Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
Plant Science courses are offered through McGill's Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences located on the Macdonald Campus, the largest green space on the island of Montreal.
From Saturday, Oct. 5 through Monday, Oct. 7, the Downtown and Macdonald Campuses will be open only to McGill students, employees and essential visitors. Many classes will be held online. Remote work required where possible. See Campus Public Safety website for details.
Du samedi 5 octobre au lundi 7 octobre, le campus du centre-ville et le campus Macdonald ne seront accessibles qu’aux étudiants et aux membres du personnel de l’Université McGill, ainsi qu’aux visiteurs essentiels. De nombreux cours auront lieu en ligne. Le personnel devra travailler à distance, si possible. Voir le site Web de la Direction de la protection et de la prévention pour plus de détails.
Plant Science courses are offered through McGill's Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences located on the Macdonald Campus, the largest green space on the island of Montreal.
This major will teach you about the biology of plants and livestock, and how to grow food while maintaining a healthy environment. Practical experience is key; we have unique facilities where you can practice what you learn. Our on-campus farm includes crop fields, orchards, greenhouses, and dairy, swine and poultry facilities for hands-on experience.
THIS SPECIALIZATION MAY BE TAKEN WITH ONE OF THE FOLLOWING MAJORS: Environmental Biology and Life Sciences.
The Plant Biology specialization emphasizes the study of plants from their cellular structure to their role in the ecosystem.
You will examine the structure and development of plants in the context of their function as the primary producers on earth. You will learn about the physiology and biochemistry of plants from the basics of photosynthesis to the production of chemical compounds used for defense against herbivores, pests and pathogens.
You will also develop skills in plant identification, plant propagation, and molecular methods for studying plants and fungi. You will learn how natural selection has shaped the diversity of plants, explore the dynamics of plant communities in the ecosystem, and appreciate the role of plants in society as the source of food, fiber, fuel, medicinal compounds and ornamental.
This specialization emphasizes the study of plants from the cellular to the organismal level. The structure, physiology, development, evolution, and ecology of plants will be studied. Most courses offer laboratory classes that expand on the lecture material and introduce students to the latest techniques in plant biology. Many laboratory exercises use the excellent research and field facilities at the Morgan Arboretum, McGill Herbarium, Emile A. Lods Agronomy Research Centre, the Horticultural Centre and the Plant Science greenhouses as well as McGill field stations. Students may undertake a research project under the guidance of a member of the Plant Science Department as part of their studies. Graduates with the specialization may continue in post-graduate study or work in the fields of botany, mycology, molecular biology, ecology, conservation, or environmental science.
For information on academic advising, see: http://www.mcgill.ca/macdonald/studentinfo/advising
Plant Science: The general anatomy and physiology of vascular plants with emphasis on how physiological processes influence function.
Offered by: Plant Science
Plant Science: Principles of classification and identification of flowering plants and ferns, with emphasis on 35 major families of flowering plants and the habitats in which they grow.
Offered by: Plant Science
Plant Science: This course investigates the complex interactions between plants and their environment, focusing on the mechanisms underlying plant physiological processes. Plasticity of plants to their ecological environment; topics include phytoremediation, plant stress responses, plant-symbiosis and plant-insect interactions.
Offered by: Plant Science
15 credits of complementary courses selected from:
Animal Science: Population genetics mechanisms in mammals, birds and plant. Factors influencing gene, genotype, and phenotypic frequencies. Effects of different types of selection, Hardy-Weinberg, linkage and recombination, polymorphisms and heterozygosity, population size, random drift and inbreeding on gene and genotype frequencies. Relationship between quantitative genetic parameters and gene frequencies.
Offered by: Animal Science
Bioinformatics: Bioinformatics methods and reasoning in relation to genomics, proteomics and metabolomics strategies with an emphasis on functional genomics data. The course will cover introduction to UNIX, Perl programming, data processing and integration, file parsing, relational database design and implementation, angled towards solutions relevant for genomics.
Offered by: Plant Science
Environmental Biology: Topics in the interface of evolution, phylogenetics, and biogeography, including tree thinking, phylogeny estimation, and the processes that generate and maintain biodiversity. The major scientific discoveries that demonstrated how Earth’s history affects the evolution of organisms, including the unheard voices of evolutionary biology.
Offered by: Natural Resource Sciences
Plant Science: This course describes the various groups of fungi and explores in depth their biology and physiology, their ecological niches and the role in various ecosystems and their benefits and uses in industry and biotechnology.
Offered by: Plant Science
Plant Science: The theory and concepts of plant pathology, including the disease cycle, infection, symptoms, resistance, epidemiology and control. The biology and taxonomy of pathogens will be studied, including fungi, bacteria, viruses and nematodes. Techniques of inoculation, isolation of pathogens from diseased plants, disease diagnosis and pathogen identification will be demonstrated.
Offered by: Plant Science
Plant Science: Principles and practical aspects of plant propagation are examined. The course consists of two parts. The first third deals with sexual propagation; the production, processing storage certification and analysis of seeds. The remaining two-thirds deals with vegetative propagation; cutting, budding, grafting, layering, and tissue culture.
Offered by: Plant Science
Plant Science: Principles and practices of plant breeding, including reproduction of crop plants; plant hybridization; sources of genetic variation; selection methods used for self- and cross-pollinated crops and for clonally reproduced crops; breeding for diseases and pest resistance; applications of biotechnology in plant breeding.
Offered by: Plant Science
Plant Science: Theory and practice of plant ecology with an emphasis on the interaction between patterns and ecological processes and the dynamics, conservation and management of plant populations and communities over a range of temporal and spatial scales.
Offered by: Plant Science
For more information, contact Professor Mehran Dastmalchi, Specialization Coordinator, Plant Biology
The goal of this specialization is to give students an excellent background in the knowledge and skills relating to the biology and physiology, breeding, propagation, and management of domesticated plants. The plant industry, in both rural and urban settings, is a sector of growing importance to Canadian and global economies.
This specialization provides students with the knowledge and skills relating to the biology and physiology, breeding, propagation, and management of domesticated plants. The plant industry, in both rural and urban settings, is a sector of growing importance to Canadian and global economies. Graduates are prepared for employment in horticulture or in field crop development, production, and management, in government services, extension, teaching and consulting; or for graduate and postgraduate studies. When taken in conjunction with the Major Agro-Environmental Sciences and the specialization in Professional Agrology, this specialization conforms with the eligibility requirements for the Ordre des agronomes du Québec.
For information on academic advising, see: http://www.mcgill.ca/macdonald/studentinfo/advising
Plant Science: 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.
Offered by: Plant Science
Plant Science: The theory and concepts of plant pathology, including the disease cycle, infection, symptoms, resistance, epidemiology and control. The biology and taxonomy of pathogens will be studied, including fungi, bacteria, viruses and nematodes. Techniques of inoculation, isolation of pathogens from diseased plants, disease diagnosis and pathogen identification will be demonstrated.
Offered by: Plant Science
Plant Science: Principles and practical aspects of plant propagation are examined. The course consists of two parts. The first third deals with sexual propagation; the production, processing storage certification and analysis of seeds. The remaining two-thirds deals with vegetative propagation; cutting, budding, grafting, layering, and tissue culture.
Offered by: Plant Science
Plant Science: The general anatomy and physiology of vascular plants with emphasis on how physiological processes influence function.
Offered by: Plant Science
Plant Science: A study of the biology of undesirable vegetation as related to the principles of prevention and physical, biological, managerial and chemical control. Emphasis on the environmental impact of the different methods of weed control.
Offered by: Plant Science
Plant Science: Principles and practices of plant breeding, including reproduction of crop plants; plant hybridization; sources of genetic variation; selection methods used for self- and cross-pollinated crops and for clonally reproduced crops; breeding for diseases and pest resistance; applications of biotechnology in plant breeding.
Offered by: Plant Science
6 credits of complementary courses selected from:
Agriculture: Focus on low-input, sustainable, and organic agriculture: the farm as an ecosystem; complex system theory; practical examples of soil management, pest control, integrated crop and livestock production, and marketing systems.
Offered by: Plant Science
Entomology: Modern concepts of integrated control techniques and principles of insect pest management, with emphasis on biological control (use of predators, parasites and pathogens against pest insects), population monitoring, and manipulation of environmental, behavioral and physiological factors in the pest's way of life. Physical, cultural, and genetic controls and an introduction to the use of non-toxic biochemical controls (attractants, repellents, pheromones, antimetabolites).
Offered by: Natural Resource Sciences
Plant Science: Ecology, management, and physiology of forage crops with emphasis on establishment, growth, maintenance, harvesting, and preservation; value as livestock feed in terms of nutritional composition and role in environmental conservation.
Offered by: Plant Science
Plant Science: Application of ecological concepts and principles to the design and management of selected vegetable and fruit agroecosystems. Includes selection of varieties and management from seedling to harvest to storage.
Offered by: Plant Science
Plant Science: Selection, use and care of plants in urban environments for the benefit of urban populations: landscape design, turf and green space management, urban trees, green roofs and walls, design and management of community gardens, urban agriculture.
Offered by: Plant Science
Plant Science: The production of major flower and vegetable crops in greenhouses. Includes greenhouse design, heating, ventilation, lighting, hydroponics, irrigation, fertilization, scheduling and integrated pest management.
Offered by: Plant Science
Soil Science: Exploration of the unique soil habitat for organisms with a focus on the variables that affect the abundance, diversity and interactions of soil biota and, in turn, their influence on soil physicochemical properties, biogeochemical cycles and other factors impacting ecosystem sustainability. Topics include survey of soil fauna, soil food webs, microbial ecology, biological carbon and nitrogen cycling, plant-soil interactions, and the effects of human activities and management on soil ecology, including synthesizing concepts and a critical analysis and interpretation of primary scientific literature in soil ecology.
Offered by: Natural Resource Sciences
For more information, contact Professor Valerio Hoyos-Villegas, Specialization Coordinator, Plant Production
Agrology focuses on the science and technology required for agricultural production; Students in this major wishing to become members of the Order of Agrologists of Quebec (OAQ) must complete two specializations.
This Specialization is required for students who wish to qualify for membership in the Ordre des agronomes du Québec (OAQ). It cannot be taken alone; it must be taken with the Major in Agricultural Economics and the Agribusiness Specialization. This Specialization focuses on working in the professional agribusiness industry and covers agricultural legislation as well as professional conduct.
For information on academic advising, see: http://www.mcgill.ca/macdonald/studentinfo/advising.
Agriculture: A study of Quebec legislation of importance to the agricultural sector, with emphasis on the reasons why these laws were implemented and on their net effects on this sector. Some Canadian laws will be covered but only inasmuch as they affect Quebec agriculture.
Offered by: Plant Science
Agriculture: Professional internship (stage) under the supervision of a practicing agrologist.
Offered by: Plant Science
Agriculture: See AGRI 410D1 for course description.
Offered by: Plant Science
Agriculture: This course introduces students to the professional aspects of the practice of agrology. Topics include understanding the responsibilities of agrologists, the broad context and functioning of the Québec agricultural industry, how to deal with clients, colleagues, and understanding legal and regulatory aspects of the profession in Québec.
Offered by: Plant Science
Agriculture: Interdisciplinary team project in the agri-food industry.
Offered by: Plant Science
6 credits from:
Biology (Agric & Envir Sc): Overview of the tree of life and exploration of the central role evolution plays in the field of biology. Difficulties inherent to classifying life and critically assessing evolutionary theory among scientific and popular audiences. The importance of phylogenetics and the relationships among major groups of organisms.
Offered by: Natural Resource Sciences
Life Sciences: Organization and function of intracellular organelles in eukaryotic cells. Mechanisms of membrane transport. Protein sorting and vesicular transport. Cytoskeleton. DNA and chromosome structure. DNA replication. Mechanisms of RNA and protein synthesis. Control of gene expression. Cell cycle and the control of cell division. Mechanisms of cell communication and signal transduction. Apoptosis. Neuronal signaling.
Offered by: Parasitology
Life Sciences: 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.
Offered by: Plant Science
Life Sciences: Biochemistry of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids; enzymes and coenzymes. Introduction to intermediary metabolism.
Offered by: Parasitology
Life Sciences: 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.
Offered by: Natural Resource Sciences
3 credits from:
Animal Science: Overview of the Canadian Dairy and Beef industries with emphasis on products, environment, management systems, reproductive technologies, health, genetic improvement, automation, information recording and use of housing facilities and equipment. Field trips to dairy and beef farms as well as processing units included for illustration and application of concepts.
Offered by: Animal Science
Animal Science: Application and integration of biological principles of genetics, physiology, anatomy, nutrition, and health of poultry and swine production systems in Canada. Major factors and practices affecting productivity at the different stages of swine and poultry production. Field trips to farms and related enterprises.
Offered by: Animal Science
3 credits from:
Plant Science: 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.
Offered by: Plant Science
Plant Science: Ecology, management, and physiology of forage crops with emphasis on establishment, growth, maintenance, harvesting, and preservation; value as livestock feed in terms of nutritional composition and role in environmental conservation.
Offered by: Plant Science
Plant Science: A study of the biology of undesirable vegetation as related to the principles of prevention and physical, biological, managerial and chemical control. Emphasis on the environmental impact of the different methods of weed control.
Offered by: Plant Science
For more information, contact Professor Valérie Gravel, Specialization Coordinator, Professional Agrology
This specialization integrates agricultural production and sustainability; highlighting the relationships among soils, plants, insects, animals and humans.
This specialization focuses on the principles underlying the practice of ecological agriculture. When coupled with the Major in Environmental Biology, agriculture as a managed ecosystem that responds to the laws of community ecology is examined; when combined with the Major Agro-Environmental Sciences and the specialization in Professional Agrology, this specialization focuses more directly on the practice of ecological agriculture and conforms with the eligibility requirements of the Ordre des agronomes du Québec. It is suitable for students wishing to farm and do extension and government work, and those intending to pursue postgraduate work in this field.
For information on academic advising, see: http://www.mcgill.ca/macdonald/studentinfo/advising
Agricultural Economics: Examination of North American and international agriculture, food and resource policies, policy instruments, programs and their implications. Economic analysis applied to the principles, procedures and objectives of various policy actions affecting agriculture, and the environment.
Offered by: Agricultural Economics
Agriculture: Through case studies and field trips, students will examine the problems and constraints within the Canadian agro-ecosystem, including the interrelationships among food production, the environment, agricultural policy and social issues. Research in this field of study will also be introduced.
Offered by: Plant Science
Agriculture: Focus on low-input, sustainable, and organic agriculture: the farm as an ecosystem; complex system theory; practical examples of soil management, pest control, integrated crop and livestock production, and marketing systems.
Offered by: Plant Science
Soil Science: Exploration of the unique soil habitat for organisms with a focus on the variables that affect the abundance, diversity and interactions of soil biota and, in turn, their influence on soil physicochemical properties, biogeochemical cycles and other factors impacting ecosystem sustainability. Topics include survey of soil fauna, soil food webs, microbial ecology, biological carbon and nitrogen cycling, plant-soil interactions, and the effects of human activities and management on soil ecology, including synthesizing concepts and a critical analysis and interpretation of primary scientific literature in soil ecology.
Offered by: Natural Resource Sciences
Minimum of 6 agronomic credits from:
Agriculture: Internship on working farms or in other appropriate businesses of the agri-food/environment industries.
Offered by: Plant Science
Agriculture: International development and world food security and challenges in developing countries. Soil and water management, climate change, demographic issues, plant and animal resources conservation, bio-products and biofuels, economic and environmental issues specially in tropical and sub-tropical regions. Globalization, sustainable development, technology transfer and human resources needs for rural development.
Offered by: Animal Science
Animal Science: An introduction to the pathogenesis and control of diseases in farm animals. Immune response and other protective mechanisms. Implications of animal diseases and drug therapy for product safety and public health.
Offered by: Animal Science
Bioresource Engineering: An introduction to how humans affect the earth's ecosystem and projections for the needs of food, water, air and energy to support the human population. Ecologically-reasonable coping strategies including biofuels, bioprocessing, waste management, and remediation methods.
Offered by: Bioresource Engineering
Entomology: Modern concepts of integrated control techniques and principles of insect pest management, with emphasis on biological control (use of predators, parasites and pathogens against pest insects), population monitoring, and manipulation of environmental, behavioral and physiological factors in the pest's way of life. Physical, cultural, and genetic controls and an introduction to the use of non-toxic biochemical controls (attractants, repellents, pheromones, antimetabolites).
Offered by: Natural Resource Sciences
Plant Science: Application of ecological concepts and principles to the design and management of selected vegetable and fruit agroecosystems. Includes selection of varieties and management from seedling to harvest to storage.
Offered by: Plant Science
Plant Science: Selection, use and care of plants in urban environments for the benefit of urban populations: landscape design, turf and green space management, urban trees, green roofs and walls, design and management of community gardens, urban agriculture.
Offered by: Plant Science
Plant Science: A study of the biology of undesirable vegetation as related to the principles of prevention and physical, biological, managerial and chemical control. Emphasis on the environmental impact of the different methods of weed control.
Offered by: Plant Science
Other complementary courses:
Microbiology (Agric&Envir Sc): The ecology of microorganisms, primarily bacteria and archaea, and their roles in biogeochemical cycles. Microbial interactions with the environment, plants, animals and other microbes emphasizing the underlying genetics and physiology. Diversity, evolution (microbial phylogenetics) and the application of molecular biology in microbial ecology.
Offered by: Natural Resource Sciences
Nutrition and Dietetics: Food insecurity is one of the most critical issues humanity has faced in history. The magnitude of this phenomenon, reflected in its worldwide presence and in the number of individuals affected, makes it an imperative component of all nations' and of all internaltional agencies' agendas. Its complexity of determinants and its numerous consequences require the involvement of multipe disciplines and sectors. McGill undergraduate students as future professionals tackling global issues require an integrated and multidisciplinary training on food security.
Offered by: Human Nutrition
Plant Science: Ecology, management, and physiology of forage crops with emphasis on establishment, growth, maintenance, harvesting, and preservation; value as livestock feed in terms of nutritional composition and role in environmental conservation.
Offered by: Plant Science
Plant Science: Theory and practice of plant ecology with an emphasis on the interaction between patterns and ecological processes and the dynamics, conservation and management of plant populations and communities over a range of temporal and spatial scales.
Offered by: Plant Science
Woodland Resources: The study of silviculture and silvics and their application to forest management to sustain the production of wood and other ecological goods and services such as wildlife, water and landscape in natural forests and rural environments (agroforestry). Acquisition of practical skills in forest surveying and computer simulation of forest growth.
Offered by: Natural Resource Sciences
For more information, contact Professor Caroline Begg, Specialization Coordinator, Ecological Agriculture
McGill offers a variety of unique opportunities including courses, field study opportunities and exchanges abroad, as well as undergraduate internships.