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Major Environment -Water Environments and Ecosystems - Biological (60 credits)

Offered by: Bieler School of Environment     Degree: Bachelor of Science (Agricultural and Environmental Sciences)

Program Requirements

This concentration (60 credits including core) is open only to students in the B.Sc.(Ag.Env.Sc.) Major in Environment or B.Sc. Major in Environment program.

To educate students in both the ecological and physical facets of the water environment, this domain offers two concentrations, with students choosing one or the other.

Those electing the Biological concentration will focus on the mechanisms regulating the different forms of life in water bodies. They will acquire, as well, a good understanding of the physical mechanisms controlling water properties. Students interested in studying the transport and transformation mechanisms of water on the planet, from rivers to the oceans and atmosphere, will select the Physical concentration. They will acquire, as well, a solid background in the biological processes taking place in water bodies.

Graduates of this domain are qualified to enter the work force or to pursue advanced studies in fields such as marine biology, geography, physical oceanography, and atmospheric science.

Suggested First Year (U1) Courses

For suggestions on courses to take in your first year (U1), you can consult the "MSE Student Handbook" available on the MSE website (), or contact Kathy Roulet, the Program Adviser (kathy.roulet [at] mcgill.ca).

Program Requirements

Note: Students are required to take a maximum of 30 credits at the 200 level and a minimum of 12 credits at the 400 level or higher in this program. This includes core and required courses.

Location Note: When planning your schedule and registering for courses, you should verify where each course is offered because courses for this program are taught at both McGill's Downtown campus and at the Macdonald campus in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue.

Core: Required Courses (18 credits)

Location Note: Core required courses for this program are taught at both McGill's Downtown campus and at the Macdonald campus in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue. You should register in Section 001 of an ENVR course that you plan to take on the Downtown campus, and in Section 051 of an ENVR course that you plan to take on the Macdonald campus.

  • ENVR 200 The Global Environment (3 credits)

    Offered by: Bieler School of Environment (School of Environment)

    Administered by: Faculty of Science

    Overview

    Environment : A systems approach to study the different components of the environment involved in global climate change: the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere. The interactions among these components. Their role in global climate change. The human dimension to global change.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Atallah, Eyad Hashem; Pagnucco, Katherine; McCourt, George; Fyles, James W; Fabry, Frederic (Fall)

    • Fall

    • Section 001: Downtown Campus

    • Section 051: Macdonald Campus

  • ENVR 201 Society, Environment and Sustainability (3 credits)

    Offered by: Bieler School of Environment (School of Environment)

    Administered by: Faculty of Science

    Overview

    Environment : This course deals with how scientific-technological, socio-economic, political-institutional and behavioural factors mediate society-environment interactions. Issues discussed include population and resources; consumption, impacts and institutions; integrating environmental values in societal decision-making; and the challenges associated with, and strategies for, promoting sustainability. Case studies in various sectors and contexts are used.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Badami, Madhav Govind; Manaugh, Kevin; Barrington-Leigh, Christopher; Kosoy, Nicolas; Bennett, Elena (Fall)

    • Fall

    • Section 001: Downtown Campus

    • Section 051: Macdonald Campus

  • ENVR 202 The Evolving Earth (3 credits)

    Offered by: Bieler School of Environment (School of Environment)

    Administered by: Faculty of Science

    Overview

    Environment : Formation of the Earth and the evolution of life. How geological and biological change are the consequence of history, chance, and necessity acting over different scales of space and time. General principles governing the formation of modern landscapes and biotas. Effects of human activities on natural systems.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Leung, Brian; Valenta, Kim Lisa; Baker, Don; McCourt, George; Wheeler, Terry A (Winter)

    • Winter

    • Section 001: Downtown Campus

    • Section 051: Macdonald Campus

  • ENVR 203 Knowledge, Ethics and Environment (3 credits)

    Offered by: Bieler School of Environment (School of Environment)

    Administered by: Faculty of Science

    Overview

    Environment : Introduction to cultural perspectives on the environment: the influence of culture and cognition on perceptions of the natural world; conflicts in orders of knowledge (models, taxonomies, paradigms, theories, cosmologies), ethics (moral values, frameworks, dilemmas), and law (formal and customary, rights and obligations) regarding political dimensions of critical environments, resource use, and technologies.

    Terms: Fall 2015, Winter 2016

    Instructors: Freeman, Julia; Mikkelson, Gregory Matthew (Fall) Ellis, Jaye Dana (Winter)

    • Fall - Macdonald Campus; Winter - Downtown

    • Section 001: Downtown Campus

    • Section 051: Macdonald Campus

  • ENVR 301 Environmental Research Design (3 credits)

    Offered by: Bieler School of Environment (School of Environment)

    Administered by: Faculty of Science

    Overview

    Environment : Techniques used in design and completion of environmental research projects. Problem definition, data sources and use of appropriate strategies and methodologies. Principles underlying research design are emphasized, including critical thinking, recognizing causal relationships, ideologies and bias in research, and when and where to seek expertise.

    Terms: Fall 2015, Winter 2016

    Instructors: Vaccaro, Ismael; Sengupta, Raja (Fall) Vaccaro, Ismael; Sengupta, Raja; Cardille, Jeffrey; Freeman, Julia (Winter)

    • Fall-Downtown Campus: Section 001

    • Winter-Downtown Campus: Section 001; Macdonald Campus: Section 051

    • Restrictions: Restricted to U2 or higher

  • ENVR 400 Environmental Thought (3 credits)

    Offered by: Bieler School of Environment (School of Environment)

    Administered by: Faculty of Science

    Overview

    Environment : Students work in interdisciplinary seminar groups on challenging philosophical, ethical, scientific and practical issues. They will explore cutting-edge ideas and grapple with the reconciliation of environmental imperatives and social, political and economic pragmatics. Activities include meeting practitioners, attending guest lectures, following directed readings, and organizing, leading and participating in seminars.

    Terms: Fall 2015, Winter 2016

    Instructors: Kosoy, Nicolas; Garver, Geoffrey (Fall) Hirose, Iwao; Goodin, David (Winter)

    • Fall - Macdonald Campus; Winter - Downtown

    • Section 001: Downtown Campus

    • Section 051: Macdonald Campus

    • Prerequisite: ENVR 203

    • Restriction: Open only to U3 students, or permission of instructor

Core: Complementary Course - Senior Research Project (3 credits)

Only 3 credits will be applied to the program; extra credits will count as electives.

  • AGRI 519 Sustainable Development Plans (6 credits)

    Offered by: Bioresource Engineering (Agricultural & Environmental Sciences)

    Overview

    Agriculture : Geared for solving real-world environmental problems related to water at the local, regional and international scale in Barbados. Projects to be designed by instructors in consultation with university, government and NGO partners and to be conducted by teams of 2 to 4 students in collaboration with them.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Alli, Inteaz (Fall)

    • Restrictions: Enrolment in full "Barbados Field Study Semester". Not open to students who have taken CIVE 519 or URBP 519.

  • ENVR 401 Environmental Research (3 credits)

    Offered by: Bieler School of Environment (School of Environment)

    Administered by: Faculty of Science

    Overview

    Environment : Students work in an interdisciplinary team on a real-world research project involving problem definition, methodology development, social, ethical and environmental impact assessment, execution of the study, and dissemination of results to the research community and to the people affected. Teams begin defining their projects during the preceding spring.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Mikkelson, Gregory Matthew; Freeman, Julia; McCourt, George (Fall)

    • Fall

    • Prerequisite: ENVR 301

    • Restriction: B.A. Faculty Program in Environment, B.A.&Sc. Faculty Program in Environment , B.Sc.(Ag.Env.Sc.) and B.Sc. Major in Environment, and Diploma in Environment.

  • ENVR 451 Research in Panama (6 credits)

    Offered by: Bieler School of Environment (School of Environment)

    Administered by: Faculty of Science

    Overview

    Environment : Research projects will be developed by instructors in consultation with Panamanian universities, government agencies and non-governmental organizations. Project groups will consist of four to six students working with a Panamanian institution. Topics will be relevant to Panama: e.g., protection of the Canal watershed, economical alternatives to deforestation, etc.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    • Winter

    • Restriction: students in the Panama Field Semester program. Offered in Panama only

Domain: Required Courses (6 credits)

  • ATOC 214 Introduction: Physics of the Atmosphere (3 credits)

    Offered by: Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences : An introduction to physical meteorology designed for students in the physical sciences. Topics include: composition of the atmosphere; heat transfer; the upper atmosphere; atmospheric optics; formation of clouds and precipitation; instability; adiabatic charts.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Yau, Man K (Fall)

    • Fall

    • 3 hours lecture

    • Prerequisite: CEGEP Physics, or the combination of PHYS 131 and PHYS 142, or permission of instructor.

  • ATOC 215 Oceans, Weather and Climate (3 credits)

    Offered by: Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences : Laws of motion, geostrophic wind, gradient wind. General circulation of the atmosphere and oceans, local circulation features. Air-sea interaction, including hurricanes and sea-ice formation, extra-tropical weather systems and fronts, role of the atmosphere and oceans in climate.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Yau, Man K (Winter)

    • Winter

    • 3 hours lecture

    • Prerequisite: ATOC 214

Domain: Complementary Courses (33 credits)

33 credits of complementary courses are selected as follows:

6 credits - Hydrology/Water Resources, Population/Community and Ecology
3 credits - Math and Statistics
3 credits - Field Course
3 credits - Social Sciences and Policy
18 credits chosen in total from List A and List B

Hydrology/Water Resources, Population/Community and Ecology:

6 credits selected as follows:

One of:

  • BREE 217 Hydrology and Water Resources (3 credits)

    Offered by: Bioresource Engineering (Agricultural & Environmental Sciences)

    Overview

    Bioresource Engineering : Measurements and analysis of components of the water cycle. Precipitation, evaporation, infiltration and groundwater. Analysis of hydrologic data. Hydrograph theory. Hydrologic estimations for design of water control projects; flood control and reservoir routing. Integrated watershed management and water conservation. Water management systems for environmental protection.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Prasher, Shiv (Winter)

    • 3 lectures, one 2-hour lab

    • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken ABEN 217.

    • Note: This course carries an additional course charge of $30.94 to cover transportation costs for two field trips, which may include a visit to a national weather station and a trip to gain hands-on experience on monitoring water flow in streams.

  • GEOG 322 Environmental Hydrology (3 credits)

    Offered by: Geography (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Geography : Quantitative, experimental study of the principles governing the movement of water at or near the Earth's surface and how the research relates to the chemistry and biology of ecosystems.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Roulet, Nigel Thomas; Lehner, Bernhard (Winter)

    • Winter

    • 3 hours

    • Prerequisite: GEOG 203 or equivalent

And one of:

  • BIOL 308 Ecological Dynamics (3 credits)

    Offered by: Biology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Biology (Sci) : Principles of population, community, and ecosystem dynamics: population growth and regulation, species interactions, dynamics of competitive interactions and of predator/prey systems; evolutionary dynamics.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Fussmann, Gregor (Fall)

  • ENVB 305 Population & Community Ecology (3 credits)

    Offered by: Natural Resource Sciences (Agricultural & Environmental Sciences)

    Overview

    Environmental Biology : Interactions between organisms and their environment; historical and current perspectives in applied and theoretical population and community ecology. Principles of population dynamics, feedback loops, and population regulation. Development and structure of communities; competition, predation and food web dynamics. Biodiversity science in theory and practice.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Buddle, Christopher (Winter)

    • Winter

    • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken WILD 205

Math and Statistics:

One of:

* Note: AEMA 310 or equivalent

  • AEMA 202 Intermediate Calculus (3 credits)

    Offered by: Bioresource Engineering (Agricultural & Environmental Sciences)

    Overview

    Mathematics (Agric&Envir Sci) : Partial differentiation; multiple integrals; vector calculus; infinite series; and introduction to the use of computer-based mathematical tools in applications.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Titley-Péloquin, David (Fall)

    • Fall

    • 3 lectures and 1 conference

    • Restrictions: Not open to students who have taken MATH 222

    • Prerequisites: BREE 103 and AEMA 102 or equivalent CEGEP objectives 00UP and 00UQ or permission of instructor

  • AEMA 310 Statistical Methods 1 (3 credits) *

    Offered by: Plant Science (Agricultural & Environmental Sciences)

    Overview

    Mathematics (Agric&Envir Sci) : Measures of central tendency and dispersion; binomial and Poisson distributions; normal, chi-square, Student's t and Fisher-Snedecor F distributions; estimation and hypothesis testing; simple linear regression and correlation; analysis of variance for simple experimental designs.

    Terms: Fall 2015, Winter 2016

    Instructors: Dutilleul, Pierre R L; Gravel, Valérie (Fall) Dutilleul, Pierre R L; Gravel, Valérie (Winter)

    • Two 1.5-hour lectures and one 2-hour lab

  • MATH 203 Principles of Statistics 1 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Mathematics and Statistics (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : Examples of statistical data and the use of graphical means to summarize the data. Basic distributions arising in the natural and behavioural sciences. The logical meaning of a test of significance and a confidence interval. Tests of significance and confidence intervals in the one and two sample setting (means, variances and proportions).

    Terms: Fall 2015, Winter 2016, Summer 2016

    Instructors: Khalili Mahmoudabadi, Abbas; Wolfson, David B (Fall) Yang, Yi (Winter) Correa, Jose Andres (Summer)

    • No calculus prerequisites

    • Restriction: This course is intended for students in all disciplines. For extensive course restrictions covering statistics courses see Section 3.6.1 of the Arts and of the Science sections of the calendar regarding course overlaps.

    • You may not be able to receive credit for this course and other statistic courses. Be sure to check the Course Overlap section under Faculty Degree Requirements in the Arts or Science section of the Calendar. Students should consult for information regarding transfer credits for this course.

  • MATH 222 Calculus 3 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Mathematics and Statistics (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : Taylor series, Taylor's theorem in one and several variables. Review of vector geometry. Partial differentiation, directional derivative. Extreme of functions of 2 or 3 variables. Parametric curves and arc length. Polar and spherical coordinates. Multiple integrals.

    Terms: Fall 2015, Winter 2016, Summer 2016

    Instructors: Drury, Stephen W; Huang, Jingyin (Fall) Drury, Stephen W (Winter) McGregor, Geoffrey (Summer)

Field Course:

3 credits selected from the following courses or an equivalent Aquatic Field course:

  • AGRI 452 Water Resources in Barbados (3 credits)

    Offered by: Bioresource Engineering (Agricultural & Environmental Sciences)

    Overview

    Agriculture : Physical environment challenges, centered on water, being faced by an island nation. Guest speakers, field study tours and laboratory tests. Private, government and NGO institutional context of conservation strategies, and water quantity and quality analyses for water management specific to Barbados.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Gehr, Ronald; Madramootoo, Chandra A (Fall)

    • Restrictions: Enrolment in full "Barbados Field Study Semester". Not open to students who have taken CIVE 452.

  • BIOL 331 Ecology/Behaviour Field Course (3 credits)

    Offered by: Biology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Biology (Sci) : Methods of sampling natural populations. Testing hypotheses in nature.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Lechowicz, Martin J; Lefebvre, Louis; Barrett, Rowan (Fall)

    • Fall

    • Prerequisites: BIOL 206 and BIOL 215

    • Note: Preregistration in March and April. See Course web page: . Meets 12-days just before the fall term, with a project report early in the fall term.

    • The field portion of this course is given at the University's Gault Nature Reserve in Mont St. Hilaire over a two-week period in August. In the fall, students prepare a report based on projects carried out during this field portion. This course has an additional fee of $562.86 which includes room and board and handouts. The Department of Biology subsidizes a portion of the cost for this activity.

  • GEOG 495 Field Studies - Physical Geography (3 credits)

    Offered by: Geography (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Geography : Field research projects in physical geography. Held locally in Monteregian or Eastern Township regions. The course is organised around field projects designed to formulate and test scientific hypotheses in a physical geography discipline. May Summer session.

    Terms: Summer 2016

    Instructors: Ward, Melissa Karine (Summer)

    • 2-week field school

    • Prerequisites: 6 credits from the following list of Systematic Physical Geography courses: GEOG 305, GEOG 321, GEOG 322, GEOG 350, GEOG 372

    • Instructor's approval required. Additional Dept. fee $474.25 will be charged to student fee account to cover the cost of transportation, accommodations, local fees and all meals for approximately 12 nights, as the course is held at the Gault Estate at Mont St.-Hilaire during May. Application forms avail. Geog. Office or web page.

    • **Since this is a field course, the Victoria Day statutory holiday will not be taken into consideration. Therefore, students are expected to attend their lecture on Monday, May, 23, 2016.

Social Sciences and Policy:

Revision, November 2015. Start of revision.

One of:

  • AGEC 333 Resource Economics (3 credits)

    Offered by: Agricultural Economics (Agricultural & Environmental Sciences)

    Overview

    Agricultural Economics : The role of resources in the environment, use of resources, and management of economic resources within the firm or organization. Problem-solving, case studies involving private and public decision-making in organizations are utilized.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Thomassin, Paul (Fall)

    • Fall

    • Prerequisites: AGEC 200 or equivalent

  • ANTH 339 Ecological Anthropology (3 credits)

    Offered by: Anthropology (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Anthropology : Intensive study of theories and cases in ecological anthropology. Theories are examined and tested through comparative case-study analysis. Cultural constructions of "nature" and "environment" are compared and analyzed. Systems of resource management and conflicts over the use of resources are studied in depth.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Scott, Colin H (Winter)

  • ECON 225 Economics of the Environment (3 credits)

    Offered by: Economics (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Economics (Arts) : A study of the application of economic theory to questions of environmental policy. Particular attention will be given to the measurement and regulation of pollution, congestion and waste and other environmental aspects of specific economies.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Galiana, Isabel (Fall)

    • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken 154-325 or 154-425

  • ECON 326 Ecological Economics (3 credits)

    Offered by: Economics (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Economics (Arts) : Macroeconomic and structural aspects of the ecological crisis. A course in which subjects discussed include the conflict between economic growth and the laws of thermodynamics; the search for alternative economic indicators; the fossil fuels crisis; and "green'' fiscal policy.

    Terms: Fall 2015, Winter 2016

    Instructors: Naylor, Robin Thomas (Fall) Naylor, Robin Thomas (Winter)

  • ENVR 421 Montreal: Environmental History and Sustainability (3 credits)

    Offered by: Bieler School of Environment (School of Environment)

    Administered by: Faculty of Science

    Overview

    Environment : This course will focus on the role of place and history in the cities in which we live and in our understanding of sustainability. Each year, students will work to develop a historical reconstruction of the natural environment of Montreal and of its links to the cultural landscape, building on the work of previous cohorts of students.

    Terms: Summer 2016

    Instructors: Bennett, Elena; Isabel, Mariève (Summer)

    • Each year focuses on making a specific and unique contribution to The Hochelaga Project; topics vary as required.

    • Prerequisite(s): ENVR 301 or equivalent, or permission from the instructor.

    • Corequisite(s): ENVR 422

  • ENVR 422 Montreal Urban Sustainability Analysis (3 credits)

    Offered by: Bieler School of Environment (School of Environment)

    Administered by: Faculty of Science

    Overview

    Environment : Applied and experience-based learning opportunities are employed to critically assess Montreal as a sustainable city through research, discussion, and field trips. The urban environment is considered through various specific dimensions, ranging from: waste, energy, urban agriculture, green spaces and design, or transportation.

    Terms: Summer 2016

    Instructors: Freeman, Julia; Manaugh, Kevin (Summer)

    • Prerequisite(s): ENVR 301 or equivalent, or permission from the instructor.

    • Corequisite(s): ENVR 421

  • GEOG 404 Environmental Management 2 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Geography (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Geography : Practical application of environmental planning, analysis and management techniques with reference to the needs and problems of developing areas. Special challenges posed by cultural differences and traditional resource systems are discussed. This course involves practical field work in a developing area (Kenya or Panama).

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    • Winter

    • 3 hours

    • Prerequisite: GEOG 302 or permission of instructor

  • GEOG 498 Humans in Tropical Environments (3 credits)

    Offered by: Geography (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Geography : Focus on understanding of inter-relations between humans and neotropical environments represented in Panama. Study of contemporary rural landscapes, their origins, development and change. Impacts of economic growth and inequality, social organization, and politics on natural resource use and environmental degradation. Site visits and field exercises in peasant/colonist, Amerindian, and plantation communities.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Coomes, Oliver T (Winter)

    • Winter

    • 6 hours lecture for 4 weeks, 3 hours seminar, 2 hours laboratory, 8 hours conference

    • Restriction: Location in Panama. Student must register for a full semester of studies in Panama

    • Prerequisites: HISP 218, MATH 203 or equivalents

  • POLI 345 International Organizations (3 credits)

    Offered by: Political Science (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Political Science : The politics and processes of global governance in the 21st century, with a special emphasis on the United Nations system.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    • Prerequisite: A basic course in International Politics or written consent of instructor

    • Note: The field is International Politics.

  • SOCI 565 Social Change in Panama (3 credits)

    Offered by: Sociology (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Sociology (Arts) : Analysis of social change in Panama, particularly during the 20th century: demography, social and economic structures, rural and urban activities and landscapes, indigenous peoples, the effects of the Canal and the Free Trade Zone. Focus throughout on the interaction of human society and the environment.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    • Prerequisites: SOCI 210 and SOCI 350 or equivalents.

    • Restriction: Students must register for a full term in the Panama Field Studies Semester.

    • Note: Four field trips.

  • URBP 520 Globalization: Planning and Change (3 credits)

    Offered by: Urban Planning (Faculty of Engineering)

    Overview

    Urban Planning : Economic and social issues related to planning for sustainable development, with a focus on water. Political and environmental determinants of resource use. Impact of global, regional and local institutions, programs and plans in Barbados and in the field locale in general.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Alli, Inteaz; Melgar-Quiñonez, Hugo (Fall)

    • (3-3-3)

    • Restriction: Must be enrolled in the Barbados Field Study Semester.

Revision, November 2015. End of revision.

18 credits chosen in total from List A and List B as follows:

List A

9-12 credits chosen from:

* Note: you may take BIOL 540 or ENVR 540, but not both; you may take ENVB 210 or GEOG 305, but not both; you may take BIOL 432 or ENVB 315, but not both.

  • AGRI 435 Soil and Water Quality Management (3 credits)

    Offered by: Natural Resource Sciences (Agricultural & Environmental Sciences)

    Overview

    Agriculture : Management of soil and water systems for sustainability. Cause of soil degradation, surface and groundwater contamination by agricultural chemicals and toxic pollutants. Human health and safety concerns. Water-table management. Soil and water conservation techniques will be examined with an emphasis on methods of prediction and best management practices.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Qi, Zhiming; Biswas, Asim (Fall)

    • Fall

    • 3 lectures and one 3-hour lab

    • This course carries an additional charge of $30 to cover the cost of transportation with respect to a field trip. The fee is refundable only during the withdrawal with full refund period.

  • BIOL 342 Contemporary Topics in Aquatic Ecology (3 credits)

    Offered by: Biology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Biology (Sci) : An introduction to freshwater and marine biology and ecology. Topics include structure and function of the major aquatic ecosystems and how these are affected by environmental change.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Gregory-Eaves, Irene; Price, Neil (Winter)

  • BIOL 432 Limnology (3 credits) *

    Offered by: Biology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Biology (Sci) : A study of the physical, chemical and biological properties of lakes and other inland waters, with emphasis on their functioning as systems.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Gregory-Eaves, Irene; Fussmann, Gregor (Fall)

    • Fall

    • 2 hours lecture; 2 weekends at field station equivalent to 3 hours laboratory per week

    • Prerequisites: BIOL 206 and BIOL 215 or permission of instructor.

    • This course, involving two field weekends, has an additional fee of $300, which includes room and board and transportation. The fee is refundable during the period where a student can drop the course with full refund. The Department of Biology subsidizes a portion of the cost for this activity.

    • Restrictions: Not open to students who have taken or are taking ENVB 315.

  • BIOL 441 Biological Oceanography (3 credits)

    Offered by: Biology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Biology (Sci) : An introduction to how the ocean functions biologically: biology and ecology of marine plankton; regulation, extent and fate of production in the sea.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Price, Neil (Winter)

  • BIOL 465 Conservation Biology (3 credits)

    Offered by: Biology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Biology (Sci) : Discussion of relevant theoretical and applied issues in conservation biology. Topics: biodiversity, population viability analysis, community dynamics, biology of rarity, extinction, habitat fragmentation, social issues.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Chapman, Lauren; Green, David M; Gonzalez, Andrew (Fall)

  • BIOL 540 Ecology of Species Invasions (3 credits) *

    Offered by: Biology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Biology (Sci) : Causes and consequences of biological invasion, as well as risk assessment methods and management strategies for dealing with invasive species.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    • Winter

    • 3 hours lecture

    • Prerequisite: BIOL 308 or permission of instructor

    • Restriction: Not open to U1 or U2 students

    • Restriction: Not open to students who are taking or have taken ENVR 540.

  • BIOL 553 Neotropical Environments (3 credits)

    Offered by: Biology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Biology (Sci) : Ecology revisited in view of tropical conditions. Exploring species richness. Sampling and measuring biodiversity. Conservation status of ecosystems, communities and species. Indigenous knowledge.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Potvin, Catherine (Winter)

  • BIOL 570 Advanced Seminar in Evolution (3 credits)

    Offered by: Biology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Biology (Sci) : Detailed analysis of a topic in evolutionary biology, involving substantial original research.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Millien, Virginie (Fall)

    • Fall or Winter

    • 3 hours seminar

    • Restriction: Open to undergraduates by permission

  • ENTO 535 Aquatic Entomology (3 credits)

    Offered by: Natural Resource Sciences (Agricultural & Environmental Sciences)

    Overview

    Entomology : Diversity, biology, ecology and recognition of the main groups of aquatic insects.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    • Fall

  • ENVB 210 The Biophysical Environment (3 credits) *

    Offered by: Natural Resource Sciences (Agricultural & Environmental Sciences)

    Overview

    Environmental Biology : With reference to the ecosystems in the St Lawrence lowlands, the principles and processes governing climate-landform-water-soil-vegetation systems and their interactions will be examined in lecture and laboratory. Emphasis on the natural environment as an integrated system.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Begg, Caroline B (Fall)

    • Fall

    • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken SOIL 210

  • ENVB 315 Science of Inland Waters (3 credits) *

    Offered by: Natural Resource Sciences (Agricultural & Environmental Sciences)

    Overview

    Environmental Biology : Nature and history of limnology; divisions of inland waters; properties of fresh water; habitats; zones; nutrient cycles; biota; adaptations; seasonal variation; distributions; pollution; succession and evolution of fresh water environments. Includes field excursions.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    • Fall

    • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken NRSC 315.

  • ENVR 540 Ecology of Species Invasions (3 credits) *

    Offered by: Bieler School of Environment (School of Environment)

    Administered by: Faculty of Science

    Overview

    Environment : Causes and consequences of biological invasion, as well as risk assessment methods and management strategies for dealing with invasive species.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    • 3 hours lecture

    • Prerequisite: BIOL 308 or permission of instructor.

    • Restrictions: Not open to U1 or U2 students. Not open to students who are taking or have taken BIOL 540.

  • GEOG 305 Soils and Environment (3 credits) *

    Offered by: Geography (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Geography : Discussion of the major properties of soils; soil formation, classification and mapping; land capability assessment; the role and response of soils in natural and disturbed environments (e.g. global change, ecosystem disturbance).

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Moore, Timothy R (Fall)

    • Fall

    • 3 hours and laboratory

    • Prerequisite: GEOG 203 or introductory course in biology or geology

  • GEOG 350 Ecological Biogeography (3 credits)

    Offered by: Geography (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Geography : The study of the patterns of distribution of organisms in space and time with emphasis on plant communities. Ecological, geographical, historical and anthropological factors affecting these distribution patterns will be discussed. Particular consideration is given to methods for description and classification of plant communities.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

  • MICR 331 Microbial Ecology (3 credits)

    Offered by: Natural Resource Sciences (Agricultural & Environmental Sciences)

    Overview

    Microbiology (Agric&Envir Sc) : The ecology of microorganisms, primarily bacteria and archaea, and their roles in biogeochemical cycles will be discussed. Microbial interactions with the environment, plants, animals and other microbes emphasizing the underlying genetics and physiology. Diversity, evolution (microbial phylogenetics) and the application of molecular biology in microbial ecology.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Driscoll, Brian T (Winter)

  • NRSC 333 Pollution and Bioremediation (3 credits)

    Offered by: Natural Resource Sciences (Agricultural & Environmental Sciences)

    Overview

    Natural Resource Sciences : The environmental contaminants which cause pollution; sources, amounts and transport of pollutants in water, air and soil; waste management.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Whyte, Lyle; Basu, Niladri (Fall)

    • Fall

    • 3 lectures

    • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken WILD 333

  • PARA 410 Environment and Infection (3 credits)

    Offered by: Parasitology (Agricultural & Environmental Sciences)

    Overview

    Parasitology : Infectious pathogens of humans and animals and their impact on the global environment are considered. The central tenet is that infectious pathogens are environmental risk factors. The course considers their impact on the human condition and juxtaposes the impact of control and treatment measures and environmental change.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Scott, Marilyn (Winter)

  • WILD 401 Fisheries and Wildlife Management (4 credits)

    Offered by: Natural Resource Sciences (Agricultural & Environmental Sciences)

    Overview

    Resource Development : Principles of fisheries and wildlife management are considered and current practices of research and management are discussed.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Solomon, Christopher; Humphries, Murray Mitchell (Fall)

    • Fall

    • 3 lectures, one 2-hour lab and one week field laboratory prior to fall term

    • Prerequisite: PLNT 358

    • A $307.80 fee is charged to all students registered in WILD 401, Fisheries and Wildlife Management, a course that has a required field trip. This fee is used to support the cost of excursions, accommodations, food and fees associated with visiting a research facility in New York. The Department of Natural Resource Sciences subsidizes a portion of the cost of this compulsory activity.

List B

6-9 credits chosen from:

* Note: you may take ATOC 219 or CHEM 219, but not both; you may take ATOC 519 or CHEM 519, but not both; you may take ENVB 430 or GEOG 201, but not both; CHEM 287 and CHEM 297 must be taken together.

  • ATOC 219 Introduction to Atmospheric Chemistry (3 credits) *

    Offered by: Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences : An introduction to the basic topics in atmospheric chemistry. The fundamentals of the chemical composition of the atmosphere and its chemical reactions. Selected topics such as smog chamber, acid rain, and ozone hole will be examined.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Preston, Thomas (Winter)

  • ATOC 519 Advances in Chemistry of Atmosphere (3 credits) *

    Offered by: Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences : Selected areas of atmospheric chemistry from field and laboratory to theoretical modelling are examined. The principles of atmospheric reactions (gas, liquid and heterogeneous phases in aerosols and clouds) and issues related to chemical global change will be explored.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Ariya, Parisa A (Winter)

  • CHEM 219 Introduction to Atmospheric Chemistry (3 credits) *

    Offered by: Chemistry (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Chemistry : An introduction to the basic topics in atmospheric chemistry. The fundamentals of the chemical composition of the atmosphere and its chemical reactions. Selected topics such as; a smog chamber, acid rain, and the ozone hole, will be examined.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Preston, Thomas (Winter)

  • CHEM 287 Introductory Analytical Chemistry (2 credits) *

    Offered by: Chemistry (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Chemistry : Qualitative and quantitative analysis. A survey of methods of analysis including theory and practice of semimicro qualitative analysis and representative gravimetric, volumetric and instrumental methods.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Sewall, Samuel Lewis; Power, Joan F (Fall)

  • CHEM 297 Introductory Analytical Chemistry Laboratory (1 credit) *

    Offered by: Chemistry (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Chemistry : Introductory experiments in analytical chemistry emphasizing classical and instrumental methods of quantitative analysis.

    Terms: Fall 2015, Winter 2016

    Instructors: Hamier, Jan; Sewall, Samuel Lewis; Gauthier, Jean-Marc (Fall) Hamier, Jan; Sewall, Samuel Lewis; Gauthier, Jean-Marc (Winter)

  • CHEM 519 Advances in Chemistry of Atmosphere (3 credits) *

    Offered by: Chemistry (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Chemistry : Selected areas of atmospheric chemistry from field and laboratory to theoretical modelling are examined. The principles of atmospheric reactions (gas, liquid and heterogeneous phases in aerosols and clouds) and issues related to chemical global change will be explored.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Ariya, Parisa A (Winter)

  • ENVB 430 GIS for Natural Resource Management (3 credits) *

    Offered by: Natural Resource Sciences (Agricultural & Environmental Sciences)

    Overview

    Environmental Biology : Applications of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and spatial analysis techniques to the presentation and analysis of ecological information, including sources and capture of spatial data; characterizing, transforming, displaying spatial data; and spatial analysis to solve resource management problems.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Cardille, Jeffrey; Adamchuk, Viacheslav (Fall)

    • Fall

    • Prerequisites: At least one environmental science course and one ecology course or permission of instructor

    • Restrictions: U2 students and above. Not open to students who have taken GEOG 201, 306 or 307 or BREE/ABEN 430 or NRSC 430. Limited to 32 students.

  • EPSC 220 Principles of Geochemistry (3 credits)

    Offered by: Earth & Planetary Sciences (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Earth & Planetary Sciences : Basic concepts in geochemistry and the application of geochemical principles of chemistry to geological subdisciplines. Particular emphasis on origin of elements, controls on their distribution in Earth and cosmos, isotopes, organic geochemistry and water chemistry. Application of phase diagrams to geology.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Baker, Don (Fall)

    • Fall

    • 2 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory

  • GEOG 201 Introductory Geo-Information Science (3 credits) *

    Offered by: Geography (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Geography : An introduction to Geographic Information Systems. The systematic management of spatial data. The use and construction of maps. The use of microcomputers and software for mapping and statistical work. Air photo and topographic map analyses.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Sengupta, Raja; Kalacska, Margaret (Fall)

    • Fall

    • 3 hours and lab

  • GEOG 308 Principles of Remote Sensing (3 credits)

    Offered by: Geography (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Geography : A conceptual view of remote sensing and the underlying physical principles. Covers ground-based, aerial, satellite systems, and the electromagnetic spectrum, from visible to microwave. Emphasis on application of remotely sensed data in geography including land cover change and ecological processes.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Kalacska, Margaret (Fall)

    • Fall

    • 3 hours and laboratory periods

    • Corequisite(s): GEOG 201

    • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken ATOC 308

  • GEOG 372 Running Water Environments (3 credits)

    Offered by: Geography (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Geography : The course focuses on the physical habitat conditions found in streams, rivers, estuaries and deltas. Based on the laws governing flow of water and sediment transport, it emphasizes differences among these environments, in terms of channel form, flow patterns, substrate composition and mode of evolution. Flooding, damming, channelisation, forestry impacts.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Lapointe, Michel F (Fall)

  • GEOG 537 Advanced Fluvial Geomorphology (3 credits)

    Offered by: Geography (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Geography : An examination of current advances in fluvial geomorphology: sediment entrainment and transport, alluviation and river channel evolution.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Lapointe, Michel F (Winter)

    • Winter

    • Prerequisite (Undergraduate): permission of instructor

  • GEOG 550 Historical Ecology Techniques (3 credits)

    Offered by: Geography (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Geography : Principles and methods of Quaternary paleoecology and vegetation reconstruction. Examination of ecosystem response to human disturbance and environmental change.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Chmura, Gail L (Fall)

McGill School of Environment—2015-2016 (last updated Aug. 20, 2015) (disclaimer)
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