines within the Applied Science name.
Argument to change the name:
• External profile: Applied Science is often not recognized, especially on an international level. With the widespread use of the Internet, Applied Science is not the best name to use to attract international students to our program. In addition, including engineering will greatly increase our search engine hits.
• Engineering: Engineering is arguably our chief business as a faculty. We should be recognizing this through our name. Since we don’t have “engineering” in our name, people sometimes even think that Queen’s doesn’t have an engineering program at all.
• Keep Applied Science too: Applied Science allows us flexibility in our programs, especially on a graduate studies level. Additionally, our Engineering Science programs can be seen as falling under the Applied Science umbrella to a certain extent. Keeping Applied Science also allows us to respect the traditional name of the faculty.
• We already use it: As undergraduate engineering students, we’re all members of the Engineering Society, not the Applied Science Society.
• Recognition in the workplace: Commonly Queen’s engineering grads will be asked why they were in the Faculty of Applied Science if they’re engineers.
Argument against the name change:
• Tradition: As a faculty rooted in deep tradition, changing the name of the faculty is a poor choice. First year students have been taught since frosh week to worship the “Dean of Applied Science”, not the “Dean of Engineering and Applied Science”. People can just ask us what Applied Science means.
• Applied Science is a better way to describe our program.
The name order: Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering or Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science?
This is another debate that has stemmed from the name change. Some prefer one over the other for the sake of it sounding better. Some believe Applied Science should be first to recognize the tradition. There has also been an argument made that we should have a name that’s different from UofT (they have Applied Science first).
Other Questions
Q: Will the years start to be known as Eng ’14 instead of ‘Sci 14?
A: No. This name change is moreso for external reasons, things like naming the years can still be determined internally.
Q: What will happen to the Jackets?
A: Jackets are produced and sold by the Engineering Society. As such, any changes to the Jackets can be done purely internally. One option is to keep the traditional (our tradition, in contrast the older “Science” jackets) Applied Science as long as the faculty keeps Applied Science in its name.
Q: Will this affect the degree that I receive?
A: No, this is a completely separate issue. You will still receive a B.Sc(Eng) degree regardless of the decision that’s made.
WOOO/GRRRR, I’M ESTATIC/ANGRY ABOUT THIS POSSIBLE CHANGE. WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT THIS???
Come out to Engineering Society Council this Thursday in Rm 313 of the ILC at 5:45. I’ll be moving a motion on whether or not EngSoc will support this change and which order of words EngSoc will support. Come out and voice your pleasure/discontent. Or if you don’t want to go out to council, be sure to contact one of your many EngSoc Reps (Year reps, discipline reps, EngSoc exec, etc) with your opinion. Or feel free to send a happy/angry email (vpa@engsoc.queensu.ca).
Cheers,
Mike