Note: This is the 2022–2023 eCalendar. Update the year in your browser's URL bar for the most recent version of this page, or .
Program Requirements
Students enter this specialization to acquire a global and applied understanding of agriculture as a fundamental tool to help rural development, alleviate poverty and reach food security, especially in the developing world. This program provides students with a combination of coursework at McGill together with a hands-on experience in a developing country, meeting locals and attending courses with McGill professors and/or local instructors. The costs of these field experiences may vary. The field experience (semester, short course or internship) includes developing projects in local communities, observing subsistence agriculture in situ and participating in various activities which contribute to sensitizing the students to the challenges that developing countries face. Students study water resources, sustainable development, nutrition, planning and development, and a host of other fascinating topics, allowing them to sharpen their skills for future career opportunities.
For information on academic advising, see:
Required Courses (6 credits)
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AGEC 442 Economics of International Agricultural Development (3 credits)
Overview
Agricultural Economics : The course deals with economic aspects of international development with emphasis on the role of food, agriculture and the resource sector in the economy of developing countries. Topics will include world food analysis, development project analysis and policies for sustainable development. Development case studies will be used.
Terms: Winter 2023
Instructors: Diarra, Gaoussou (Winter)
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AGRI 411 Global Issues on Development, Food and Agriculture (3 credits)
Overview
Agriculture : International development and world food security and challenges in developing countries. Soil and water management, climate change, demographic issues, plant and animal resources conservation, bio-products and biofuels, economic and environmental issues specially in tropical and sub-tropical regions. Globalization, sustainable development, technology transfer and human resources needs for rural development.
Terms: Winter 2023
Instructors: Vasseur, Elsa (Winter)
Winter
Two 2-hour conferences
Complementary Courses (18 credits)
Students select either Option A or Option B.
Option A
18 credits from the following:
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AGEC 333 Resource Economics (3 credits)
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 2022
Instructors: Thomassin, Paul (Fall)
Fall
Prerequisites: AGEC 200 or equivalent
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AGEC 430 Agriculture, Food and Resource Policy (3 credits)
Overview
Agricultural Economics : Examination of North American and international agriculture, food and resource policies, policy instruments, programs and their implications. Economic analysis applied to the principles, procedures and objectives of various policy actions affecting agriculture, and the environment.
Terms: Winter 2023
Instructors: Hickey, Gordon (Winter)
Winter
3 lectures
Prerequisites: AGEC 200 or equivalent
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AGRI 215 Agro-Ecosystems Field Course (3 credits)
Overview
Agriculture : Through case studies and field trips, students will examine the problems and constraints within the Canadian agro-ecosystem, including the interrelationships among food production, the environment, agricultural policy and social issues. Research in this field of study will also be introduced.
Terms: Fall 2022
Instructors: Begg, Caroline B (Fall)
This course carries an additional charge to cover the cost of transportation (bus rental) for local field trips to agricultural enterprises. The fee is refundable only during the withdrawal with full refund period
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AGRI 325 Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security (3 credits)
Overview
Agriculture : Travel and exposure to a foreign agricultural sector where sustainable agricultural practices (e.g., organic farm production, ecological management of pests and weeds, crop rotation, water conservation, etc.), regulations, and policies are examined within the context of land use, local economies, and food security issues.
Terms: Summer 2023
Instructors: Major, Julie; Kwofie, Ebenezer (Summer)
Prerequisite: AGEC 200 or equivalent or permission of instructor
Lectures and visits will be jointly delivered by local experts and McGill Staff. Lectures (25%) and field visits (75%). Final year students should note that graduation may be delayed.
This course has a fee of $1,720.00, a small portion of which is tax receiptable on the T2202A; it includes internal travel (by coach), accommodation, most of the meals for the duration of the course, as well as instructor costs.
**Due to the intensive nature of this course, the standard add/drop and withdrawal deadlines do not apply. Add/drop is the third lecture day and withdrawal is the sixth lecture day.
**The instructor’s approval is required.
Due to the intensive nature of this course, the standard add/drop and withdrawal deadlines do not apply. Add/drop is the third lecture day and withdrawal is the sixth lecture day.
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AGRI 499 Agricultural Development Internship (3 credits)
Overview
Agriculture : Supervised internship to provide practical experience working on agricultural issues related to international development. The internship can take many forms, including work in a developing country, for an agency that focuses on international development, or on a research project that aims at solving problems faced by developing populations.
Terms: Fall 2022, Winter 2023, Summer 2023
Instructors: Major, Julie (Fall) Major, Julie (Winter) Major, Julie (Summer)
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor
Students should take this course after having completed four semesters in their undergraduate program. It is the student's responsibility to find an appropriate internship, which must be approved by the instructor before registration is authorized.
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BREE 510 Watershed Systems Management (3 credits)
Overview
Bioresource Engineering : A holistic examination of methods in watershed management with a focus on integrated water resources management (IWRM). Topics include: integration, participatory management, water resources assessment, modeling, planning, adaptive management, transboundary management, and transition management.
Terms: Fall 2022
Instructors: Adamowski, Jan (Fall)
(3-2-4)
Restrictions: U3 students or above.
Note: Case studies and a project.
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ENVB 437 Assessing Environmental Impact (3 credits)
Overview
Environmental Biology : Principles and practice of Environmental Assessment (EA) in Canada and internationally. Exploration of issues surrounding impact assessment for sustainable development in different sectors, including their limitations.
Terms: Winter 2023
Instructors: Hickey, Gordon (Winter)
Open to U2 students and above.
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FDSC 525 Food Quality Assurance (3 credits)
Overview
Food Science : The principles and practices required for the development, maintenance and monitoring of systems for food quality and food safety. The concepts and practices of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point; ISO 9000; Total Quality Management; Statistical Sampling Plans, Statistical Process Control; Tools of Quality; Government Regulations.
Terms: Winter 2023
Instructors: Joseph, Sebastien (Winter)
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NUTR 501 Nutrition in Developing Countries (3 credits)
Overview
Nutrition and Dietetics : This course will cover the major nutritional problems in developing countries. The focus will be on nutrition and health and emphasize young children and other vulnerable groups. The role of diet and disease for each major nutritional problem will be discussed.
Terms: Fall 2022
Instructors: Marquis, Grace (Fall)
Fall
2 lectures and one seminar
Prerequisite: For undergraduate students, consent of instructor required
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PARA 410 Environment and Infection (3 credits)
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 2023
Instructors: Scott, Marilyn (Winter)
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PARA 515 Water, Health and Sanitation (3 credits)
Overview
Parasitology : The origin and types of water contaminants including live organisms, infectious agents and chemicals of agricultural and industrial origins. Conventional and new technological developments to eliminate water pollutants. Comparisons of water, health and sanitation between industrialized and developing countries.
Terms: Winter 2023
Instructors: Basu, Niladri (Winter)
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PLNT 300 Cropping Systems (3 credits)
Overview
Plant Science : Application of plant science and soil science to production of agronomic and horticultural crops. Use and sustainability of fertilization, weed control, crop rotation, tillage, drainage and irrigation practices.
Terms: Fall 2022
Instructors: Smith, Donald L (Fall)
3 lectures and one 3-hour lab
Prerequisite: AEBI 210
Option B
15 credits from any of the McGill Field Study Semesters
African Field Study Semester
Barbados Field Study Semester
Barbados Interdisciplinary Tropical Studies Field Semester
Panama Field Study Semester
3 credits from the list in Option A
Faculty of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences—2022-2023 (last updated Aug. 24, 2022) (disclaimer)
