Geography (Thesis): Neotropical Environment (M.Sc.) (45 credits)
Offered by: Geography (Faculty of Science)
Degree: Master of Science
Program credit weight: 45
Program Description
The Master of Science in Geography; Thesis — Neotropical Environment is a research-based program of 45 credits. The program is offered in collaboration with the Bieler School of Environment and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI- Panama). The program is focused on environmental issues relevant to the Neotropics and Latin American countries including thematic areas such as geography, environment, biology, agricultural sciences, sociology, and political science. The program favours interdisciplinary approaches to research and learning through the participation of researchers from McGill University and from STRI. Some research and teaching is conducted in Latin America and Panama. The thesis must be on a topic that relates to both the neotropical environment and geography.
Participation in the MSE-Panama Symposium presentation in Montreal is also required.
Note: For information about Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 course offerings, please check back on May 8, 2025. Until then, the "Terms offered" field will appear blank for most courses while the class schedule is being finalized.
Thesis Courses (30 credits)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GEOG 698 | Thesis Proposal. | 6 |
Thesis Proposal. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Preparation and evaluation of thesis proposal. | ||
| GEOG 699 | Thesis Research. | 24 |
Thesis Research. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Independent research under the supervision of a research director. | ||
Required Courses (9 credits)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 640 | Tropical Biology and Conservation. | 3 |
Tropical Biology and Conservation. Terms offered: Summer 2025 Long-term research at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute will be organized and synthesized to examine historical assembly and ecological maintenance of tropical communities. This synthesis will draw on phylogenetic concepts for historical insight and will examine the probable resilience of these communities to global change, pollution and biodiversity loss. | ||
| ENVR 610 | Foundations of Environmental Policy. | 3 |
Foundations of Environmental Policy. Terms offered: Summer 2025 Analysis of current environmental policies to reveal implicit and explicit assumptions regarding scientific methods, hypothesis testing, subject/object, causality, certainty, deities, health, development, North-South concerns for resources, commons, national sovereignty, equity. Discussion of implications of such assumptions for building future environmental policies. | ||
| GEOG 631 | Methods of Geographical Research. | 3 |
Methods of Geographical Research. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. General research seminar in human and physical geography. | ||
Complementary Course (3 credits)
3 credits, one Geography graduate course. GEOG 696 Thesis Preparation. can count among these complementary credits for students with an appropriate background.
Elective Course (3 credits)
3 credits, at the 500 level or higher, on environmental issues to be chosen in consultation with and approval by the student’s supervisor AND the Neotropical Environment Options Director.