The Department of Bioresource Engineering is home to an interdisciplinary program that integrates engineering, design, and the biological sciences. We apply engineering principles to the enhancement and sustainability of the world’s natural resources. Bioresource engineers work to steward the environment and natural resources (water, soil, plants, animals), create systems to produce crops, livestock, and biomass, and transform agricultural commodities and biomass into food, fibre, fuel, and biochemicals.
Master of Science (M.Sc.) Bioresource Engineering (Thesis)
This option for the M.Sc. degree is oriented toward individuals who intend to develop a career in bioresource engineering research. The research areas include: plant and animal environments; ecological engineering (ecosystem modelling, design, management and remediation); water resources management (hydrology, irrigation, drainage, water quality); agricultural machinery, mechatronics and robotics; food engineering and bio-processing; post-harvest technology; waste management and protection of the environment; bio-energy; and artificial intelligence.
Bioresource Engineering (Thesis) (M.Sc.) (45 credits)
Offered by: Bioresource Engineering (Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences)
Degree: Master of Science
Program credit weight: 45
Program Description
This option for the M.Sc. degree is oriented toward individuals who intend to develop a career in bioresource engineering research.
Required Courses (36 credits)
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| BREE 651 | Departmental Seminar M.Sc. 1. | 1 |
|
| BREE 652 | Departmental Seminar M.Sc. 2. | 1 |
|
| BREE 699 | Scientific Publication. | 3 |
Scientific Publication. Terms offered: Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Review and critique papers that are published in field of the candidate. Prepare draft paper(s) following the format of leading journals in field of study undertaken. See course page for more information |
Thesis Courses
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| BREE 691 | M.Sc. Thesis 1. | 4 |
|
| BREE 692 | M.Sc. Thesis 2. | 4 |
M.Sc. Thesis 2. Terms offered: Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Written and oral presentation of thesis proposal to the research Supervisory Committee. See course page for more information |
| BREE 693 | M.Sc. Thesis 3. | 4 |
|
| BREE 694 | M.Sc. Thesis 4. | 4 |
|
| BREE 695 | M.Sc. Thesis 5. | 4 |
|
| BREE 696 | M.Sc. Thesis 6. | 4 |
|
| BREE 697 | M.Sc. Thesis 7. | 4 |
|
| BREE 698 | M.Sc. Thesis 8. | 3 |
|
Complementary Courses (9 credits)
500-, 600-, or 700-level courses in bioresource engineering and other fields to be determined in consultation with the Research Director.
Application deadlines
| Applicant |
Fall |
Winter |
| Canadian/permanent resident |
March 15 |
September 1 |
| International |
January 15 |
July 15 |
Program Coordinator: Erin Minnett
Master of Science (M.Sc.) Bioresource Engineering (Non-Thesis): Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM)
Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) is a one-year program providing an essential approach for sustainable management of our natural watershed resources. The 13-credit internship is a central feature of this master’s program. The degree gives students the unique opportunity to study the biophysical, environmental, legal, institutional, and socio-economic aspects of water use and management, in an integrated context. The degree is directed at practicing professionals who wish to upgrade and/or focus their skill set to address water management issues.
As a graduate from this program, you will be well suited to opportunities in diverse fields of employment, such as water resources consulting, international development project management, research with governments or universities, public policy and governance development, and climate change impact assessment.
The typical duration of this program, if completed on a full-time basis, is 12 months:
- Program sequence, fall term admission: Fall/Winter/Summer (September to August of following year) with no scheduled breaks. Fall term is the recommended and traditional program starting time.
- Program sequence, winter term admission: Winter/Summer-Scheduled Break/Fall/Winter (January to April of the following year)
Bioresource Engineering (Non-Thesis): Integrated Water Resources Management (M.Sc.) (45 credits)
Offered by: Bioresource Engineering (Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences)
Degree: Master of Science
Program credit weight: 45
Program Description
The Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Bioresource Engineering; Non-Thesis - Integrated Water Resources Management program is a one-year professional course-based program, including an internship, which is a central feature of the program. The program provides an essential approach to the sustainable management of our natural watershed resources, and focuses on the biophysical, environmental, legal, institutional, and socio-economic aspects of water use and management, in an integrated context.
Research Project (6 credits)
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| BREE 631 | Integrated Water Resources Management Project. | 6 |
Integrated Water Resources Management Project. Terms offered: Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Winter 2026 To broaden the scope of the IWRM internship experience (BREE 630) in the form of a research paper or 'plan of action' that expands on the water resources management problem(s) or issue(s) examined in the internship. This course is now to be offered both in the Winter semester (new) and the Summer semester (current). See course page for more information |
Required Courses (27 credits)
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| BREE 503 | Water: Society, Law and Policy. | 3 |
Water: Society, Law and Policy. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Water and society and the ramifications at the local, national and international scales with respect to legal and public policy issues related to, for example, drinking water quality, transboundary water management, public involvement, First Nations, agriculture, governance, and institutions relevant to the management of water resources. See course page for more information |
| BREE 510 | Watershed Systems Management. | 3 |
Watershed Systems Management. Terms offered: Fall 2025 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. See course page for more information |
| BREE 630 | Integrated Water Resources Management Internship. | 13 |
Integrated Water Resources Management Internship. Terms offered: Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Placement in a government, or private sector agency for 13 weeks of full-time work on an integrated water resource management project (35 hours per week). Student shall be responsible for defining a mandate, then performing and reporting on the work/research performed. This course is now to be offered both in the Winter semester (new) and the Summer semester (current). See course page for more information |
| BREE 651 | Departmental Seminar M.Sc. 1. | 1 |
|
| BREE 652 | Departmental Seminar M.Sc. 2. | 1 |
|
| BREE 655 | Integrated Water Resources Management Research Visits. | 3 |
Integrated Water Resources Management Research Visits. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Class visits to various firms and agencies working in the realm of integrated water resources management. See course page for more information |
| PARA 515 | Water, Health and Sanitation. | 3 |
Water, Health and Sanitation. Terms offered: Winter 2026 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. See course page for more information |
Elective Courses (12 credits)
12 credits, at the 500 level or higher, of any relevant course(s) chosen in consultation with the Program Director.
Application deadlines
| Applicant |
Fall |
Winter |
| Canadian/permanent resident |
March 15 |
September 1 |
| International |
January 15 |
July 15 |
Program Director: Prof. Jan Adamowski
Program Coordinator: Maude Bélanger
Master of Science, Applied (M.Sc.A.) Bioresource Engineering (Non-Thesis): Integrated Food and Bioprocessing (IFB)
This graduate program will provide students with the tools to understand how food and agricultural production interact to better manage agricultural, food, and biomass systems for the adequate supply of wholesome food, feed, fiber, biofuel, and any other bio-based material. This course-based program will present students with the skills needed to assess existing production, delivery, and quality management systems; introduce improvements; and communicate effectively with policy makers and with colleagues in multi-disciplinary teams.
The goals of this program are to provide up-to-date world class knowledge on techniques for adequate process design and management of biomass production strategies for the delivery of quality food, natural fiber, biochemicals, biomaterials, and biofuels, in a sustainable and environment-friendly way that benefits all. Training activities will include laboratory research and/or industrial/government internships.
The typical duration of this program, if completed on a full-time basis, is 12 to 16 months. Fall term admissions only. The research project/internship is carried out over 12 weeks, typically in the summer term, and goes toward the fulfillment of two 6-credit courses for a total of 12 credits, constituting full-time enrolment in that term. Students may receive remuneration for research project/internship work but this is not guaranteed.
Candidates for the M.Sc. Applied, Integrated Food and Bioprocessing program shall have graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering or a Bachelor of Technology, with a strong knowledge in the following core engineering areas: fluid mechanics, heat and/or mass transfer, thermodynamics, and engineering mathematics (including statistics).
Bioresource Engineering (Non-Thesis): Integrated Food and Bioprocessing (M.Sc.A.) (45 credits)
Offered by: Bioresource Engineering (Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences)
Degree: Master of Science Applied
Program credit weight: 45
Program Description
The Master of Science(Applied) [M.Sc.(A.)] in Bioresource Engineering; Non-Thesis - Integrated Food and Bioprocessing program provides the tools to understand how food and agricultural production interact to better manage agricultural, food, and biomass systems for the adequate supply of wholesome food, feed, fiber, biofuel, and any other bio-based material. The program focuses on the skills needed to assess existing production, delivery, and quality management systems; introduce improvements; and communicate effectively with policymakers and colleagues in multi-disciplinary teams. The program provides up-to-date, world-class knowledge on techniques for adequate process design and management of biomass production strategies for the delivery of quality food, natural fiber, biochemicals, biomaterials, and biofuels, in a sustainable and environment-friendly way that benefits all. Training activities will include laboratory research and/or industrial/government internships.
Required Courses (6 credits)
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| BREE 600 | Project/Internship Proposal. | 1 |
Project/Internship Proposal. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Preparation of research proposals for BREE 671 and BREE 672 research projects and/or preparation of the internship programs with government, non-governmental organizations or private sector, for BREE 601 and BREE 602. See course page for more information |
| BREE 651 | Departmental Seminar M.Sc. 1. | 1 |
|
| BREE 652 | Departmental Seminar M.Sc. 2. | 1 |
|
| BREE 699 | Scientific Publication. | 3 |
Scientific Publication. Terms offered: Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Review and critique papers that are published in field of the candidate. Prepare draft paper(s) following the format of leading journals in field of study undertaken. See course page for more information |
Complementary Courses (39 credits)
9 credits of any relevant graduate-level course chosen in consultation with the Program Director.
Minimum of 3 credits of graduate-level Statistics in any department
Minimum of 9 credits from courses selected from the following:
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| BREE 518 | Ecological Engineering. | 3 |
Ecological Engineering. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Concepts and practice of ecological engineering: the planned creation or management of a community of organisms, their nonliving surroundings, and technological components to provide services. Survey of applications such as constructed wetlands, aquatic production systems, green infrastructure for urban storm water management, environmental restoration. Taught cooperatively with a parallel course at University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Online collaboration with an interdisciplinary, international team is an important component of the course. See course page for more information |
| BREE 519 | Advanced Food Engineering. | 3 |
Advanced Food Engineering. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Advanced topics in food engineering. Concepts of mathematical modelling and research methodologies in food engineering. Topics include heat and mass transfer in food systems, packaging and distribution of food products, thermal and non-thermal processing, rheology and kinetics of food transformations. See course page for more information |
| BREE 520 | Food, Fibre and Fuel Elements. | 3 |
Food, Fibre and Fuel Elements. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Analysis and design incorporating the four elements required by organisms and biomass for food, fibre and fuel production (air, earth, energy, and water). Special emphasis will be placed on the demands and requirements of engineering systems to control these elements and allow optimal growth in semi-controlled and completely controlled environments. See course page for more information |
| BREE 530 | Fermentation Engineering. | 3 |
Fermentation Engineering. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Advanced topics in food and fermentation engineering are covered, including brewing, bioreactor design and control and microbial kinetics. See course page for more information |
| BREE 531 | Post-Harvest Drying. | 3 |
Post-Harvest Drying. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Heat and moisture transfer with respect to drying of agricultural commodities; techniques of enhancement of heat and mass transfer; drying efficiency and scale-up problems. See course page for more information |
| BREE 532 | Post-Harvest Storage. | 3 |
Post-Harvest Storage. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Active, semi-passive and passive storage systems; environmental control systems; post-harvest physiology and pathogenicity; quality assessment and control methodology; economic aspects of long-term storage. See course page for more information |
| BREE 535 | Food Safety Engineering. | 3 |
Food Safety Engineering. Terms offered: Fall 2025 The application of engineering principles to address microbial and chemical safety challenges in food processing, including intervention technologies (traditional and novel non-thermal intervention technologies, chemical interventions, and hurdle approach); control, monitoring and identification techniques (biosensors); packaging applications in food safety (active packaging, intelligent or smart packaging); and tracking and traceability systems. See course page for more information |
| BREE 603 | Advanced Properties: Food and Plant Materials. | 3 |
Advanced Properties: Food and Plant Materials. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Advanced topics related the physico-chemical characteristics/properties of biological products: including mechanical, thermal, electromagnetic and functional properties. Emphasis will be on food constituents (nutraceuticals), plants of pharmaco-interest (phytochemicals), new sources of natural fibers and biofuel biomass. See course page for more information |
Minimum of 12 credits selected from the following:
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| BREE 601 | Integrated Food and Bioprocessing Internship 1. | 6 |
Integrated Food and Bioprocessing Internship 1. Terms offered: Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Placement in a government, non-governmental organization or private sector agency for 6 weeks of full- time work on a bioprocess and food security project (35 hr per week). Students will be responsible for defining a mandate, then performing and reporting on the work/research performed during the internship. See course page for more information |
| BREE 602 | Integrated Food and Bioprocessing Internship 2. | 6 |
Integrated Food and Bioprocessing Internship 2. Terms offered: Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Placement in a government, non-governmental organization or private sector agency for 6 weeks of full- time work on a bioprocess and food security project (35 hr per week). Students will be responsible for defining a mandate, then performing and reporting on the work/research performed during the internship. See course page for more information |
| BREE 671 | Project 1. | 6 |
|
| BREE 672 | Project 2. | 6 |
|
Minimum of 3 credits selected from the following:
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| AGRI 510 | Professional Practice. | 3 |
Professional Practice. Terms offered: Winter 2026 The ethical issues that face a professional in the workplace; professional ethics and deontology, professional responsibilities as related to the laws of labour, health, safety and risks to the environment, risk management and communication. See course page for more information |
Minimum of 3 credits selected from the following:
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| BTEC 502 | Biotechnology Ethics and Society. | 3 |
Biotechnology Ethics and Society. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Examination of particular social and ethical challenges posed by modern biotechnology such as benefit sharing, informed consent in the research setting, access to medical care worldwide, environmental safety and biodiversity and the ethical challenges posed by patenting life. See course page for more information |
| FDSC 519 | Advanced Food Processing. | 3 |
Advanced Food Processing. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Advanced technologies associated with food processing studied in more detail. Topics include food irradiation, reverse osmosis, super critical fluid extraction and extrusion. See course page for more information |
| FDSC 538 | Food Science in Perspective. | 3 |
Food Science in Perspective. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Food industry, food properties, nutritive aspects, quality factors, and key preservation processes, with self-study linking these elements directly to specific commodities and product groups, their characteristics, chemistry and distinct manufacturing processes. See course page for more information |
| GEOG 515 | Contemporary Dilemmas of Development. | 3 |
Contemporary Dilemmas of Development. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Analysis of acute geographic dilemmas of international development. Emphasis on 1) rural systems and the problems of agrobiodiversity, land tenure, conflict, food relief, refugees and migration, the peace process, geopolitics and diplomacy; 2) role of development programs and agendas of the international community, the workings of development On the Ground (TM). See course page for more information |
| NUTR 501 | Nutrition in the Majority World. | 3 |
Nutrition in the Majority World. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Current nutrition-related issues in the Majority World, emphasizing young children and other vulnerable groups. The integration of a life science and social science perspective. The multiple causes, consequences, policies, and interventions related to current nutrition. See course page for more information |
Application deadlines
| Applicant |
Fall |
Winter |
| Canadian/permanent resident |
March 15 |
September 1 |
| International |
January 15 |
July 15 |
Master of Science, Applied (M.Sc.A.) Bioresource Engineering (Non-Thesis): Environmental Engineering
The M.Sc. Applied, Environmental Engineering option emphasizes interdisciplinary fundamental knowledge, practical applications in diverse environmental contexts, and the functional skills needed for solving environmental problems. This option is for individuals with a university undergraduate degree in engineering who wish to train at an advanced level.
The interdisciplinary character of the option provides a unique opportunity for students. A wide range of technical and non-technical courses are offered by collaborating departments and faculties at McGill. Through these courses, students will master specialized skills in their home disciplines and acquire a broader perspective and awareness of environmental issues.
The typical duration of this program, if completed on a full-time basis, is 16 to 20 months (summer term optional). Fall term admissions only. The research project/internship for this program can be carried out over 6 or 12 weeks. For a 12-week research project or internship, the student must register for both BREE 671 (6 cr.) and BREE 672 (6 cr.) for a total of 12 credits, constituting full-time enrolment in that term. Students may receive remuneration for research project/internship work but this is not guaranteed.
Bioresource Engineering (Non-Thesis): Environment (M.Sc.A.) (45 credits)
Offered by: Bioresource Engineering (Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences)
Degree: Master of Science Applied
Program credit weight: 45
Program Description
**This program is currently not offered.**
The M.Sc.(Applied) in Bioresource Engineering; Non-Thesis - Environment is a program offered in collaboration with the Bieler School of Environment. As a complement to the unit's expertise, the program considers how various dimensions (scientific, social, legal, ethical) interact to define environment and sustainability issues.
Candidates must meet the qualifications of a professional engineer either before or during their M.Sc.(Applied) program.
Research Project (12 credits)
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| BREE 671 | Project 1. | 6 |
|
| BREE 672 | Project 2. | 6 |
|
Required Courses (5 credits)
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| BREE 651 | Departmental Seminar M.Sc. 1. | 1 |
|
| BREE 652 | Departmental Seminar M.Sc. 2. | 1 |
|
| ENVR 615 | Interdisciplinary Approach Environment and Sustainability. | 3 |
Interdisciplinary Approach Environment and Sustainability. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Through a series of modules on current environmental and sustainability issues, this course emphasizes the value and challenges of an interdisciplinary approach by examining how different fields can work together to address these issues.
See course page for more information |
Complementary Courses (28 credits)
3-6 credits from:
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| ENVR 610 | Foundations of Environmental Policy. | 3 |
Foundations of Environmental Policy. Terms offered: Summer 2025 Analysis of current environmental policies to reveal implicit and explicit assumptions regarding scientific methods, hypothesis testing, subject/object, causality, certainty, deities, health, development, North-South concerns for resources, commons, national sovereignty, equity. Discussion of implications of such assumptions for building future environmental policies. See course page for more information |
| ENVR 614 | Mobilizing Research for Sustainability. | 3 |
Mobilizing Research for Sustainability. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Through workshops and practice, students will develop communication strategies and acquire collaboration and leadership skills to foster innovation and help translate knowledge into action to address complex environmental and sustainability issues. Students will learn methods, build skills, and develop mindsets that can enable their research to have an impact on the most pressing issues in sustainability. See course page for more information |
0-3 credits from:
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| ENVR 585 | Readings in Environment 2. | 3 |
Readings in Environment 2. Terms offered: Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Interdisciplinary literature project/essays related to environment, enabling advanced-level study under guidance of Environment faculty in areas outside the scope of individual departments. See course page for more information |
| ENVR 630 | Civilization and Environment. | 3 |
Civilization and Environment. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Considers ways to reduce the human impact on Earth's life support systems through variables such as population size, wealth, technology, and conduct. Critically describes ethical frameworks for judging personal and policy choices, including post-collapse scenarios. See course page for more information |
| ENVR 680 | Topics in Environment 4. | 3 |
Topics in Environment 4. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Seminars and discussion of advanced, interdisciplinary aspects of current problems in environment led by staff and/or special guests. See course page for more information |
or 3 credits at the 500 level or higher recommended by the Advisory Committee and approved by the Environment Options Committee.
22 additional credits of 500-level or higher chosen in consultation with the academic adviser.
Application deadlines
| Applicant |
Fall |
Winter |
| Canadian/permanent resident |
March 15 |
September 1 |
| International |
January 15 |
July 15 |
Program Co-Directors: Prof. Chandra Madramootoo and Prof. Zhiming Qi
Program Coordinator: Maude Bélanger
Master of Science, Applied (M.Sc.A.) Bioresource Engineering (Non-Thesis)
The non-thesis option is aimed at individuals already employed in industry or seeking to improve their skills in specific areas (soil and water, structures and environment, waste management, environment protection, post-harvest technology, food process engineering, environmental engineering) in order to attain a higher level of engineering qualification. Candidates must be qualified to be members of a Canadian professional engineering association such as the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec (OIQ) and must maintain contact with their academic adviser in the Department of Bioresource Engineering before registration to clarify objectives, investigate project possibilities, and plan a program of study.
Bioresource Engineering (Non-Thesis) (M.Sc.A.) (45 credits)
Offered by: Bioresource Engineering (Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences)
Degree: Master of Science Applied
Program credit weight: 45
Program Description
The non-thesis option is aimed toward individuals already employed in industry or seeking to improve their skills in specific areas (soil and water/structures and environment/waste management/environment protection/post-harvest technology/food process engineering/environmental engineering) in order to enter the engineering profession at a higher level.
Candidates must meet the qualifications of a professional engineer either before or during their M.Sc. Applied program.
Each candidate for this option is expected to establish and maintain contact with his/her academic adviser in the Department of Bioresource Engineering some time before registration in order to clarify objectives, investigate project possibilities and plan a program of study.
Research Project (12 credits)
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| BREE 671 | Project 1. | 6 |
|
| BREE 672 | Project 2. | 6 |
|
Required Courses (2 credits)
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| BREE 651 | Departmental Seminar M.Sc. 1. | 1 |
|
| BREE 652 | Departmental Seminar M.Sc. 2. | 1 |
|
Complementary Courses (31 credits)
31 credits of 500-, 600-, or 700-level courses in bioresource engineering and other fields1 to be determined in consultation with the Project Director.
- 1
Note: 12 of the 31 credits are expected to be from collaborative departments, e.g., food process engineering: 12 credits divided between Food Science and Chemical Engineering.
Application deadlines
| Applicant |
Fall |
Winter |
| Canadian/permanent resident |
March 15 |
September 1 |
| International |
January 15 |
July 15 |
Program Director: Prof. Viacheslav Adamchuk
Program Coordinator: Maude Bélanger
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Bioresource Engineering
This is a research-based degree and is offered in the following areas: plant and animal environments; ecological engineering (ecosystem modelling, design, management and remediation); water resources management (hydrology, irrigation, drainage, water quality); agricultural machinery, mechatronics and robotics; food engineering and bio-processing; post-harvest technology; waste management and protection of the environment; bio-energy; and artificial intelligence.
Bioresource Engineering (Ph.D.)
Offered by: Bioresource Engineering (Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences)
Degree: Doctor of Philosophy
Program Description
Candidates for the Ph.D. degree will normally register for the M.Sc. degree first. In cases where the research work is proceeding very satisfactorily, or where the equivalent of the M.Sc. degree has been completed previously, candidates may be permitted to proceed directly to the Ph.D. degree.
Thesis
A thesis for the doctoral degree must constitute original scholarship and must be a distinct contribution to knowledge. It must show familiarity with previous work in the field and must demonstrate ability to plan and carry out research, organize results, and defend the approach and conclusions in a scholarly manner. The research presented must meet current standards of the discipline; as well, the thesis must clearly demonstrate how the research advances knowledge in the field. Finally, the thesis must be written in compliance with norms for academic and scholarly expression and for publication in the public domain.
Required Courses
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| BREE 701 | Ph.D. Comprehensive Examination. | 0 |
Ph.D. Comprehensive Examination. Terms offered: Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Winter 2026 An examination that must be passed by all doctoral candidates in order to continue in the doctoral program. See course page for more information |
| BREE 751 | Departmental Seminar Ph.D. 1. | 0 |
|
| BREE 752 | Departmental Seminar Ph.D. 2. | 0 |
|
| BREE 753 | Departmental Seminar Ph.D. 3. | 0 |
|
| BREE 754 | Departmental Seminar Ph.D. 4. | 0 |
|
Complementary Courses
Courses of study selected for a Ph.D. program will depend on the existing academic qualifications of the candidate, and on those needed for effective pursuit of research in the chosen field. Candidates are encouraged to take an additional course of study of their own choice in some field of the humanities, sciences, or engineering not directly related to their research. The program will be established by consultation of the candidate with a committee that will include the Research Director and at least one other professor.
Application deadlines
| Applicant |
Fall |
Winter |
| Canadian/permanent resident |
March 15 |
September 1 |
| International |
January 15 |
July 15 |
Program Coordinator: Erin Minnett
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Bioresource Engineering: Environment
The Ph.D. Bioresource Engineering: Environment – MSE Option is coordinated through the Bieler School of Environment. This option is intended for students who want to take an interdisciplinary approach in their graduate research on environmental issues. Students will learn how to transfer knowledge into action and develop an appreciation for the roles of science, politics, economics, and ethics with regard to the environment.
Bioresource Engineering: Environment (Ph.D.)
Offered by: Bioresource Engineering (Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences)
Degree: Doctor of Philosophy
Program Description
**This program is currently not offered.**
The Ph.D. in Bioresource Engineering Environment is a research program offered in collaboration with the Bieler School of Environment. As a complement to the unit's expertise, the program considers how various dimensions (scientific, social, legal, ethical) interact to define environment and sustainability issues.
Thesis
A thesis for the doctoral degree must constitute original scholarship and must be a distinct contribution to knowledge. It must show familiarity with previous work in the field and must demonstrate ability to plan and carry out research, organize results, and defend the approach and conclusions in a scholarly manner. The research presented must meet current standards of the discipline; as well, the thesis must clearly demonstrate how the research advances knowledge in the field. Finally, the thesis must be written in compliance with norms for academic and scholarly expression and for publication in the public domain.
Required Courses (3 credits)
Note: BREE 701 Ph.D. Comprehensive Examination., the comprehensive component, must be taken either late in the first, or early in the second, registration year to qualify to proceed to the completion of the Ph.D. degree.
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| BREE 701 | Ph.D. Comprehensive Examination. | 0 |
Ph.D. Comprehensive Examination. Terms offered: Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Winter 2026 An examination that must be passed by all doctoral candidates in order to continue in the doctoral program. See course page for more information |
| BREE 751 | Departmental Seminar Ph.D. 1. | 0 |
|
| BREE 752 | Departmental Seminar Ph.D. 2. | 0 |
|
| BREE 753 | Departmental Seminar Ph.D. 3. | 0 |
|
| BREE 754 | Departmental Seminar Ph.D. 4. | 0 |
|
| ENVR 615 | Interdisciplinary Approach Environment and Sustainability. | 3 |
Interdisciplinary Approach Environment and Sustainability. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Through a series of modules on current environmental and sustainability issues, this course emphasizes the value and challenges of an interdisciplinary approach by examining how different fields can work together to address these issues.
See course page for more information |
Complementary Courses (6 credits)
3-6 credits from:
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| ENVR 610 | Foundations of Environmental Policy. | 3 |
Foundations of Environmental Policy. Terms offered: Summer 2025 Analysis of current environmental policies to reveal implicit and explicit assumptions regarding scientific methods, hypothesis testing, subject/object, causality, certainty, deities, health, development, North-South concerns for resources, commons, national sovereignty, equity. Discussion of implications of such assumptions for building future environmental policies. See course page for more information |
| ENVR 614 | Mobilizing Research for Sustainability. | 3 |
Mobilizing Research for Sustainability. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Through workshops and practice, students will develop communication strategies and acquire collaboration and leadership skills to foster innovation and help translate knowledge into action to address complex environmental and sustainability issues. Students will learn methods, build skills, and develop mindsets that can enable their research to have an impact on the most pressing issues in sustainability. See course page for more information |
0-3 credits from:
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| ENVR 585 | Readings in Environment 2. | 3 |
Readings in Environment 2. Terms offered: Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Interdisciplinary literature project/essays related to environment, enabling advanced-level study under guidance of Environment faculty in areas outside the scope of individual departments. See course page for more information |
| ENVR 630 | Civilization and Environment. | 3 |
Civilization and Environment. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Considers ways to reduce the human impact on Earth's life support systems through variables such as population size, wealth, technology, and conduct. Critically describes ethical frameworks for judging personal and policy choices, including post-collapse scenarios. See course page for more information |
| ENVR 680 | Topics in Environment 4. | 3 |
Topics in Environment 4. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Seminars and discussion of advanced, interdisciplinary aspects of current problems in environment led by staff and/or special guests. See course page for more information |
or 3 credits at the 500 level or higher recommended by the Advisory Committee and approved by the Environment Option Committee.
Application deadlines
| Applicant |
Fall |
Winter |
| Canadian/permanent resident |
March 15 |
September 1 |
| International |
January 15 |
July 15 |
Program Coordinator: Erin Minnett
