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 The Ecological Agriculture specialization provides a holistic understanding of how agroecosystems work and the science of sustainable agriculture. It emphasizes the interrelationships among soils, plants, insects, animals, humans and other components of agroecosystems. As well the specialization applies ecological concepts and principles to the design and management of sustainable agroecosystems.
This specialization is where agriculture and ecology/ environment interact. Ecological agriculture addresses both the practical and theoretical issues that arise from this interaction including ecosystem dynamics, agroecology of food crops, and the role of agriculture in rural and urban landscapes. The specialization strives to view agroecosystems as a whole in the context of today’s global economy, social systems and environment. Through coursework and the possibility of internships students will learn about both the environmental and social context of agriculture and be able to develop workable solutions to the challenge of sustainable food production.
If you have an interest in agriculture and the environment, the Ecological Agriculture Specialization could be right for you!
THIS SPECIALIZATION MAY BE TAKEN WITH ONE OF THE FOLLOWING MAJORS: Agro-Environmental Sciences; International Agriculture and Food Systems
For questions about the Ecological Agriculture Specialization, please contact the bsc-advisor.agenvsc [at] mcgill.ca (student advisor.)
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COURSE REQUIREMENTS: 24 credits
To view the list of courses:
Bachelor of Science (Agricultural and Environmental Sciences) (B.Sc.(Ag.Env.Sc.)) - Ecological Agriculture (24 Credits)
Program Requirement: This specialization focuses on the principles underlying the practice of ecological agriculture. When coupled with the Major in Environmental Biology, agriculture as a managed ecosystem that responds to the laws of community ecology is examined; when combined with the Major Agro-Environmental Sciences and the specialization in Professional Agrology, this specialization focuses more directly on the practice of ecological agriculture and conforms with the eligibility requirements of the Ordre des agronomes du Québec. It is suitable for students wishing to farm and do extension and government work, and those intending to pursue postgraduate work in this field.
For information on academic advising, see: http://www.mcgill.ca/macdonald/studentinfo/advising
Required Courses (12 credits)-
AGEC 430
Agric, Food & Resource Policy
3 Credits
Offered in the: - Fall
- Winter
- Summer
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.
Offered by: Agricultural Economics
- Winter
- 3 lectures
- Prerequisites: AGEC 200 or equivalent
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AGRI 215
Agro-Ecosystems Field Course
3 Credits
Offered in the: - Fall
- Winter
- Summer
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.
Offered by: Plant Science
- This course carries an additional charge of $65.29 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 340
Princ of Ecological Agricult
3 Credits
Offered in the: - Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Agriculture: Focus on low-input, sustainable, and organic agriculture: the farm as an ecosystem; complex system theory; practical examples of soil management, pest control, integrated crop and livestock production, and marketing systems.
Offered by: Plant Science
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SOIL 535
Soil Ecology
3 Credits
Offered in the: - Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Soil Science: Exploration of the unique soil habitat for organisms with a focus on the variables that affect the abundance, diversity and interactions of soil biota and, in turn, their influence on soil physicochemical properties, biogeochemical cycles and other factors impacting ecosystem sustainability. Topics include survey of soil fauna, soil food webs, microbial ecology, biological carbon and nitrogen cycling, plant-soil interactions, and the effects of human activities and management on soil ecology, including synthesizing concepts and a critical analysis and interpretation of primary scientific literature in soil ecology.
Offered by: Natural Resource Sciences
- Terms
- This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year
- Instructors
- There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year
Complementary Courses (12 credits)Minimum of 6 agronomic credits from:
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AGRI 310
Internship in Agr./Environ.
3 Credits
Offered in the: - Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Agriculture: Internship on working farms or in other appropriate businesses of the agri-food/environment industries.
Offered by: Plant Science
- Restriction: Not open to students who have taken AGRI 201D1/D2.
- Terms
- Instructors
- Caroline B Begg
- Caroline B Begg
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AGRI 411
Global Issues on Dev, Food&Agr
3 Credits
Offered in the: - Fall
- Winter
- Summer
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.
Offered by: Animal Science
- Winter
- Two 2-hour conferences
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ANSC 312
Animal Health and Disease
3 Credits
Offered in the: - Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Animal Science: An introduction to the pathogenesis and control of diseases in farm animals. Immune response and other protective mechanisms. Implications of animal diseases and drug therapy for product safety and public health.
Offered by: Animal Science
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BREE 327
Bio-Environmental Engineering
3 Credits
Offered in the: - Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Bioresource Engineering: An introduction to how humans affect the earth's ecosystem and projections for the needs of food, water, air and energy to support the human population. Ecologically-reasonable coping strategies including biofuels, bioprocessing, waste management, and remediation methods.
Offered by: Bioresource Engineering
- Open to U2 students and above.
- This course carries an additional course charge for field trips.
- This course carries an additional course charge of $12.32 to cover transportation costs for field trips which may include a solar installation site and if registrations permit, a bio-ethanol plant. The fee is refundable only during the withdrawal with full refund period
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ENTO 352
Biocontrol of Pest Insects
3 Credits
Offered in the: - Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Entomology: Modern concepts of integrated control techniques and principles of insect pest management, with emphasis on biological control (use of predators, parasites and pathogens against pest insects), population monitoring, and manipulation of environmental, behavioral and physiological factors in the pest's way of life. Physical, cultural, and genetic controls and an introduction to the use of non-toxic biochemical controls (attractants, repellents, pheromones, antimetabolites).
Offered by: Natural Resource Sciences
- Terms
- This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year
- Instructors
- There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year
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PLNT 307
Agroecol of Vegetables&Fruits
3 Credits
Offered in the: - Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Plant Science: Application of ecological concepts and principles to the design and management of selected vegetable and fruit agroecosystems. Includes selection of varieties and management from seedling to harvest to storage.
Offered by: Plant Science
- Prerequisite: AEBI 210 or permission of the instructor
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PLNT 312
Urban Horticulture
3 Credits
Offered in the: - Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Plant Science: Selection, use and care of plants in urban environments for the benefit of urban populations: landscape design, turf and green space management, urban trees, green roofs and walls, design and management of community gardens, urban agriculture.
Offered by: Plant Science
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PLNT 434
Weed Biology and Control
3 Credits
Offered in the: - Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Plant Science: A study of the biology of undesirable vegetation as related to the principles of prevention and physical, biological, managerial and chemical control. Emphasis on the environmental impact of the different methods of weed control.
Offered by: Plant Science
Other complementary courses:
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MICR 331
Microbial Ecology
3 Credits
Offered in the: - Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Microbiology (Agric&Envir Sc): The ecology of microorganisms, primarily bacteria and archaea, and their roles in
biogeochemical cycles. 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.
Offered by: Natural Resource Sciences
- Winter
- Prerequisite(s): LSCI 230 or AEBI 212 or ENVR 202 or permission of the instructor.
- Not recommended for U1 students.
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NUTR 341
Global Food Security
3 Credits
Offered in the: - Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Nutrition and Dietetics: Food insecurity is one of the most critical issues humanity has faced in history. The magnitude of this phenomenon, reflected in its worldwide presence and in the number of individuals affected, makes it an imperative component of all nations' and of all internaltional agencies' agendas. Its complexity of determinants and its numerous consequences require the involvement of multipe disciplines and sectors. McGill undergraduate students as future professionals tackling global issues require an integrated and multidisciplinary training on food security.
Offered by: Human Nutrition
- Corequisite(s): NUTR 207 or permission of Instructor
- Terms
- Instructors
- Hugo R Melgar-Quiñonez
- Hugo R Melgar-Quiñonez
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PLNT 302
Forage Crops and Pastures
3 Credits
Offered in the: - Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Plant Science: Ecology, management, and physiology of forage crops with emphasis on establishment, growth, maintenance, harvesting, and preservation; value as livestock feed in terms of nutritional composition and role in environmental conservation.
Offered by: Plant Science
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PLNT 460
Plant Ecology
3 Credits
Offered in the: - Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Plant Science: Theory and practice of plant ecology with an emphasis on the interaction between patterns and ecological processes and the dynamics, conservation and management of plant populations and communities over a range of temporal and spatial scales.
Offered by: Plant Science
- 3 lectures and one 3-hour lab
- Prerequisite: AEMA 310 or permission of instructor.
- This course carries an additional charge of $170.00 to cover the cost of transportation (bus rental) for local field trips. The fee is refundable only during the withdrawal with full refund period.
- Terms
- This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year
- Instructors
- There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year
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WOOD 441
Integrated Forest Management
3 Credits
Offered in the: - Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Woodland Resources: The study of silviculture and silvics and their application to forest management to sustain the production of wood and other ecological goods and services such as wildlife, water and landscape in natural forests and rural environments (agroforestry). Acquisition of practical skills in forest surveying and computer simulation of forest growth.
Offered by: Natural Resource Sciences
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