The core curriculum
Our semester offers a varied set of courses every year, and we welcome students from all faculties and all background in our program.
A full semester of credits is offered, with two required context courses that engage all participants in structured observation, theoretical interpretation, and thorough discussion of the ecological and cultural aspects of the trip, and with a selection of opportunities for advanced study with leading scholars in Arts or Science curriculum areas.
Courses will run in three sessions, three weeks per session. At least two McGill faculty members will be with the group in each session.
We encourage students to take courses from outside their discipline to enhance both their academic and African experience with the McGill East Africa Field Study Semester (i.e., if you are an Arts student, please consider taking a Science course; and if you are a Science Student, please consider taking a Humanities course). All students must take both context courses.
Note: The course list provided on this page is for reference only. Note that the courses are subject to change and are not necessarily offered every year.
Context Courses
ANTH 451. Research in Society and Development in Africa.
Credits: 3
Offered by: Anthropology (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.
Description
Instruction focuses on three goals: 1) existing research in selected core thematic areas, 2) participating in interdisciplinary team research, 3) developing powers of observation and independent inquiry. Students will be expected to develop research activities and interdisciplinary perspectives, and to become conversant with advances in local research in their field.
- Winter
- Prerequisite: Open to U2 or later students in the AFSS.
- Corequisite: NRSC 452.
- Restriction: Open only to AFSS students during the year of participation in the field. Not open to students who have taken GEOG 451.
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or GEOG 451. Research in Society and Development in Africa.
Credits: 3
Offered by: Geography (Faculty of Science)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.
Description
Three intersecting components: 1) core development themes including culture change, environmental conservation, water, health, development (urban and rural), governance and conflict resolution, 2) research techniques for topics related to core themes, including ethics, risk, field methods and data analysis, 3) field documentation, scientific recording and communication.
- Winter
- Prerequisite: Open to U2 or later students in the AFSS.
- Corequisite: NRSC 452.
- Restriction: Not open to students who have taken, or are taking ANTH 451.
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***AND***
BIOL 451. Research in Ecology and Development in Africa.
Credits: 3
Offered by: Biology (Faculty of Science)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.
Description
Development of observation and independent inquiry skills through: 1) participation in short-term project modules in collaboration with existing researchers; 2) participation in interdisciplinary team research on topics selected to allow comparative analysis of field sites; 3) active and systematic observation, documentation, and integration of field experience in ecology and development issues.
- Winter
- Open only to U2 or later students in the AFSS.
- Corequisite(s): ANTH 451 or GEOG 451
- Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken or are taking NRSC 451.
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or NRSC 451. Research in Ecology and Development in Africa.
Credits: 3
Offered by: Natural Resource Sciences (Faculty of Agric Environ Sci)
Terms offered: Winter 2026
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Winter 2026 in Visual Schedule Builder.
Description
Development of observation and independent inquiry skills through: 1) participation in short-term project modules in collaboration with existing researchers; 2) participation in interdisciplinary team research on topics selected to allow comparative analysis of field sites; 3) active and systematic observation, documentation, and integration of field experience in ecology and development issues.
- Winter
- Not open to students who have taken or are taking BIOL 451. Open to U2 or later students in the African Field Study Semester (AFSS).
- Corequisites: ANTH or GEOG 451 Society & Development in Africa
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Arts Courses
ANTH 315. Society/Culture: East Africa.
Credits: 3
Offered by: Anthropology (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.
Description
Overview of the history, languages and cultures of the region. Examination of the social institutions, cultural patterns, subsistence practices and environmental settings of major social groups, including hunter-foragers, fishers, pastoralists, agro-pastoralists, and cultivators. Discussion of current theoretical and ethnological issues in the study of culture and social change.
- Winter
- Restriction: Open only to students in the Study in Africa program, a full-term field study program in East Africa
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Course information not available.
ANTH 411. Primate Studies and Conservation.
Credits: 3
Offered by: Anthropology (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.
Description
Critical evaluation of theories in primate behaviour, ecology, and conservation that emphasizes direct observations, research design, and developing field methods.
- Winter
- Prerequisite: One course in Anthropology, Geography or Environmental Studies, Introductory Biology, or permission of the instructor.
- Restriction: Students must have completed at least two full semesters at their home university. Only open to students in the Canadian Field Studies in Africa program.
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ANTH 416. Environment/Development: Africa.
Credits: 3
Offered by: Anthropology (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.
Description
Study of environmental effects of development in East Africa, especially due to changes in traditional land tenure and resource use across diverse ecosystems. Models, policies and cases of pastoralist, agricultural, fishing, wildlife and tourist development will be examined, across savanna, desert, forest, highland and coastal environments.
- Winter
- Restriction: Open only to students in the Study in Africa program, a full-term field study program in East Africa
- Prerequisite: One prior course in Anthropology, Geography or Environmental Studies
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Course information not available.
Science Courses
BIOL 428. Biological Diversity in Africa.
Credits: 3
Offered by: Biology (Faculty of Science)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.
Description
Biological diversity as exemplified by a particular taxonomic group chosen by the instructor, using field setting in East Africa to impart training in species identification, field research, and principles embodied in the phylogeny, systematics, biogeography, ecology, physiology and/or behaviour of the organisms concerned.
- Restriction: Not open to students who have taken BIOL 328
- Winter
- Student must be enrolled in the Africa Field Study Seminar
- Prerequisite: BIOL 305 or equivalent or permission of instructor.
- Corequisite(s): NRSC/BIOL 451 and ANTH/GEOG 451
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BIOL 429. East African Ecology.
Credits: 3
Offered by: Biology (Faculty of Science)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.
Description
Field settings (Uganda, Kenya, and/or Tanzania) are used to impart training in ecological principles critical to tropical conservation with an emphasis on research design and field research exercises.
- Winter
- The course is to be taught in Africa as a component of the Africa Field Study Semester. Students must register for the Africa Field Study Semester.
- Prerequisite: BIOL 215 or equivalent.
- Corequisite: NRSC/BIOL 451 and ANTH/GEOG 451
- Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken BIOL 329.
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GEOG 404. Environmental Management 2.
Credits: 3
Offered by: Geography (Faculty of Science)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.
Description
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).
- Winter
- 3 hours
- Prerequisite: GEOG 302 or permission of instructor
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GEOG 416. Africa South of the Sahara.
Credits: 3
Offered by: Geography (Faculty of Science)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.
Description
A synthetic overview of physical and cultural geography examining particularly the relation of African peoples to their landscapes, the causes and consequences of environmental changes, and the idea of sustainable development as it applies to African landscapes, resource systems and economies.
- Winter
- Offered in Kenya as part of the African Field Studies semester.
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GEOG 423. Dilemmas of Development.
Credits: 3
Offered by: Geography (Faculty of Science)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.
Description
Africa seems beset by development problems. Some of these appear to have no clear answer. Such dilemmas present significant barriers to moving forward with durable, effective development in Africa. This course will examine two primary and frequently interlocked dilemmas in East Africa with wide ranging impact - food security, and conflict.
- Prerequisite: GEOG 310 or GEOG 408 or GEOG 410, or equivalent
- Restriction: Open to students in the African Field Study Semester (AFSS) only
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GEOG 493. Health and Environment in Africa.
Credits: 3
Offered by: Geography (Faculty of Science)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.
Description
Exploration of key diseases of development, as well as patterns and determinants of health and disease in East Africa. Topics will focus on population and environmental health.
- Prerequisite: GEOG 221, GEOG 303 or permission of instructor
- Restrictions: Not open to students who have taken GEOG 403. Open to students in the African Field Study Semester (AFSS) only.
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NRSC 405. Natural History of East Africa.
Credits: 3
Offered by: Natural Resource Sciences (Faculty of Agric Environ Sci)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.
Description
Integrated study of African landforms, geologic history, climate, environments, biota, water resources and human influences, fostering a thorough
understanding of the East African landscape and its inhabitants. Lectures, discussions on selected topics, use of museum resources and field studies will
develop powers of observation, identification and enquiry.
- Corequisite(s): ANTH/GEOG 451, NRSC/BIOL 452
- Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken NRSC 300 or GEOG 300. Not open to students taking REDM 405.
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NUTR 404. Nutrition Field Studies in East Africa.
Credits: 3
Offered by: Human Nutrition (Faculty of Agric Environ Sci)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.
Description
Community-based case-study experience in East Africa, focussed on documentation and inquiry skills, and systematic analysis of the: 1) patterns and nature of major nutritional and food security problems; 2) sociocultural, economic and environmental determinants on food availability, quality, choice, behaviour and consumption in relation to health and disease, particularly in high risk populations; 3) institutional and policy mediators of community and national-level interventions and program responses.
- Restrictions: Open only to students in the CFSIA program.
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REDM 405. Natural History of East Africa.
Credits: 3
Offered by: Redpath Museum (Faculty of Science)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.
Description
Integrated study of African landforms, geologic history, climate, environments, biota, water resources and human influences, fostering a thorough understanding of the East African landscape and its inhabitants. Lectures, discussions on selected topics, use of museum resources and field studies will develop powers of observation, identification and enquiry.
- Winter
- Corequisites: ANTH/GEOG 451 and NRSC/BIOL 451
- Restrictions: Not open to students who have taken or are taking NRSC 300 or GEOG 300 or NRSC 405. Open only to African Field Study Semester students during the year of participation in the field.
- Course consists of field exercises, lectures, seminars and discussions.
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WILD 375. Issues: Environmental Sciences.
Credits: 3
Offered by: Natural Resource Sciences (Faculty of Agric Environ Sci)
Terms offered: Winter 2026
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Winter 2026 in Visual Schedule Builder.
Description
Principles and trends in global ecology as they pertain to agricultural and natural ecosystems and the impact of environmental change on food production.
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WILD 420. Ornithology.
Credits: 3
Offered by: Natural Resource Sciences (Faculty of Agric Environ Sci)
Terms offered: Fall 2025
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Fall 2025 in Visual Schedule Builder.
Description
Taxonomic relationships and evolution of birds. Examination of the physiology, migration, identification and ecological processes of North American birds.
- This course carries an additional charge of $16.99 to cover the cost of transportation (bus rental) for local field trips. The fee is refundable only during the withdrawal with full refund period.
- This course is scheduled for video-conferencing.
- This course carries an additional charge of $18.86 to cover the cost of transportation (bus rental) for local field trips. The fee is refundable only during the withdrawal with full refund period.
- Prerequisite: WILD 307 or permission of instructor
- This course carries an additional charge of $20.54 to cover the cost of transportation (bus rental) for local field trips. The fee is refundable only during the withdrawal with full refund period.
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***Note that B.Sc. students - only - may qualify for the B.Sc. Global designation. Verify the eligibility and application process.