Global food insecurity and hunger are present everywhere around the world: from urban slums and isolated communities in the developing world, to cities in industrialized countries. Defeating hunger and food insecurity is possible. It needs people who can think, evaluate, and then propose action. Choose the Global Food Security Program and be part of the solution! This major will provide you with a broad background, preparing you to work for governments and non-governmental organizations as well as in the public and private sectors.
This program offers you the unique opportunity to combine your studies in many different areas. You will learn about issues such as public health and food safety, international development, water resources and environmental sciences, as well as agriculture and nutrition. It is a combination of coursework and practical experience, including the option to participate in a hands-on experience in a developing country. You will meet the locals and work with them, developing projects in their communities. These activities are designed to help you deal with the challenges facing the world in achieving food security.
For more information, please contact the bsc-advisor.agenvsc [at] mcgill.ca (student advisor).
To learn more about this program:
Program information not available.
Suggested Specialization: International Agriculture
International Agriculture (B.Sc.(Ag.Env.Sc.)) (24 credits)
Offered by: Plant Science (Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences) Degree: Bachelor of Science (Agricultural and Environmental Sciences) Program credit weight: 24
Program Description
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.
Note: For information about Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 course offerings, please refer to Visual Schedule Builder. A technical issue is causing the "Terms offered" field to incorrectly report "this course is not currently offered" for many courses in the Course Catalogue.
Required Courses (6 credits)
Course List
Course
Title
Credits
AGEC 442
Economics of International Agricultural Development.
3
Economics of International Agricultural Development.
Terms offered: Winter 2026
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.
Global Issues on Development, Food and Agriculture.
3
Global Issues on Development, Food and Agriculture.
Terms offered: Winter 2026
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.
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.
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.
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.
Exposure to a foreign rural and agricultural context, to observe a variety of types of farm operations, cropping systems and techniques. The sustainability of these is discussed within their local social, environmental and economic landscapes.
Terms offered: Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Winter 2026
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Career Paths
Career paths include:
■ International development
■ International research and project management
■ Policy Analyst - food and agriculture
■ Food safety and public health policies
■ Government, non-government and international institutions
■ Agri-business management
This is a 3-credit intensive course that includes travel and/or attend lectures/field visits on each day of the course.
Experience tropical cropping systems, from industrial export crops to traditional Mayan milpa systems, through interactions with local field professionals, farmers, community members and professors. Assess the impact of these systems on food security and the environment in Guatemala.
INTERNSHIPS
The Bieler Family Internship Office helps to facilitate student internships by offering students guidance on which internships to pursue, assisting with paperwork and applications, giving information on funding and awards and offering advice on cover letters and resumes.
In addition to the placements the office coordinates, students are encouraged to search for their own internship opportunities.
