GLOBAL FOOD SECURITY MAJOR
Are you a new student? Make sure you check this page Watch a video explaining how to plan your first-year courses
Are you aware of your program's structure, and the applicable rules? Find this information here
Got questions? Check my FAQs for questions about topics ranging from Honours to feeling overwhelmed to Convocation ceremonies, and everything in between!
Remember, your program requirements are those that were in effect when you started each component of your program. For example, you can be in the 2021-2022 version of your Major, and the 2022-2023 version of your Specialization. To see the term when you started a program component, look at your unofficial transcript on Minerva.
Find your program requirements, including complementary course lists, in the eCalendar:
2023-2024 version of the eCalendar Note that this calendar will be updated in August, to its final version. Previous versions of the eCalendar can be selected from the menu on the left.
Remember that if you click on individual courses in the tables below or in the eCalendar's program requirements, you can view pre-requisites and other restrictions. You can also search the eCalendar for courses.
Note the following course is offered only in alternate years:
| Course |
|
offered |
next offered |
|
NRSC 221
Environment and Health
3 Credits
Offered in the: - Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Natural Resource Sciences: Introduction to physical and social environments as factors contributing to the production of human health, with emphasis on the physical properties of the atmospheric environment as they interact with diverse human populations in urban settings.
Offered by: Natural Resource Sciences
- Restriction: Not open to students who are taking or have taken GEOG 221.
- Note: This course is also offered as GEOG 221. Students enrolled in main campus programs register as GEOG 221; students enrolled in Macdonald campus programs register as NRSC 221.
- Terms
- This course is not scheduled for the 2024 academic year
- Instructors
- There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024 academic year
|
Complementary in the Major |
Mac campus: odd-numbered Falls
Downtown campus: odd-numbered Winters
|
Mac campus: Fall 2025, Fall 2027
Downtown campus: Winter 2025, Winter 2027
|
AGRI 493
International Project Mgmt
3 Credits
Offered in the: - Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Agriculture: Principles and practice related to management of agriculture, nutrition and environmental projects within an international context. Case-studies and workshops drawing on expertise of development professionals from government and the private sector address techniques and resources for successful planning, implementation and evaluation within a multi-sectoral framework.
Offered by: Agricultural & Env.Sc.-Dean
- Terms
- This course is not scheduled for the 2024 academic year
- Instructors
- There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024 academic year
|
Required in the Major |
Odd-numbered winters |
Not offered in Winter 2025 |
Suggested course progression
I highly recommend you follow the recommendations below, to ensure that you make adequate progress in your degree and avoid potentially serious scheduling difficulties in the coming years. If you take courses outside the recommended order, you may run into pre-requisite issues. Also, schedules are made in order for students to be able to complete their program in 3 years assuming they completed all program pre-requisites before starting their Major, and they follow the recommendations below. Of course, not all students can follow these recommendations for a variety of reasons. If you need help planning your courses, please talk to me directly. Note that complementary and even elective courses are included below - these are options which are conflict-free by design, but of course you can choose others, as scheduling permits.
If you are missing Foundation Year-level courses, please discuss with me the best strategy to include these in your schedule.
Most students take five 3-credit courses per term (15 credits total), but some choose to take four courses (12 credits total). For most students the overall program can be completed in three years if a full course load (i.e., 15 credits) is taken each term. If you take less than 5 courses per term it may be possible for you to "catch up" with summer courses, or you can take an extra semester or year. You are considered a full-time student if you register for at least 12 credits in a given term. Note that to be eligible for in-course scholarships from our Faculty, you must complete 27 graded credits in the school year.
The tables below are valid for the 2024-2025 school year. These tables represent blocks of courses that are conflict-free with each other.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
1- The vast majority of courses in your program are offered once a year, and there is always only one scheduling option for the lecture. Thus the value of following the recommendations below, to avoid scheduling conflicts which will delay your graduation.
2- Do not use these tables as lists of program requirements! Program requirements must be accessed from the eCalendar (pay attention to the version of the program you are in, and make sure you look at the correct information on the eCalendar). For example, if an instructor who teaches a required course goes on sabbatic and the course is not offered in a given year, it will not appear in the tables, but it's still required. Similarly, alternate year courses (some of which are required in some programs) will not appear in the tables, in the years when they are not offered.
3- These blocks of courses are conflict-free by design, and exist to ensure it's possible for a "typical" student to complete the program in 3 years. You are free to take different complementary or elective courses than the ones listed below, scheduling permitting. Whether courses from different blocks are conflict-free with each other is up to chance. It's not because courses from different blocks were conflict-free with each other one year, that they will also be in any other year.
4- If the courses listed in a given term are insufficient in number, fill up your schedule with other complementary courses of your choice, or electives.
Legend for course types
(rM): required in the Major; (rEA): required in Eco. Ag.; (rIA): required in International Ag.; (cM): complementary in the Major; (cEA): complementary in Eco. Ag.; (cIA): complementary in International. Ag.;(e): elective
| Fall 2024 for students in U1 |
Winter 2025 for students in U1 |
AEBI 210
Organisms 1
3 Credits
Offered in the: - Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Biology (Agric & Envir Sc): The biology of plants and plant-based systems in managed and natural terrestrial environments. The interactions between autotrophs and soil organisms and selected groups of animals with close ecological and evolutionary connections with plants (e.g., herbivores and pollinators) will be explored in lecture and laboratory.
Offered by: Plant Science
- 3 hours of lecture and 2 hours of lab, per week.
(rM) † |
AEMA 310
Statistical Methods 1
3 Credits
Offered in the: - Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Mathematics (Agric&Envir Sci): 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.
Offered by: Plant Science
- Two 1.5-hour lectures and one 2-hour lab
- Please note that credit will be given for only one introductory statistics course. Consult your academic advisor.
- Terms
- Instructors
- Pierre R L Dutilleul
- Jaskaran Dhiman
(rM)
|
|
AGEC 200
Principles of Microeconomics
3 Credits
Offered in the: - Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Agricultural Economics: The field of economics as it relates to the activities of individual consumers, firms and organizations. Emphasis is on the application of economic principles and concepts to everyday decision making and to the analysis of current economic issues.
Offered by: Agricultural Economics
(rM)
|
AGRI 340
Princ of Ecological Agricult
3 Credits
Offered in the: - Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Agriculture: Focus on low-input, sustainable, and organic agriculture: the farm as an ecosystem; complex system theory; practical examples of soil management, pest control, integrated crop and livestock production, and marketing systems.
Offered by: Plant Science
- 3 lectures and one 2-hour seminar
- Restriction: Not open to students who have taken AGRI 250
(rEA, cM) |
AGRI 215
Agro-Ecosystems Field Course
3 Credits
Offered in the: - Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Agriculture: Through case studies and field trips, students will examine the problems and constraints within the Canadian agro-ecosystem, including the interrelationships among food production, the environment, agricultural policy and social issues. Research in this field of study will also be introduced.
Offered by: Plant Science
- This course carries an additional charge of $65.29 to cover the cost of transportation (bus rental) for local field trips to agricultural enterprises. The fee is refundable only during the withdrawal with full refund period.
(rEA, cM) |
BREE 217
Hydrology and Water Resources
3 Credits
Offered in the: - Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Bioresource Engineering: Introduction to water resources and hydrologic cycle. Precipitation and hydrologic frequency analysis. Soil water processes, infiltration theory and modeling. Evapotranspiration estimation methods and crop water requirements. Surface runoff estimation as a function of land use modifications. Estimation of peak runoff rates. Unit hydrograph. Design of open channels and vegetated waterways.
Offered by: Bioresource Engineering
- Three lectures, one 2-hour lab per week.
- This course carries an additional course charge for field trips.
- This course carries an additional course charge of $19.43 to cover transportation costs for two field trips, which may include a visit to a national weather station and a trip to gain hands-on experience on monitoring water flow in streams.
(cM)
|
|
ANSC 250
Principles of Animal Science
3 Credits
Offered in the: - Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Animal Science: Introduction to the scientific principles underlying the livestock and poultry industries. Emphasis will be placed on the breeding, physiology and nutrition of animals raised for the production of food and fibre.
Offered by: Animal Science
- Fall
- 3 lectures and one 2-hour lab
(rM)
|
|
ENVB 210
The Biophysical Environment
3 Credits
Offered in the: - Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Environmental Biology: With reference to the ecosystems in the St Lawrence lowlands, the principles and processes governing climate-landform-water-soil-vegetation systems and their interactions will be examined in lecture and laboratory. Emphasis on the natural environment as an integrated system.
Offered by: Natural Resource Sciences
(rM) |
|
†Note that some or all of the labs in this course are restricted by program. You must choose a lab section that is open to students in your program, or that is not restricted, as visible in the course's detailed schedule on Minerva (Registration Menu, Step 2). If you choose a section that is not open to you, you will get a Major Restriction error.
Summer between U1 and U2:
AGRI 310
Internship in Agr./Environ.
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Agriculture: Internship on working farms or in other appropriate businesses of the agri-food/environment industries.
Offered by: Plant Science
- Restriction: Not open to students who have taken AGRI 201D1/D2.
- Terms
- Instructors
- Caroline B Begg
- Caroline B Begg
(cEA)
| Fall 2024 for students in U2 |
Winter 2025 for students in U2 |
|
AGEC 333
Resource Economics
3 Credits
Offered in the: - Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Agricultural Economics: 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.
Offered by: Agricultural Economics
- Fall
- Prerequisites: AGEC 200 or equivalent
(cIA)
|
AGEC 442
Econ of Int'l Agric Dvlpmnt
3 Credits
Offered in the: - Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Agricultural Economics: 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.
Offered by: Agricultural Economics
(rM, rIA) |
|
NUTR 207
Nutrition and Health
3 Credits
Offered in the: - Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Nutrition and Dietetics: 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.
Offered by: Human Nutrition
- Fall
- 3 lectures
- Corequisites: FDSC 230 [for students that have not taken the CEGEP equivalent OOXV].
- Prerequisites: AEBI 122 or BIOL 112 or CEGEP equivalent OOXU
- Restriction: Not open to students who take NUTR 200 or EDKP 292
- Restriction: Science students in physical science and psychology programs who wish to take this course should see the Arts and Science Student Affairs Office for permission to register.
(rM)
|
AGRI 411
Global Issues on Dev, Food&Agr
3 Credits
Offered in the: - Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Agriculture: International development and world food security and challenges in developing countries. Soil and water management, climate change, demographic issues, plant and animal resources conservation, bio-products and biofuels, economic and environmental issues specially in tropical and sub-tropical regions. Globalization, sustainable development, technology transfer and human resources needs for rural development.
Offered by: Animal Science
- Winter
- Two 2-hour conferences
(rIA, cM, cEA,)
|
|
NUTR 341
Global Food Security
3 Credits
Offered in the: - Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Nutrition and Dietetics: Food insecurity is one of the most critical issues humanity has faced in history. The magnitude of this phenomenon, reflected in its worldwide presence and in the number of individuals affected, makes it an imperative component of all nations' and of all internaltional agencies' agendas. Its complexity of determinants and its numerous consequences require the involvement of multipe disciplines and sectors. McGill undergraduate students as future professionals tackling global issues require an integrated and multidisciplinary training on food security.
Offered by: Human Nutrition
- Corequisite(s): NUTR 207 or permission of Instructor
(rM)
|
ENVB 437
Assessing Environmental Impact
3 Credits
Offered in the: - Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Environmental Biology: 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.
Offered by: Natural Resource Sciences
- Open to U2 students and above.
(cIA) |
PLNT 300
Cropping Systems
3 Credits
Offered in the: - Fall
- Winter
- Summer
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
- 3 lectures and one 3-hour lab
- Prerequisite: AEBI 210
(cM, cIA) |
|
Summer between U2 and U3: AGRI 499 Agricultural Development Internship (cM, cIA)
| Fall 2024 for students in U3 |
Winter 2025 for students in U3 |
FDSC 310
Post Harvest Fruit&Veg Technol
3 Credits
Offered in the: - Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Food Science: The post harvest chemistry and physiology of horticultural crops as they affect quality and marketability, handling methods pre and post harvest, principles and practices in cooling, storage, transportation and packaging.
Offered by: Food Science&Agr.Chemistry
- Fall
- 3 lectures and one 3-hour lab
- This course carries an additional charge of $48.67 to cover the cost of transportation with respect to field trips. The fee is refundable only during the withdrawal with full refund period.
(cM) |
AGEC 430
Agric, Food & Resource Policy
3 Credits
Offered in the: - Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Agricultural Economics: Examination of North American and international agriculture, food and resource policies, policy instruments, programs and their implications. Economic analysis applied to the principles, procedures and objectives of various policy actions affecting agriculture, and the environment.
Offered by: Agricultural Economics
- Winter
- 3 lectures
- Prerequisites: AGEC 200 or equivalent
(cEA, cIA) |
NUTR 501
Nutrition in Dev Countries
3 Credits
Offered in the: - Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Nutrition and Dietetics: This course will cover the major nutritional problems in developing countries. The focus will be on nutrition and health and emphasize young children and other vulnerable groups. The role of diet and disease for each major nutritional problem will be discussed.
Offered by: Human Nutrition
- Fall
- 2 lectures and one seminar
- Prerequisite: For undergraduate students, consent of instructor required
(cM, cIA) |
PARA 410
Environment and Infection
3 Credits
Offered in the: - Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Parasitology: 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.
Offered by: Parasitology
(cIA) |
SOIL 315
Soil Nutrient Management
3 Credits
Offered in the: - Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Soil Science: Plant nutrients in the soil, influence of soil properties on nutrient absorption and plant growth, use of organic and inorganic fertilizers.
Offered by: Natural Resource Sciences
(cM) |
PARA 515
Water, Health and Sanitation
3 Credits
Offered in the: - Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Parasitology: 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.
Offered by: Parasitology
(cIA)
|
