The BSc (Nutr Sc) Dietetics Major leads to eligibility to join a regulatory body in one of the provinces in Canada, and to be “registered” or “licensed” to practice as a dietitian. The BSc Nutr Sci Nutrition Major does not lead to professional licensing as a dietitian-nutritionist. A person who completes the BSc Nutr Sci Nutrition Major is not allowed to call themself a "nutritionist" according to the regulations in Quebec for the use of that reserved title.
The BSc (NutrSc) Nutrition Major is a 90-credit undergraduate degree. At its core, it deals with how diet and nutrition affect human health and disease risk. It offers you exciting opportunities to specialize in one of 5 concentrations, to incorporate research experience, travel for field studies, or a Minor in your program. *It does not lead to professional licensure as a Dietitian/Nutritionist (offered by the Dietetics Major). However, it is excellent preparation for many careers including medical school, veterinary school and other professional schools, for graduate school, or for work in the food, pharma or other industry, government or NGO, or global health organizations.
NUTRITION MAJOR PRESENTATION
Concentrations
The BSC (NutrSc) offers you the possibilty to specialize in one of four concentrations:
Food Function and Safety
This concentration covers many aspects of human nutrition and the impact of food on health. It offers a core emphasis on the scientific fundamentals of nutrition and metabolism throughout the lifespan. The specialization on food ranges from health effects of phytochemicals and food toxicants, food chemistry and analysis, food safety, product development and influence of constituents of food on health. Graduates are qualified for careers in pharmaceutical and/or food industries, government laboratories, the health science communications field, and national or international food support programs. Graduates often continue on to graduate studies preparing for careers in food science, research, medicine, and dentistry or as specialists in nutrition.
Global Nutrition
This concentration covers many aspects of human nutrition and food and their impact health and society at the community, and international level. It offers a core emphasis on the scientific fundamentals of nutrition and metabolism throughout the lifespan. The specialization in global nutrition emphasizes the importance of the interaction of nutrition, diet, water, environment and infection. Graduates are qualified for careers in national and international governmental and non-governmental food and health agencies, in world development programs, in the food sector, and the health science communications field. Graduates often continue on to graduate studies preparing for careers in public health, epidemiology, research, medicine, and dentistry or as specialists in nutrition.
Sports Nutrition
This concentration covers many aspects of human nutrition and physical activity on health. It offers a core emphasis on the scientific fundamentals of nutrition, metabolism and physiology throughout the lifespan. This specialization integrates the influence of exercise, and physical activity on health and chronic disease prevention. Graduates are qualified for careers in pharmaceutical and/or food industries, government laboratories, the health science communications field, and national or international food support programs. Graduates often continue on to graduate studies preparing for careers in research, education, medicine, and dentistry or as specialists in nutrition.
Metabolism, Health and Disease
This Major offers a core emphasis on the scientific fundamentals of nutrition and metabolism throughout the lifespan from the molecular to the organismal level. This concentration emphasizes the influence of diet and nutrition on human health and the pathophysiology of inherited and acquired chronic disease. The links of nutrigenomics, nutrigenetics, and biotechnology with human health and regulation of metabolism are explored.
Courses by semester
Download the appropriate course sheet for term-by-term course lists and complementary and elective courses:
Nutrition Major Advising Sheet 2025
Nutrition Major Advising Sheet (for students starting prior to Fall 2022)
Food Function and Safety
Nutrition Major - Food Function and Safety (B.Sc.(Nutr.Sc.)) (90 credits)
Offered by: Human Nutrition (Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences)
Degree: Bachelor of Science (Nutritional Sciences)
Program credit weight: 90
Program Description
This Major offers a core emphasis on the scientific fundamentals of nutrition and metabolism throughout the lifespan from the molecular to the organismal level. The concentration in food function and safety covers the ranges from health effects of phytochemicals and food toxicants, food chemistry and analysis, food safety, product development and influence of constituents of food on health. This degree does not lead to professional licensure as a Dietitian/Nutritionist. Graduates are qualified for careers in the biotechnology field, pharmaceutical and/or food industries, government laboratories, and the health science communications field. Graduates often continue on to graduate studies preparing for careers in research, medicine, and dentistry or as specialists in nutrition.
Refer to "Faculty Information and Regulations" > "Minimum Credit Requirements", in this Course Catalogue for prerequisites and minimum credit requirements.
For information on academic advising, see: http://www.mcgill.ca/macdonald/studentinfo/advising
Degree Requirements — B.Sc.
This program is offered as part of a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree.
To graduate, students must satisfy both their program requirements and their degree requirements.
- The program requirements (i.e., the specific courses that make up this program) are listed under the Course Tab (above).
- The degree requirements—including the mandatory Foundation program, appropriate degree structure, and any additional components—are outlined on the Degree Requirements page.
Students are responsible for ensuring that this program fits within the overall structure of their degree and that all degree requirements are met. Consult the Degree Planning Guide on the SOUSA website for additional guidance.
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 (63 credits)
All required courses must be passed with a minimum grade of C.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AEMA 310 | Statistical Methods 1. | 3 |
Statistical Methods 1. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Measures of central tendency and dispersion; binomial and Poisson distributions; normal, chi-square, Student's t and Fisher-Snedecor F distributions; estimation and hypothesis testing; simple linear regression and correlation; analysis of variance for simple experimental designs. | ||
| ANSC 234 | Biochemistry 2. | 3 |
Biochemistry 2. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Metabolism in humans and domestic animals. The chemistry of alimentary digestion, absorption, transport, intermediary metabolism and excretion. | ||
| ANSC 323 | Mammalian Physiology. | 3 |
Mammalian Physiology. Terms offered: Fall 2025 A study of the organization, functions and regulation of various organ systems in mammals. The nervous, endocrine, muscular, cardiovascular, respiratory, urinary, digestive and reproductive systems are discussed. | ||
| ANSC 424 | Metabolic Endocrinology. | 3 |
Metabolic Endocrinology. Terms offered: Winter 2026 A detailed study of the endocrine system and its role in the maintenance of homeostasis in higher vertebrates, including the endocrine regulation of energy balance. | ||
| FDSC 200 | Introduction to Food Science. | 3 |
Introduction to Food Science. Terms offered: Fall 2025 This course enables one to gain an appreciation of the scope of food science as a discipline. Topics include introductions to chemistry, processing, packaging, analysis, microbiology, product development, sensory evaluation and quality control as they relate to food science. | ||
| FDSC 251 | Food Chemistry 1. | 3 |
Food Chemistry 1. Terms offered: Winter 2026 A study of the chemistry and functionality of the major components comprising food systems, such as water, proteins, carbohydrates and lipids. The relationship of these components to food stability will be studied in terms of degradative reactions and processing. | ||
| FDSC 300 | Principles of Food Analysis 1. | 3 |
Principles of Food Analysis 1. Terms offered: Fall 2025 The fundamentals of food analysis are presented with the emphasis on the major components of foods. Topics include: food components, sampling, method selection, official methods, proximate analysis, moisture, protein, fat, ash, fiber, carbohydrates, vitamins and nutraceutical compounds. | ||
| FDSC 305 | Food Chemistry 2. | 3 |
Food Chemistry 2. Terms offered: Fall 2025 A study of the chemistry and functionality of the minor components comprising food systems, such as enzymes, anthocyanins, carotenoids, additives, vitamins and essential oils. The relationship of these components to food stability in terms of degradative reactions and processing. | ||
| FDSC 525 | Food Quality Assurance. | 3 |
Food Quality Assurance. Terms offered: Winter 2026 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. | ||
| LSCI 204 | Genetics. | 3 |
Genetics. Terms offered: Fall 2025 The course integrates classical, molecular and population genetics of animals, plants, bacteria and viruses. The aim is to understand the flow of genetic information within a cell, within families and in populations. Emphasis will be placed on problem solving based learning. The laboratory exercises will emphasize the interpretation of genetic experimental data. | ||
| LSCI 211 | Biochemistry 1. | 3 |
Biochemistry 1. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Biochemistry of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids; enzymes and coenzymes. Introduction to intermediary metabolism. | ||
| LSCI 230 | Introductory Microbiology. | 3 |
Introductory Microbiology. Terms offered: Winter 2026 The occurrence and importance of microorganisms in the biosphere. Principles governing growth, death and metabolic activities of microorganisms. An introduction to the microbiology of soil, water, plants, food, humans and animals. | ||
| NUTR 207 | Nutrition and Health. | 3 |
Nutrition and Health. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Provides students who have a basic biology/chemistry background with the fundamental information on how macronutrients, vitamins and minerals are metabolized in the body, followed by application to evaluate current issues of maximizing health and disease prevention at different stages of the lifecycle. | ||
| NUTR 214 | Food Fundamentals. | 4 |
Food Fundamentals. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Food composition and structure. Scientific principles underlying physical, chemical, and nutrient content changes during food preparation. The role of ingredients and nutrients, and their interaction in food preparation. Culture of food including historical context and sustainability. Sensory evaluation and food safety. | ||
| NUTR 307 | Metabolism and Human Nutrition. | 3 |
Metabolism and Human Nutrition. Terms offered: Fall 2025 This course looks at the importance of nutrition from the molecular to the organismal levels in human health and disease. The focus will be on the significance of nutrients in regulating metabolism, and impact of genotype in the metabolism of nutrients. | ||
| NUTR 322 | Applied Sciences Communication. | 3 |
Applied Sciences Communication. Terms offered: Winter 2026 The principles and techniques of communicating applied sciences to individuals and groups in both the professional and public milieu. Effective public speaking and group interaction techniques. Communication materials selection, development, use, and evaluation. Writing for the media. Balancing risk and reason in communicating scientific findings. | ||
| NUTR 337 | Nutrition Through Life. | 3 |
Nutrition Through Life. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Nutrient utilization, requirements and recommended allowances as related to physiological development throughout the life cycle. Physiological, psychological and environmental determinants of eating behaviour. | ||
| NUTR 344 | Clinical Nutrition 1. | 4 |
Clinical Nutrition 1. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Clinical nutrition assessment and dietary modification of pathological conditions including hypertension, lipid disorders and cardiovascular disease, obesity, cancer, COPD, introduction to diabetes, dysphagia. | ||
| NUTR 401 | Emerging Issues in Nutrition. | 1 |
Emerging Issues in Nutrition. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Investigation, discussion and presentations of emerging issues in nutrition. | ||
| NUTR 450 | Research Methods: Human Nutrition. | 3 |
Research Methods: Human Nutrition. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Introduction to how diverse approaches to nutrition research including international, community, laboratory, clinical, molecular, meta-analyses are necessary to advance the field of nutrition. Emphasis on ethics, scientific method, research process and analysis of results. | ||
| NUTR 512 | Herbs, Foods and Phytochemicals. | 3 |
Herbs, Foods and Phytochemicals. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An overview of the use of herbal medicines and food phytochemicals and the benefits and risks of their consumption. The physiological basis for activity and the assessment of toxicity will be presented. Current practices relating to the regulation, commercialization and promotion of herbs and phytochemicals will be considered. | ||
Complementary Courses (12 credits)
12 credits of complementary courses are selected as follows:
Common Complementary Courses
6 credits selected from:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ANSC 433 | Animal Nutrition and Metabolism. | 3 |
Animal Nutrition and Metabolism. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Introduction to fundamental aspects of animal nutrition, including gastrointestinal anatomy and physiology; nutrient digestion, absorption, and metabolism; nutrient functions and requirements of livestock species; evaluation of feedstuffs and their use in ration formulation; and feeding strategies. Laboratory classes will include hands-on experience on feed analyses, gastrointestinal tract dissections, nutritional experiments and demonstrations in livestock species as well as computer-based ration balancing exercises. | ||
| ANSC 560 | Biology of Lactation. | 3 |
Biology of Lactation. Terms offered: Fall 2025 An interdisciplinary approach to the study of mammary development, the onset of lactation and its cessation, comparing the differences in mammalian species in mammary development from embryological, pre- and post-pubertal and pre- and post-partum aspects. Lactation at the cellular and biochemical levels. | ||
| FDSC 537 | Nutraceutical Chemistry. | 3 |
Nutraceutical Chemistry. Terms offered: Fall 2025 The origin, classification, mechanism of action and chemical properties of potential and established nutraceutical compounds and their applications in functional foods. | ||
| FDSC 545 | Advances in Food Microbiology. | 3 |
Advances in Food Microbiology. Terms offered: Winter 2026 An advanced level food microbiology course providing a perspective on advanced topics in food microbiology (microbial biofilms, antimicrobial resistance, bacterial endospores) and describing the fundamental principles of advanced techniques in food microbiology (microbiological, biochemical, immunological, genetics methods). | ||
| 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. | ||
| NUTR 503 | Nutrition and Exercise. | 3 |
Nutrition and Exercise. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Interaction of exercise physiology with nutrient and energy metabolism in healthy adults. Principles of physical training and role of physical activity and exercise in weight management and food intake regulation. Importance of physical activity in childhood, during pregnancy, in healthy adults and in improving functional capacity in the elderly. | ||
| NUTR 505 | Public Health Nutrition. | 3 |
Public Health Nutrition. Terms offered: Fall 2025 This course focuses on the nutrition status of populations, communities and groups of people using a public health lens. It identifies and assesses human nutrition issues and problems, their causes, influencing factors and social conditions using a social determinants of health framework. Offers opportunities to design and conduct needs assessments, design and plan programs and plan for their evaluation. The purpose and role of participatory approaches with diverse populations and Indigenous populations in particular will be analyzed. Health systems, public health and political influence in Canada, as related to nutrition will be addressed. | ||
| NUTR 507 | Advanced Nutritional Biochemistry. | 3 |
Advanced Nutritional Biochemistry. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Specialized advanced topics in human nutrition, biochemistry and metabolism, including the dietary absorption and metabolism of iron, copper, and selenium and their role in energy metabolism, antioxidant defence, toxin elimination, and redox signaling and food source contamination, nutritional toxicology, and the negative impact these toxins have on metabolic networks and antioxidant defences. | ||
| NUTR 511 | Nutrition and Behaviour. | 3 |
Nutrition and Behaviour. Terms offered: Fall 2025 This course will integrate biological, social and psychological determinants of eating and food choices in both health and disease. Topics will include behavioural theories relevant to eating and food choice, neurobiology of appetite regulation, mental health, obesity, chronic disease and effectiveness of behaviour-change intervention strategies. | ||
| NUTR 537 | Advanced Human Metabolism. | 3 |
Advanced Human Metabolism. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Advanced topics in regulation and dysregulation of metabolism integrating mechanistic pre-clinical approaches to studying human health and disease. Presentation and critical analysis of metabolic research. | ||
| NUTR 545 | Clinical Nutrition 2. | 4 |
Clinical Nutrition 2. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Pathophysiology and clinical nutrition intervention for various medical conditions. Topics include gastrointestinal disorders, surgery and nutrition support. | ||
| NUTR 546 | Clinical Nutrition 3. | 4 |
Clinical Nutrition 3. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Clinical nutrition for diabetes, renal disease, eating disorders and other disorders in both adult and pediatric populations. | ||
| NUTR 551 | Analysis of Nutrition Data. | 3 |
Analysis of Nutrition Data. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Practical application of theoretical concepts in data analysis covering issues of study design, data collection, database organization, and statistical analysis using SPSS statistical software. Applications of statistical tests, reporting and interpretation of results, and data visualization. | ||
| PARA 438 | Immunology. | 3 |
Immunology. Terms offered: Fall 2025 An in-depth analysis of the principles of cellular and molecular immunology. The emphasis of the course is on host defence against infection and on diseases caused by abnormal immune responses. | ||
6 credits selected from:
| 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. | ||
| ANSC 350 | Food-Borne Pathogens. | 3 |
Food-Borne Pathogens. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Exploration of the taxonomy, characteristics, epidemiology, mechanisms of pathogenicity, disease, incidence, and factors affecting the survival and growth of pathogenic microorganisms in foods of animal origin; principles of detection, prevention and control of food-borne pathogens (bacteria, fungi, protozoa, helminths, viruses). | ||
| FDSC 315 | Separation Techniques in Food Analysis 1. | 3 |
Separation Techniques in Food Analysis 1. Terms offered: Winter 2026 A detailed treatment on the principal chromotographic and electrophoretic techniques that are associated with the analysis of carbohydrate, lipid, protein constituents of food. | ||
| FDSC 319 | Food Commodities. | 3 |
Food Commodities. Terms offered: Winter 2026 The relationship between the chemistry of food constituents present in common commodities, such as milk, meat, eggs, cereals, oilseeds etc. and the common processing technologies associated with their transformation into stable food products. | ||
| FDSC 330 | Food Processing. | 3 |
Food Processing. Terms offered: Winter 2026 The principles and practices of food processing with an emphasis on canning, freezing, and dehydration. A survey of the newer methods of food preservation such as irradiation, reverse osmosis etc. | ||
| FDSC 334 | Analysis of Food Toxins and Toxicants. | 3 |
Analysis of Food Toxins and Toxicants. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Toxins and toxicant residues in food including heavy metals, persistant organic pollutants (POPS) and microbial toxins are explored from an analytical perspective; new methods and strategies of analysis are emphasized. | ||
| FDSC 405 | Food Product Development. | 3 |
Food Product Development. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Fundamental principles of food product development from an innovative concept to the marketplace. Emphasis will be on the application of basic knowledge of food chemistry, food technology and related disciplines in developing new products or improving the existing ones. | ||
| FDSC 442 | Food Microbiology. | 3 |
Food Microbiology. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Topics in Food Microbiology including an overview of the natural flora and microbiological spoilage of food products, methods of control and shelf-life extension, methods of detection and control food-borne pathogens and the use of suitable microorganisms in the production of a variety of food products. | ||
| FDSC 516 | Flavour Chemistry. | 3 |
Flavour Chemistry. Terms offered: Winter 2026 The chemistry of the flavour constituents of foods, thermal and enzymatic generation, mechanistic pathways of formation, analysis synthesis and applications in food. | ||
| FDSC 520 | Biophysical Chemistry of Food. | 3 |
Biophysical Chemistry of Food. Terms offered: Fall 2025 This course will cover recent advances in the application of spectroscopic techniques, including infrared, Raman, near-infrared, circular dichroism, and fluorescence spectroscopy, to the study of biomolecules of relevance to food. Particular emphasis will be placed on the molecular basis of structure-function and structure-functionality relationships. | ||
| FDSC 537 | Nutraceutical Chemistry. | 3 |
Nutraceutical Chemistry. Terms offered: Fall 2025 The origin, classification, mechanism of action and chemical properties of potential and established nutraceutical compounds and their applications in functional foods. | ||
| FDSC 540 | Sensory Evaluation of Foods. | 3 |
Sensory Evaluation of Foods. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Principles and procedures for sensory evaluation of food products, applications of sensory tests, their strengths and weaknesses, factors affecting their responses, data analysis and interpretation of results. Analysis of sensory data in relation to the instrumental analyses will also be emphasized. | ||
| NUTR 430 | Directed Studies: Dietetics and Nutrition 1. | 3 |
Directed Studies: Dietetics and Nutrition 1. Terms offered: Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Winter 2026 An individualized course of study in dietetics/human nutrition under the supervision of a staff member with expertise on a topic not otherwise available in a formal course. A written agreement between student and staff member must be made before registration and filed with the Program Coordinator. | ||
Elective Courses (15 credits)
15 credits of electives are taken to meet the minimum credit requirement for the degree. Reciprocal agreement allows all students to take a limited number of electives at any Quebec university. With prior approval students can take electives at any Canadian or international university.
Global Nutrition
Nutrition Major - Global Nutrition (B.Sc.(Nutr.Sc.)) (90 credits)
Offered by: Human Nutrition (Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences)
Degree: Bachelor of Science (Nutritional Sciences)
Program credit weight: 90
Program Description
This Major covers many aspects of human nutrition and food and their impact on health and society at the community and international level. It offers a core emphasis on the scientific fundamentals of nutrition and metabolism throughout the lifespan. The specialization in global nutrition emphasizes the importance of the interaction of nutrition, diet, water, environment, and infection. This degree does not lead to professional licensure as a Dietitian/Nutritionist. Graduates are qualified for careers in national and international governmental and non-governmental food and health agencies, in world development programs, in the food sector, and the health science communications field. Graduates often continue on to graduate studies preparing for careers in public health, epidemiology, research, medicine, and dentistry or as specialists in nutrition.
Please refer to "Faculty Information and Regulations" > "Minimum Credit Requirements" in this Course Catalogue for prerequisites and minimum credit requirements.
For information on academic advising, see: http://www.mcgill.ca/macdonald/studentinfo/advising
Degree Requirements — B.Sc.
This program is offered as part of a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree.
To graduate, students must satisfy both their program requirements and their degree requirements.
- The program requirements (i.e., the specific courses that make up this program) are listed under the Course Tab (above).
- The degree requirements—including the mandatory Foundation program, appropriate degree structure, and any additional components—are outlined on the Degree Requirements page.
Students are responsible for ensuring that this program fits within the overall structure of their degree and that all degree requirements are met. Consult the Degree Planning Guide on the SOUSA website for additional guidance.
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 (63 credits)
All required courses must be passed with a minimum grade of C.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AEMA 310 | Statistical Methods 1. | 3 |
Statistical Methods 1. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Measures of central tendency and dispersion; binomial and Poisson distributions; normal, chi-square, Student's t and Fisher-Snedecor F distributions; estimation and hypothesis testing; simple linear regression and correlation; analysis of variance for simple experimental designs. | ||
| ANSC 234 | Biochemistry 2. | 3 |
Biochemistry 2. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Metabolism in humans and domestic animals. The chemistry of alimentary digestion, absorption, transport, intermediary metabolism and excretion. | ||
| ANSC 323 | Mammalian Physiology. | 3 |
Mammalian Physiology. Terms offered: Fall 2025 A study of the organization, functions and regulation of various organ systems in mammals. The nervous, endocrine, muscular, cardiovascular, respiratory, urinary, digestive and reproductive systems are discussed. | ||
| ANSC 424 | Metabolic Endocrinology. | 3 |
Metabolic Endocrinology. Terms offered: Winter 2026 A detailed study of the endocrine system and its role in the maintenance of homeostasis in higher vertebrates, including the endocrine regulation of energy balance. | ||
| FDSC 200 | Introduction to Food Science. | 3 |
Introduction to Food Science. Terms offered: Fall 2025 This course enables one to gain an appreciation of the scope of food science as a discipline. Topics include introductions to chemistry, processing, packaging, analysis, microbiology, product development, sensory evaluation and quality control as they relate to food science. | ||
| FDSC 251 | Food Chemistry 1. | 3 |
Food Chemistry 1. Terms offered: Winter 2026 A study of the chemistry and functionality of the major components comprising food systems, such as water, proteins, carbohydrates and lipids. The relationship of these components to food stability will be studied in terms of degradative reactions and processing. | ||
| FDSC 305 | Food Chemistry 2. | 3 |
Food Chemistry 2. Terms offered: Fall 2025 A study of the chemistry and functionality of the minor components comprising food systems, such as enzymes, anthocyanins, carotenoids, additives, vitamins and essential oils. The relationship of these components to food stability in terms of degradative reactions and processing. | ||
| LSCI 204 | Genetics. | 3 |
Genetics. Terms offered: Fall 2025 The course integrates classical, molecular and population genetics of animals, plants, bacteria and viruses. The aim is to understand the flow of genetic information within a cell, within families and in populations. Emphasis will be placed on problem solving based learning. The laboratory exercises will emphasize the interpretation of genetic experimental data. | ||
| LSCI 211 | Biochemistry 1. | 3 |
Biochemistry 1. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Biochemistry of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids; enzymes and coenzymes. Introduction to intermediary metabolism. | ||
| LSCI 230 | Introductory Microbiology. | 3 |
Introductory Microbiology. Terms offered: Winter 2026 The occurrence and importance of microorganisms in the biosphere. Principles governing growth, death and metabolic activities of microorganisms. An introduction to the microbiology of soil, water, plants, food, humans and animals. | ||
| NUTR 207 | Nutrition and Health. | 3 |
Nutrition and Health. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Provides students who have a basic biology/chemistry background with the fundamental information on how macronutrients, vitamins and minerals are metabolized in the body, followed by application to evaluate current issues of maximizing health and disease prevention at different stages of the lifecycle. | ||
| NUTR 214 | Food Fundamentals. | 4 |
Food Fundamentals. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Food composition and structure. Scientific principles underlying physical, chemical, and nutrient content changes during food preparation. The role of ingredients and nutrients, and their interaction in food preparation. Culture of food including historical context and sustainability. Sensory evaluation and food safety. | ||
| NUTR 307 | Metabolism and Human Nutrition. | 3 |
Metabolism and Human Nutrition. Terms offered: Fall 2025 This course looks at the importance of nutrition from the molecular to the organismal levels in human health and disease. The focus will be on the significance of nutrients in regulating metabolism, and impact of genotype in the metabolism of nutrients. | ||
| NUTR 322 | Applied Sciences Communication. | 3 |
Applied Sciences Communication. Terms offered: Winter 2026 The principles and techniques of communicating applied sciences to individuals and groups in both the professional and public milieu. Effective public speaking and group interaction techniques. Communication materials selection, development, use, and evaluation. Writing for the media. Balancing risk and reason in communicating scientific findings. | ||
| NUTR 337 | Nutrition Through Life. | 3 |
Nutrition Through Life. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Nutrient utilization, requirements and recommended allowances as related to physiological development throughout the life cycle. Physiological, psychological and environmental determinants of eating behaviour. | ||
| NUTR 344 | Clinical Nutrition 1. | 4 |
Clinical Nutrition 1. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Clinical nutrition assessment and dietary modification of pathological conditions including hypertension, lipid disorders and cardiovascular disease, obesity, cancer, COPD, introduction to diabetes, dysphagia. | ||
| NUTR 401 | Emerging Issues in Nutrition. | 1 |
Emerging Issues in Nutrition. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Investigation, discussion and presentations of emerging issues in nutrition. | ||
| NUTR 450 | Research Methods: Human Nutrition. | 3 |
Research Methods: Human Nutrition. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Introduction to how diverse approaches to nutrition research including international, community, laboratory, clinical, molecular, meta-analyses are necessary to advance the field of nutrition. Emphasis on ethics, scientific method, research process and analysis of results. | ||
| 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. | ||
| NUTR 505 | Public Health Nutrition. | 3 |
Public Health Nutrition. Terms offered: Fall 2025 This course focuses on the nutrition status of populations, communities and groups of people using a public health lens. It identifies and assesses human nutrition issues and problems, their causes, influencing factors and social conditions using a social determinants of health framework. Offers opportunities to design and conduct needs assessments, design and plan programs and plan for their evaluation. The purpose and role of participatory approaches with diverse populations and Indigenous populations in particular will be analyzed. Health systems, public health and political influence in Canada, as related to nutrition will be addressed. | ||
| NUTR 512 | Herbs, Foods and Phytochemicals. | 3 |
Herbs, Foods and Phytochemicals. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An overview of the use of herbal medicines and food phytochemicals and the benefits and risks of their consumption. The physiological basis for activity and the assessment of toxicity will be presented. Current practices relating to the regulation, commercialization and promotion of herbs and phytochemicals will be considered. | ||
Complementary Courses (12 credits)
12 credits of complementary courses are selected as follows:
Common Complementary Courses
6 credits selected from:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ANSC 433 | Animal Nutrition and Metabolism. | 3 |
Animal Nutrition and Metabolism. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Introduction to fundamental aspects of animal nutrition, including gastrointestinal anatomy and physiology; nutrient digestion, absorption, and metabolism; nutrient functions and requirements of livestock species; evaluation of feedstuffs and their use in ration formulation; and feeding strategies. Laboratory classes will include hands-on experience on feed analyses, gastrointestinal tract dissections, nutritional experiments and demonstrations in livestock species as well as computer-based ration balancing exercises. | ||
| ANSC 560 | Biology of Lactation. | 3 |
Biology of Lactation. Terms offered: Fall 2025 An interdisciplinary approach to the study of mammary development, the onset of lactation and its cessation, comparing the differences in mammalian species in mammary development from embryological, pre- and post-pubertal and pre- and post-partum aspects. Lactation at the cellular and biochemical levels. | ||
| FDSC 537 | Nutraceutical Chemistry. | 3 |
Nutraceutical Chemistry. Terms offered: Fall 2025 The origin, classification, mechanism of action and chemical properties of potential and established nutraceutical compounds and their applications in functional foods. | ||
| FDSC 545 | Advances in Food Microbiology. | 3 |
Advances in Food Microbiology. Terms offered: Winter 2026 An advanced level food microbiology course providing a perspective on advanced topics in food microbiology (microbial biofilms, antimicrobial resistance, bacterial endospores) and describing the fundamental principles of advanced techniques in food microbiology (microbiological, biochemical, immunological, genetics methods). | ||
| NUTR 503 | Nutrition and Exercise. | 3 |
Nutrition and Exercise. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Interaction of exercise physiology with nutrient and energy metabolism in healthy adults. Principles of physical training and role of physical activity and exercise in weight management and food intake regulation. Importance of physical activity in childhood, during pregnancy, in healthy adults and in improving functional capacity in the elderly. | ||
| NUTR 507 | Advanced Nutritional Biochemistry. | 3 |
Advanced Nutritional Biochemistry. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Specialized advanced topics in human nutrition, biochemistry and metabolism, including the dietary absorption and metabolism of iron, copper, and selenium and their role in energy metabolism, antioxidant defence, toxin elimination, and redox signaling and food source contamination, nutritional toxicology, and the negative impact these toxins have on metabolic networks and antioxidant defences. | ||
| NUTR 511 | Nutrition and Behaviour. | 3 |
Nutrition and Behaviour. Terms offered: Fall 2025 This course will integrate biological, social and psychological determinants of eating and food choices in both health and disease. Topics will include behavioural theories relevant to eating and food choice, neurobiology of appetite regulation, mental health, obesity, chronic disease and effectiveness of behaviour-change intervention strategies. | ||
| NUTR 537 | Advanced Human Metabolism. | 3 |
Advanced Human Metabolism. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Advanced topics in regulation and dysregulation of metabolism integrating mechanistic pre-clinical approaches to studying human health and disease. Presentation and critical analysis of metabolic research. | ||
| NUTR 545 | Clinical Nutrition 2. | 4 |
Clinical Nutrition 2. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Pathophysiology and clinical nutrition intervention for various medical conditions. Topics include gastrointestinal disorders, surgery and nutrition support. | ||
| NUTR 546 | Clinical Nutrition 3. | 4 |
Clinical Nutrition 3. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Clinical nutrition for diabetes, renal disease, eating disorders and other disorders in both adult and pediatric populations. | ||
| NUTR 551 | Analysis of Nutrition Data. | 3 |
Analysis of Nutrition Data. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Practical application of theoretical concepts in data analysis covering issues of study design, data collection, database organization, and statistical analysis using SPSS statistical software. Applications of statistical tests, reporting and interpretation of results, and data visualization. | ||
| PARA 438 | Immunology. | 3 |
Immunology. Terms offered: Fall 2025 An in-depth analysis of the principles of cellular and molecular immunology. The emphasis of the course is on host defence against infection and on diseases caused by abnormal immune responses. | ||
6 credits selected from:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AGEC 330 | Agriculture and Food Markets. | 3 |
Agriculture and Food Markets. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Nature and organization of agricultural and food markets as economic institutions, including the application of economic theory to problems within the agri-food marketing chain. Spatial and temporal price relationships, and the role of market structure. | ||
| 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. | ||
| AGRI 340 | Principles of Ecological Agriculture. | 3 |
Principles of Ecological Agriculture. Terms offered: Winter 2026 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. | ||
| AGRI 411 | 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. | ||
| ANSC 560 | Biology of Lactation. | 3 |
Biology of Lactation. Terms offered: Fall 2025 An interdisciplinary approach to the study of mammary development, the onset of lactation and its cessation, comparing the differences in mammalian species in mammary development from embryological, pre- and post-pubertal and pre- and post-partum aspects. Lactation at the cellular and biochemical levels. | ||
| ANTH 302 | New Horizons in Medical Anthropology. | 3 |
New Horizons in Medical Anthropology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Using recent ethnographies as textual material, this course will cover theoretical and methodological developments in medical anthropology since the early 1990's. Topics include a reconsideration of the relationship between culture and biology, medical pluralism revisited, globalization and health and disease, and social implications of new biomedical technologies. | ||
| GEOG 303 | Health Geography. | 3 |
Health Geography. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Discussion of the research questions and methods of health geography. Particular emphasis on health inequalities at multiple geographic scales and the theoretical links between characteristics of places and the health of people. | ||
| GEOG 403 | Global Health and Environmental Change. | 3 |
Global Health and Environmental Change. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Major themes and contemporary case studies in global health and environmental change. Focus on understanding global trends in emerging infectious disease from social, biophysical, and geographical perspectives, and critically assessing the health implications of environmental change in different international contexts. | ||
| NUTR 341 | Global Food Security. | 3 |
Global Food Security. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 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. | ||
| NUTR 430 | Directed Studies: Dietetics and Nutrition 1. | 3 |
Directed Studies: Dietetics and Nutrition 1. Terms offered: Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Winter 2026 An individualized course of study in dietetics/human nutrition under the supervision of a staff member with expertise on a topic not otherwise available in a formal course. A written agreement between student and staff member must be made before registration and filed with the Program Coordinator. | ||
| NUTR 506 | Qualitative Methods in Nutrition. | 3 |
Qualitative Methods in Nutrition. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Perspectives in study design, methods, and analysis. The application of qualitative research for developing, implementing, and evaluating community nutrition programs. Critiquing qualitative research articles and proposals for cultural safety and scientific rigour. | ||
| PARA 410 | Environment and Infection. | 3 |
Environment and Infection. Terms offered: Winter 2026 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. | ||
| 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. | ||
| PPHS 501 | Population Health and Epidemiology. | 3 |
Population Health and Epidemiology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. This course presents concepts and methods of epidemiology at the introductory level. The use of epidemiologic methods for population and public health research and practice will be illustrated. A review of selected population health questions such as the HIV/AIDS epidemic, the cardiovascular disease epidemic, cigarette smoking, or screening for disease will be presented. | ||
| PPHS 511 | Fundamentals of Global Health. | 3 |
Fundamentals of Global Health. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. This exciting and interactive course aims to give students the opportunity to broaden their understanding and knowledge of global health issues, including global burden of diseases, determinants of health, transition in health and drivers of such transition, challenges in healthcare delivery in resource-limited settings, and the variety of agencies and actors engaged in addressing global health challenges. The course consists of lectures, case studies, debates, discussions and small group work. | ||
| PPHS 529 | Global Environmental Health and Burden of Disease. | 3 |
Global Environmental Health and Burden of Disease. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. This course presents the grand challenges in global health from environmental and occupational risks along with the multi-disciplinary methods used to identify, control, and prevent them. It will introduce students to knowledge and skills in core disciplines of environmental health and approaches to environmental risk recognition, control and prevention in a global context. | ||
Elective Courses (15 credits)
15 credits of Electives are taken to meet the minimum credit requirement for the degree. Reciprocal agreement allows all students to take a limited number of electives at any Quebec university. With prior approval students can take electives at any Canadian or international university.
Sports Nutrition
Nutrition Major - Sports Nutrition (B.Sc.(Nutr.Sc.)) (90 credits)
Offered by: Human Nutrition (Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences)
Degree: Bachelor of Science (Nutritional Sciences)
Program credit weight: 90
Program Description
This Major offers a core emphasis on the scientific fundamentals of nutrition and metabolism throughout the lifespan from the molecular to the organismal level. The concentration in sports nutrition integrates the influence of exercise and physical activity on health and chronic disease prevention. This degree does not lead to professional licensure as a Dietitian/Nutritionist. Graduates are qualified for careers in the biotechnology field, pharmaceutical and/or food industries, government laboratories, and the health science communications field. Graduates often continue on to graduate studies preparing for careers in research, medicine, and dentistry or as specialists in nutrition.
Refer to "Faculty Information and Regulations" > "Minimum Credit Requirements", in this Course Catalogue for prerequisites and minimum credit requirements.
For information on academic advising, see: http://www.mcgill.ca/macdonald/studentinfo/advising
Degree Requirements — B.Sc.
This program is offered as part of a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree.
To graduate, students must satisfy both their program requirements and their degree requirements.
- The program requirements (i.e., the specific courses that make up this program) are listed under the Course Tab (above).
- The degree requirements—including the mandatory Foundation program, appropriate degree structure, and any additional components—are outlined on the Degree Requirements page.
Students are responsible for ensuring that this program fits within the overall structure of their degree and that all degree requirements are met. Consult the Degree Planning Guide on the SOUSA website for additional guidance.
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 (63 credits)
All required courses must be passed with a minimum grade of C.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AEMA 310 | Statistical Methods 1. | 3 |
Statistical Methods 1. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Measures of central tendency and dispersion; binomial and Poisson distributions; normal, chi-square, Student's t and Fisher-Snedecor F distributions; estimation and hypothesis testing; simple linear regression and correlation; analysis of variance for simple experimental designs. | ||
| ANSC 234 | Biochemistry 2. | 3 |
Biochemistry 2. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Metabolism in humans and domestic animals. The chemistry of alimentary digestion, absorption, transport, intermediary metabolism and excretion. | ||
| ANSC 323 | Mammalian Physiology. | 3 |
Mammalian Physiology. Terms offered: Fall 2025 A study of the organization, functions and regulation of various organ systems in mammals. The nervous, endocrine, muscular, cardiovascular, respiratory, urinary, digestive and reproductive systems are discussed. | ||
| ANSC 424 | Metabolic Endocrinology. | 3 |
Metabolic Endocrinology. Terms offered: Winter 2026 A detailed study of the endocrine system and its role in the maintenance of homeostasis in higher vertebrates, including the endocrine regulation of energy balance. | ||
| EDKP 395 | Exercise Physiology. | 3 |
Exercise Physiology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Examination of the physiological responses of the neuromuscular, metabolic, endocrine, and circulatory and respiratory systems to acute and chronic exercise. | ||
| FDSC 200 | Introduction to Food Science. | 3 |
Introduction to Food Science. Terms offered: Fall 2025 This course enables one to gain an appreciation of the scope of food science as a discipline. Topics include introductions to chemistry, processing, packaging, analysis, microbiology, product development, sensory evaluation and quality control as they relate to food science. | ||
| FDSC 251 | Food Chemistry 1. | 3 |
Food Chemistry 1. Terms offered: Winter 2026 A study of the chemistry and functionality of the major components comprising food systems, such as water, proteins, carbohydrates and lipids. The relationship of these components to food stability will be studied in terms of degradative reactions and processing. | ||
| FDSC 305 | Food Chemistry 2. | 3 |
Food Chemistry 2. Terms offered: Fall 2025 A study of the chemistry and functionality of the minor components comprising food systems, such as enzymes, anthocyanins, carotenoids, additives, vitamins and essential oils. The relationship of these components to food stability in terms of degradative reactions and processing. | ||
| LSCI 204 | Genetics. | 3 |
Genetics. Terms offered: Fall 2025 The course integrates classical, molecular and population genetics of animals, plants, bacteria and viruses. The aim is to understand the flow of genetic information within a cell, within families and in populations. Emphasis will be placed on problem solving based learning. The laboratory exercises will emphasize the interpretation of genetic experimental data. | ||
| LSCI 211 | Biochemistry 1. | 3 |
Biochemistry 1. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Biochemistry of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids; enzymes and coenzymes. Introduction to intermediary metabolism. | ||
| LSCI 230 | Introductory Microbiology. | 3 |
Introductory Microbiology. Terms offered: Winter 2026 The occurrence and importance of microorganisms in the biosphere. Principles governing growth, death and metabolic activities of microorganisms. An introduction to the microbiology of soil, water, plants, food, humans and animals. | ||
| NUTR 207 | Nutrition and Health. | 3 |
Nutrition and Health. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Provides students who have a basic biology/chemistry background with the fundamental information on how macronutrients, vitamins and minerals are metabolized in the body, followed by application to evaluate current issues of maximizing health and disease prevention at different stages of the lifecycle. | ||
| NUTR 214 | Food Fundamentals. | 4 |
Food Fundamentals. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Food composition and structure. Scientific principles underlying physical, chemical, and nutrient content changes during food preparation. The role of ingredients and nutrients, and their interaction in food preparation. Culture of food including historical context and sustainability. Sensory evaluation and food safety. | ||
| NUTR 307 | Metabolism and Human Nutrition. | 3 |
Metabolism and Human Nutrition. Terms offered: Fall 2025 This course looks at the importance of nutrition from the molecular to the organismal levels in human health and disease. The focus will be on the significance of nutrients in regulating metabolism, and impact of genotype in the metabolism of nutrients. | ||
| NUTR 322 | Applied Sciences Communication. | 3 |
Applied Sciences Communication. Terms offered: Winter 2026 The principles and techniques of communicating applied sciences to individuals and groups in both the professional and public milieu. Effective public speaking and group interaction techniques. Communication materials selection, development, use, and evaluation. Writing for the media. Balancing risk and reason in communicating scientific findings. | ||
| NUTR 337 | Nutrition Through Life. | 3 |
Nutrition Through Life. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Nutrient utilization, requirements and recommended allowances as related to physiological development throughout the life cycle. Physiological, psychological and environmental determinants of eating behaviour. | ||
| NUTR 344 | Clinical Nutrition 1. | 4 |
Clinical Nutrition 1. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Clinical nutrition assessment and dietary modification of pathological conditions including hypertension, lipid disorders and cardiovascular disease, obesity, cancer, COPD, introduction to diabetes, dysphagia. | ||
| NUTR 401 | Emerging Issues in Nutrition. | 1 |
Emerging Issues in Nutrition. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Investigation, discussion and presentations of emerging issues in nutrition. | ||
| NUTR 450 | Research Methods: Human Nutrition. | 3 |
Research Methods: Human Nutrition. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Introduction to how diverse approaches to nutrition research including international, community, laboratory, clinical, molecular, meta-analyses are necessary to advance the field of nutrition. Emphasis on ethics, scientific method, research process and analysis of results. | ||
| NUTR 503 | Nutrition and Exercise. | 3 |
Nutrition and Exercise. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Interaction of exercise physiology with nutrient and energy metabolism in healthy adults. Principles of physical training and role of physical activity and exercise in weight management and food intake regulation. Importance of physical activity in childhood, during pregnancy, in healthy adults and in improving functional capacity in the elderly. | ||
| NUTR 512 | Herbs, Foods and Phytochemicals. | 3 |
Herbs, Foods and Phytochemicals. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An overview of the use of herbal medicines and food phytochemicals and the benefits and risks of their consumption. The physiological basis for activity and the assessment of toxicity will be presented. Current practices relating to the regulation, commercialization and promotion of herbs and phytochemicals will be considered. | ||
Complementary Courses (12 credits)
12 credits of complementary courses are selected as follows:
Common Complementary Courses
6 credits selected from:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ANSC 433 | Animal Nutrition and Metabolism. | 3 |
Animal Nutrition and Metabolism. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Introduction to fundamental aspects of animal nutrition, including gastrointestinal anatomy and physiology; nutrient digestion, absorption, and metabolism; nutrient functions and requirements of livestock species; evaluation of feedstuffs and their use in ration formulation; and feeding strategies. Laboratory classes will include hands-on experience on feed analyses, gastrointestinal tract dissections, nutritional experiments and demonstrations in livestock species as well as computer-based ration balancing exercises. | ||
| ANSC 560 | Biology of Lactation. | 3 |
Biology of Lactation. Terms offered: Fall 2025 An interdisciplinary approach to the study of mammary development, the onset of lactation and its cessation, comparing the differences in mammalian species in mammary development from embryological, pre- and post-pubertal and pre- and post-partum aspects. Lactation at the cellular and biochemical levels. | ||
| FDSC 537 | Nutraceutical Chemistry. | 3 |
Nutraceutical Chemistry. Terms offered: Fall 2025 The origin, classification, mechanism of action and chemical properties of potential and established nutraceutical compounds and their applications in functional foods. | ||
| FDSC 545 | Advances in Food Microbiology. | 3 |
Advances in Food Microbiology. Terms offered: Winter 2026 An advanced level food microbiology course providing a perspective on advanced topics in food microbiology (microbial biofilms, antimicrobial resistance, bacterial endospores) and describing the fundamental principles of advanced techniques in food microbiology (microbiological, biochemical, immunological, genetics methods). | ||
| 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. | ||
| NUTR 505 | Public Health Nutrition. | 3 |
Public Health Nutrition. Terms offered: Fall 2025 This course focuses on the nutrition status of populations, communities and groups of people using a public health lens. It identifies and assesses human nutrition issues and problems, their causes, influencing factors and social conditions using a social determinants of health framework. Offers opportunities to design and conduct needs assessments, design and plan programs and plan for their evaluation. The purpose and role of participatory approaches with diverse populations and Indigenous populations in particular will be analyzed. Health systems, public health and political influence in Canada, as related to nutrition will be addressed. | ||
| NUTR 507 | Advanced Nutritional Biochemistry. | 3 |
Advanced Nutritional Biochemistry. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Specialized advanced topics in human nutrition, biochemistry and metabolism, including the dietary absorption and metabolism of iron, copper, and selenium and their role in energy metabolism, antioxidant defence, toxin elimination, and redox signaling and food source contamination, nutritional toxicology, and the negative impact these toxins have on metabolic networks and antioxidant defences. | ||
| NUTR 511 | Nutrition and Behaviour. | 3 |
Nutrition and Behaviour. Terms offered: Fall 2025 This course will integrate biological, social and psychological determinants of eating and food choices in both health and disease. Topics will include behavioural theories relevant to eating and food choice, neurobiology of appetite regulation, mental health, obesity, chronic disease and effectiveness of behaviour-change intervention strategies. | ||
| NUTR 537 | Advanced Human Metabolism. | 3 |
Advanced Human Metabolism. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Advanced topics in regulation and dysregulation of metabolism integrating mechanistic pre-clinical approaches to studying human health and disease. Presentation and critical analysis of metabolic research. | ||
| NUTR 545 | Clinical Nutrition 2. | 4 |
Clinical Nutrition 2. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Pathophysiology and clinical nutrition intervention for various medical conditions. Topics include gastrointestinal disorders, surgery and nutrition support. | ||
| NUTR 546 | Clinical Nutrition 3. | 4 |
Clinical Nutrition 3. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Clinical nutrition for diabetes, renal disease, eating disorders and other disorders in both adult and pediatric populations. | ||
| NUTR 551 | Analysis of Nutrition Data. | 3 |
Analysis of Nutrition Data. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Practical application of theoretical concepts in data analysis covering issues of study design, data collection, database organization, and statistical analysis using SPSS statistical software. Applications of statistical tests, reporting and interpretation of results, and data visualization. | ||
| PARA 438 | Immunology. | 3 |
Immunology. Terms offered: Fall 2025 An in-depth analysis of the principles of cellular and molecular immunology. The emphasis of the course is on host defence against infection and on diseases caused by abnormal immune responses. | ||
6 credits selected from:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ANAT 214 | Systemic Human Anatomy. | 3 |
Systemic Human Anatomy. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Introduction to the gross anatomy of the various organ systems of head, neck and trunk regions of the human body. Emphasis on functional anatomy. Laboratory component includes exploration of the human body through cadaveric prosections, imaging and other materials. | ||
| EDKP 261 | Motor Development. | 3 |
Motor Development. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Changes apparent in motor behaviour from conception to old age. Two perspectives are emphasized: 1) contemporary and historical theories of human development, 2) development of motor behaviour and influences of physical growth, sensori-perceptual development, information processing and socio-cultural factors. | ||
| EDKP 330 | Physical Activity and Public Health. | 3 |
Physical Activity and Public Health. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Introduction to literature on the role of physical activity and general health and well-being. Examination of exercise adherence issues, exercise prescription, and the economic impact of physical fitness programs in the workplace. Epidemiologic literature. Concepts of health promotion and public health. | ||
| EDKP 445 | Exercise Metabolism. | 3 |
Exercise Metabolism. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The biochemical structure and regulation of major biochemical pathways related to exercise. Examine the hormonal regulation of lipid, carbohydrate and protein metabolism during short and prolonged exercise as well as the influence of physical training. Examine gender-related differences and exercise metabolism. | ||
| EDKP 446 | Physical Activity and Ageing. | 3 |
Physical Activity and Ageing. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Review of ageing-related changes in circulatory, respiratory, neuromuscular, hormonal, metabolic and immune systems as they relate to functional limitations and the physiological responses to acute and chronic exercise. Examination of the role of exercise in mitigating ageing response. | ||
| EDKP 448 | Exercise and Health Psychology. | 3 |
Exercise and Health Psychology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The psychological aspects of health and participation in exercise and physical activity. The application of psychological knowledge and methodology within exercise and health. Theory and evidence on selected topics in this area of study. | ||
| EDKP 449 | Neuromuscular and Inflammatory Pathophysiology. | 3 |
Neuromuscular and Inflammatory Pathophysiology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Review of the physiological bases of selected disorders of the immune, renal, neurological and muscular-skeletal systems and an examination of the particularities of exercise responses and the effects of exercise conditioning in these populations. A special emphasis on the scientific bases for exercise prescription. | ||
| EDKP 485 | Cardiopulmonary Exercise Pathophysiology. | 3 |
Cardiopulmonary Exercise Pathophysiology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The physiological bases of selected cardiovascular, respiratory and metabolic disorders and an examination of the particularities of exercise responses and the effects of exercise conditioning in these populations. A special emphasis on the scientific bases for exercise prescription. | ||
| EDKP 495 | Scientific Principles of Training. | 3 |
Scientific Principles of Training. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Application of physiological and kinesiological principles in the selection and evaluation of athletic and physical fitness programs. Specific topics studied will include aerobic and anaerobic training, interval training, circuit training, weight training for muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, motor ability, obesity and energy balance. | ||
| NUTR 430 | Directed Studies: Dietetics and Nutrition 1. | 3 |
Directed Studies: Dietetics and Nutrition 1. Terms offered: Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Winter 2026 An individualized course of study in dietetics/human nutrition under the supervision of a staff member with expertise on a topic not otherwise available in a formal course. A written agreement between student and staff member must be made before registration and filed with the Program Coordinator. | ||
| NUTR 551 | Analysis of Nutrition Data. | 3 |
Analysis of Nutrition Data. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Practical application of theoretical concepts in data analysis covering issues of study design, data collection, database organization, and statistical analysis using SPSS statistical software. Applications of statistical tests, reporting and interpretation of results, and data visualization. | ||
Elective Courses (15 credits)
15 credits of electives are taken to meet the minimum credit requirement for the degree. Reciprocal agreement allows all students to take a limited number of electives at any Quebec university. With prior approval, students can take electives at any Canadian or international university.
Metabolism, Health and Disease
Nutrition Major - Metabolism, Health and Disease (B.Sc.(Nutr.Sc.)) (90 credits)
Offered by: Human Nutrition (Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences)
Degree: Bachelor of Science (Nutritional Sciences)
Program credit weight: 90
Program Description
This Major offers a core emphasis on the scientific fundamentals of nutrition and metabolism throughout the lifespan from the molecular to the organismal level. This concentration emphasizes the influence of diet and nutrition on human health and the pathophysiology of inherited and acquired chronic disease. The links of nutrigenomics, nutrigenetics, and biotechnology with human health and regulation of metabolism are explored. This program does not lead to professional licensure as a dietitian/nutritionist.
Degree Requirements — B.Sc.
This program is offered as part of a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree.
To graduate, students must satisfy both their program requirements and their degree requirements.
- The program requirements (i.e., the specific courses that make up this program) are listed under the Course Tab (above).
- The degree requirements—including the mandatory Foundation program, appropriate degree structure, and any additional components—are outlined on the Degree Requirements page.
Students are responsible for ensuring that this program fits within the overall structure of their degree and that all degree requirements are met. Consult the Degree Planning Guide on the SOUSA website for additional guidance.
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 (63 credits)
All required courses must be passed with a minimum grade of C.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AEMA 310 | Statistical Methods 1. | 3 |
Statistical Methods 1. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Measures of central tendency and dispersion; binomial and Poisson distributions; normal, chi-square, Student's t and Fisher-Snedecor F distributions; estimation and hypothesis testing; simple linear regression and correlation; analysis of variance for simple experimental designs. | ||
| ANSC 234 | Biochemistry 2. | 3 |
Biochemistry 2. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Metabolism in humans and domestic animals. The chemistry of alimentary digestion, absorption, transport, intermediary metabolism and excretion. | ||
| ANSC 323 | Mammalian Physiology. | 3 |
Mammalian Physiology. Terms offered: Fall 2025 A study of the organization, functions and regulation of various organ systems in mammals. The nervous, endocrine, muscular, cardiovascular, respiratory, urinary, digestive and reproductive systems are discussed. | ||
| ANSC 424 | Metabolic Endocrinology. | 3 |
Metabolic Endocrinology. Terms offered: Winter 2026 A detailed study of the endocrine system and its role in the maintenance of homeostasis in higher vertebrates, including the endocrine regulation of energy balance. | ||
| FDSC 200 | Introduction to Food Science. | 3 |
Introduction to Food Science. Terms offered: Fall 2025 This course enables one to gain an appreciation of the scope of food science as a discipline. Topics include introductions to chemistry, processing, packaging, analysis, microbiology, product development, sensory evaluation and quality control as they relate to food science. | ||
| FDSC 251 | Food Chemistry 1. | 3 |
Food Chemistry 1. Terms offered: Winter 2026 A study of the chemistry and functionality of the major components comprising food systems, such as water, proteins, carbohydrates and lipids. The relationship of these components to food stability will be studied in terms of degradative reactions and processing. | ||
| FDSC 305 | Food Chemistry 2. | 3 |
Food Chemistry 2. Terms offered: Fall 2025 A study of the chemistry and functionality of the minor components comprising food systems, such as enzymes, anthocyanins, carotenoids, additives, vitamins and essential oils. The relationship of these components to food stability in terms of degradative reactions and processing. | ||
| LSCI 204 | Genetics. | 3 |
Genetics. Terms offered: Fall 2025 The course integrates classical, molecular and population genetics of animals, plants, bacteria and viruses. The aim is to understand the flow of genetic information within a cell, within families and in populations. Emphasis will be placed on problem solving based learning. The laboratory exercises will emphasize the interpretation of genetic experimental data. | ||
| LSCI 211 | Biochemistry 1. | 3 |
Biochemistry 1. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Biochemistry of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids; enzymes and coenzymes. Introduction to intermediary metabolism. | ||
| LSCI 230 | Introductory Microbiology. | 3 |
Introductory Microbiology. Terms offered: Winter 2026 The occurrence and importance of microorganisms in the biosphere. Principles governing growth, death and metabolic activities of microorganisms. An introduction to the microbiology of soil, water, plants, food, humans and animals. | ||
| NUTR 207 | Nutrition and Health. | 3 |
Nutrition and Health. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Provides students who have a basic biology/chemistry background with the fundamental information on how macronutrients, vitamins and minerals are metabolized in the body, followed by application to evaluate current issues of maximizing health and disease prevention at different stages of the lifecycle. | ||
| NUTR 214 | Food Fundamentals. | 4 |
Food Fundamentals. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Food composition and structure. Scientific principles underlying physical, chemical, and nutrient content changes during food preparation. The role of ingredients and nutrients, and their interaction in food preparation. Culture of food including historical context and sustainability. Sensory evaluation and food safety. | ||
| NUTR 307 | Metabolism and Human Nutrition. | 3 |
Metabolism and Human Nutrition. Terms offered: Fall 2025 This course looks at the importance of nutrition from the molecular to the organismal levels in human health and disease. The focus will be on the significance of nutrients in regulating metabolism, and impact of genotype in the metabolism of nutrients. | ||
| NUTR 322 | Applied Sciences Communication. | 3 |
Applied Sciences Communication. Terms offered: Winter 2026 The principles and techniques of communicating applied sciences to individuals and groups in both the professional and public milieu. Effective public speaking and group interaction techniques. Communication materials selection, development, use, and evaluation. Writing for the media. Balancing risk and reason in communicating scientific findings. | ||
| NUTR 337 | Nutrition Through Life. | 3 |
Nutrition Through Life. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Nutrient utilization, requirements and recommended allowances as related to physiological development throughout the life cycle. Physiological, psychological and environmental determinants of eating behaviour. | ||
| NUTR 344 | Clinical Nutrition 1. | 4 |
Clinical Nutrition 1. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Clinical nutrition assessment and dietary modification of pathological conditions including hypertension, lipid disorders and cardiovascular disease, obesity, cancer, COPD, introduction to diabetes, dysphagia. | ||
| NUTR 401 | Emerging Issues in Nutrition. | 1 |
Emerging Issues in Nutrition. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Investigation, discussion and presentations of emerging issues in nutrition. | ||
| NUTR 450 | Research Methods: Human Nutrition. | 3 |
Research Methods: Human Nutrition. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Introduction to how diverse approaches to nutrition research including international, community, laboratory, clinical, molecular, meta-analyses are necessary to advance the field of nutrition. Emphasis on ethics, scientific method, research process and analysis of results. | ||
| NUTR 507 | Advanced Nutritional Biochemistry. | 3 |
Advanced Nutritional Biochemistry. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Specialized advanced topics in human nutrition, biochemistry and metabolism, including the dietary absorption and metabolism of iron, copper, and selenium and their role in energy metabolism, antioxidant defence, toxin elimination, and redox signaling and food source contamination, nutritional toxicology, and the negative impact these toxins have on metabolic networks and antioxidant defences. | ||
| NUTR 512 | Herbs, Foods and Phytochemicals. | 3 |
Herbs, Foods and Phytochemicals. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An overview of the use of herbal medicines and food phytochemicals and the benefits and risks of their consumption. The physiological basis for activity and the assessment of toxicity will be presented. Current practices relating to the regulation, commercialization and promotion of herbs and phytochemicals will be considered. | ||
| NUTR 537 | Advanced Human Metabolism. | 3 |
Advanced Human Metabolism. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Advanced topics in regulation and dysregulation of metabolism integrating mechanistic pre-clinical approaches to studying human health and disease. Presentation and critical analysis of metabolic research. | ||
Complementary Courses (12 credits)
12 credits of complementary courses are selected as follows:
Common Complementary Courses
6 credits selected from:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ANSC 433 | Animal Nutrition and Metabolism. | 3 |
Animal Nutrition and Metabolism. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Introduction to fundamental aspects of animal nutrition, including gastrointestinal anatomy and physiology; nutrient digestion, absorption, and metabolism; nutrient functions and requirements of livestock species; evaluation of feedstuffs and their use in ration formulation; and feeding strategies. Laboratory classes will include hands-on experience on feed analyses, gastrointestinal tract dissections, nutritional experiments and demonstrations in livestock species as well as computer-based ration balancing exercises. | ||
| ANSC 560 | Biology of Lactation. | 3 |
Biology of Lactation. Terms offered: Fall 2025 An interdisciplinary approach to the study of mammary development, the onset of lactation and its cessation, comparing the differences in mammalian species in mammary development from embryological, pre- and post-pubertal and pre- and post-partum aspects. Lactation at the cellular and biochemical levels. | ||
| FDSC 537 | Nutraceutical Chemistry. | 3 |
Nutraceutical Chemistry. Terms offered: Fall 2025 The origin, classification, mechanism of action and chemical properties of potential and established nutraceutical compounds and their applications in functional foods. | ||
| FDSC 545 | Advances in Food Microbiology. | 3 |
Advances in Food Microbiology. Terms offered: Winter 2026 An advanced level food microbiology course providing a perspective on advanced topics in food microbiology (microbial biofilms, antimicrobial resistance, bacterial endospores) and describing the fundamental principles of advanced techniques in food microbiology (microbiological, biochemical, immunological, genetics methods). | ||
| 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. | ||
| NUTR 503 | Nutrition and Exercise. | 3 |
Nutrition and Exercise. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Interaction of exercise physiology with nutrient and energy metabolism in healthy adults. Principles of physical training and role of physical activity and exercise in weight management and food intake regulation. Importance of physical activity in childhood, during pregnancy, in healthy adults and in improving functional capacity in the elderly. | ||
| NUTR 505 | Public Health Nutrition. | 3 |
Public Health Nutrition. Terms offered: Fall 2025 This course focuses on the nutrition status of populations, communities and groups of people using a public health lens. It identifies and assesses human nutrition issues and problems, their causes, influencing factors and social conditions using a social determinants of health framework. Offers opportunities to design and conduct needs assessments, design and plan programs and plan for their evaluation. The purpose and role of participatory approaches with diverse populations and Indigenous populations in particular will be analyzed. Health systems, public health and political influence in Canada, as related to nutrition will be addressed. | ||
| NUTR 511 | Nutrition and Behaviour. | 3 |
Nutrition and Behaviour. Terms offered: Fall 2025 This course will integrate biological, social and psychological determinants of eating and food choices in both health and disease. Topics will include behavioural theories relevant to eating and food choice, neurobiology of appetite regulation, mental health, obesity, chronic disease and effectiveness of behaviour-change intervention strategies. | ||
| NUTR 545 | Clinical Nutrition 2. | 4 |
Clinical Nutrition 2. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Pathophysiology and clinical nutrition intervention for various medical conditions. Topics include gastrointestinal disorders, surgery and nutrition support. | ||
| NUTR 546 | Clinical Nutrition 3. | 4 |
Clinical Nutrition 3. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Clinical nutrition for diabetes, renal disease, eating disorders and other disorders in both adult and pediatric populations. | ||
| NUTR 551 | Analysis of Nutrition Data. | 3 |
Analysis of Nutrition Data. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Practical application of theoretical concepts in data analysis covering issues of study design, data collection, database organization, and statistical analysis using SPSS statistical software. Applications of statistical tests, reporting and interpretation of results, and data visualization. | ||
| PARA 438 | Immunology. | 3 |
Immunology. Terms offered: Fall 2025 An in-depth analysis of the principles of cellular and molecular immunology. The emphasis of the course is on host defence against infection and on diseases caused by abnormal immune responses. | ||
6 credits selected from:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ANAT 214 | Systemic Human Anatomy. | 3 |
Systemic Human Anatomy. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Introduction to the gross anatomy of the various organ systems of head, neck and trunk regions of the human body. Emphasis on functional anatomy. Laboratory component includes exploration of the human body through cadaveric prosections, imaging and other materials. | ||
| ANAT 261 | Introduction to Dynamic Histology. | 4 |
Introduction to Dynamic Histology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An introduction to light and electron microscopic anatomy in which cell and tissue dynamics will be explored in the principal tissues and organs of the body. | ||
| ANAT 262 | Introductory Molecular and Cell Biology. | 3 |
Introductory Molecular and Cell Biology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The architectural, functional and temporal continuity of organelles and the cytoskeleton of mammalian cells is introduced as well as their functional integration in the phenomena of exocytosis, endocytosis, protein trafficking and cell motility and adhesion. | ||
| ANAT 322 | Neuroendocrinology. | 3 |
Neuroendocrinology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A lecture course describing brain-endocrine relationships. Emphasis on modern experimental evidence and conceptual developments within the field. | ||
| ANSC 312 | Animal Health and Disease. | 3 |
Animal Health and Disease. Terms offered: Winter 2026 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. | ||
| ANSC 324 | Developmental Biology and Reproduction. | 3 |
Developmental Biology and Reproduction. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Focus on the hormonal, cellular and molecular aspects of reproduction and development (gametogenesis, folliculogenesis, fertilization, embryonic and foetal development, parturition, lactation period, periods before and after puberty). Emphasis on underlying cellular mechanisms and their regulation by hormones and the environment. | ||
| ANSC 400 | Eukaryotic Cells and Viruses. | 3 |
Eukaryotic Cells and Viruses. Terms offered: Winter 2026 The basic principles of molecular biology and the underlying molecular basis for various methodologies in molecular biology are covered. The molecular genetic basis for viral infections and tumorigenesis will be covered as examples of the use of molecular genetic approaches to address biological problems. | ||
| ANSC 560 | Biology of Lactation. | 3 |
Biology of Lactation. Terms offered: Fall 2025 An interdisciplinary approach to the study of mammary development, the onset of lactation and its cessation, comparing the differences in mammalian species in mammary development from embryological, pre- and post-pubertal and pre- and post-partum aspects. Lactation at the cellular and biochemical levels. | ||
| BIOL 300 | Molecular Biology of the Gene. | 3 |
Molecular Biology of the Gene. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A survey of current knowledge and approaches in the area of regulation of gene expression, post-transcriptional control of gene expression, and signal transduction. | ||
| BTEC 306 | Experiments in Biotechnology. | 3 |
Experiments in Biotechnology. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Practical laboratory-based research experience. Techniques in cellular and molecular biology, designing experiments and developing skills in interpretation and communication of experimental results. | ||
| MICR 341 | Mechanisms of Pathogenicity. | 3 |
Mechanisms of Pathogenicity. Terms offered: Fall 2025 A study of the means by which bacteria cause disease in animals and humans. Includes response of host to invading bacteria, bacterial attachment and penetration processes, and modes of actions of exotoxins and endotoxins. | ||
| NUTR 430 | Directed Studies: Dietetics and Nutrition 1. | 3 |
Directed Studies: Dietetics and Nutrition 1. Terms offered: Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Winter 2026 An individualized course of study in dietetics/human nutrition under the supervision of a staff member with expertise on a topic not otherwise available in a formal course. A written agreement between student and staff member must be made before registration and filed with the Program Coordinator. | ||
| PARA 424 | Fundamental Parasitology. | 3 |
Fundamental Parasitology. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Systematics, morphology, biology and ecology of parasitic protozoa, flatworms, roundworms and arthropods with emphasis on economically and medically important species. | ||
| PATH 300 | Human Disease. | 3 |
Human Disease. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Provides a fundamental understanding of the diseases prevalent in North America, for upper level students in the biological sciences. Includes: general responses of cells and organ systems to injury; assessment of individual diseases by relating the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and prevention to the primary biological abnormalities in each disorder. | ||
| PHAR 300 | Drug Action. | 3 |
Drug Action. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Principles of pharmacology and toxicology. Frequently encountered drugs will be used as a focus to illustrate sites and mechanisms of action, distribution, metabolism, elimination and adverse side effects. | ||
| PHAR 301 | Drugs and Disease. | 3 |
Drugs and Disease. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. This course further explores the basic principles of pharmacology as illustrated by drugs used in the treatment of disease. Emphasis is placed on drugs used for diseases prevalent in North America. | ||
| PHAR 303 | Principles of Toxicology. | 3 |
Principles of Toxicology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Fundamental mechanisms by which toxic compounds damage a biological system (organelle, cell, organ, organism, ecosystem). Detection and quantification of toxicity and risk/benefit analysis are considered. Selected agents of current risk to human health or the environment are evaluated in depth. | ||
| PHGY 311 | Channels, Synapses and Hormones. | 3 |
Channels, Synapses and Hormones. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. In-depth presentation of experimental results and hypotheses on cellular communication in the nervous system and the endocrine system. | ||
| PHGY 312 | Respiratory, Renal, and Cardiovascular Physiology. | 3 |
Respiratory, Renal, and Cardiovascular Physiology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. In-depth presentation of experimental results and hypotheses underlying our current understanding of topics in renal, respiratory and cardiovascular functions explored beyond the introductory level. | ||
| PHGY 313 | Blood, Gastrointestinal, and Immune Systems Physiology. | 3 |
Blood, Gastrointestinal, and Immune Systems Physiology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. In-depth presentation of experimental results and hypotheses underlying our current understanding of topics in immunology, blood and fluids, and gastrointestinal physiology. | ||
Elective Courses (15 credits)
15 credits of electives are taken to meet the minimum credit requirement for the degree. A reciprocal agreement allows all students to take a limited number of electives at any Quebec university. With prior approval students can take electives at any Canadian or international university.
Research Experience
There are a few ways to obtain research experience. The first 2 involve matching your interests to a SHN Professor's research area. Professors may or may not need assistance at a particular time. You should always have a professional curriculum vitae ready so that when opportunities arise, you can demonstrate your qualifications. The first way to get research experience is to get a scholarship to work with a stipend as part of a Professor’s research group over the summer.
The most common scholarship is the NSERC Undergraduate Summer Research Award; this award is highly competitive and requires a CGPA of at least 3.7. You should investigate how to match up with a Professor’s research program at the beginning of U2 winter term. For more information concerning this award, please contact Dr. Daiva Nielsen at daiva.nielsen [at] mcgill.ca.
The second way is to get complementary course credit through a Directed Studies-NUTR 430 3-credit course. This involves a 135-hour unpaid commitment over a term (fall, winter or summer) starting in U2W. The Professor and yourself will write a contract detailing the work to be done and the performance criteria to receive a grade in the course. This final year course involves initiative on your part and is dependent on the supervisor’s research needs.
If you are serious about completing a Directed Studies-NUTR 430 course, please fill out the Application Form and send the form with your curriculum vitae to linda.wykes [at] mcgill.ca. It will then be sent out to SHN Professors.
Another way to obtain research experience is to complete a full-time Internship in the summer through the McEwen Family Internship Program. This can be taken as a 3 credit course as FAES 300- Internship 2. For more information, contact kendra.gray [at] mcgill.ca.
Minors
Minor programs that synergize with Nutrition include:
Field Studies Minor
Field Studies Minor (B.Sc.) (18 credits)
Offered by: Science (Faculty of Science)
Degree: Bachelor of Science
Program credit weight: 18
Program Description
Students participating in any one of the field study semesters, i.e., the Africa Field Study Semester, the Barbados Field Study Semester, the Barbados Interdisciplinary Tropical Studies (BITS) Field Study Semester, McGill Arctic Field Study Semester, or the Panama Field Study Semester may complete the 18-credit Minor in Field Studies.
The Minor consists of the 15 credits of a field study semester plus three additional complementary credits chosen by the student in consultation with their departmental adviser and/or the Field Study Minor adviser.
For students in the B.Sc. Liberal Program, the Field Studies Minor can serve as the breadth component.
Program descriptions for each of the field study semesters are provided below.
Note: The field study semesters are not degree programs. Credits may be counted toward McGill degrees with the permission of program advisers. Students who complete a field study semester may consult the Field Study Minor adviser about completing the Minor program as part of their McGill degree.
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.
Africa Field Study Semester (15 credits)
The Africa Field Study Semester (AFSS) is run through McGill's Canadian Field Study in Africa Program (CFSIA).
The AFSS provides one term of integrated field study in East Africa, with emphasis on environmental conservation, culture change, and sustainable development. Students investigate challenges of sustaining biological diversity and social justice in African environments subject to cultural change, economic development, and environmental stress. Cultural and ecological variation is examined in highland, montane, rangeland, desert, riverine, salt- and fresh-water lake, coastal, and urban settings.
Africa Field Study Semester - Required Courses
6 credits
Students select one course titled "Research in Society and Development in Africa" and one course titled "Research in Ecology and Development in Africa" from the courses below.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ANTH 451 | Research in Society and Development in Africa. | 3 |
Research in Society and Development in Africa. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Instruction focuses on three goals: 1) existing research in selected core thematic areas, 2) participating in interdisciplinary team research, 3) developing powers of observation and independent inquiry. Students will be expected to develop research activities and interdisciplinary perspectives, and to become conversant with advances in local research in their field. | ||
| BIOL 451 | Research in Ecology and Development in Africa. | 3 |
Research in Ecology and Development in Africa. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Development of observation and independent inquiry skills through: 1) participation in short-term project modules in collaboration with existing researchers; 2) participation in interdisciplinary team research on topics selected to allow comparative analysis of field sites; 3) active and systematic observation, documentation, and integration of field experience in ecology and development issues. | ||
| GEOG 451 | Research in Society and Development in Africa. | 3 |
Research in Society and Development in Africa. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Three intersecting components: 1) core development themes including culture change, environmental conservation, water, health, development (urban and rural), governance and conflict resolution, 2) research techniques for topics related to core themes, including ethics, risk, field methods and data analysis, 3) field documentation, scientific recording and communication. | ||
Africa Field Study Semester - Complementary Courses
9 credits from:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ANTH 416 | Environment/Development: Africa. | 3 |
Environment/Development: Africa. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Study of environmental effects of development in East Africa, especially due to changes in traditional land tenure and resource use across diverse ecosystems. Models, policies and cases of pastoralist, agricultural, fishing, wildlife and tourist development will be examined, across savanna, desert, forest, highland and coastal environments. | ||
| BIOL 428 | Biological Diversity in Africa. | 3 |
Biological Diversity in Africa. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Biological diversity as exemplified by a particular taxonomic group chosen by the instructor, using field setting in East Africa to impart training in species identification, field research, and principles embodied in the phylogeny, systematics, biogeography, ecology, physiology and/or behaviour of the organisms concerned. | ||
| BIOL 429 | East African Ecology. | 3 |
East African Ecology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Field settings (Uganda, Kenya, and/or Tanzania) are used to impart training in ecological principles critical to tropical conservation with an emphasis on research design and field research exercises. | ||
| GEOG 404 | Environmental Management 2. 1 | 3 |
Environmental Management 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Practical application of environmental planning, analysis and management techniques with reference to the needs and problems of developing areas. Special challenges posed by cultural differences and traditional resource systems are discussed. This course involves practical field work in a developing area (Kenya or Panama). | ||
| GEOG 408 | Geography of Development. | 3 |
Geography of Development. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Examines the geographical dimensions of development policy, specifically the relationships between the process of development and human-induced environmental change. Focuses on environmental sustainability, struggles over resource control, population and poverty, and levels of governance (the role of the state, non-governmental organizations, and local communities). | ||
| GEOG 423 | Dilemmas of Development. | 3 |
Dilemmas of Development. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Africa seems beset by development problems. Some of these appear to have no clear answer. Such dilemmas present significant barriers to moving forward with durable, effective development in Africa. This course will examine two primary and frequently interlocked dilemmas in East Africa with wide ranging impact - food security, and conflict. | ||
| HIST 498 | Independent Research. | 3 |
Independent Research. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Exceptionally, and under the direction of a member of staff, advanced and highly qualified students who have an extensive background in the proposed area of study, may pursue this independent study. | ||
| NUTR 404 | Nutrition Field Studies in East Africa. | 3 |
Nutrition Field Studies in East Africa. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Community-based case-study experience in East Africa, focussed on documentation and inquiry skills, and systematic analysis of the: 1) patterns and nature of major nutritional and food security problems; 2) sociocultural, economic and environmental determinants on food availability, quality, choice, behaviour and consumption in relation to health and disease, particularly in high risk populations; 3) institutional and policy mediators of community and national-level interventions and program responses. | ||
| REDM 405 | Natural History of East Africa. | 3 |
Natural History of East Africa. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Integrated study of African landforms, geologic history, climate, environments, biota, water resources and human influences, fostering a thorough understanding of the East African landscape and its inhabitants. Lectures, discussions on selected topics, use of museum resources and field studies will develop powers of observation, identification and enquiry. | ||
| WILD 420 | Ornithology. 1 | 3 |
Ornithology. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Taxonomic relationships and evolution of birds. Examination of the physiology, migration, identification and ecological processes of North American birds. | ||
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Courses are offered on a rotational basis, at least 3 credits annually.
Barbados Field Study Semester (15 credits)
The Barbados Field Study Semester (BFSS) offers a unique opportunity to study at McGill University’s campus in the tropics, the Bellairs Research Institute in Barbados. The focus of this field study semester is the study of sustainability science, with emphasis on the Caribbean, which includes: a different climate and culture, field research, and conducting an applied research project. Project work is conducted with local partners and focuses on sustainability in Barbados.
Barbados Field Study Semester - Required Courses
15 credits
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ATOC 341 | Caribbean Climate and Weather. | 3 |
Caribbean Climate and Weather. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The climate system and ongoing global change, ocean and atmosphere circulation and future trends in the tropics; local climate variability and dynamics, extreme weather events in the Caribbean | ||
| BIOL 343 | Biodiversity in the Caribean. | 3 |
Biodiversity in the Caribean. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Biodiversity loss and the measure of ecological integrity of ecosystems, patterns of diversification and evolution of terrestrial and oceanic biotas in the Caribbean. | ||
| FSCI 444 | Barbados Research Project. | 6 |
Barbados Research Project. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A research project that is supervised by McGill academic staff and is conducted in collaboration with local partners. The project topic must relate to the field of sustainability relating to the Caribbean or Barbados specifically. | ||
| GEOG 340 | Sustainability in the Caribbean. | 3 |
Sustainability in the Caribbean. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The local environmental, social, historical, political and economic context of Barbados and the Caribbean. The small island developing States (SIDS), and why those nations are more vulnerable to global environmental challenges. The 17 Sustainability Development Goals of the United Nations, with a focus on the leadership role played by Barbados for the entire Caribbean region. | ||
Barbados Interdisciplinary Tropical Studies Field Semester (15 credits)
The Barbados Interdisciplinary Tropical Studies (BITS) Field Semester is an activity-filled, hands-on experience for students with an interest in international studies with a Caribbean flavour. The focus is on sustainable agri-food, nutrition, and energy production on a tropical island with a tourist-based economy. It is offered annually (in the Summer). It consists of two 2-hour orientation sessions conducted on the Macdonald campus and at the Bellairs Research Institute in Barbados, followed by three 3-credit and one 6-credit project courses at Bellairs Research Institute. This program integrates intensive course work with group project work and contributes to the formation of professionals with planning, managing, decision-making, and communication skills. The program addresses a global need for experienced professionals capable of interacting with various levels of government, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector. BITS welcomes applications from senior undergraduate students from across the University.
Barbados Interdisciplinary Tropical Studies Field Semester - Required Courses
15 credits
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AEBI 421 | Tropical Horticultural Ecology. | 3 |
Tropical Horticultural Ecology. Terms offered: Summer 2025 A comprehensive survey of the major fruit, vegetable, turf, and ornamental crops grown in Barbados. Effect of cultural practices, environment, pests and pathogens, social and touristic activities, and importation of horticultural produce on local horticulture. | ||
| AEBI 423 | Sustainable Land Use. | 3 |
Sustainable Land Use. Terms offered: Summer 2025 Management, preservation, and utilization of forage crops in sustainable tropical environments; examination of their value as livestock feed in terms of nutritional composition and impact on animal performance; land use issues as it pertains to forage and animal production in insular environments. | ||
| AEBI 425 | Tropical Energy and Food. | 3 |
Tropical Energy and Food. Terms offered: Summer 2025 Tropical biofuel crops, conversion processes and final products, particularly energy and greenhouse gas balances and bionutraceuticals. Topics include effects of process extraction during refining on biofuel economics, the food versus fuel debate and impact of biofuels and bioproducts on tropical agricultural economics. | ||
| AEBI 427 | Barbados Interdisciplinary Project. | 6 |
Barbados Interdisciplinary Project. Terms offered: Summer 2025 The planning of projects and research activities related to tropical food, nutrition, or energy at the local, regional, or national scale in Barbados. Projects and activities designed in consultation with university instructors, government, NGO, or private partners, and prepared by teams of 2-3 students working cooperatively with these mentors. | ||
Panama Field Study Semester (15 credits)
This program is offered in Panama with the support of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI).
Hands-on experience is gained through research projects organized around multidisciplinary environmental issues. The nature of these projects will centre on practical environmental problems/questions important for Panama. Students will form teams that will work with Panamanian institutions (NGO, governmental, or research).
There is a one- or two-day period of transition and 13 weeks of course attendance in Panama. Field trips will be integrated into each of the courses offered.
Panama Field Study Semester - Required Courses
9 credits
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 553 | Neotropical Environments. | 3 |
Neotropical Environments. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Ecology revisited in view of tropical conditions. Exploring species richness. Sampling and measuring biodiversity. Conservation status of ecosystems, communities and species. Indigenous knowledge. | ||
| ENVR 451 | Research in Panama. | 6 |
Research in Panama. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Research projects will be developed by instructors in consultation with Panamanian universities, government agencies and non-governmental organizations. Project groups will consist of four to six students working with a Panamanian institution. Topics will be relevant to Panama: e.g., protection of the Canal watershed, economical alternatives to deforestation, etc. | ||
Panama Field Study Semester - Complementary Courses
6 credits
Complementary courses change from year to year. Students will register for the 6 credits offered the Winter of their participation in the field study semester.
First Winter semester complementary courses:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AGRI 550 | Sustained Tropical Agriculture. | 3 |
Sustained Tropical Agriculture. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Contrast theory and practice in defining agricultural environmental "challenges" in the Neotropics. Indigenous and appropriate technological means of mitigation. Soil management and erosion, water scarcity, water over-abundance, and water quality. Explore agro-ecosystem protection via field trips and project designs. Institutional context of conservation strategies, NGO links, and public participation. | ||
| GEOG 498 | Humans in Tropical Environments. | 3 |
Humans in Tropical Environments. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Focus on understanding of inter-relations between humans and neotropical environments represented in Panama. Study of contemporary rural landscapes, their origins, development and change. Impacts of economic growth and inequality, social organization, and politics on natural resource use and environmental degradation. Site visits and field exercises in peasant/colonist, Amerindian, and plantation communities. | ||
Second Winter semester complementary courses:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GEOG 404 | Environmental Management 2. | 3 |
Environmental Management 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Practical application of environmental planning, analysis and management techniques with reference to the needs and problems of developing areas. Special challenges posed by cultural differences and traditional resource systems are discussed. This course involves practical field work in a developing area (Kenya or Panama). | ||
| HIST 510 | Environmental History of Latin America (Field). | 3 |
Environmental History of Latin America (Field). Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Human-nature interactions over different scales of time in Latin America (with an emphasis on neo-tropical environments) and the application of the historical perspective to contemporary environmental issues, including historiography and methodology; cultures of environmental knowledge. | ||
McGill Arctic Field Study Semester
Required Courses (15 credits)
9 credits
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ATOC 373 | Arctic Climate and Climate Change. | 3 |
Arctic Climate and Climate Change. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Introduction to the principles of Arctic climate and climate change with a special focus on the Canadian Arctic. The primary objectives of the course are to 1)develop an understanding of the presentday high latitude climate, including the atmosphere, the ocean and the sea ice, 2) develop an understanding of the role of the polar regions in the global climate and climate change, and 3) introduce students to field methods of polar research including ice coring, sea-ice buoys installation and data analysis, atmospheric measurements (radiative and turbulent heat fluxes), and ocean hydrographic measurements (e.g. CTD, nets). | ||
| EPSC 373 | Arctic Geology. | 3 |
Arctic Geology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. This course introduces students to the principles of the geology of the Canadian Arctic. The primary objectives of the course are to train students in theory and practice of geology in the Canadian Arctic. Practical training includes drill core logging, surveying, mapping, sample collecting, and geological interpretations. | ||
| GEOG 373 | Arctic Geomorphology. | 3 |
Arctic Geomorphology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Introduction to the principles of periglacial and permafrost science and its field context in the Canadian North. Objectives focus on the geomorphic significance of freezing and frozen ground and training in field methods of permafrost mapping, measurement and interpretation. | ||
and 6 credits from
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ATOC 473 | Artic Field Research. | 6 |
Artic Field Research. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. This course is the independent research component of the McGill Arctic Field Study Semester. It has four distinct parts, a) problem identification and background preparation, b) research design and field data collection, c) lab and data analysis, and d) report preparation and presentation. The research design and field data collection will be part of an extended period of fieldwork based in the Canadian Arctic. The Lab and data analysis will begin in the field and finish on campus. Each student will prepare a manuscript style report and make a conference presentation based on their research. | ||
| EPSC 473 | Arctic Field Research. | 6 |
Arctic Field Research. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. This course is the independent research component of the McGill Arctic Field Study Semester. It has four distinct parts, a) problem identification and background preparation, b) research design and field data collection, c) lab and data analysis, and d) report preparation and presentation. The research design and field data collection will be part of an extended period of fieldwork based in the Canadian Arctic. The Lab and data analysis will begin in the field and finish on campus. Each student will prepare a manuscript style report and make a conference presentation based on their research. | ||
| GEOG 473 | Arctic Field Research. | 6 |
Arctic Field Research. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. This course is the independent research component of the McGill Arctic Field Study Semester. It has four distinct parts, a) problem identification and background preparation, b) research design and field data collection, c) lab and data analysis, and d) report preparation and presentation. The research design and field data collection will be part of an extended period of fieldwork based in the Canadian Arctic. The Lab and data analysis will begin in the field and finish on campus. Each student will prepare a manuscript style report and make a conference presentation based on their research. | ||
Minor Field Studies - Complementary Course
In consultation with their departmental adviser and/or the Field Study Minor adviser, students who have completed one of the field study semesters described above may select a 3-credit complementary course to complete the requirements for the Minor and ask for it to be added to their academic records.
Psychology Minor
Psychology Minor (B.Sc.) (24 credits)
Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)
Degree: Bachelor of Science
Program credit weight: 24
Program Description
A minor program in Psychology is available to students registered in any B.Sc. program other than Psychology. This program is intended to complement a student's primary field of study by providing a focused introduction to specialized topics in psychology.
A separate minor concentration exists for students registered in a program in the Faculty of Arts.
The Minor program for Science students requires the completion of 24 credits in Psychology, of which no more than 6 may overlap with the primary program. All courses in the Minor program must be passed with a minimum grade of C. A prerequisite to the program is PSYC 204 Introduction to Psychological Statistics. or equivalent.
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.
Program Prerequisite (0-3)
Students planning to enter the Minor Psychology program are required to complete PSYC 204 Introduction to Psychological Statistics. 1 or equivalent.
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CEGEP students may not take PSYC 204 Introduction to Psychological Statistics. if they have completed Probability & Statistics or Statistics with a minimum grade of 75%.
Complementary Courses (24 credits)
3 or 6 credits selected from the following:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSYC 211 | Introductory Behavioural Neuroscience. | 3 |
Introductory Behavioural Neuroscience. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An introduction to contemporary research on the relationship between brain and behaviour. Topics include learning, memory and cognition, brain damage and neuroplasticity, emotion and motivation, and drug addiction and brain reward circuits. Much of the evidence will be drawn from the experimental literature on research with animals. | ||
| PSYC 212 | Perception. | 3 |
Perception. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Perception is the organization of sensory input into a representation of the environment. Topics include: survey of sensory coding mechanisms (visual, auditory, tactile, olfactory, gustatory), object recognition, spatial localization, perceptual constancies and higher level influences. | ||
| PSYC 213 | Cognition. | 3 |
Cognition. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Where do thoughts come from? What is the nature of thought, and how does it arise in the mind and the brain? Cognition is the study of human information processing, and we will explore topics such as memory, attention, categorization, decision making, intelligence, philosophy of mind, and the mind-as computer metaphor. | ||
| PSYC 215 | Social Psychology. | 3 |
Social Psychology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The course offers students an overview of the major topics in social psychology. Three levels of analysis are explored beginning with individual processes (e.g., attitudes, attribution), then interpersonal processes (e.g., attraction, communication, love) and finally social influence processes (e.g., conformity, norms, roles, reference groups). | ||
18 or 21 credits selected from Psychology courses at the 300 level or above.
International Agriculture Minor
International Agriculture Minor (B.Sc.(Ag.Env.Sc.)) (24 credits)
Offered by: Agricultural & Env.Sc.-Dean (Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences)
Degree: Bachelor of Science (Agricultural and Environmental Sciences)
Program credit weight: 24
Program Description
Students enter this minor 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.
For information on academic advising, see: http://www.mcgill.ca/macdonald/studentinfo/advising
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 | 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. | ||
| AGRI 411 | 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. | ||
Complementary Courses (18 credits)
Students select 18 credits from either Option A or Option B
Option A
18 credits selected from:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AGEC 333 | Resource Economics. | 3 |
Resource Economics. Terms offered: Fall 2025 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. | ||
| AGEC 430 | Agriculture, Food and Resource Policy. | 3 |
Agriculture, Food and Resource Policy. Terms offered: Winter 2026 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. | ||
| AGRI 215 | Agro-Ecosystems Field Course. | 3 |
Agro-Ecosystems Field Course. Terms offered: Fall 2025 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. | ||
| AGRI 325 | Sustainable Agriculture Field Course | 3 |
Sustainable Agriculture Field Course Terms offered: Summer 2025 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. | ||
| AGRI 499 | Agricultural Development Internship. | 3 |
Agricultural Development Internship. 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. | ||
| 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. | ||
| ENVB 437 | Assessing Environmental Impact. | 3 |
Assessing Environmental Impact. Terms offered: Winter 2026 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. | ||
| FDSC 525 | Food Quality Assurance. | 3 |
Food Quality Assurance. Terms offered: Winter 2026 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. | ||
| 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. | ||
| PARA 410 | Environment and Infection. | 3 |
Environment and Infection. Terms offered: Winter 2026 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. | ||
| 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. | ||
| PLNT 200 | Introduction to Crop Science | 3 |
Introduction to Crop Science Terms offered: Fall 2025 Application of plant science and soil science to production of agronomic and horticultural crops. Use and sustainability of fertilization, weed control, crop rotation, tillage, drainage and irrigation practices. | ||
Option B
15 credits from any of the McGill Field Study Semesters:
Africa Field Study Semester
Barbados Field Study Semester
Barbados Interdisciplinary Tropical Studies Field Semester
Panama Field Study Semester
Plus 3 credits from the list in Option A
Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Minor
Minors for Non-Management Students
The Desautels Faculty of Management has a Management Minor for undergraduate non-Management students to develop a variety of managerial skills that will serve them throughout their chosen careers.
The minor is 18 credits split between a fixed set of required courses and a choice amongst complementary courses. On an exceptional basis, students may be permitted a maximum of one Continuing Studies course for credit within their chosen Management minor.
The application form may be found on the Minor in Management for Non-Management Students website. The application deadline is June 1. Decisions will be communicated early July, whereby students will be informed via their McGill email address. Courses for minors must be passed with grades of C or better. Courses for minors cannot be taken under the Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory option. Students must inform their faculty when they are approved for the minor to ensure timely graduation.
Entrepreneurship Minors for Non-Management Students
Note: This section is under review and the information below may change.
The McGill Faculties of Agricultural and Environmental Science, Arts, Education (Kinesiology and Physical Education), Engineering, Music and Science collaborate with the Desautels Faculty of Management to offer 18-credit Minors in Entrepreneurship for McGill undergraduate students enrolled in those faculties.
Detailed information about the Minors can be found on the faculty page for Entrepreneurship Minors.
Kinesiology Minor
Kinesiology Minor (B.Sc.) (24 credits)
Offered by: Kinesiology and Physical Ed (Faculty of Science)
Degree: Bachelor of Science
Program credit weight: 24
Program Description
The Minor Kinesiology is designed to provide students in B.Sc. programs with basic but comprehensive knowledge of scientific bases of human physical activity and its relationship with health and well-being.
Students registered in the Minor Kinesiology may not take additional courses outside the Faculties of Arts and of Science.
This minor program requires an application due to limited enrolment space. Please see http://www.mcgill.ca/isa/faculty-advising/minor-programs for procedures and deadlines.
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 (15 credits)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDKP 206 | Biomechanics of Human Movement. | 3 |
Biomechanics of Human Movement. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Analysis of fundamental human movement and the kinematic concepts which underlie each: Stability, agility, walking, running, jumping, throwing, absorbing forces, striking, kicking, spinning, twisting, aquatics and work positions. | ||
| EDKP 261 | Motor Development. | 3 |
Motor Development. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Changes apparent in motor behaviour from conception to old age. Two perspectives are emphasized: 1) contemporary and historical theories of human development, 2) development of motor behaviour and influences of physical growth, sensori-perceptual development, information processing and socio-cultural factors. | ||
| EDKP 395 | Exercise Physiology. | 3 |
Exercise Physiology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Examination of the physiological responses of the neuromuscular, metabolic, endocrine, and circulatory and respiratory systems to acute and chronic exercise. | ||
| PHGY 209 | Mammalian Physiology 1. | 3 |
Mammalian Physiology 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Physiology of body fluids, blood, body defense mechanisms, muscle, peripheral, central, and autonomic nervous systems. | ||
| PHGY 210 | Mammalian Physiology 2. | 3 |
Mammalian Physiology 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Physiology of cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, endocrine and renal systems. | ||
Complementary Courses (9 credits)
9 credits, three of the following courses:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDKP 330 | Physical Activity and Public Health. | 3 |
Physical Activity and Public Health. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Introduction to literature on the role of physical activity and general health and well-being. Examination of exercise adherence issues, exercise prescription, and the economic impact of physical fitness programs in the workplace. Epidemiologic literature. Concepts of health promotion and public health. | ||
| EDKP 394 | Historical Perspectives. | 3 |
Historical Perspectives. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A historical survey of the form and function of organized sport and physical activity. | ||
| EDKP 396 | Adapted Physical Activity. | 3 |
Adapted Physical Activity. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Assessment, instruction and evaluation in physical activity for special populations. Emphasis on inclusion of people labelled intellectually disabled, learning disabled, physically awkward, autistic, visually or hearing impaired and physically disabled. Weekly lectures plus practical teaching lab. | ||
| EDKP 405 | Sport in Society. | 3 |
Sport in Society. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An examination of the cultural, social, political and economic factors that influence sport in society. Special attention to the effects of gender, financial constraints and political policies on involvement in physical activity and sports programs. | ||
| EDKP 444 | Ergonomics. | 3 |
Ergonomics. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An examination of ergonomic issues including: injury mechanisms, evaluation and assessment techniques, occupational health and safety legislation, and ergonomic interventions. | ||
| EDKP 445 | Exercise Metabolism. | 3 |
Exercise Metabolism. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The biochemical structure and regulation of major biochemical pathways related to exercise. Examine the hormonal regulation of lipid, carbohydrate and protein metabolism during short and prolonged exercise as well as the influence of physical training. Examine gender-related differences and exercise metabolism. | ||
| EDKP 446 | Physical Activity and Ageing. | 3 |
Physical Activity and Ageing. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Review of ageing-related changes in circulatory, respiratory, neuromuscular, hormonal, metabolic and immune systems as they relate to functional limitations and the physiological responses to acute and chronic exercise. Examination of the role of exercise in mitigating ageing response. | ||
| EDKP 447 | Motor Control. | 3 |
Motor Control. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Basic concepts of neuromuscular control of human limb movement. Neural circuitry of sensorimotor networks in the spinal cord and brains. Principles of feedback and feedforward control of body mechanics. Neural mechanisms of motor learning and adaptation. | ||
| EDKP 448 | Exercise and Health Psychology. | 3 |
Exercise and Health Psychology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The psychological aspects of health and participation in exercise and physical activity. The application of psychological knowledge and methodology within exercise and health. Theory and evidence on selected topics in this area of study. | ||
| EDKP 449 | Neuromuscular and Inflammatory Pathophysiology. | 3 |
Neuromuscular and Inflammatory Pathophysiology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Review of the physiological bases of selected disorders of the immune, renal, neurological and muscular-skeletal systems and an examination of the particularities of exercise responses and the effects of exercise conditioning in these populations. A special emphasis on the scientific bases for exercise prescription. | ||
| EDKP 485 | Cardiopulmonary Exercise Pathophysiology. | 3 |
Cardiopulmonary Exercise Pathophysiology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The physiological bases of selected cardiovascular, respiratory and metabolic disorders and an examination of the particularities of exercise responses and the effects of exercise conditioning in these populations. A special emphasis on the scientific bases for exercise prescription. | ||
| EDKP 495 | Scientific Principles of Training. | 3 |
Scientific Principles of Training. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Application of physiological and kinesiological principles in the selection and evaluation of athletic and physical fitness programs. Specific topics studied will include aerobic and anaerobic training, interval training, circuit training, weight training for muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, motor ability, obesity and energy balance. | ||
| EDKP 498 | Sport Psychology. | 3 |
Sport Psychology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The psychological aspects of participation in sport and physical activity relative to performance enhancement. | ||
| EDKP 566 | Advanced Biomechanics | 3 |
Advanced Biomechanics Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Examination of biomechanical applications in various contexts such as clinical, ergonomic, sport, aging, comparative, robotics. | ||
Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Minor
Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Minor (B.Sc.) (24 credits)
Offered by: Science (Faculty of Science)
Degree: Bachelor of Science; Bachelor of Arts and Science
Program credit weight: 24
Degree: Bachelor of Science; Bachelor of Arts and Science
Program credit weight: 24
Program Description
The Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Minor will allow students from the earth, physical, math, and computational science areas to broaden their studies with some basic life sciences, health social science, and empirical technological science. The Minor is 24 credits and allows students flexibility in their course selections. Students must take 9 credits from an extensive list of basic life science courses, 3 credits from an extensive list of health and social science courses, and 3 credits from an empirical and technological science list. The remaining 9 credits may be taken from courses listed in any of the three categories.
Please note: Students studying in Anatomy and Cell Biology; Biochemistry; Honours Immunology; Microbiology and Immunology; Neuroscience; Pharmacology; and Physiology are not permitted to complete this Minor.
Interested students should contact the Interdisciplinary Programs Adviser.
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.
Complementary Courses (24 credits)
The 24 credits required for this program must satisfy the following criteria:
At least 18 credits must be outside the student's main discipline.
Depth requirement:
at least 6 credits must be at the 300 level or above.
Breadth requirement:
at least 9 credits must be taken from the Basic Life Sciences List,
at least 3 credits from the Health Social Sciences List,
at least 3 credits from the Empirical Science and Technology List.
The remaining 9 credits may be selected from any of the lists.
Basic Life Sciences
At least 9 credits from:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ANAT 212 | Molecular Mechanisms of Cell Function. 1 | 3 |
Molecular Mechanisms of Cell Function. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An introductory course describing the biochemistry and molecular biology of selected key functions of animal cells, including: gene expression; mitochondrial production of metabolic energy; cellular communication with the extra-cellular environment; and regulation of cell division. | ||
| ANAT 214 | Systemic Human Anatomy. | 3 |
Systemic Human Anatomy. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Introduction to the gross anatomy of the various organ systems of head, neck and trunk regions of the human body. Emphasis on functional anatomy. Laboratory component includes exploration of the human body through cadaveric prosections, imaging and other materials. | ||
| ANAT 261 | Introduction to Dynamic Histology. | 4 |
Introduction to Dynamic Histology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An introduction to light and electron microscopic anatomy in which cell and tissue dynamics will be explored in the principal tissues and organs of the body. | ||
| ANAT 262 | Introductory Molecular and Cell Biology. | 3 |
Introductory Molecular and Cell Biology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The architectural, functional and temporal continuity of organelles and the cytoskeleton of mammalian cells is introduced as well as their functional integration in the phenomena of exocytosis, endocytosis, protein trafficking and cell motility and adhesion. | ||
| ANAT 321 | Circuitry of the Human Brain. | 3 |
Circuitry of the Human Brain. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. This course explores the functional organization of the human brain and spinal cord. The course focuses on how neuronal systems are designed to subserve specific motor, sensory, and cognitive operations. | ||
| ANAT 365 | Cellular Trafficking. | 3 |
Cellular Trafficking. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. This course explores the fundamental mechanisms that govern the organizations of intracellular membranes, how vesicle generation is signaled, how the membranes curve and bud, and how vesicles know where to go and fuse. In addition to intracellular vesicles, the principles of mitochondrial dynamics and process of cellular autophagy are examined. Also, there is a focus on "Applied Cell Biology", with respect to how the exquisite regulation of cellular transport plays a central role in complex biological systems. A series of modules will take students through the mechanisms of cellular polarity, neurotransmission, metabolic cell biology, pathogen invasion, and more. The emphasis is on the morphological aspects of the processes, and on the major techniques that led to discovery. | ||
| ANAT 381 | Experimental Embryology. | 3 |
Experimental Embryology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The basic processes of reproduction and embryonic development, such as molecular signaling; cell-cell interaction; differentiation; cell fate determination; genetic and epigenetic control of embryonic development. | ||
| BIOC 212 | Molecular Mechanisms of Cell Function. 1 | 3 |
Molecular Mechanisms of Cell Function. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An introductory course describing the biochemistry and molecular biology of selected key functions of animal cells, including: gene expression; mitochondrial production of metabolic energy; cellular communication with the extra-cellular environment; and regulation of cell division. | ||
| BIOC 311 | Metabolic Biochemistry. | 3 |
Metabolic Biochemistry. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The generation of metabolic energy in higher organisms with an emphasis on its regulation at the molecular, cellular and organ level. Chemical concepts and mechanisms of enzymatic catalysis are also emphasized. Included: selected topics in carbohydrate, lipid and nitrogen metabolism; complex lipids and biological membranes; hormonal signal transduction. | ||
| BIOC 450 | Protein Structure and Function. | 3 |
Protein Structure and Function. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary structure of enzymes. Active site mapping and site-specific mutagenesis of enzymes. Enzyme kinetics and mechanisms of catalysis. Multienzyme complexes. | ||
| BIOC 458 | Membranes and Cellular Signaling. | 3 |
Membranes and Cellular Signaling. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An integrated treatment of the properties of biological membranes and of intracellular signaling, including the major role that membranes play in transducing and integrating cellular regulatory signals. Biological membrane organization and dynamics: membrane transport; membrane receptors and their associated effectors; mechanisms of regulation of cell growth, morphology, differentiation and death. | ||
| BIOL 200 | Molecular Biology. | 3 |
Molecular Biology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The physical and chemical properties of the cell and its components in relation to their structure and function. Topics include: protein structure, enzymes and enzyme kinetics; nucleic acid replication, transcription and translation; the genetic code, mutation, recombination, and regulation of gene expression. | ||
| BIOL 201 | Cell Biology and Metabolism. | 3 |
Cell Biology and Metabolism. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. This course introduces the student to our modern understanding of cells and how they work. Major topics to be covered include: photosynthesis, energy metabolism and metabolic integration; plasma membrane including secretion, endocytosis and contact mediated interactions between cells; cytoskeleton including cell and organelle movement; the nervous system; hormone signaling; the cell cycle. | ||
| BIOL 202 | Basic Genetics. | 3 |
Basic Genetics. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Introduction to basic principles, and to modern advances, problems and applications in the genetics of higher and lower organisms with examples representative of the biological sciences. | ||
| BIOL 300 | Molecular Biology of the Gene. | 3 |
Molecular Biology of the Gene. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A survey of current knowledge and approaches in the area of regulation of gene expression, post-transcriptional control of gene expression, and signal transduction. | ||
| BIOL 301 | Cell and Molecular Laboratory. | 4 |
Cell and Molecular Laboratory. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An introduction to biology research and communication with a focus on cell and molecular biology. Through conducting a series of project-based experiments and writing a final report, molecular and synthetic biology techniques such as gene cloning, manipulation, protein isolation and characterization and how research is conducted, analyzed and communicated will be addressed. In addition, an introduction to bioinformatics methods and their role in analysis will be provided. | ||
| BIOL 303 | Developmental Biology. | 3 |
Developmental Biology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A consideration of the fundamental processes and principles operating during embryogenesis. Experimental analyses at the molecular, cellular, and organismal levels will be presented and discussed to provide an overall appreciation of developmental phenomena. | ||
| BIOL 306 | Neural Basis of Behaviour. | 3 |
Neural Basis of Behaviour. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Neural mechanisms of animal behaviour; neuroethology; cellular neurophysiology, integrative networks within nervous systems; neural control of movement; processing of sensory information. | ||
| BIOL 314 | Molecular Biology of Cancer. | 3 |
Molecular Biology of Cancer. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The molecular basis of human cancers, including analyzing the events that promote the formation of oncogenes and inhibit tumour suppressor genes, the biochemical properties of the proteins encoded by these genes, and their functions. Current molecular targets for cancer therapy and the concepts and consequences of inheriting mutations in genes that predispose to cancer. | ||
| BIOL 320 | Evolution of Brain and Behaviour. | 3 |
Evolution of Brain and Behaviour. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Functional and comparative approach to neuroanatomy, examining how species changes in brain organization contribute to evolutionary changes in behaviour. | ||
| CHEM 212 | Introductory Organic Chemistry 1. | 4 |
Introductory Organic Chemistry 1. Terms offered: Summer 2025 A fundamental study of aliphatic compounds and saturated functional groups including modern concepts of bonding, reaction mechanisms, conformational analysis, spectroscopy, and stereochemistry. | ||
| CHEM 222 | Introductory Organic Chemistry 2. | 4 |
Introductory Organic Chemistry 2. Terms offered: Summer 2025 Modern spectroscopic techniques for structure determination. The chemistry of alcohols, ethers, carbonyl compounds, and amines, with special attention to mechanistic aspects. Special topics. | ||
| CHEM 302 | Introductory Organic Chemistry 3. | 3 |
Introductory Organic Chemistry 3. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Topics covered may include the following: Aromatic compounds, heterocyclic chemistry, sulfur and phosphorus chemistry, organosulfur and organophosphorus compounds, and biomolecules such as lipids, carbohydrates, amino acids, polypeptides, DNA and RNA. | ||
| CHEM 502 | Advanced Bio-Organic Chemistry. | 3 |
Advanced Bio-Organic Chemistry. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. This course will cover biologically relevant molecules, particularly nucleic acids, proteins, and their building blocks. In each case, synthesis and biological functions will be discussed. The topics include synthesis of oligonucleotides and peptides; chemistry of phosphates; enzyme structure and function; coenzymes, and enzyme catalysis; polyketides; antiviral and anticancer agents. | ||
| CHEM 503 | Drug Discovery. | 3 |
Drug Discovery. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The aim of this course is to provide an introduction to the overall drug discovery process. The main focus of the course will be on medicinal chemistry, synthesis and catalysis, as they relate to large-scale production of pharmaceutical agents. However, other aspects of drug discovery, including structural research (e.g. NMR, X-ray), biochemistry, drug metabolism and bioavailability will also be included. | ||
| EXMD 401 | Physiology and Biochemistry Endocrine Systems. | 3 |
Physiology and Biochemistry Endocrine Systems. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Offered in conjunction with the Department of Physiology. The course provides a basic knowledge of endocrine systems encompassing biosynthesis, metabolism and physiological actions of hormones. Specific topics covered are hormones of the hypothalamus, pituitary, adrenals, thyroids, parathyroids, pancreas, gut and the gonads. The role of hormones and growth factors in pregnancy and fetal development are also discussed. | ||
| MIMM 211 | Introductory Microbiology. | 3 |
Introductory Microbiology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A general treatment of microbiology bearing specifically on the biological properties of microorganisms. Emphasis will be on procaryotic cells. Basic principles of microbial genetics are also introduced. | ||
| MIMM 214 | Introductory Immunology: Elements of Immunity. | 3 |
Introductory Immunology: Elements of Immunity. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Basic immunology, organs and cells, elements of innate immunity, phagocytes, complement, elements of adaptive immunity, B-cells, T-cells, antigen presenting cells, MHC genes and molecules, antigen processing and presentation, cytokines and chemokines. Emphasis on anatomy and the molecular and cellular players working together as a physiological system to maintain human health. | ||
| MIMM 314 | Intermediate Immunology. | 3 |
Intermediate Immunology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An intermediate-level immunology course covering the cellular and molecular basis of lymphocyte development and activation in immune responses in health and disease. | ||
| MIMM 323 | Microbial Physiology. | 3 |
Microbial Physiology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An introduction to the composition and structure of microbial cells, the biochemical activities associated with cellular metabolism and how these activities are regulated and coordinated. The course will have a molecular and genetic approach to the study of microbial physiology. | ||
| MIMM 324 | Fundamental Virology. | 3 |
Fundamental Virology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A study of the fundamental properties of viruses and their interactions with host cells. Bacteriophages, DNA- and RNA-containing animal viruses, and retroviruses are covered. Emphasis will be on phenomena occurring at the molecular level and on the regulated control of gene expression in virus-infected cells. | ||
| MIMM 387 | The Business of Science. | 3 |
The Business of Science. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The ability to select and manipulate genetic material has led to unprecedented interest in the industrial applications of procaryotic and eucaryotic cells. Beginning in the 1970s the introduction of and subsequent refinements to recombinant DNA technology and hybridoma technology transformed the horizons of the biopharmaceutical world. This course will highlight the important events that link basic research to clinical/commercial application of new drugs and chemicals. | ||
| MIMM 465 | Bacterial Pathogenesis. | 3 |
Bacterial Pathogenesis. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Familiarizes students with key principles and recent advances in our understanding of the strategies that bacteria use to infect and cause disease, as well as the approaches used in the prevention and treatment of bacterial infections. | ||
| MIMM 466 | Viral Pathogenesis. | 3 |
Viral Pathogenesis. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A study of the biological and molecular aspects of viral pathogenesis with emphasis on the human pathogenic viruses including the retroviruses HIV and HTLV-1; herpes viruses; papilloma viruses; hepatitis viruses; and new emerging human viral diseases. These viruses will be discussed in terms of virus multiplication, gene expression virus-induced cytopathic effects and host immune response to infection. | ||
| NSCI 201 | Introduction to Neuroscience 2. | 3 |
Introduction to Neuroscience 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An introduction to how the nervous system acquires and integrates information and uses it to produce behaviour. | ||
| NUTR 307 | Metabolism and Human Nutrition. | 3 |
Metabolism and Human Nutrition. Terms offered: Fall 2025 This course looks at the importance of nutrition from the molecular to the organismal levels in human health and disease. The focus will be on the significance of nutrients in regulating metabolism, and impact of genotype in the metabolism of nutrients. | ||
| PATH 300 | Human Disease. | 3 |
Human Disease. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Provides a fundamental understanding of the diseases prevalent in North America, for upper level students in the biological sciences. Includes: general responses of cells and organ systems to injury; assessment of individual diseases by relating the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and prevention to the primary biological abnormalities in each disorder. | ||
| PHAR 300 | Drug Action. | 3 |
Drug Action. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Principles of pharmacology and toxicology. Frequently encountered drugs will be used as a focus to illustrate sites and mechanisms of action, distribution, metabolism, elimination and adverse side effects. | ||
| PHAR 301 | Drugs and Disease. | 3 |
Drugs and Disease. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. This course further explores the basic principles of pharmacology as illustrated by drugs used in the treatment of disease. Emphasis is placed on drugs used for diseases prevalent in North America. | ||
| PHAR 303 | Principles of Toxicology. | 3 |
Principles of Toxicology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Fundamental mechanisms by which toxic compounds damage a biological system (organelle, cell, organ, organism, ecosystem). Detection and quantification of toxicity and risk/benefit analysis are considered. Selected agents of current risk to human health or the environment are evaluated in depth. | ||
| PHAR 503 | Drug Discovery and Development 1. | 3 |
Drug Discovery and Development 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Chemistry, mechanisms of action, and steps in drug discovery and development. | ||
| PHAR 504 | Drug Discovery and Development 2. | 3 |
Drug Discovery and Development 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Nobel Prize-winning discoveries as a basis for drug development. | ||
| PHGY 209 | Mammalian Physiology 1. | 3 |
Mammalian Physiology 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Physiology of body fluids, blood, body defense mechanisms, muscle, peripheral, central, and autonomic nervous systems. | ||
| PHGY 210 | Mammalian Physiology 2. | 3 |
Mammalian Physiology 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Physiology of cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, endocrine and renal systems. | ||
| PHGY 311 | Channels, Synapses and Hormones. | 3 |
Channels, Synapses and Hormones. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. In-depth presentation of experimental results and hypotheses on cellular communication in the nervous system and the endocrine system. | ||
| PHGY 312 | Respiratory, Renal, and Cardiovascular Physiology. | 3 |
Respiratory, Renal, and Cardiovascular Physiology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. In-depth presentation of experimental results and hypotheses underlying our current understanding of topics in renal, respiratory and cardiovascular functions explored beyond the introductory level. | ||
| PHGY 313 | Blood, Gastrointestinal, and Immune Systems Physiology. | 3 |
Blood, Gastrointestinal, and Immune Systems Physiology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. In-depth presentation of experimental results and hypotheses underlying our current understanding of topics in immunology, blood and fluids, and gastrointestinal physiology. | ||
| PHGY 314 | Integrative Neuroscience. | 3 |
Integrative Neuroscience. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. In depth presentation of experimental results and hypotheses underlying our current understanding of how single neurons and ensembles of neurons encode sensory information, generate movement, and control cognitive functions such as emotion, learning, and memory, during voluntary behaviours. | ||
| PSYC 211 | Introductory Behavioural Neuroscience. | 3 |
Introductory Behavioural Neuroscience. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An introduction to contemporary research on the relationship between brain and behaviour. Topics include learning, memory and cognition, brain damage and neuroplasticity, emotion and motivation, and drug addiction and brain reward circuits. Much of the evidence will be drawn from the experimental literature on research with animals. | ||
| PSYC 311 | Human Cognition and the Brain. | 3 |
Human Cognition and the Brain. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The course is an introduction to the field studying how human cognitive processes, such as perception, attention, language, learning and memory, planning and organization, are related to brain processes. The material covered is primarily based on studies of the effects of different brain lesions on cognition and studies of brain activity in relation to cognitive processes with modern functional neuroimaging methods. | ||
| PSYC 317 | Genes and Behaviour. | 3 |
Genes and Behaviour. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Focuses on current techniques employed to study which genes influence behaviour, and how they do so. | ||
| PSYC 318 | Behavioural Neuroscience 2. | 3 |
Behavioural Neuroscience 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The physiological bases of motivational states, with respect to feeding, drinking, sexual behaviour, drug use, and aggression. Physiological bases of learning and memory. | ||
| PSYC 342 | Hormones and Behaviour. | 3 |
Hormones and Behaviour. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The role of hormones in organization of CNS function, as effectors of behaviour, in expression of behaviours and in mental illness. | ||
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Students take either ANAT 212 Molecular Mechanisms of Cell Function. or BIOC 212 Molecular Mechanisms of Cell Function., but not both.
Health Social Science
At least 3 credits from:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ANTH 204 | Anthropology of Meaning. | 3 |
Anthropology of Meaning. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Through the analysis of language, symbols and cultural constructions of meaning, this course explores how people in different societies make sense of their world, and the ways in which they organise that knowledge, and how ideologies represent the different interests present in a society. | ||
| ANTH 227 | Medical Anthropology. | 3 |
Medical Anthropology. Terms offered: Summer 2025 Beliefs and practices concerning sickness and healing are examined in a variety of Western and non-Western settings. Special attention is given to cultural constructions of the body and to theories of disease causation and healing efficacy. Topics include international health, medical pluralism, transcultural psychiatry, and demography. | ||
| ANTH 302 | New Horizons in Medical Anthropology. | 3 |
New Horizons in Medical Anthropology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Using recent ethnographies as textual material, this course will cover theoretical and methodological developments in medical anthropology since the early 1990's. Topics include a reconsideration of the relationship between culture and biology, medical pluralism revisited, globalization and health and disease, and social implications of new biomedical technologies. | ||
| ANTH 314 | Psychological Anthropology 01. | 3 |
Psychological Anthropology 01. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A survey of current theories and methods employed in psychological anthropology. Some areas considered are: cross-cultural studies of socialization and personality development; cultural factors in mental illness; individual adaptations to rapid socio-cultural change. | ||
| ECON 440 | Health Economics. | 3 |
Health Economics. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The organization and performance of Canada's health care system are examined from an economist's perspective. The system is described and its special features analyzed. Much attention is given to the role of government in the system and to financing arrangements for hospital and medical services. Current financial problems are discussed. | ||
| GEOG 221 | Environment and Health. | 3 |
Environment and Health. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. This course introduced physical and social environments as factors in human health, with emphasis on the physical properties of the atmospheric environment as they interact with diverse human populations in urban settings. | ||
| GEOG 303 | Health Geography. | 3 |
Health Geography. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Discussion of the research questions and methods of health geography. Particular emphasis on health inequalities at multiple geographic scales and the theoretical links between characteristics of places and the health of people. | ||
| HIST 249 | Health and the Healer in Western History. | 3 |
Health and the Healer in Western History. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The natural history of health and disease and the development of the healing arts, from antiquity to the beginning of modern times. The rise of "western" medicine. Health and healing as gradually evolving aspects of society and culture. | ||
| HIST 335 | Science and Medicine in Canada. | 3 |
Science and Medicine in Canada. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The social and intellectual history of science and medicine in Canada, from early exploration, through the rise of learned societies, universities and professional organizations, to World War II. | ||
| HIST 350 | Science and the Enlightenment. | 3 |
Science and the Enlightenment. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Explores the relationship between the natural sciences and the eighteenth-century Enlightenment. Examination of works in post-Newtonian science as well as their broader cultural meaning, the history of material practices, the origins of social science, and the role of geography and international context beyond Western Europe. | ||
| HIST 381 | Colonial Africa. | 3 |
Colonial Africa. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An overview of the history of foreign intervention and anticolonial resistance in 19th and 20th century Africa. Topics include: theories of colonialism, the scramble for Africa, colonialism and disease, indirect rule, labour, nationalism and resistance, and changing gender roles. | ||
| HIST 424 | Gender, Sexuality and Medicine. | 3 |
Gender, Sexuality and Medicine. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Gender, sexuality, and medicine since the colonial era, with a focus on North American experience. Topics will include reproductive medicine (puberty, childbirth, fertility control, menopause), changing perceptions of men's and women's health needs and risks, and ideas about sexual behaviour and identity. | ||
| HSEL 308 | Issues in Women's Health. | 3 |
Issues in Women's Health. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Exploration of a wide range of topics on the health of women. Topics include use of health care system, poverty, roles, immigration, body image, lesbian health, and violence against women. Additional topics vary by year. A Health Science elective open to students in the Faculties of Arts, Science, and Medicine. | ||
| HSEL 309 | Women's Reproductive Health. | 3 |
Women's Reproductive Health. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Concepts of health and medicalization. Canadian and international perspectives. Topics include contraception, abortion, infertility, menstruation, menopause, new reproductive technologies, prenatal care, childbirth. Additional topics vary by year. A Health Science elective open to students in the Faculties of Arts, Science, and Medicine. | ||
| PHIL 237 | Contemporary Moral Issues. | 3 |
Contemporary Moral Issues. Terms offered: Summer 2025 An introductory discussion of central ethical questions (the value of persons, or the relationship of rights and utilities, for example) through the investigation of currently disputed social and political issues. Specific issues to be discussed may include pornography and censorship, affirmative action, civil disobedience, punishment, abortion, and euthanasia. | ||
| PHIL 343 | Biomedical Ethics. | 3 |
Biomedical Ethics. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An investigation of ethical issues as they arise in the practice of medicine (informed consent, e.g.) or in the application of medical technology (in vitro fertilization, euthanasia, e.g.) | ||
| POLI 417 | Health Care in Canada. | 3 |
Health Care in Canada. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. This course analyzes the theory and politics of health policy and institutions, comparing provincial models and contextualizing Canadian systems with international perspectives from the U.S. and Europe. Current health reform debates will be explored, particularly those involving federal-provincial relations, sustainable financing and the role of the state in social protection. | ||
| PSYC 215 | Social Psychology. | 3 |
Social Psychology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The course offers students an overview of the major topics in social psychology. Three levels of analysis are explored beginning with individual processes (e.g., attitudes, attribution), then interpersonal processes (e.g., attraction, communication, love) and finally social influence processes (e.g., conformity, norms, roles, reference groups). | ||
| PSYC 304 | Child Development. | 3 |
Child Development. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Psychology of children, covering critical issues, theories, biological underpinnings, experimental methods, and findings in perceptual, cognitive, language, emotional, and social development. | ||
| PSYC 333 | Personality and Social Psychology. | 3 |
Personality and Social Psychology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The course builds on and is an extension of Social Psychology (PSYC 215). Traditional approaches to person-situation interactions and a more dynamic approach based on recent research on goals and social cognition. | ||
| PSYC 412 | Child Development: Psychopathology . | 3 |
Child Development: Psychopathology . Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Introduction to the field of behavior disorders of childhood and adolescence, including core issues, theoretical and methodological underpinnings, descriptions and discussions of many disorders, clinical and research data, and treatment approaches. Three major assumptions will be woven through the course. | ||
| PSYC 413 | Cognitive Development. | 3 |
Cognitive Development. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. In-depth exploration of cognitive development in infants and children including knowledge representation and processing, conceptual development, language development, and theories and principles of cognitive development. | ||
| PSYC 414 | Social Development. | 3 |
Social Development. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Advanced study of the development of social behaviour and social cognition in children. Topics include: socialization, attachment, aggression, exploration, role taking, communication, family and peer relations, self and person perception. The development of these social processes within the framework of three general theories of development: behaviour genetics, learning, and cognitive-developmental. | ||
| SOCI 225 | Medicine and Health in Modern Society. | 3 |
Medicine and Health in Modern Society. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Socio-medical problems and ways in which sociological analysis and research are being used to understand and deal with them. Canadian and Québec problems include: poverty and health; mental illness; aging; death and dying; professionalism; health service organization. | ||
| SOCI 309 | Health and Illness. | 3 |
Health and Illness. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Health and illness as social rather than purely bio-medical phenomena. Topics include: studies of ill persons, health care occupations and organizations; poverty and health; inequalities in access to and use of health services; recent policies, ideologies, and problems in reform of health services organization. | ||
| SOCI 310 | Sociology of Mental Health. | 3 |
Sociology of Mental Health. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Three broad areas of sociological research on mental health and illness: definitions and measurement; social origins; and societal responses. Mental health and illness as a product of social circumstances. | ||
| SOCI 365 | Health and Development. | 3 |
Health and Development. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Main concepts and controversies linking health to broader social and economic conditions in low income countries. Topics include the demographic and epidemiological transitions, the health and wealth conundrum, the social determinants of health, health as an economic development strategy, and the impact of the AIDS pandemic. | ||
| SOCI 515 | Medicine and Society. | 3 |
Medicine and Society. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The sociology of health and illness. Reading in areas of interest, such as: the sociology of illness, health services occupations, organizational settings of health care, the politics of change in national health service systems, and contemporary ethical issues in medical care and research. | ||
| SOCI 525 | Health Care Systems in Comparative Perspective. | 3 |
Health Care Systems in Comparative Perspective. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Comparative perspective to illustrate processes involved in the development and evolution of health care systems around the world. Countries examined will represent different welfare state regimes, health care system typologies, levels of development and wealth. | ||
| SOCI 538 | Selected Topics in Sociology of Biomedical Knowledge. | 3 |
Selected Topics in Sociology of Biomedical Knowledge. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The seminar will examine recent work in the sociology of biomedical knowledge. It will focus on the technological shaping of biomedical knowledge, i.e., on the impact of new technologies and equipments on the development of biomedical knowledge. | ||
Empirical Science and Technology
At least 3 credits from:
Credit given for statistics courses is subject to certain restrictions. Students should consult the "Course Overlap" information in the "Course Requirements" section for the Faculty of Science.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 309 | Mathematical Models in Biology. | 3 |
Mathematical Models in Biology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Application of finite difference and differential equations to problems in cell and developmental biology, ecology and physiology. Qualitative, quantitative and graphical techniques are used to analyze mathematical models and to compare theoretical predictions with experimental data. | ||
| BIOL 373 | Biometry. | 3 |
Biometry. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Elementary statistical methods in biology. Introduction to the analysis of biological data with emphasis on the assumptions behind statistical tests and models. Use of statistical techniques typically available on computer packages. | ||
| COMP 202 | Foundations of Programming. | 3 |
Foundations of Programming. Terms offered: Summer 2025 Introduction to computer programming in a high level language: variables, expressions, primitive types, methods, conditionals, loops. Introduction to algorithms, data structures (arrays, strings), modular software design, libraries, file input/output, debugging, exception handling. Selected topics. | ||
| COMP 462 | Computational Biology Methods. | 3 |
Computational Biology Methods. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Application of computer science techniques to problems arising in biology and medicine, techniques for modeling evolution, aligning molecular sequences, predicting structure of a molecule and other problems from computational biology. | ||
| GEOG 202 | Statistics and Spatial Analysis. | 3 |
Statistics and Spatial Analysis. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Exploratory data analysis, univariate descriptive and inferential statistics, non-parametric statistics, correlation and simple regression. Problems associated with analysing spatial data such as the 'modifiable areal unit problem' and spatial autocorrelation. Statistics measuring spatial pattern in point, line and polygon data. | ||
| MATH 203 | Principles of Statistics 1. | 3 |
Principles of Statistics 1. Terms offered: Summer 2025 Examples of statistical data and the use of graphical means to summarize the data. Basic distributions arising in the natural and behavioural sciences. The logical meaning of a test of significance and a confidence interval. Tests of significance and confidence intervals in the one and two sample setting (means, variances and proportions). | ||
| MATH 204 | Principles of Statistics 2. | 3 |
Principles of Statistics 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The concept of degrees of freedom and the analysis of variability. Planning of experiments. Experimental designs. Polynomial and multiple regressions. Statistical computer packages (no previous computing experience is needed). General statistical procedures requiring few assumptions about the probability model. | ||
| MATH 323 | Probability. | 3 |
Probability. Terms offered: Summer 2025 Sample space, events, conditional probability, independence of events, Bayes' Theorem. Basic combinatorial probability, random variables, discrete and continuous univariate and multivariate distributions. Independence of random variables. Inequalities, weak law of large numbers, central limit theorem. | ||
| MATH 324 | Statistics. 1 | 3 |
Statistics. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Sampling distributions, point and interval estimation, hypothesis testing, analysis of variance, contingency tables, nonparametric inference, regression, Bayesian inference. | ||
| PSYC 204 | Introduction to Psychological Statistics. | 3 |
Introduction to Psychological Statistics. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The statistical analysis of research data; frequency distributions; graphic representation; measures of central tendency and variability; elementary sampling theory and tests of significance. | ||
| PSYC 305 | Statistics for Experimental Design. | 3 |
Statistics for Experimental Design. Terms offered: Summer 2025 An introduction to the design and analysis of experiments, including analysis of variance, planned and post hoc tests and a comparison of anova to correlational analysis. | ||
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Students who have already received credit for MATH 324 Statistics. will NOT receive credit for GEOG 202 Statistics and Spatial Analysis., MATH 203 Principles of Statistics 1., PSYC 204 Introduction to Psychological Statistics., BIOL 373 Biometry., MATH 204 Principles of Statistics 2., or PSYC 305 Statistics for Experimental Design..
International Development Studies Minor
International Development Studies Minor Concentration (B.A.) (18 credits)
Offered by: Inst for the St of Development (Faculty of Arts)
Degree: Bachelor of Arts; Bachelor of Arts and Science
Program credit weight: 18
Program Description
The B.A.; Minor Concentration in International Development Studies focuses on the many challenges facing developing countries, including issues related to socio-economic inequalities and well being, governance, peace and conflict, environment and sustainability, and key development-related themes.
NOTE: At least 9 of the 18 credits must be at the 300 level or above.
Students who are pursuing a Field Studies program can have a portion of their Field Studies courses count towards their IDS program. See Adviser in office for details.
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 (9 credits)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ECON 208 | Microeconomic Analysis and Applications. | 3 |
Microeconomic Analysis and Applications. Terms offered: Summer 2025 A university-level introduction to demand and supply, consumer behaviour, production theory, market structures and income distribution theory. | ||
| ECON 313 | Economic Development 1. | 3 |
Economic Development 1. Terms offered: Summer 2025 Microeconomic theories of economic development and empirical evidence on population, labour, firms, poverty. Inequality and environment. | ||
| INTD 200 | Introduction to International Development. | 3 |
Introduction to International Development. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An interdisciplinary introduction to the field of International Development Studies focusing on the theory and practice of development. It examines various approaches to international development, including past and present relationships between developed and underdeveloped societies, and pays particular attention to power and resource distribution globally and within nations. | ||
Complementary Courses (9 credits)
Thematic
- 9 credits from the following:
African Studies
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AFRI 200 | Introduction to African Studies. | 3 |
Introduction to African Studies. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The African experience and current approaches to African studies, through adopting multidisciplinary perspectives on topics that include political conflict, governance and democratization, environment and conservation, economic development, rural life and urbanism, health and illness, gender, social change, popular culture, literature, film, and the arts. | ||
Agriculture
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AGRI 411 | 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. | ||
Agricultural Economics
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AGEC 430 | Agriculture, Food and Resource Policy. | 3 |
Agriculture, Food and Resource Policy. Terms offered: Winter 2026 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. | ||
| 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. | ||
Anthropology
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ANTH 202 | Socio-Cultural Anthropology. | 3 |
Socio-Cultural Anthropology. Terms offered: Summer 2025 An introduction to ways of understanding what it means to be human from the perspective of socio-cultural anthropology. Students will be introduced to diverse approaches to this question through engagement with a wide range of ethnographic cases. | ||
| ANTH 206 | Environment and Culture. | 3 |
Environment and Culture. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Introduction to ecological anthropology, focusing on social and cultural adaptations to different environments, human impact on the environment, cultural constructions of the environment, management of common resources, and conflict over the use of resources. | ||
| ANTH 207 | Ethnography Through Film. | 3 |
Ethnography Through Film. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. This course will investigate and discuss cultural systems, patterns, and differences, and the ways in which they are observed, visually represented, and communicated by anthropologists using film and video. The visual representation of cultures will be critically evaluated by asking questions about perspective, authenticity, ethnographic authority and ethics. | ||
| ANTH 209 | Anthropology of Religion. | 3 |
Anthropology of Religion. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Nature and function of religion in culture. Systems of belief; the interpretation of ritual. Religion and symbolism. The relation of religion to social organization. Religious change and social movements. | ||
| ANTH 212 | Anthropology of Development. | 3 |
Anthropology of Development. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Processes of developmental change, as they affect small communities in the Third World and in unindustrialized parts of developed countries. Problems of technological change, political integration, population growth, industrialization, urban growth, social services, infrastructure and economic dependency. | ||
| ANTH 214 | Violence, Warfare, Culture. | 3 |
Violence, Warfare, Culture. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Cultural diversity and comparative perspectives on violence and warfare; sociological, political, materialist, psychological, and ideological explanations of conflict. Examines historical and contemporary cases of warfare in state and pre-state societies; 'ethnic', civil, nationalist secessionist and genocidal forms of conflicts; processes of conflict avoidance and resolution, peace-making and -keeping. | ||
| ANTH 222 | Legal Anthropology. | 3 |
Legal Anthropology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Exploration of dispute resolutions and means of social cohesion in various societies of the world. Themes: dichotomy between law and custom, local definitions of justice and rights, forms of conflict resolution, access to justice, gender and law, universality of human rights, legal pluralism. | ||
| ANTH 227 | Medical Anthropology. | 3 |
Medical Anthropology. Terms offered: Summer 2025 Beliefs and practices concerning sickness and healing are examined in a variety of Western and non-Western settings. Special attention is given to cultural constructions of the body and to theories of disease causation and healing efficacy. Topics include international health, medical pluralism, transcultural psychiatry, and demography. | ||
| ANTH 302 | New Horizons in Medical Anthropology. | 3 |
New Horizons in Medical Anthropology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Using recent ethnographies as textual material, this course will cover theoretical and methodological developments in medical anthropology since the early 1990's. Topics include a reconsideration of the relationship between culture and biology, medical pluralism revisited, globalization and health and disease, and social implications of new biomedical technologies. | ||
| ANTH 304 | Chinese Culture in Ethnography and Film. | 3 |
Chinese Culture in Ethnography and Film. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Uses both ethnography and film to examine 20Ih century Chinese society and popular culture in the context of the revolution and its aftermath. | ||
| ANTH 308 | Political Anthropology 01. | 3 |
Political Anthropology 01. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The study of political systems and political processes. Conflict and its resolution. The emphasis of the course will be on local-level politics and non-industrial societies. | ||
| ANTH 318 | Globalization and Religion. | 3 |
Globalization and Religion. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The interactions between religion and the economic, social and cultural transformations of globalization: relations between globalization and contemporary religious practice, meaning, and influence at personal and collective levels. | ||
| ANTH 322 | Social Change in Modern Africa. | 3 |
Social Change in Modern Africa. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The impact of colonialism on African societies; changing families, religion, arts; political and economic transformation; migration, urbanization, new social categories; social stratification; the social setting of independence and neo-colonialism; continuity, stagnation, and progressive change. | ||
| ANTH 326 | Anthropology of Latin America. | 3 |
Anthropology of Latin America. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Central themes in the anthropology of Latin America, including colonialism, religiosity, sexuality and gender, indigeneity, social movements, and transnationalism. | ||
| ANTH 327 | Anthropology of South Asia. | 3 |
Anthropology of South Asia. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An introduction to anthropological research in India and greater South Asia. Topics include politics, caste, class, religion, gender and sexuality, development and globalization. | ||
| ANTH 338 | Indigenous Studies of Anthropology. | 3 |
Indigenous Studies of Anthropology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Introduction to Native American and Indigenous studies (NAIS) as a means of critically engaging with the discipline of anthropology. | ||
| ANTH 339 | Ecological Anthropology. | 3 |
Ecological Anthropology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Intensive study of theories and cases in ecological anthropology. Theories are examined and tested through comparative case-study analysis. Cultural constructions of "nature" and "environment" are compared and analyzed. Systems of resource management and conflicts over the use of resources are studied in depth. | ||
| ANTH 343 | Anthropology and the Animal. | 3 |
Anthropology and the Animal. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. This course explores through the ethnographic study of human-animal relations how the question of "the animal" helps us examine our central assumptions about what it means to be human. | ||
| ANTH 355 | Theories of Culture and Society. | 3 |
Theories of Culture and Society. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Contributions to contemporary anthropological theory; theoretical paradigms and debates; forms of anthropological explanation; the role of theory in the practice of anthropology; concepts of society, culture and structure; cultural evolution and relativity; interpretive anthropology, post-modernism. | ||
| ANTH 418 | Environment and Development. | 3 |
Environment and Development. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Advanced study of the environmental crisis in developing and advanced industrial nations, with emphasis on the social and cultural dimensions of natural resource management and environmental change. Each year, the seminar will focus on a particular set of issues, delineated by type of resource, geographic region, or analytical problem. | ||
| ANTH 422 | Contemporary Latin American Culture and Society. | 3 |
Contemporary Latin American Culture and Society. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Themes central to the culture and society of contemporary Latin America and the Caribbean, including globalization, questions of race and ethnicity, (post)modernity, social movements, constructions of gender and sexuality, and national and diasporic identities. | ||
| ANTH 436 | North American Native Peoples. | 3 |
North American Native Peoples. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A detailed examination of selected contemporary problems. | ||
| ANTH 438 | Topics in Medical Anthropology. | 3 |
Topics in Medical Anthropology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Conceptions of health and illness and the form and meaning that illness take are reflections of a particular social and cultural context. Examination of the metaphoric use of the body, comparative approaches to healing, and the relationship of healing systems to the political and economic order and to development. | ||
| ANTH 500 | Chinese Diversity and Diaspora. | 3 |
Chinese Diversity and Diaspora. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Explores ethnic diversity within mainland China, as well as the diversity of Chinese cultures of diaspora, living outside the mainland, often as minorities subject to other dominant cultures. | ||
| ANTH 512 | Political Ecology. | 3 |
Political Ecology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Historical, theoretical and methodological development of political ecology as a field of inquiry on the interactions between society and environment, in the context of conflicts over natural resources. | ||
Business Administration
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BUSA 433 | Topics in International Business 1. 1 | 3 |
Topics in International Business 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Current topics in the area of international business. Topics will be selected from important current issues in international business. | ||
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When topic is relevant to IDS.
Canadian Studies
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CANS 315 | Indigenous Art and Culture. | 3 |
Indigenous Art and Culture. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An examination of the work of selected First Nations, Métis and Inuit artists in Canada. | ||
East Asian Studies
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EAST 211 | Introduction: East Asian Culture: China. | 3 |
Introduction: East Asian Culture: China. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. This course provides a critical introduction to central themes in Chinese culture. The course will also examine the changing representations of the Chinese cultural tradition in the West. Readings will include original sources in translation from the fields of literature, philosophy, religion, and cultural history. | ||
| EAST 388 | Asian Migrations and Diasporas. | 3 |
Asian Migrations and Diasporas. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Introduction to the interdisciplinary study of Asian migrations and diasporas. Topics include colonialism and diaspora, transnationalism, globalization, citizenship, migration and the state, gender and migration, human trafficking, and forced migration. | ||
| EAST 213 | Introduction: East Asian Culture: Korea. | 3 |
Introduction: East Asian Culture: Korea. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. This course provides a critical introduction to central themes in Korean culture, including Korean literature, religions, philosophy, and socio-economic formations. | ||
Economics
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ECON 205 | An Introduction to Political Economy. | 3 |
An Introduction to Political Economy. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A critical study of the insights to be gained through economic analysis of a number of problems of broad interest. The focus will be on the application of economics to issues of public policy. | ||
| ECON 209 | Macroeconomic Analysis and Applications. | 3 |
Macroeconomic Analysis and Applications. Terms offered: Summer 2025 A university-level introduction to national income determination, money and banking, inflation, unemployment and economic policy. | ||
| ECON 223 | Political Economy of Trade Policy. | 3 |
Political Economy of Trade Policy. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The course introduces students to the economics of international trade, what constitutes good trade policy, and how trade policy is decided. The course examines Canadian trade policy since 1945, including the GATT, Auto Pact, the FTA and NAFTA, and concludes with special topics in trade policy. | ||
| ECON 314 | Economic Development 2. | 3 |
Economic Development 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Macroeconomic development issues, including theories of growth, public finance, debt, currency crises, corruption, structural adjustment, democracy and global economic organization. | ||
| ECON 326 | Ecological Economics. | 3 |
Ecological Economics. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Macroeconomic and structural aspects of the ecological crisis. A course in which subjects discussed include the conflict between economic growth and the laws of thermodynamics; the search for alternative economic indicators; the fossil fuels crisis; and "green'' fiscal policy. | ||
| ECON 347 | Economics of Climate Change. | 3 |
Economics of Climate Change. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The course focuses on the economic implications of, and problems posed by, predictions of global warming due to anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases. Attention is given to economic policies such as carbon taxes and tradeable emission permits and to the problems of displacing fossil fuels with new energy technologies. | ||
| ECON 416 | Topics in Economic Development 2. | 3 |
Topics in Economic Development 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. This course gives students a broad overview of the economics of developing countries. The course covers micro and macro topics, with particular emphasis on the economic analysis at the micro level. | ||
| ECON 473 | Income Distribution. | 3 |
Income Distribution. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Economics of income and wealth distribution, and the study of inequality. The dynamics of income, saving and wealth and their determinants. Macroeconomic implications. Effects of fiscal and redistributive programmes. The role of unemployment. | ||
English
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 290 | Postcolonial and World Literatures in English. | 3 |
Postcolonial and World Literatures in English. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A critical introduction to the field of postcolonial and world literature studies, drawing on a selection texts from South and East Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean. | ||
| ENGL 421 | African Literature. | 3 |
African Literature. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A study of African literature. | ||
| ENGL 440 | First Nations and Inuit Literature and Media. | 3 |
First Nations and Inuit Literature and Media. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An introduction to Inuit and First Nations literature and media in Canada, including oral literature and the development of aboriginal television and film. | ||
Geography
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GEOG 216 | Geography of the World Economy. | 3 |
Geography of the World Economy. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The course introduces the geography of the world economic system. It describes the spatial distribution of economic activities and examines the factors which influence their changing location. Case studies from both "developed" and "developing" countries will test the different geographical theories presented in lectures. | ||
| GEOG 217 | Cities in the Modern World. | 3 |
Cities in the Modern World. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An introduction to urban geography. Uses a spatial/geographic perspective to understand cities and their social and cultural processes. Addresses two major areas. The development and social dynamics in North American and European cities. The urban transformations in Asian, African, and Latin American societies that were recently predominantly rural and agrarian. | ||
| GEOG 221 | Environment and Health. | 3 |
Environment and Health. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. This course introduced physical and social environments as factors in human health, with emphasis on the physical properties of the atmospheric environment as they interact with diverse human populations in urban settings. | ||
| GEOG 302 | Environmental Management 1. | 3 |
Environmental Management 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An ecological analysis of the physical and biotic components of natural resource systems. Emphasis on scientific, technological and institutional aspects of environmental management. Study of the use of biological resources and of the impact of individual processes. | ||
| GEOG 303 | Health Geography. | 3 |
Health Geography. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Discussion of the research questions and methods of health geography. Particular emphasis on health inequalities at multiple geographic scales and the theoretical links between characteristics of places and the health of people. | ||
| GEOG 310 | Development and Livelihoods. | 3 |
Development and Livelihoods. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Geographical dimensions of rural/urban livelihoods in the face of socioeconomic and environmental change in developing regions. Emphasis on household natural resource use, survival strategies and vulnerability, decision-making, formal and informal institutions, migration, and development experience in contrasting global environments. | ||
| GEOG 311 | Economic Geography. | 3 |
Economic Geography. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Different theories and approaches to understanding the spatial organization of economic activities. Regional case studies drawn from North America, Europe and Asia used to reinforce concepts. Emphasis also on city-regions and their interaction with the global economy. | ||
| GEOG 325 | New Master-Planned Cities. | 3 |
New Master-Planned Cities. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. This course examines the origins, designs, motivations and cultural politics of planned cities, focusing primarily on those currently under construction in Africa, the Middle East and Asia. A variety of themes will be explored including design responses to urban pollution and over-crowding, 'new' cities from earlier decades, totalitarianism and the city, utopianism, 'green' cities, and 'creative' cities. The course examines the various motivations underlying the design and construction of planned cities and how they are shaped by power, religion, and political ideologies. There will be a focus on evolving concepts used in city design as well as the continuities and cultural revivalism expressed through urban design and architecture. Students interested in urban and cultural geography, cities, architecture and planning in different cultural contexts will enjoy this course. | ||
| GEOG 360 | Analyzing Sustainability. | 3 |
Analyzing Sustainability. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Examines challenges to sustainability through a series of case studies to illustrate the analytical approaches used to understand the linkages between scientific-technological, socio-economic, political-institutional, ethical, and human behavioural aspect of systems. Includes cases that are thematic and place-based, national and international, spanning from the local to global scales. | ||
| GEOG 403 | Global Health and Environmental Change. | 3 |
Global Health and Environmental Change. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Major themes and contemporary case studies in global health and environmental change. Focus on understanding global trends in emerging infectious disease from social, biophysical, and geographical perspectives, and critically assessing the health implications of environmental change in different international contexts. | ||
| GEOG 408 | Geography of Development. | 3 |
Geography of Development. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Examines the geographical dimensions of development policy, specifically the relationships between the process of development and human-induced environmental change. Focuses on environmental sustainability, struggles over resource control, population and poverty, and levels of governance (the role of the state, non-governmental organizations, and local communities). | ||
| GEOG 425 | Southeast Asia Urban Field Studies. | 3 |
Southeast Asia Urban Field Studies. Terms offered: Summer 2025 This course allows students to experience some of the urban changes taking place in Southeast Asian cities, a dynamic region, while providing the opportunity to connect recent scholarship with field observations. We will explore various current themes in urban studies and urban geography including globalization, the transnational circulation of urban policies, interpretations of culture and heritage / new built heritage, gentrification, migrant labour, public housing, creative clusters, and new cities as national economic strategies. | ||
| GEOG 510 | Humid Tropical Environments. | 3 |
Humid Tropical Environments. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Focus on the environmental and human spatial relationships in tropical rain forest and savanna landscapes. Human adaptation to variations within these landscapes through time and space. Biophysical constraints upon "development" in the modern era. | ||
History
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| HIST 200 | Introduction to African History. | 3 |
Introduction to African History. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. This course stresses the interactions of the peoples of Africa with each other and with the worlds of Europe and Islam from the Iron Age to the European Conquest in 1880. | ||
| HIST 201 | Modern African History. | 3 |
Modern African History. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. While covering the general political history of Africa in the twentieth century, this course also explores such themes as health and disease, gender, and urbanization. | ||
| HIST 206 | Indian Ocean World History. | 3 |
Indian Ocean World History. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An introduction to the “global” system connecting eastern Africa, the Middle East, South and Southeast Asia, and the Far East, from the earliest times to c. 1900. | ||
| HIST 208 | Introduction to East Asian History. | 3 |
Introduction to East Asian History. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An introduction to the history of East Asian civilization from earliest times to 1600, with emphasis on China and Japan, including social, intellectual, and economic developments as well as political history. | ||
| HIST 209 | Introduction to South Asian History. | 3 |
Introduction to South Asian History. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Charts the making of South Asian civilization, 2500 BCE- 1707 CE, through a selection of key themes and major trends. Focus on the transformation of local kinship ties into regional kingdoms and empires, the evolution of religion and the legacy of the expansion of Islam and consequent rise of Turkish, Afghan and Mughal empires in this area. | ||
| HIST 213 | World History, 600-2000. | 3 |
World History, 600-2000. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A thematic and comparative approach to world history, beginning with the rise of Islam and ending with globalization in the late twentieth century. Trade diasporas, technology, disease, and imperialism are the major themes addressed. | ||
| HIST 218 | Modern East Asian History. | 3 |
Modern East Asian History. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An introduction to the history of China and Japan from the seventeenth century to the present, including modernization, nationalism, and the interaction of the two countries. | ||
| HIST 223 | Indigenous Peoples and Empires. | 3 |
Indigenous Peoples and Empires. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. History of Indigenous Peoples of North and South America and their early experiences of European conquest and colonization, c. 1400 - 1800. | ||
| HIST 240 | Modern History of Islamic Movements. | 3 |
Modern History of Islamic Movements. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Islamic revival in the Middle East which led to the rise of different versions of Islamic traditions and beliefs. Emphasis on the nature and character of leading nationalist and Islamic movements and their ideologues since the late 19th century. | ||
| HIST 317 | Themes in Indian Ocean World History. | 3 |
Themes in Indian Ocean World History. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Examination of a selected theme or topic in the history of the Indian Ocean World. | ||
| HIST 326 | History of the Soviet Union. | 3 |
History of the Soviet Union. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The history of the Soviet Union from 1917-1991, examining its origins in the collapse of autocracy, early Soviet utopianism, the rise of Stalin, the Second World War, Khrushchev’s reforms, the Cold War and the decline and eventual collapse of the USSR, as well as its legacies in the post-Soviet period. | ||
| HIST 328 | Themes in Modern Chinese History. | 3 |
Themes in Modern Chinese History. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Exploration of a theme in Modern Chinese history. | ||
| HIST 333 | Indigenous Peoples and French. | 3 |
Indigenous Peoples and French. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Encounters between Indigenous Peoples and French newcomers in Canada and other parts of North America, 16th - 18th century. Through an examination of exploration, Catholic missions, trade, military alliances and colonization, the course focuses on the motives, outlooks and actions of both Indigenous Peoples and Europeans. | ||
| HIST 338 | Twentieth-Century China. | 3 |
Twentieth-Century China. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Examines 20th Century China from the fall of the Qing, through Republican China, the emergence of communism, war with Japan, revolution and civil war, the Cultural Revolution, and later economic reforms. | ||
| HIST 340 | History of Modern Egypt. | 3 |
History of Modern Egypt. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Explores the history of Egypt from the 18th Century to today. Topics include: Ottoman Egypt, the impact of French and British Colonialism, Nasserism, Camp David and economic liberalization, and the Egyptian Revolution of 2011. | ||
| HIST 341 | Themes in South Asian History. | 3 |
Themes in South Asian History. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Exploration of a theme in the history of South Asia. | ||
| HIST 360 | Latin America since 1825. | 3 |
Latin America since 1825. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Themes in the political, economic, and social development of Latin America since the wars of independence. | ||
| HIST 361 | Topics in Canadian Regional History. | 3 |
Topics in Canadian Regional History. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Topics in Canadian regional history. Topics will vary by year. | ||
| HIST 363 | Canada 1870-1914. | 3 |
Canada 1870-1914. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. This course will examine social, economic, political and cultural aspects of Canadian society between 1870 and 1914. Topics covered will include aboriginal peoples, European settlement of the West, provincial rights, the national policy, social reform movements, industrialization, immigration and the rise of cities. | ||
| HIST 366 | Themes in Latin American History. | 3 |
Themes in Latin American History. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Exploration of a specific topic in the history of Latin America and the Caribbean, 1492 to the present. | ||
| HIST 382 | History of South Africa. | 3 |
History of South Africa. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. History of South Africa from precolonial times to the present. Topics include: precolonial societies; British and Dutch colonialism; slavery in colonial South Africa; the Zulu kingdom; mining capitalism; the Boer War; Afrikaner nationalism; apartheid; the anti-apartheid struggle; music, religion, and art; challenges of the post-apartheid state. | ||
| HIST 389 | Topics: African Country Survey. | 3 |
Topics: African Country Survey. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. In depth survey of a single African country (other than South Africa), including the pre-colonial history of the region, colonialism, and post-colonial economic, cultural and political history. | ||
| HIST 408 | Selected Topics in Indigenous History . | 3 |
Selected Topics in Indigenous History . Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Selected topics in Indigenous history. | ||
| HIST 409 | Topics in Latin American History. | 3 |
Topics in Latin American History. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. In-depth discussion and research on a circumscribed topic in the history of Latin America and the Caribbean, 1492 to the present. | ||
| HIST 528 | Indian Ocean World Slave Trade. | 3 |
Indian Ocean World Slave Trade. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The origins, structure and impact of the Indian Ocean World slave trade from early times to the present day. Enslavement, the trading structure, slave functions, reactions to slavery, emancipation and 'slave' diaspora. Comparisons will be made to the Atlantic slave system. | ||
International Development Studies
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| INTD 350 | Culture and Development. | 3 |
Culture and Development. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. This is a general survey course intended to familiarize students with the complexities surrounding the interaction between culture and development from a variety of theoretical perspectives. Specific themes may include religion, democracy, gender, diaspora communities and the environment, using relevant case studies from the developing world. | ||
| INTD 352 | Disasters and Development . | 3 |
Disasters and Development . Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Examines how disasters shape and are shaped by socio-economic conditions, inequalities and development processes through interdisciplinary investigation and a wide range of case studies. Analyzes disaster risk reduction, response and recovery efforts from the global to local levels, as well as survivors’ perspectives and experiences. | ||
| INTD 354 | Civil Society and Development . | 3 |
Civil Society and Development . Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Introduction to the study of civil society and development. Critically engages with both conventional socio-political views and emerging perspectives of civil society. Employs political, sociological, and anthropological perspectives to understand the multifaceted, and socio-cultural implications of civil society in both developing and developed countries. Examines civil society’s impact, capacity, and behavior through a wide range of development themes. | ||
| INTD 356 | Quantitative Methods for Development . | 3 |
Quantitative Methods for Development . Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Introduction to quantitative methods for impact evaluation. Builds from fundamental concepts in statistics; introduction of an intuitive conceptual framework to think about causal effects. Simple but rigorous data analytics, design and implement randomized controlled trials, regression analysis, or implement other main methods for impact evaluation. | ||
| INTD 358 | Ethnographic Approaches to Development . | 3 |
Ethnographic Approaches to Development . Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Consideration of how anthropologists have used ethnographic methods to evaluate, criticize and reform development. Drawing on ethnographies of “Big D” development, as well as small-scale grassroots initiatives, exploration of how qualitative methods have been used to strengthen development practice from within and deconstruct development ideology from without. Topics include state driven, participatory and internationally sponsored development; gender; “aidnography”; neoliberalism; markets and microcredit. | ||
| INTD 360 | Environmental Challenges in Development. | 3 |
Environmental Challenges in Development. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Examination of some of the great environmental challenges of our times, and some of the ways in which the development community has tackled them. | ||
| INTD 397 | Topics in International Development. | 3 |
Topics in International Development. Terms offered: Summer 2025 Examines topics in specific problem areas in International Development Studies. Content varies every term. | ||
| INTD 398 | Topics in Conflict and Development. | 3 |
Topics in Conflict and Development. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Examines topics in specific problem areas in international development studies and in areas of conflict and development. | ||
| INTD 490 | Development Research Project. | 3 |
Development Research Project. Terms offered: Summer 2025 Supervised reading, research project in international development. Requirements consist of a project proposal and final research report. | ||
| INTD 499 | Internship: International Development Studies. | 3 |
Internship: International Development Studies. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Internship with an approved host institution or organization. | ||
Islamic Studies
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ISLA 200 | Islamic Civilization. | 3 |
Islamic Civilization. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An introduction to, and survey of, the religious, literary, artistic, legal, philosophical and scientific traditions that constituted Islamic civilization from the 7th Century until the mid-19th Century. | ||
| ISLA 210 | Muslim Societies. | 3 |
Muslim Societies. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An introduction to the different, often disparate, ways in which Muslims live and think in the modern world (19th-21st centuries). Muslim social contexts across the globe and cyberspace. | ||
| ISLA 305 | Topics in Islamic History. | 3 |
Topics in Islamic History. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Subject matter will vary year to year, according to the instructor. Topic will be made available in Minerva. | ||
| ISLA 310 | Women in Islam. | 0-3 |
Women in Islam. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The socio-legal status, conditions, and experiences of various groups of women in Middle Eastern societies. These features are explored within the framework of Islamic feminism and Western feminist discourses, and the tensions and conflicts between them. The dynamics of seclusion, veiling, and polygamy are explored in connection to Medieval Arab ruling elites as a background to some of the discussions and debates over the status of women in modern postcolonial Arab society. Socio-economic divisions, state policies, patriarchy, and colonialism are investigated as key factors in understanding the modern historical transformation of gendered relations and women's roles. | ||
| ISLA 325 | Introduction to Shi'i Islam. | 3 |
Introduction to Shi'i Islam. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Developments in doctrines, legal school, rituals and political thought of Twelver Shi'ite Muslims during early and late medieval periods (centuries VII-XIII). The emergence of the earliest Shi'ite communities in Arabia, Yemen, Iraq and Iran stressing the relationship of the Shi'ite Imams and their religious scholars to the Sunnite Caliphates. | ||
| ISLA 330 | Islamic Mysticism: Sufism. | 3 |
Islamic Mysticism: Sufism. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The varieties of "mystical" thought in Islam, primarily as seen in Sufism, its historical development and its place in Islamic culture. Analytical study of major authors, their writings and their central problems. | ||
| ISLA 355 | Modern History of the Middle East. | 3 |
Modern History of the Middle East. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Assessment of the historical transformation of the modern Middle East concentrating on its internal socio-economic changes, as well as the colonial experience and encounters with the West since the early 19th century. Examination of the historical conditions that led to the rise of nationalism, the nation-state, the Arab-Israeli conflict. | ||
| ISLA 360 | Islam and Politics in Africa | 3 |
Islam and Politics in Africa Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Assessment of the relationship between Islam and politics in the contemporary Africa through various analytic themes, including political economy, social movement and gendered analysis. | ||
| ISLA 365 | Middle East Since the 1970's. | 3 |
Middle East Since the 1970's. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Changes that have occurred in the Middle East since the 1970's, viewed through the lens of themes such as migration, consumerism, war, communications, and ideology. | ||
| ISLA 370 | The Qur’an: History and Interpretation. | 3 |
The Qur’an: History and Interpretation. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. It examines the history of the codification of the text, its form, and modes of interpretation in both the modern and pre-modern periods. Presentation of different schools of Qur’anic exegesis, including traditional hermeneutical approaches, and modern approaches such as feminist interpretations of the Qur’ān. | ||
| ISLA 383 | Central Questions in Islamic Law. | 3 |
Central Questions in Islamic Law. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An integrative view of Islamic law in the past and present, including landmarks in Islamic legal history (e.g., sources of law; early formation; intellectual make-up; the workings of court; legal change; legal effects of colonialism; modernity and legal reform) and a structured definition of what it was/is. | ||
| ISLA 385 | Poetics and Politics in Arabic Literature. | 3 |
Poetics and Politics in Arabic Literature. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Major issues in classical and modern Arabic literature; how poetics and politics interact in classical and modern, popular folktales and high literature, novels and poetry. The politics of translation from Arabic into English. | ||
| ISLA 388 | Persian Literature. | 3 |
Persian Literature. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Examination of literature produced in the Persian-speaking world from the mid 10th to the late 20th century C.E. A broad selection of texts (prose and poetry) will be studied in translation. | ||
| ISLA 392 | Arabic Literature as World Literature. | 3 |
Arabic Literature as World Literature. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Consideration of Arabic literature as part of world literature, including exploration of tensions between reading Arabic literature as local, discrete and self-contained and as part of larger global phenomena. | ||
| ISLA 411 | History: Middle-East 1918-1945. | 3 |
History: Middle-East 1918-1945. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The impact of WWI on Middle Eastern society and politics; the British and French mandates; the growth of nationalisms, revolutions and the formation of national states; WW II and the clash of political interests within the region. | ||
| ISLA 415 | Modern Iran: Anthropological Approach. | 3 |
Modern Iran: Anthropological Approach. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The modern history, social, and cultural anthropology of contemporary Iran. | ||
| ISLA 421 | Islamic Culture - Indian Subcontinent. | 3 |
Islamic Culture - Indian Subcontinent. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Survey of Islamic culture (faith systems, literature, music, art) on the Indian subcontinent from the early modern period to the present, with a focus on conflict and relations between Muslims and non-Muslims, and between majority and minority Muslim groups. | ||
| ISLA 430 | Islamdom: Baghdad to Cordoba . | 3 |
Islamdom: Baghdad to Cordoba . Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The course examines the major socio-political developments in Iraq, Persia, Syria, Egypt, North Africa and Spain from the 9th to the 13th Century. Emphasis is laid on the Umayyad Caliphate centered in Cordoba, and the 'Abbasid Caliphate centered in Baghdad, and the rise of important local dynasties leading up to the Mongol invasion. The course underscores the formation of Islamic cultures in distinct geographical settings and the transformation of religious life under new socio-economic conditions. It also explores shifting notions of civil society and orthodoxy. | ||
Latin American & Caribbean Studies
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| LACS 497 | Research Seminar: Latin America and the Caribbean. 1 | 3 |
Research Seminar: Latin America and the Caribbean. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An interdisciplinary research seminar on topics of common interest to staff and students of the Latin-American and Caribbean Studies Program. | ||
- 1
When topic is relevant to IDS.
Management Core
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MGCR 382 | International Business. | 3 |
International Business. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An introduction to the world of international business. Economic foundations of international trade and investment. The international trade, finance, and regulatory frameworks. Relations between international companies and nation-states, including costs and benefits of foreign investment and alternative controls and responses. Effects of local environmental characteristics on the operations of multi-national enterprises. | ||
Management, Organizational Behaviour
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ORGB 380 | Cross Cultural Management. | 3 |
Cross Cultural Management. Terms offered: Summer 2025 Addresses dilemmas and opportunities that managers experience in international, multicultural environments. Development of conceptual knowledge and behavioural skills (e.g. bridging skills, communication, tolerance of ambiguity, cognitive complexity) relevant to the interaction of different cultures in business and organizational settings, using several methods including research, case studies and experiential learning. | ||
Management Policy
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MGPO 435 | The Origins of Capitalism. | 3 |
The Origins of Capitalism. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. This course covers the evolution of modern business institutions from their roots in the early middle ages to the modern era. Covering economic issues in the context of arts and culture, it offers a "distant mirror on globalization." | ||
| MGPO 438 | Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation. | 3 |
Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Explores key concepts associated with social entrepreneurship and social innovation – the application of principles of entrepreneurship and innovation to solve social problems through social ventures, enterprises and not-for-profit organizations. Focuses on the social economy, including how the market system can be leveraged to create social value. | ||
| MGPO 440 | Strategies for Sustainability. | 3 |
Strategies for Sustainability. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. This course explores the relationship between economic activity, management, and the natural environment. Using readings, discussions and cases, the course will explore the challenges that the goal of sustainable development poses for our existing notions of economic goals, production and consumption practices and the management of organizations. | ||
| MGPO 469 | Managing Globalization. | 3 |
Managing Globalization. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. This course explores economic and social consequences of globalization, focusing on the most pertinent issues at the time. Topics include the existing global imbalances; the opportunities and risks presented by large cross border capital flows; and the role of institutions, and organizational and policy responses in crisis hit countries. | ||
| MGPO 475 | Strategies for Developing Countries. | 3 |
Strategies for Developing Countries. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Strategic management challenges in developing and emerging economies. Focus on strategies that foster both firm competitiveness and economic development, including: technological capabilities, new forms of organization, small and large firms, global production, social impact, global standards and governance. | ||
| MSUS 402 | Systems Thinking and Sustainability. | 3 |
Systems Thinking and Sustainability. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Examines interconnected dynamics of organizations and social, economic, and ecological systems. Introduces systems thinking principles to foster learning, inform organizational decision-making, and solve real-world problems. Covers problem diagnosis and resolution of organizational and societal sustainability issues through causal loop diagrams, stock-and-flow mapping, group model building, computational simulations and case studies. | ||
Nutrition
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | ||
Political Science
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| POLI 227 | Introduction to Comparative Politics - Global South. | 3 |
Introduction to Comparative Politics - Global South. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An introduction to politics across the Global South. A comparative examination of the legacies of colonialism, the achievement of independence, and political and socio-economic development in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Topics include modernization, dependency, state-building, political violence, revolution, the role of the military, authoritarianism, and democratization. | ||
| POLI 243 | International Politics of Economic Relations. | 3 |
International Politics of Economic Relations. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An introduction to international relations, through examples drawn from international political economy. The emphasis will be on the politics of trade and international monetary relations. | ||
| POLI 244 | International Politics: State Behaviour. | 3 |
International Politics: State Behaviour. Terms offered: Summer 2025 Offers a comprehensive introduction to the behaviour of nation states. Explores how states make foreign policy decisions and what motivates their behaviour. Other covered topics include the military and economic dimensions of state behaviour, conflict, cooperation, interdependence, integration, globalization, and change in the international system. | ||
| POLI 319 | Politics of Latin America. | 3 |
Politics of Latin America. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. This course will deal with the dynamics of political change in Latin America today. | ||
| POLI 322 | Political Change in South Asia. | 3 |
Political Change in South Asia. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Political change in South Asia in late colonial and post-colonial periods. Issues covered include social and cultural history; colonial rule, nationalism and state formation; democratic and authoritarian tendencies; economic policies and consequences; challenges to patterns of dominance and national boundaries; prospects for democracy, prosperity and equality. | ||
| POLI 324 | Comparative Politics of Africa. | 3 |
Comparative Politics of Africa. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The government and politics of African states south of the Sahara with reference to the ideological and institutional setting as influenced by the forces of tradition and the impact of Western colonialism. | ||
| POLI 338 | Topics in Comparative Politics 1. | 3 |
Topics in Comparative Politics 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Selected aspects of the Third World. In any given year the course will concentrate either on a particular region or on a relevant thematic problem. | ||
| POLI 340 | Comparative Politics of the Middle East. | 3 |
Comparative Politics of the Middle East. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An examination of the societies, political forces and regimes of selected countries of the Eastern Arab world (Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, Saudi Arabia). | ||
| POLI 341 | Foreign Policy: The Middle East. | 3 |
Foreign Policy: The Middle East. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An examination of the changing regional security environment and the evolving foreign policies and relationships of Arab states in three areas - relations with non-Arab regional powers (Israel, Iran), inter-Arab relations, Great Power relations. The course will focus particularly on Egypt, Syria, Iraq and Saudi Arabia. | ||
| POLI 345 | International Organizations. | 3 |
International Organizations. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The politics and processes of global governance in the 21st century, with a special emphasis on the United Nations system. | ||
| POLI 347 | Arab-Israel Conflict, Crisis, Peace. | 3 |
Arab-Israel Conflict, Crisis, Peace. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Concepts - protracted conflict, crisis, war, peace; system, subsystem; Conflict-levels of analysis; historical context; images and issues; attitudes, policies, role of major powers; Crises-Wars - configuration of power; crisis models; decision-making in 1956, 1967, 1973, 1982 crisis-wars; conflict- crisis management; Peace-Making - pre-1977; Egypt-Israel peace treaty; Madrid, Oslo, Israel-Jordan peace; prospects for conflict resolution. | ||
| POLI 349 | Foreign Policy: Asia. | 3 |
Foreign Policy: Asia. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An overview of the foreign policies of two rising powers - China and India - in addition to Japan, covering the historical evolution, goals and determinants of their foreign policies, interactions with the rest of Asia and the world, and efforts at institutionalised cooperation in South and East Asia. | ||
| POLI 350 | Global Environmental Politics. | 3 |
Global Environmental Politics. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Environmental problems like climate change, deforestation, biodiversity loss, and ocean acidification transcend national borders. Solving these problems will require global cooperation on an unprecedented level. This course will explore the challenges of contemporary global environmental governance and the innovative solutions being advanced at the community, municipal, provincial, national, and international levels. | ||
| POLI 352 | International Policy/Foreign Policy: Africa. | 3 |
International Policy/Foreign Policy: Africa. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A study of international politics in Africa; including Africa in the U.N., the Organization of African Unity, African regional groupings and integration, Africa as a foreign policy arena and African inter-state conflict and diplomacy. | ||
| POLI 353 | Politics of the International Refugee Regime. | 3 |
Politics of the International Refugee Regime. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. This course explores the causes and consequences of displacement, and international responses to this issue, focusing on forced migration linked to conflict, persecution and human rights abuses. It examines key actors, interests and norms that shape the international refugee regime, and international responses to other forms of displacement. Particular attention is devoted to the ways in which displaced persons themselves navigate and shape the regime, and to challenges including the resolution of displacement crises, and accountability for forced migration. | ||
| POLI 359 | Topics in International Politics 1. | 3 |
Topics in International Politics 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A specific problem area in International Relations. | ||
| POLI 369 | Politics of Southeast Asia. | 3 |
Politics of Southeast Asia. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Topics covered include: colonialism, nationalism, democracy, authoritarianism, war, economic development, social development, overseas Chinese, ethnicity, religion, populism, and international relations, as they apply to Southeast Asian politics. | ||
| POLI 372 | Indigenous Peoples and the Canadian State. | 3 |
Indigenous Peoples and the Canadian State. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The relationship of Indigenous politics to larger debates and literatures within political science, such as citizenship theory, federalism, and collective action. Subjects covered include Canada's treaty history, constitutional changes, key policy frameworks, and Indigenous political development. | ||
| POLI 380 | Contemporary Chinese Politics. | 3 |
Contemporary Chinese Politics. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. This course provides an introduction to key issues in contemporary Chinese politics, spanning the period from the Communist Revolution through the Maoist (1949-1976) and reform eras (1978 to present). Topics include both domestic politics and foreign policy. | ||
| POLI 381 | Politics in Japan and South Korea. | 3 |
Politics in Japan and South Korea. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An introduction to key issues of contemporary politics in Japan and South Korea, covering the politics and economic development of Post-WWII Japan and Post-Korean War South Korea. Themes include: How were the contemporary political systems established in Japan and South Korea? How have these systems changed over time? What are the impacts of political institutions on the political and economic development in the two countries? How do social actors and political and economic institutions interact with each other? What are the foreign policymaking strategies in the two countries? | ||
| POLI 423 | Politics of Ethno-Nationalism. | 3 |
Politics of Ethno-Nationalism. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Theories of ethno-nationalism examined in light of experience in Asia, Middle East and Africa. Topics include formation and mobilization of national, ethnic and religious identities in colonial and post-colonial societies; impact of ethno-nationalism on pluralism, democracy, class and gender relations; means to preserve tolerance in multicultural societies. | ||
| POLI 435 | Identity and Inequality. | 3 |
Identity and Inequality. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Inequality is often particularly durable between groups whose boundaries are based on assumed ancestry - e.g., the major ethnic categories in former European settler colonies, castes in South Asia. This course explores ongoing changes in the relationship between identity and social, economic and political inequality in some of these contexts. | ||
| POLI 441 | International Political Economy: Trade. | 3 |
International Political Economy: Trade. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Politics of international trade, such as the international rules governing trade in goods, the functioning of international bodies such as the WTO, and the domestic sources of these international policies. | ||
| POLI 442 | International Relations of Ethnic Conflict. | 3 |
International Relations of Ethnic Conflict. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Issues related to the internationalization of ethnic conflict, including diasporas, contagion and demonstration effects, intervention, irredentism, the use of sanctions and force. Combination of theory and the study of contemporary cases. | ||
| POLI 445 | International Political Economy: Monetary Relations. | 3 |
International Political Economy: Monetary Relations. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Advanced course in international political economy; the politics of international of monetary relations, such as international rules governing international finance, the reasons for and consequences of financial flows, and the functioning of international financial bodies such as the IMF and World Bank. | ||
| POLI 450 | Peacebuilding. | 3 |
Peacebuilding. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An examination of transitions from civil war to peace, and the role of external actors (international organizations, bilateral donors, non-governmental organizations) in support of such transitions. Topics will include the dilemmas of humanitarian relief, peacekeeping operations, refugees, the demobilization of ex-combatants, transitional elections, and the politics of socio-economic reconstruction. | ||
| POLI 474 | Inequality and Development. | 3 |
Inequality and Development. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The political structures and social forces underlying poverty and inequality in the world; the historical roots of inequality in different regions, varying manifestations of inequality (class, region, ethnicity, gender), and selected contemporary problems. | ||
| POLI 476 | Religion and Politics. | 3 |
Religion and Politics. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The relationship between religion and politics in the world, including the relationship between religion and the state, and specific topics in which religion plays a salient role: political parties; social movements; democratization; fundamentalism and democracy; violence; and capitalism and economic development. | ||
Religious Studies
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| RELG 253 | Religions of East Asia. | 3 |
Religions of East Asia. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. This course introduces East Asia's major religions comparatively by addressing the continuous exchange of ideas and practices between traditions. Rather than adopting a mere chronological approach, Buddhism, Daoism, and Confucianism will be discussed thematically, taking in to account topics such as gender constructs, the secular and the sacred, material culture, and the apparent contrast between doctrine and practice. | ||
| RELG 309 | World Religions and Cultures They Create.. | 3 |
World Religions and Cultures They Create.. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The constitution and mutual entanglements of selected religions and cultures originating and thriving in varied regional contexts. Focus on highlighting the symbolic (visual, aural) expressivity of religions via ritual, myth, and rational speculation and its impact on high and popular cultures. | ||
| RELG 331 | Religion and Globalization. | 3 |
Religion and Globalization. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An exploration of the distinctive ways in which the world's religions are shaping and are shaped by the dynamics of globalization. It examines the multiple intersections of religion and globalization through a variety of themes and case studies in human rights, development, education, ecology, gender, and conflict | ||
| RELG 370 | Religion and Human Rights. | 3 |
Religion and Human Rights. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Social justice and human rights issues as key aspects of modem religious ethics. Topics include: the relationship of religion to the modem human rights movement; religious perspectives on the universality of human rights; the scope and limits of religious freedom; conflicts between religion and rights. | ||
| RELG 375 | Religion, Politics and Society. | 3 |
Religion, Politics and Society. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A study of contemporary religious traditions in the light of debates regarding secularization, the relation of religion and politics, and the interaction of religion with major social institutions. | ||
Sociology
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SOCI 212 | International Migration. | 3 |
International Migration. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Introduction to social science research on international migration. Covers theories about why people migrate, constraints to migration, and various aspects of immigrant integration. Will explore key theoretical debates of the field and the empirical data and case studies on which these debates hinge. | ||
| SOCI 234 | Population and Society. | 3 |
Population and Society. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Introduction to the reciprocal linkages in the social world between population size, structure and dynamics on the one hand, social structure, action and change on the other. An examination of population processes and their relation to the social world. | ||
| SOCI 254 | Development and Underdevelopment. | 3 |
Development and Underdevelopment. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Competing theories about the causes of underdevelopment in the poor countries. Topics include the impact of geography, the population explosion, culture and national character, economic and sexual inequalities, democracy and dictatorship. Western imperialism and multi-national corporations, reliance on the market, and development through local participation, cooperation, and appropriate technology. | ||
| SOCI 307 | Globalization. | 3 |
Globalization. Terms offered: Summer 2025 Socio-economic, political and cultural dynamics related to processes of globalization. An examination of the following: key theoretical foundations of the globalization debate; the extent and implications of economic globalization; global governance and the continuing relevance of nation-states; instances of transnational activism; the diffusion of cultural practices; patterns and management of global migration and mobility. | ||
| SOCI 309 | Health and Illness. | 3 |
Health and Illness. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Health and illness as social rather than purely bio-medical phenomena. Topics include: studies of ill persons, health care occupations and organizations; poverty and health; inequalities in access to and use of health services; recent policies, ideologies, and problems in reform of health services organization. | ||
| SOCI 365 | Health and Development. | 3 |
Health and Development. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Main concepts and controversies linking health to broader social and economic conditions in low income countries. Topics include the demographic and epidemiological transitions, the health and wealth conundrum, the social determinants of health, health as an economic development strategy, and the impact of the AIDS pandemic. | ||
| SOCI 370 | Sociology: Gender and Development. | 3 |
Sociology: Gender and Development. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Exploration of the main development theories and discussion of how gender is placed within them, analysis of the practical application of development projects and discussion of how they affect gender dynamics, and examination of power relations between development agencies and developing countries. Examples from Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America are used. | ||
| SOCI 400 | Comparative Migration and Citizenship. | 3 |
Comparative Migration and Citizenship. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Advanced course on international migration, belonging and diversity in contemporary societies. Will examine dynamics of exclusion and inclusion, the accommodation of cultural diversity, the adaptation of immigrants and how global international migration challenges and re-shapes citizenship. Will cover key theoretical debates in the field and the data and case studies on which these debates hinge. | ||
| SOCI 446 | Colonialism and Society. | 3 |
Colonialism and Society. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Forms that colonialism took, its impact on colonial societies, and its modern legacies, focusing on overseas colonialism between 1600 and the 1970s. | ||
| SOCI 519 | Gender and Globalization. | 3 |
Gender and Globalization. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Focus on the diverse forces of globalization that impact the lives of men and women. Critical analysis of key theories and concepts implicated in the intersection of globalization processes with gender dynamisms. | ||
| SOCI 520 | Migration and Immigrant Groups. | 3 |
Migration and Immigrant Groups. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Review of the major demographic, economic and sociological theories of internal and international migration. The main emphasis will be on empirical research on migration and immigrant groups. | ||
| SOCI 550 | Developing Societies. | 3 |
Developing Societies. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Comparison of alternative explanations of underdevelopment: the impact of social stratification, relations of domination and subordination between countries, state interference with the market. Alternative strategies of change: revolution, structural adjustment, community development and cooperatives. Students will write and present a research paper, and participate extensively in class discussion. | ||
Social Work
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SWRK 400 | Policy and Practice for Refugees. | 3 |
Policy and Practice for Refugees. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Refugee-generating conflicts, international and national responses are considered. Canadian policy, history and response to refugees are analyzed. Theory-grounded practice with refugees is examined, including community organizing and direct service delivery to individuals and families. | ||
Biotechnology Minor (for Science Students)
Biotechnology (for Science Students) Minor (B.Sc.) (24 credits)
Offered by: Biology (Faculty of Science)
Degree: Bachelor of Science
Program credit weight: 24
Program Description
To obtain the Minor Biotechnology, Science students must:
- satisfy both the requirements for the departmental program and for the Minor;
- complete 24 credits, 18 of which must be exclusively for the Minor program.1
- 1
Approved substitutions must be made for any of the required courses which are part of the student's main program.
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 (15 credits)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOC 212 | Molecular Mechanisms of Cell Function. 1 | 3 |
Molecular Mechanisms of Cell Function. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An introductory course describing the biochemistry and molecular biology of selected key functions of animal cells, including: gene expression; mitochondrial production of metabolic energy; cellular communication with the extra-cellular environment; and regulation of cell division. | ||
| BIOL 200 | Molecular Biology. | 3 |
Molecular Biology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The physical and chemical properties of the cell and its components in relation to their structure and function. Topics include: protein structure, enzymes and enzyme kinetics; nucleic acid replication, transcription and translation; the genetic code, mutation, recombination, and regulation of gene expression. | ||
| BIOL 201 | Cell Biology and Metabolism. 1 | 3 |
Cell Biology and Metabolism. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. This course introduces the student to our modern understanding of cells and how they work. Major topics to be covered include: photosynthesis, energy metabolism and metabolic integration; plasma membrane including secretion, endocytosis and contact mediated interactions between cells; cytoskeleton including cell and organelle movement; the nervous system; hormone signaling; the cell cycle. | ||
| BIOL 202 | Basic Genetics. | 3 |
Basic Genetics. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Introduction to basic principles, and to modern advances, problems and applications in the genetics of higher and lower organisms with examples representative of the biological sciences. | ||
| BIOT 505 | Selected Topics in Biotechnology. | 3 |
Selected Topics in Biotechnology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Current methods and recent advances in biological, medical, agricultural and engineering aspects of biotechnology will be described and discussed. An extensive reading list will complement the lecture material. | ||
| MIMM 211 | Introductory Microbiology. | 3 |
Introductory Microbiology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A general treatment of microbiology bearing specifically on the biological properties of microorganisms. Emphasis will be on procaryotic cells. Basic principles of microbial genetics are also introduced. | ||
- 1
Students may take either BIOL 201 Cell Biology and Metabolism. or BIOC 212 Molecular Mechanisms of Cell Function..
Complementary Courses (9 credits)
9 credits selected from courses outside the department of the student's main program. Students may select three courses from one of the lists below, or may choose three alternate courses with adviser approval.
Biomedicine
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ANAT 541 | Cell and Molecular Biology of Aging. | 3 |
Cell and Molecular Biology of Aging. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Complex aging process, including theories and mechanisms of aging, animal model systems used to study aging, age-dependent diseases, for example, Alzheimer's, osteoporosis, and cancer, and age-related diseases, for example, Werner's syndrome and dyskeratosis congenita. | ||
| EXMD 504 | Biology of Cancer. | 3 |
Biology of Cancer. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An introduction to the biology of malignancy. A multidisciplinary approach dealing with the etiology of cancer, the biological properties of malignant cells, the host response to tumour cell growth and the principles of cancer therapy. | ||
| PATH 300 | Human Disease. | 3 |
Human Disease. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Provides a fundamental understanding of the diseases prevalent in North America, for upper level students in the biological sciences. Includes: general responses of cells and organ systems to injury; assessment of individual diseases by relating the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and prevention to the primary biological abnormalities in each disorder. | ||
Chemical Engineering
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CHEE 200 | Chemical Engineering Principles 1. | 3 |
Chemical Engineering Principles 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Introduction to the design of industrial processes. Survey of unit operations, and systems of units. Elementary material balances, first and second laws of thermodynamics, use of property tables and charts, steady flow processes. Relationships between thermodynamic properties, property estimation techniques. Laboratory and design exercise. | ||
| CHEE 204 | Chemical Engineering Principles 2. | 3 |
Chemical Engineering Principles 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Material and energy balances in chemical processes. Introduction to process design. Problem solving in the design of various industrial processes such as combustion, humidification, separation processes (evaporation, crystallization), and other reactive systems used in the diverse areas of chemical engineering. | ||
| CHEE 474 | Biochemical Engineering. | 3 |
Biochemical Engineering. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Bioreactor design for biotechnology and environmental applications; microbial growth kinetics; application of transport phenomena and selected chemical engineering unit operations. Bioreactor instrumentation and performance optimization. Air and media sterilization processes. Selected operations of downstream processing and product recovery. | ||
Chemistry
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CHEM 482 | Organic Chemistry: Natural Products. | 3 |
Organic Chemistry: Natural Products. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Structure, synthesis, stereochemistry and biosynthesis of terpenes, alkaloids, antibiotics and selected molecules of medicinal interest. | ||
| CHEM 502 | Advanced Bio-Organic Chemistry. | 3 |
Advanced Bio-Organic Chemistry. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. This course will cover biologically relevant molecules, particularly nucleic acids, proteins, and their building blocks. In each case, synthesis and biological functions will be discussed. The topics include synthesis of oligonucleotides and peptides; chemistry of phosphates; enzyme structure and function; coenzymes, and enzyme catalysis; polyketides; antiviral and anticancer agents. | ||
| CHEM 552 | Physical Organic Chemistry. | 3 |
Physical Organic Chemistry. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The correlation of theory with physical measurements on organic systems; an introduction to photochemistry; solvent and substituent effects on organic reaction rates, etc.; reaction mechanisms. | ||
General
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| FACC 300 | Engineering Economy. | 3 |
Engineering Economy. Terms offered: Summer 2025 Introduction to the basic concepts required for the economic assessment of engineering projects. Topics include: accounting methods, marginal analysis, cash flow and time value of money, taxation and depreciation, discounted cash flow analysis techniques, cost of capital, inflation, sensitivity and risk analysis, analysis of R and D, ongoing as well as new investment opportunities. | ||
Immunology
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ANAT 261 | Introduction to Dynamic Histology. | 4 |
Introduction to Dynamic Histology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An introduction to light and electron microscopic anatomy in which cell and tissue dynamics will be explored in the principal tissues and organs of the body. | ||
| BIOC 503 | Biochemistry of Immune Diseases. | 3 |
Biochemistry of Immune Diseases. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Current selected topics in immunology. The biochemical mechanisms underlying various immuno-pathologies and the clinical significance of therapeutic interventions. | ||
| MIMM 214 | Introductory Immunology: Elements of Immunity. | 3 |
Introductory Immunology: Elements of Immunity. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Basic immunology, organs and cells, elements of innate immunity, phagocytes, complement, elements of adaptive immunity, B-cells, T-cells, antigen presenting cells, MHC genes and molecules, antigen processing and presentation, cytokines and chemokines. Emphasis on anatomy and the molecular and cellular players working together as a physiological system to maintain human health. | ||
| MIMM 414 | Advanced Immunology. | 3 |
Advanced Immunology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An advanced course serving as a logical extension of MIMM 314. The course will integrate molecular, cellular and biochemical events involved in the ontogeny of the lymphoid system and its activation in the immune response. The course will provide the student with an up-to-date understanding of a rapidly moving field. | ||
| PHGY 513 | Translational Immunology. | 3 |
Translational Immunology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Advanced key concepts in immunology as they relate to health and disease, including infectious diseases, non-infectious diseases and autoimmunity, and cancer immunology. | ||
Management
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ECON 208 | Microeconomic Analysis and Applications. | 3 |
Microeconomic Analysis and Applications. Terms offered: Summer 2025 A university-level introduction to demand and supply, consumer behaviour, production theory, market structures and income distribution theory. | ||
| MGCR 211 | Introduction to Financial Accounting. | 3 |
Introduction to Financial Accounting. Terms offered: Summer 2025 The role of financial accounting in the reporting of the financial performance of a business. The principles, components and uses of financial accounting and reporting from a user's perspective, including the recording of accounting transactions and events, the examination of the elements of financial statements, the preparation of financial statements and the analysis of financial results. | ||
| MGCR 341 | Introduction to Finance. | 3 |
Introduction to Finance. Terms offered: Summer 2025 An introduction to the principles, issues, and institutions of Finance. Topics include valuation, risk, capital investment, financial structure, cost of capital, working capital management, financial markets, and securities. | ||
| MGCR 352 | Principles of Marketing. | 3 |
Principles of Marketing. Terms offered: Summer 2025 Introduction to marketing principles, focusing on problem solving and decision making. Topics include: the marketing concept; marketing strategies; buyer behaviour; Canadian demographics; internal and external constraints; product; promotion; distribution; price. Lectures, text material and case studies. | ||
| MGCR 372 | Operations Management. | 3 |
Operations Management. Terms offered: Summer 2025 Design, planning, establishment, control, and improvement of the activities/processes that create a firm's final products and/or services. The interaction of operations with other business areas will also be discussed. Topics include forecasting, product and process design, waiting lines, capacity planning, inventory management and total quality management. | ||
Microbiology
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MIMM 323 | Microbial Physiology. | 3 |
Microbial Physiology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An introduction to the composition and structure of microbial cells, the biochemical activities associated with cellular metabolism and how these activities are regulated and coordinated. The course will have a molecular and genetic approach to the study of microbial physiology. | ||
| MIMM 324 | Fundamental Virology. | 3 |
Fundamental Virology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A study of the fundamental properties of viruses and their interactions with host cells. Bacteriophages, DNA- and RNA-containing animal viruses, and retroviruses are covered. Emphasis will be on phenomena occurring at the molecular level and on the regulated control of gene expression in virus-infected cells. | ||
| MIMM 413 | Parasitology. | 3 |
Parasitology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A study of the biology, immunological aspects of host-parasite interactions, pathogenicity, epidemiology and molecular biological aspects of selected parasites of medical importance. Laboratory will consist of a lecture on techniques, demonstrations and practical work. | ||
| MIMM 465 | Bacterial Pathogenesis. | 3 |
Bacterial Pathogenesis. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Familiarizes students with key principles and recent advances in our understanding of the strategies that bacteria use to infect and cause disease, as well as the approaches used in the prevention and treatment of bacterial infections. | ||
| MIMM 466 | Viral Pathogenesis. | 3 |
Viral Pathogenesis. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A study of the biological and molecular aspects of viral pathogenesis with emphasis on the human pathogenic viruses including the retroviruses HIV and HTLV-1; herpes viruses; papilloma viruses; hepatitis viruses; and new emerging human viral diseases. These viruses will be discussed in terms of virus multiplication, gene expression virus-induced cytopathic effects and host immune response to infection. | ||
Molecular Biology (Biology)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 300 | Molecular Biology of the Gene. | 3 |
Molecular Biology of the Gene. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A survey of current knowledge and approaches in the area of regulation of gene expression, post-transcriptional control of gene expression, and signal transduction. | ||
| BIOL 314 | Molecular Biology of Cancer. | 3 |
Molecular Biology of Cancer. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The molecular basis of human cancers, including analyzing the events that promote the formation of oncogenes and inhibit tumour suppressor genes, the biochemical properties of the proteins encoded by these genes, and their functions. Current molecular targets for cancer therapy and the concepts and consequences of inheriting mutations in genes that predispose to cancer. | ||
| BIOL 520 | Gene Activity in Development. | 3 |
Gene Activity in Development. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An analysis of the role and regulation of gene expression in several models of eukaryotic development. The emphasis will be on critical evaluation of recent literature concerned with molecular or genetic approaches to the problems of cellular differentiation and determination. Recent research reports will be discussed in conferences and analyzed in written critiques. | ||
| BIOL 524 | Topics in Molecular Biology. | 3 |
Topics in Molecular Biology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Molecular genetics and molecular, cellular and developmental biology, including signal transduction, cell differentiation and function, genetic diseases in eukaryotes. | ||
| BIOL 551 | Principles of Cellular Control. | 3 |
Principles of Cellular Control. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Fundamental principles of cellular control, with cell cycle control as a major theme. Biological and physical concepts are brought to bear on control in healthy cells.. | ||
Molecular Biology (Biochemistry)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOC 311 | Metabolic Biochemistry. | 3 |
Metabolic Biochemistry. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The generation of metabolic energy in higher organisms with an emphasis on its regulation at the molecular, cellular and organ level. Chemical concepts and mechanisms of enzymatic catalysis are also emphasized. Included: selected topics in carbohydrate, lipid and nitrogen metabolism; complex lipids and biological membranes; hormonal signal transduction. | ||
| BIOC 312 | Biochemistry of Macromolecules. | 3 |
Biochemistry of Macromolecules. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Gene expression from the start of transcription to the synthesis of proteins, their modifications and degradation. Topics covered: purine and pyrimidine metabolism; transcription and its regulation; mRNA processing; translation; targeting of proteins to specific cellular sites; protein glycosylation; protein phosphorylation; protein turn-over; programmed cell death (apoptosis). | ||
| BIOC 450 | Protein Structure and Function. | 3 |
Protein Structure and Function. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary structure of enzymes. Active site mapping and site-specific mutagenesis of enzymes. Enzyme kinetics and mechanisms of catalysis. Multienzyme complexes. | ||
| BIOC 454 | Nucleic Acids. | 3 |
Nucleic Acids. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. RNA processing, localization and stability. RNAi mechanisms, regulation and applications. Regulation of DNA replication. Genomics: human genome sequence, regulation and organization. DNA repair mechanisms. Special topics on transgenics, genetic diseases and cancer. | ||
Physiology
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EXMD 401 | Physiology and Biochemistry Endocrine Systems. | 3 |
Physiology and Biochemistry Endocrine Systems. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Offered in conjunction with the Department of Physiology. The course provides a basic knowledge of endocrine systems encompassing biosynthesis, metabolism and physiological actions of hormones. Specific topics covered are hormones of the hypothalamus, pituitary, adrenals, thyroids, parathyroids, pancreas, gut and the gonads. The role of hormones and growth factors in pregnancy and fetal development are also discussed. | ||
| EXMD 502 | Advanced Endocrinology 1. | 3 |
Advanced Endocrinology 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. This course is designed for U3 students who are in a major or honours program in anatomy, biology, biochemistry or physiology and for graduate students. A multidisciplinary approach will be used to teach biosynthesis and processing of hormones, their regulation, function and mechanism of action. The material will cover hypothalamic, pituitary, thyroid, atrial and adrenal hormones as well as prostaglandins and related substances. | ||
| EXMD 503 | Advanced Endocrinology 02. | 3 |
Advanced Endocrinology 02. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Study of the parathyroids, gut and pancreatic hormones and growth factors. In addition, the role of hormones and growth factors in reproduction and fetal maturation will be discussed. | ||
| PHAR 562 | Neuropharmacology. | 3 |
Neuropharmacology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Topics in pharmacology with an emphasis on molecular mechanisms of drug-action and cellular targets in the nervous system. | ||
| PHAR 563 | Endocrine Pharmacology. | 3 |
Endocrine Pharmacology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. This advanced course covers selected topics in pharmacology of reproductive, endocrine, and metabolic disorders. | ||
| PHGY 518 | Artificial Cells. | 3 |
Artificial Cells. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Physiology, biotechnology, chemistry and biomedical application of artificial cells, blood substitutes, immobilized enzymes, microorganisms and cells, hemoperfusion, artificial kidneys, and drug delivery systems. PHGY 517 and PHGY 518 when taken together, will give a complete picture of this field. However, the student can select one of these. | ||
Pollution
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CHEE 593 | Industrial Water Pollution Control. | 3 |
Industrial Water Pollution Control. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Wastewater constituents of concern; legislation pertinent to wastewater treatment; wastewater sampling and analysis techniques; process analysis and selection; physical, chemical and biological processes; advanced wastewater treatment methods; integration of sciences and engineering principles to design wastewater treatment processes. | ||
| CIVE 225 | Environmental Engineering. | 4 |
Environmental Engineering. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Introduction to environmental chemistry; mass balance analyses in engineered and natural systems; water, soil and air pollution characterization and control; water quality parameters; drinking water and wastewater treatment technologies; global climate change: possible causes and effects; risk assessment for pollutant exposure; solid- and hazardous-waste management. | ||
| CIVE 430 | Water Treatment and Pollution Control. | 3 |
Water Treatment and Pollution Control. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Principles of water and sewage treatment. Water and sewage characteristics; design of conventional unit operations and processes; laboratory analyses of potable and waste waters. | ||
| CIVE 557 | Microbiology for Environmental Engineering. | 3 |
Microbiology for Environmental Engineering. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Microbiological concepts applied to the practice of environmental engineering and biotechnologies including the following topics: cellular and pathway organizations, evolution, growth, gene expression, horizontal gene transfer, metabolic microbial diversity, ecosystem structures, and quantitative mathematical modelling. | ||
It is important to note that a Minor must have 18 credits that do not overlap with the Major program. A minor is not required, but may allow you to develop your other interests that link with nutrition to develop a unique and more intensive specialization. Plan your minor early in your program, by U2 fall term to avoid a delay in graduation.
Career Paths
The Nutrition Major is excellent preparation for:
- Admission to professional schools (Medicine, Dentistry, Optometry, Veterinary School)
- Graduate studies in nutrition, other life sciences, MBA.
- The food and pharma industries in sales, product development and testing, education, marketing, industrial associations
- Government and non-governmental organizations in program administration and development, public policy development, and research
- International nutrition and health promotion organizations like UN, FAO, WHO
- In addition, there is a high demand for people who are both science-trained and good writers and communicators for technical report writing, education of health professionals and sales teams, communications of science to the public, media of all types.
- CaPS is valuable resource to help you get started.
FAQs
WELCOME to The School of Human Nutrition - Macdonald Campus - McGill University
*IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR NEW STUDENTS*
I have Freshman courses left to complete. What is the deadline to take them?
You must complete all your freshman courses now if you have not done so already. If you have freshman courses still to take, it is urgent and essential that you take them in U1 at the latest.
Keep in mind that FDSC 230-Organic Chemistry is a prerequisite or corequisite for several U1 courses.
If you wish to take equivalent courses downtown, please refer to the course equivalency list between the two campuses. If you take a direct equivalent at the downtown campus, you do not need to do anything further, it will appear on your transcript.
How do I choose my courses each term?
Each term, take the required courses as a block, according to the Advising Sheet (below). Do not delay any course until the following year even if it is not a prerequisite for another course. Each block of required courses is timetabled to not have any conflicts. If you delay a course, it may not fit into your timetable again as it may conflict with other required courses.
ADVISING SEQUENCE - for students who started the Nutrition Major before Fall 2022
ADVISING SEQUENCE 2022 - for students who started the Nutrition Major in Fall 2022 or after
What do the 200, 300, 400, 500 –level designations tell me about courses?
200-level courses are introductory and should be taken at the beginning of your program.
300 and 400 level are intermediate, and usually have prerequisites.
500-level courses are open to senior undergrads only. These can only be taken in your final year. You require at least 12 credits at or above the 400-level.
When should I register for my courses?
Register for fall and winter semesters as soon as registration opens; see the Important Dates website! Course sections, especially labs, can fill up fast and registering early will help ensure you get the courses and sections you want.
'Prerequisite and Test Score Error'. What should I do?
If you are unable to register for a course and get the message: “prerequisite and test score error”, this usually means that the prerequisites for this course are not in your file in Minerva. If you think you have the prerequisites, contact your advisor; include your student ID, course number, the specific error message, the prerequisites and why you think you should take the course.
'Course enrolment is full'. What should I do?
If the course is full, keep checking as space often opens up as students change their schedules.
For a required course: email your Advisor to check (include your student ID and course number).
For a complementary course: register for another alternative course, and keep checking to see if space opens up.
Labs: If all lab sections with openings conflict with other courses, register for 1 lab section and attend it in the first week of classes. Speak to the lab coordinator on the first day to see if you can change lab sections.
For an elective: if an elective course is full, you will need to choose a different elective course. Your Advisor cannot make any special requests for you to register in an elective at capacity.
I don't have the prerequisites for a course, can I still take it?
NO. Prerequisites are required and there are no exceptions.
Always refer to the ecalendar to make sure that you have the prerequisites for the courses you need and/or want to take.
If you are taking a course downtown and you are not sure if you have the prerequisites, you can refer to the equivalencies between the two campuses or contact your Advisor. For example, if you want to take EDKP 395 downtown, the prerequisites are PHGY 209 and PHGY 210, which are equivalent to ANSC 323 and ANSC 424. If you have taken these 2 ANSC courses, you have the prerequisites for the course.
How do I choose my electives?
Use your freedom to follow your interests and take something that excites you!
Go to the ecalendar to get ideas. Filter by Faculty, level and semester to help narrow down your search.
Some examples of electives that students in the Nutrition Major take are
How do I declare my concentration in the Nutrition Major?
Fill out the ‘program change form’ and send to christine.gurekian [at] mcgill.ca by the end of Fall U2.
Full-time vs Part-time Status
If you take 15 credits per term, you will be on track to graduate in 3 years with a total of 90 credits. You can maintain full time status if you take only 12 credits in a term, but this will delay your graduation date unless you make them up.
You must be enrolled in 27 graded credits per academic year to be eligible for scholarships and most student loans require a minimum of 12 credits/term.
International students who have student visas cannot register for less than 12 credits per semester. Make sure to double check with International Student Services.
Can I take summer courses?
In general, required courses in the Nutrition Major are not offered in the summer. Some students take elective credits in the summer.
Check with Summer Studies to see a list of summer course offerings.
Registration opens in March.
Can I take more than 15 credits per term?
If you are in satisfactory standing, you may take up to 18 credits per term.
What’s the Pass/Fail (P/F) and Satisfactory /Unsatisfactory (S/U) option on courses?
Some courses at McGill are graded as pass/fail, but this does not apply to courses that are part of your Major. You may take a maximum of 1 course per term as an S/U option, but this designation only applies to ELECTIVES. Do not make the mistake of selecting this as an option for a required or complementary course. After the add/drop period, the S/U option CANNOT be removed, no exceptions.
Can I complete a minor?
You can complete a Minor, but it is your responsibility to meet all of the requirements for both your major and minor programs. It can be challenging to complete all requirements for your program and the Minor in 3 years. A Minor must have 18 unique credits: therefore if the Minor is 24 credits, 6 credits (typically two courses) can “overlap” and count as required or complementary credits for both your Major and Minor. However, any course counts only once towards the total of credits required for graduation. The credits in your Minor will replace your elective credits.
To apply for a Minor, fill out the Minor Approval Form and get approval from the Minor Advisor. Once this is done, send your signed form to your Major program Advisor.
Common Minors completed by Nutrition Major students are Psychology, Statistics, Kinesiology, Environment, Marketing and International Development Studies.
How many credits to I need to get my degree?
Most students coming from the Québec education system require 90 credits. Regardless, this number will be on the letter of acceptance that was sent to you from McGill. Any advanced standing will be on your transcript at the beginning of the academic year. If you were admitted with advanced standing, see your advisor to discuss potential course equivalencies. Regardless of advanced standing, to get a McGill degree you need at least 60 credits of McGill courses.
Can I take a semester or year off?
Yes you can. Please contact the Student Affairs Office at studentinfo.macdonald [at] mcgill.ca (subject: Inquiry%20into%20taking%20a%20semester%20off) to inquire. If you decide to take a semester off, note that your sequence of courses will be interrupted and your graduation will be delayed.
Can I take courses downtown?
Yes, although a rule specific to our Faculty states that 2/3 of the credits required when you began your B.Sc. (Nutr. Sc.) must be taken on the Macdonald Campus. This means 60 credits if you enter from a science DEC in CEGEP, or 2/3 of the credits remaining for your degree if you are given credit from other previous studies.
What is a passing grade at McGill?
McGill has a ‘C’ minimum policy: you must get higher than ‘D’ in your pre-requisite, required and complementary courses.
Required courses: If you get a ‘D’ grade in a required course, you will need to take the course again and obtain a higher grade in order to make the course count towards your degree requirements.
Complementary courses: If you get a ‘D’ grade in a complementary course, you can either take the course again or choose another from the list.
Courses with a grade of ‘D’ which are not re-taken count as electives.
Refer to McGill's grading policy
I took PSYC 204 as an equivalent to AEMA 310, how do I get the additional assignment?
There are a few equivalencies to your statistics requirement AEMA 310 that can be found here. Note, that you will NOT receive credits for two statistics courses. For example, if you take AEMA 310 and MGCR 271, you will only receive credits for AEMA 310.
Note that as of Fall 2022, PSYC 204 is not equivalent to AEMA 310.
If you took PSYC 204 (SUMMER 2022 AND PRIOR) and would like to get the additional assignment for equivalency, please
1-Contact the Professor for AEMA 310-Statistical Methods 1 detailed on the ecalendar and ask them for the additional assignment.
2-Submit the assignment to the Professor with the filled out ‘Course Equivalency Form’
3-Send the signed ‘Course Equivalency Form’ to your Advisor christine.gurekian [at] mcgill.ca
Can I take a course outside McGill?
You can take a course outside McGill if you have had it preapproved as an equivalency to a McGill course. Please refer to ‘Studying Away from McGill’ and watch the informative video to guide you.
Can I defer an exam?
In some rare cases, exams can be deferred. Please see details on the Student Affairs Office exam site on how to proceed.
How can I get research experience at part of my Nutrition Major?
There are a few ways to obtain research experience. The first 2 involve matching your interests to a SHN Professor's research area. Professors may or may not need assistance at a particular time. You should always have a professional curriculum vitae ready so that when opportunities arise, you can demonstrate your qualifications. The first way to get research experience is to get a scholarship to work with a stipend as part of a Professor’s research group over the summer.
The most common scholarship is the NSERC Undergraduate Summer Research Award; this award is highly competitive and requires a CGPA of at least 3.7. You should investigate how to match up with a Professor’s research program at the beginning of U2 winter term. For more information concerning this award, please contact Dr. Daiva Nielsen at daiva.nielsen [at] mcgill.ca.
The second way is to get complementary course credit through a Directed Studies-NUTR 430 3-credit course. This involves a 135-hour unpaid commitment over a term (fall, winter or summer) starting in U2W. The Professor and yourself will write a contract detailing the work to be done and the performance criteria to receive a grade in the course. This final year course involves initiative on your part and is dependent on the supervisor’s research needs.
If you are serious about completing a Directed Studies-NUTR 430 course, please fill out the Application Form and send the form with your curriculum vitae to christine.gurekian [at] mcgill.ca. It will then be sent out to SHN Professors.
Another way to obtain research experience is to complete a full-time Internship in the summer through the McEwen Family Internship Program. This can be taken as a 3 credit course as FAES 300- Internship 2. For more information, contact kendra.gray [at] mcgill.ca.
I would like to travel during my degree. Are there opportunities in the Nutrition Major?
In order to inquire about McGill’s Exchange program, please visit www.mcgill.ca/mcgillabroad. For this option, note that you will need to be flexible with your schedule and may need to add an extra semester to your Major. Ideally, you keep your electives for U3 winter, and go on exchange then.
There are several field studies programs in the Faculty which can be incorporated into the Global Nutrition concentration. This requires prior planning, some cost to you, and consultation with your advisor who will help you interface with the Committee on Academic Standing if necessary.
Field Studies programs include:
The Africa Field Studies Semester offers students an opportunity to study in East Africa for a semester starting every January.
The Barbados Interdisciplinary Tropical Studies (BITS) 15-credits of intensive course and project work during the summer (May - August)
The Africa Field Studies Semester offers students an opportunity to study in East Africa for a semester starting every January.
The Barbados Field Study Semester is a program where students earn 15 credits through field courses while living at McGill's Bellairs Research Institute in Barbados.
The Panama Field Study Semester is a joint venture between McGill University and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) in Panama. It is a 15-credit program offered in the Winter term (January to April)
Sustainable Agriculture & Food Security in Cuba is an intensive 3-credit course to allow students to gain experience in agro-ecological technologies and examine issues related to food security and sustainable agriculture using the Cuban model
Can I transfer to the Dietetics Major?
Yes, some students apply to transfer into the Dietetics Major mid-way through their studies. Admission into Dietetics is only in the fall semester and is competitive based solely on CGPA.
The ‘Readmission and Transfer’ page will provide you with all the important information you need for your transfer. In order to transfer: fill out the ‘Program Change Form’ and send to the Student Affairs Office at studentinfo.macdonald [at] mcgill.ca before March 1st (if you need to complete a French Proficiency exam) and June 1st (if no exam is required). The Student Affairs Office makes the decision for admission and will contact you about your transfer.
The Dietetics Major takes 3.5 years due to the sequencing of the Stage courses, and therefore even if you have already completed some of the required courses, the program will still take 3.5 years. It is not possible to complete it faster.
If you transfer, your CGPA does not change, it carries into the new major. Alternatively, if you do not want to transfer and wish to graduate in the Nutrition Major, you can consider applying for the MScA Dietetics Credentialing option if you have a high CGPA.
I think I’m on track to graduate, but how do I know for sure?
Keep track of your progress through your Major by using the fillable Advising Sheet. If you have any questions, make sure to contact your Advisor.
How do I apply for graduation?
May graduation - apply for graduation in February
January graduation – apply to graduate by November 30
August graduation – apply to graduate by March 31
Go to the “Student Records Menu” on Minerva and choose “Apply for Graduation for Your Primary Curriculum (1st degree)”. https://www.mcgill.ca/graduation/applying
