Undergraduate programs

If you are interested in the agricultural community and business then this is the program for you! Students in this program will study business, economics, global trade and public policy relating to the agricultural community. For more information visit the Agricultural Economics page. 

If you are interested in biological sciences with a passion for the environment then this program is for you! Students in this program will study the diversity, conservation, biology and ecology of a wide range of organisms and ecosystems. For more information visit the Environmental Biology page. 

If you are interested in fundamental biological sciences and science from a cellular and molecular level this program is right for you! Students in this program will study animal, plant, microbial, cell and/or molecular biology depending on their chosen specialization. For more information visit the Life Sciences page. 

Three McGill faculties -- Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Arts, and Science -- pool their resources to create the Bieler School of Environment . The NRS department is closely connected to Bieler School of Environment and contributes to the Environment major at Macdonald campus. The courses offered by Bieler School of Environment are multi-disciplinary and try to encourage systems thinking about current environmental issues. Over 100 faculty members from both the downtown and Macdonald McGill campus are contributing in some way to the School.

Bieler School of Environment Programs:

Bieler School of Environment programs have a unique structure compared to other Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (FAES) programs.  Students registered in the Bieler School of Environment through the FAES obtain a BSc (AES).  The core Bieler School of Environment courses are not aligned with the other BSc (AES) Majors, and instead of specializations, students in the Bieler School of Environment select ‘domains’ that reflect specific thematic areas of study.

Domains in the BSc (AES) Major program at Macdonald Campus include:

• Biodiversity and Conservation
• Ecological Determinants of Health
• Environmetrics
• Food Production and Environment
• Land Surface Processes and Environmental Change
• Renewable Resource Management
•  Water Environments and Ecosystems

Information about other domains offered by the Bieler School of Environment can be found on the Bieler School of Environment website.

For more information on Bieler School of Environment programs:

Follow this link to the school’s webpage: Bieler School of Environment

The Agri-Business specialization provides students with a broad understanding of agriculture and food systems, including international development and specialized skills in business management. 

Generally taken with the Agricultural Economics Major.

The Animal Biology specialization provides students with knowledge about the basic biology of large mammals and birds. Students study animal physiology and function, reproduction and nutrition, immunology, genetics and biotechnology and its uses with animals.  

Generally taken with the Life Sciences Major.

The Animal Health and Disease specialization places emphasis on how to prevent, treat and understand disease in domestic animals. The program is structured around courses within the biological and health sciences that will give you the needed background in basic sciences such as genetics, molecular biology and biochemistry to proceed with more advanced courses in the animal and health sciences. 

Generally taken with the Life Sciences Major.

The Animal Production specialization will be of interest to students who wish to study the improved efficiency of livestock production at the national and international levels. Students will be exposed to animal nutrition, reproduction and breeding in a context that respects environmental concerns and animal-welfare issues.  

Generally taken with the Agro-Environmental Sciences Major.

The Applied Ecology specialization develops students understanding of how ecosystems function. It emphasizes living and non-living components of ecosystems and how they interact. This specialization encourages systems thinking to the challenge of managing ecosystems for agriculture, forestry, fisheries, protected areas and urban development. 

Generally taken with the Environmental Biology Major.

The Entomology specialization that focuses on the biology, ecology, evolution and behavior of  insects and their relatives. Students will gain field experience as well as skills in insect taxonomy and systematic. Furthermore, students will study the roles of insects in various ecosystems, their functional importance and their roles as vectors for human disease. 

Generally taken with the Environmental Biology  or the Agro-Environmental Sciences Major.

The Ecological Agriculture specialization provides a holistic understanding of how agro-ecosystems work and the science of sustainable agriculture. It emphasizes the interrelationships among soils, plants, insects, animals, humans and other components of agro-ecosystems. As well the specialization applies ecological concepts and principles to the design and management of sustainable agro-ecosystems. If you are interested in both agriculture and the environment this specialization is right for you. 

Generallly taken with the Agro-Environmental Sciences Major.

The Environmental Economics specialization integrates biological and environmental sciences with economics to give students the tools they need for careers with NGO's or government, related to the design and evaluation of environmental policies and the management of natural resources. 

Generaly taken with the Agricultural Economics Major.

The International Agriculture specialization allows students 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. In this program, students will 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. 

Generally taken with the Global Food Security Major.

The Life Sciences specialization is a multidisciplinary approach to the study of pure and applied life sciences.  

Generally taken with the Life Sciences Major. 

The Microbiology and Molecular Biotechnology specialization is interdisciplinary and that combines pure and applied microbiology with the complementary area of molecular biotechnology.  Students in this Specialization can develop expertise in environmental microbiology, molecular genetics, microbial pathogenesis, cellular and molecular biology genomics, proteomics, bioinformatics and biotechnology. 

Generally taken with the Life Sciences Major.

The Plant Biology specialization emphasizes the study of plants from their cellular structure to their role in the ecosystem. Students will examine the structure and development of plants and learn about their physiology and biochemistry. Furthermore, students will develop skills in plant identification, plant propagation, and molecular methods for studying plants and fungi.  

Generally taken with the Environmental Biology or Life Sciences Major. 

The Plant Production specialization aims to provide students with an excellent background in the knowledge and skills relating to the biology and physiology, breeding, propagation, and management of domesticated plants. 

Generally taken with the Agro-Environmental Sciences Major.

The Professional Agrology specialization is required for students who wish to qualify for membership in the Ordre des Agronomes du Québec (OAQ). It must be taken with the Agro-Environmental Sciences Major and a second specialization in Animal Production, Ecological Agriculture, Plant Production, or Soil and Water Resources, or with the Agricultural Economics Major and the Agri-business Specialization.

Generally taken with the Agricultural Economics or the Agro-Environmental Sciences Majors.

The Wildlife Biology specialization is a hands-on, field-oriented program that studies the biology, ecology, and behaviour of vertebrate animals, especially mammals, birds and fishes. This specialization focuses on the management and conservation of wildlife species and their habitats, recognizing that wildlife species are important both in ecosystems and to society.

Generally taken with the Environmental Biology Major.