Discover our Master of Science program offering.
This program helps students develop skills in agricultural, environmental, and ecological economics with specialization in areas like agribusiness, development, finance, marketing and trade, policy, and resource economics.
Graduates can pursue careers in research, analysis, and decision-making in academia, private companies, NGOs, and government. A background in Agricultural Economics or Economics, with courses in economic theory, calculus, algebra, statistics, and econometrics, are recommended.
Program details: Agricultural Economics (Thesis) (M.Sc.) (45 credits)
Offered by: Agricultural Economics (Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences)
Degree: Master of Science
Program credit weight: 45
Program Description
Graduate students receive rigorous training in economic theory, institutional economics, and quantitative methods, with a focus on applying economic concepts and tools to identify, define, analyze, and solve economic problems in the agri-food sector and the environment. The ideal prior preparation is an undergraduate degree in Agricultural Economics or Economics, including undergraduate courses in intermediate economic theory (micro and macro), calculus, algebra, statistics, and econometrics.
Attention is given to analytical skills in the broad areas of agricultural and environmental economics. Students may specialize, by way of their research program, in agribusiness, resource economics, development, finance, marketing, trade, policy, and environmental economics. The program is intended to prepare graduates for rewarding careers in research, analysis, and decision-making in academia, private, NGO, and government sectors.
Thesis Courses (24 credits)
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| AGEC 691 | M.Sc. Thesis 1. | 3 |
|
| AGEC 692 | M.Sc. Thesis 2. | 3 |
|
| AGEC 693 | M.Sc. Thesis 3. | 6 |
|
| AGEC 694 | M.Sc. Thesis 4. | 6 |
|
| AGEC 695 | M.Sc. Thesis 5. | 6 |
M.Sc. Thesis 5. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Writing of the final version of the thesis under the supervision of the Supervisory Committee to be submitted for graduation.
See course page for more information |
Required Course (3 credits)
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| AGEC 690 | Seminar in Agricultural Economics. | 3 |
Seminar in Agricultural Economics. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Current research on economic problems of agriculture, the agri-food system and the environment through presentations by staff, students and special guests. Article discussion on the latest issues and methods in agricultural economics. See course page for more information |
Complementary Courses (18 credits)
6 credits, two theory courses chosen from:
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| ECON 610 | Microeconomic Theory 1. | 3 |
Microeconomic Theory 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. This is the first in a two-course sequence in microeconomics. The core microeconomics sequence (ECON 610, ECON 611) provides a rigorous coverage of the economic foundation upon which economic fields are built. Most of the sequence is devoted to building up this foundation of consumer and firm optimisation (including choice under uncertainty), partial and general equilibrium, and welfare economics. The remainder of ECON 611 covers special topics that vary from year to year. These are likely to be drawn from the following: social choice; externalities and public goods; models of asymmetric information; the principal-agent framework; search; basic game theory. See course page for more information |
| ECON 620 | Macroeconomic Theory 1. | 3 |
Macroeconomic Theory 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. This course is the first in a two-course sequence in macroeconomics. The course offers a thorough treatment of the fundamentals of macroeconomic theory. Emphasis is placed on the construction of economic models with microeconomic foundations. Topics include market-clearing and non-market-clearing models, capital accumulation, business cycles, monetary policy and fiscal policy. See course page for more information |
or a theory course, at the 500 level or higher, approved by the Graduate Program Director.
At least 3 credits of quantitative methods course chosen from:
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| ECON 665 | Quantitative Methods. | 3 |
Quantitative Methods. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A survey of quantitative methods frequently used in economic research. Special emphasis will be placed upon the formulation and evaluation of econometric models. Illustrations will be drawn from the existing empirical literature in economics. Required for all Ph.D. students who have not taken Econometrics as a field. See course page for more information |
or a quantitative course, at the 500 level or higher, approved by the Graduate Program Director.
A minimum of 3 credits from the following:
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| AGEC 685 | Selected Topics in Agricultural Economics. | 3 |
Selected Topics in Agricultural Economics. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 This course is designed to permit students to explore agricultural economics topics that are not covered in other courses. Students may be asked to prepare a presentation or lead discussion on the selected topic for the benefit of other students and staff. (Pass/Fail grading.) See course page for more information |
Additional Complementary Courses: To complete the 45 credit program requirement from courses in your field or thesis area at the 500 level or higher in consultation with the Agricultural Economics Adviser.
This program focuses on insect ecology, physiology, and diversity. Students who are well-suited to the M.Sc. in Entomology possess a strong background in these areas and are interested in research that helps manage ecosystems. Graduates can go on to work in academia, environmental policy, government, industry, and more.
Program details: Entomology (Thesis) (M.Sc.) (45 credits)
Offered by: Natural Resource Sciences (Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences)
Degree: Master of Science
Program credit weight: 45
Program Description
The Master of Science in Entomology is a thesis program of 45 credits. The program involves research primarily within the discipline of entomology but also across multiple disciplines of basic and applied environmental sciences, that advances both theory and applied management of natural resources. Specialties within the program include terrestrial arthropod ecology, physiology, zoogeography, diversity, and systematics.
Thesis Courses (36 credits)
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| NRSC 691 | M.Sc. Thesis Research 1. | 12 |
M.Sc. Thesis Research 1. Terms offered: Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Independent research under the direction of a supervisor towards the completion of the M.Sc. degree. See course page for more information |
| NRSC 692 | M.Sc. Thesis Research 2. | 12 |
M.Sc. Thesis Research 2. Terms offered: Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Independent research under the direction of a supervisor towards the completion of the M.Sc. degree. See course page for more information |
| NRSC 693 | M.Sc. Thesis Research 3. | 12 |
M.Sc. Thesis Research 3. Terms offered: Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Completion of the M.Sc. thesis, its approval by reviewers and acceptance by Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies all required for a pass to be granted. See course page for more information |
Required Courses (3 credits)
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| NRSC 643 | M.Sc. Proposal Seminar. | 1 |
M.Sc. Proposal Seminar. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 M.Sc. students in the first year of the programdevelop a research proposal and present aseminar. See course page for more information |
| NRSC 644 | M.Sc. Update Seminar. | 1 |
M.Sc. Update Seminar. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 M.Sc. students in their second or third semesterpresent oral and poster presentations onresearch progress. See course page for more information |
| NRSC 651 | M.Sc. Final Seminar. | 1 |
M.Sc. Final Seminar. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 M.Sc. students present a final research seminarafter completing all other course and seminarrequirements. See course page for more information |
Complementary Courses (6 credits)
Two 3-credit courses at the 500, 600, or 700 level; normally one of these will be a course in statistics.
Complimentary courses (courses that NRS students typically take but that are not specifically listed in our programs)
AEMA 610. Statistical Methods 2.
AEMA 614. Temporal and Spatial Statistics 1.
ENTO 615. Forest Entomology.
ENVB 506. Quantitative Methods: Ecology.
In the microbiology program, graduate students study microbes in different environments, from extreme natural places to managed ecosystems like farms and forests. They usually have strong backgrounds in these areas and are interested in research that helps us understand microorganisms better and improve ecosystem management. Graduates can go on to work in academia, environmental policy, government, industry, and other fields.
Program details: Microbiology (Thesis) (M.Sc.) (45 credits)
Offered by: Natural Resource Sciences (Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences)
Degree: Master of Science
Program credit weight: 45
Program Description
The Master of Science in Microbiology is a thesis program of 45 credits. The program involves research within, and often across, multiple disciplines of basic and applied environmental sciences that advances our fundamental knowledge about microorganisms as well as leads to improved efficiencies of our managed ecosystems. Specialties within the program range from the study of microbial ecology and diversity in natural, human-induced and extreme environments, molecular genetics, bioinformatics, and bacterial pathogens.
Thesis Courses (36 credits)
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| NRSC 691 | M.Sc. Thesis Research 1. | 12 |
M.Sc. Thesis Research 1. Terms offered: Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Independent research under the direction of a supervisor towards the completion of the M.Sc. degree. See course page for more information |
| NRSC 692 | M.Sc. Thesis Research 2. | 12 |
M.Sc. Thesis Research 2. Terms offered: Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Independent research under the direction of a supervisor towards the completion of the M.Sc. degree. See course page for more information |
| NRSC 693 | M.Sc. Thesis Research 3. | 12 |
M.Sc. Thesis Research 3. Terms offered: Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Completion of the M.Sc. thesis, its approval by reviewers and acceptance by Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies all required for a pass to be granted. See course page for more information |
Required Courses (3 credits)
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| NRSC 643 | M.Sc. Proposal Seminar. | 1 |
M.Sc. Proposal Seminar. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 M.Sc. students in the first year of the programdevelop a research proposal and present aseminar. See course page for more information |
| NRSC 644 | M.Sc. Update Seminar. | 1 |
M.Sc. Update Seminar. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 M.Sc. students in their second or third semesterpresent oral and poster presentations onresearch progress. See course page for more information |
| NRSC 651 | M.Sc. Final Seminar. | 1 |
M.Sc. Final Seminar. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 M.Sc. students present a final research seminarafter completing all other course and seminarrequirements. See course page for more information |
Complementary Courses (6 credits)
Two 3-credit 500-, 600-, or 700-level courses; normally one of these will be a course in statistics.
Complimentary courses (courses that NRS students typically take but that are not specifically listed in our programs)
BINF 511. Bioinformatics for Genomics.
BINF 531. Statistical Bioinformatics.
BTEC 501. Bioinformatics.
BIOT 505. Selected Topics in Biotechnology.
BTEC 535. Functional Genomics in Model Organisms.
BTEC 555. Structural Bioinformatics.
BTEC 621. Biotechnology Management.
FDSC 545. Advances in Food Microbiology.
MICR 772. Molecular Microbiology.
MICR 773. Advanced Environmental Microbiology.
PARA 635. Cell Biology and Infection.
PARA 665. Special Topics in Parasitology.
SOIL 510. Environmental Soil Chemistry.
In the renewable resources program, graduate students study various environmental sciences, like forest ecology, fish biology, soil science, and wildlife biology. They usually have strong backgrounds in these areas and are interested in research that helps manage natural resources. Graduates can go on to work in academia, environmental policy, government, industry, and other fields.
Program details: Renewable Resources (Thesis) (M.Sc.) (45 credits)
Offered by: Natural Resource Sciences (Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences)
Degree: Master of Science
Program credit weight: 45
Program Description
The Master of Science in Renewable Resources is a thesis program of 45 credits. The program involves research within, and often across, multiple disciplines of basic and applied environmental sciences that advances both theory and applied management of natural resources. Specialties within the program include environmental and ecological economics, environmental health and toxicology, forest ecology, fish and fisheries biology, landscape ecology, limnology, micrometeorology, soil science, and wildlife biology.
Thesis Courses (36 credits)
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| NRSC 691 | M.Sc. Thesis Research 1. | 12 |
M.Sc. Thesis Research 1. Terms offered: Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Independent research under the direction of a supervisor towards the completion of the M.Sc. degree. See course page for more information |
| NRSC 692 | M.Sc. Thesis Research 2. | 12 |
M.Sc. Thesis Research 2. Terms offered: Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Independent research under the direction of a supervisor towards the completion of the M.Sc. degree. See course page for more information |
| NRSC 693 | M.Sc. Thesis Research 3. | 12 |
M.Sc. Thesis Research 3. Terms offered: Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Completion of the M.Sc. thesis, its approval by reviewers and acceptance by Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies all required for a pass to be granted. See course page for more information |
Required Courses (3 credits)
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| NRSC 643 | M.Sc. Proposal Seminar. | 1 |
M.Sc. Proposal Seminar. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 M.Sc. students in the first year of the programdevelop a research proposal and present aseminar. See course page for more information |
| NRSC 644 | M.Sc. Update Seminar. | 1 |
M.Sc. Update Seminar. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 M.Sc. students in their second or third semesterpresent oral and poster presentations onresearch progress. See course page for more information |
| NRSC 651 | M.Sc. Final Seminar. | 1 |
M.Sc. Final Seminar. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 M.Sc. students present a final research seminarafter completing all other course and seminarrequirements. See course page for more information |
Complementary Courses (6 credits)
Two 3-credit courses at the 500 level or higher recommended by the supervisory committee; one of which must be in quantitative methods/techniques.
Complimentary courses (courses that NRS students typically take but that are not specifically listed in our programs)
AEMA 610. Statistical Methods 2.
AEMA 611. Experimental Designs 1.
AEMA 614. Temporal and Spatial Statistics 1.
BREE 529. GIS for Natural Resource Management.
BIOL 517. Cognitive Ecology.
BIOL 610. Scientific Manuscript Writing.
BIOL 650. Recent Advances in Biology 1.
ENVB 500. Advanced Topics in Ecotoxicology.
ENVB 506. Quantitative Methods: Ecology.
ENVB 529. GIS for Natural Resource Management.
ENVB 530. Advanced GIS for Natural Resource Management.
GEOG 505. Global Biogeochemistry.
GEOG 512. Advanced Quantitative Methods in Social Field Research.
GEOG 535. Remote Sensing and Interpretation.
GEOG 601. Advanced Environmental Systems Modelling.
PARA 515. Water, Health and Sanitation.
SOIL 510. Environmental Soil Chemistry.
SOIL 535. Soil Ecology.
Program details: Renewable Resources (Thesis): Neotropical Environment (M.Sc.) (45 credits)
Offered by: Natural Resource Sciences (Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences)
Degree: Master of Science
Program credit weight: 45
Program Description
The McGill-STRI Neotropical Environment Option (NEO) is a research-based option for Masters or PhD students in the departments of Anthropology, Biology, Bioresource Engineering , Geography, Natural Resource Sciences, Plant Science, and Political Science at McGill University. NEO is aimed at students who wish to focus their graduate research on environmental issues relevant to the Neotropics and latin american countries. NEO favors interdisciplinary approaches to research and learning through the participation of researchers from McGill and from STRI. Students will complete their research in Latin America and NEO's core and complementary courses will be taught in Panama. NEO's educational approach seeks to facilitate a broader understanding of tropical environmental issues and the development of skills relevant to working in the tropics.
Whether applying to a Master or a PhD, students are expected to meet all the degree.
Thesis Courses (33 credits)
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| NRSC 691 | M.Sc. Thesis Research 1. | 12 |
M.Sc. Thesis Research 1. Terms offered: Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Independent research under the direction of a supervisor towards the completion of the M.Sc. degree. See course page for more information |
| NRSC 692 | M.Sc. Thesis Research 2. | 12 |
M.Sc. Thesis Research 2. Terms offered: Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Independent research under the direction of a supervisor towards the completion of the M.Sc. degree. See course page for more information |
| NRSC 694 | M.Sc. Thesis Research 4. | 9 |
M.Sc. Thesis Research 4. Terms offered: Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Independent research under the direction of a supervisor towards the completion of the M.Sc. degree. See course page for more information |
Required Courses (9 credits)
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| BIOL 640 | Tropical Biology and Conservation. | 3 |
Tropical Biology and Conservation. Terms offered: Summer 2025, Winter 2026 Long-term research at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute will be organized and synthesized to examine historical assembly and ecological maintenance of tropical communities. This synthesis will draw on phylogenetic concepts for historical insight and will examine the probable resilience of these communities to global change, pollution and biodiversity loss. See course page for more information |
| 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 |
| NRSC 643 | M.Sc. Proposal Seminar. | 1 |
M.Sc. Proposal Seminar. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 M.Sc. students in the first year of the programdevelop a research proposal and present aseminar. See course page for more information |
| NRSC 644 | M.Sc. Update Seminar. | 1 |
M.Sc. Update Seminar. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 M.Sc. students in their second or third semesterpresent oral and poster presentations onresearch progress. See course page for more information |
| NRSC 651 | M.Sc. Final Seminar. | 1 |
M.Sc. Final Seminar. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 M.Sc. students present a final research seminarafter completing all other course and seminarrequirements. See course page for more information |
Note: Participation in the MSE-Panama Symposium presentation in Montreal is also required.
Elective Courses (3 credits)
3 credits, at the 500 level or higher, on environmental issues to be chosen in consultation with and approved by the student’s supervisor AND the Neotropical Environment Options Director.
