Overview of Programs Offered
The Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and the School of Human Nutrition offer degrees, certificates, and diplomas in:
- Bachelor of Engineering (Bioresource Engineering)
- Bachelor of Science (Agricultural and Environmental Sciences)
- Bachelor of Science (Food Science)
- Bachelor of Science (Nutritional Sciences)
- Bachelor of Science (Food Science and Nutritional Science (Concurrent))
- Certificate in Ecological Agriculture
- Certificate in Food Science
- Diploma in Environment
- Diploma of College Studies in Farm Management and Technology
The Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences is one of the four faculties in partnership with the Bieler School of Environment.
Several programs offered by the Faculty and School can lead to professional accreditation. These include:
- the Agricultural Economics major and the Sustainable Agricultural Systems major programs – membership in the Ordre des agronomes du Québec and other provincial Institutes of Agriculture;
- Bioresource Engineering – membership as a professional engineer in any province of Canada and the Ordre des agronomes du Québec;
- the Dietetics Major – membership in the Dietitians of Canada and the Ordre des diététistes-nutritionnistes du Québec (ODNQ), previously named Ordre professionnel des diététistes du Québec;
- Food Science – accreditation by the Institute of Food Technologists and professional accreditation by the Ordre des chimistes du Québec.
Professional Practice experiences to complete the Dietetics practicum are provided in the McGill teaching hospitals and in a wide variety of health, education, business, government, and community agencies.
The Faculty also offers M.Sc. and Ph.D. programs in a variety of areas. Further information about these programs is available in the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Studies Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies section.
Bachelor of Science (Agricultural and Environmental Sciences) - B.Sc.(Ag.Env.Sc.)
Students register in one major and at least one specialization. They may design their own program by choosing any major, and at least one specialization (see notes below for the majors in Environment and specializations in Agricultural Economics). By choosing two different specializations, students have the option of developing their own interdisciplinary interests. They may also choose to do a minor. The multidisciplinary specialization is designed for those interested in broad training.
Note: Students choosing the major in Environment will select a concentration instead of a specialization.
Note: Specializations in the Agricultural Economics major are restricted to Agricultural Economics students.
All the required and complementary courses for the major must be completed in full. Within each specialization, at least 18 credits must be unique, i.e., they only count for that specialization and do not overlap with either the major or a second specialization. At least 12 credits must be from 400-level courses or higher.
These programs are also available as honours programs for students after they have completed their U2 year if they meet the requirements. See individual programs for details.
Majors and Honours
Graduates of programs marked with an asterisk (*) can be eligible for membership in the Ordre des agronomes du Québec and other provincial institutes of agriculture.
- Agricultural Economics*: Major and Honours
- Sustainable Agricultural Systems*: Major
- Environmental Biology: Major and Honours
- Life Sciences (Biological and Agricultural): Major and Honours
- Environment – see Major in Environment - B.Sc.(Ag.Env.Sc.) and B.Sc.
Specializations
Each specialization consists of 24 credits of courses (required and complementary) that provide a coherent package designed to prepare students for a future in a given discipline. Students will select at least one specialization. However, students wishing to broaden their training have the option of choosing to do two. Although the list of suggested specializations appears under each major in the programs section, students interested in other specializations should consult with their academic advisor.
The following are specializations for the major programs listed above in Agricultural Economics, Agro-Environmental Sciences, Environmental Biology, Global Food Security, and Life Sciences (Biological and Agricultural).
Complete descriptions of specialization programs can be found below:
- Agribusiness Specialization (B.Sc.(Ag.Env.Sc.)) (24 credits)
- Animal Biology Specialization (B.Sc.(Ag.Env.Sc.)) (24 credits)
- Animal Health and Disease Specialization (B.Sc.(Ag.Env.Sc.)) (24 credits)
- Livestock Specialization (B.Sc.(Ag.Env.Sc.)) (18 credits)
- Applied Ecology Specialization (B.Sc.(Ag.Env.Sc.)) (24 credits)
- Environmental Economics Specialization (B.Sc.(Ag.Env.Sc.)) (24 credits)
- Life Sciences (Multidisciplinary) Specialization (B.Sc.(Ag.Env.Sc.)) (24 credits)
- Microbiology and Molecular Biotechnology Specialization (B.Sc.(Ag.Env.Sc.)) (24 credits)
- Plant Biology Specialization (B.Sc.(Ag.Env.Sc.)) (24 credits)
- Field Crops and Horticulture Specialization (B.Sc.(Ag.Env.Sc.)) (18 credits)
- Professional Agrology Specialization (B.Sc.(Ag.Env.Sc.)) (24 credits)
- Professional Agrology for Agribusiness Specialization (B.Sc.(Ag.Env.Sc.)) (24 credits)
- Soil and Water Resources Specialization (B.Sc.(Ag.Env.Sc.)) (24 credits)
- Wildlife Biology Specialization (B.Sc.(Ag.Env.Sc.)) (24 credits)
Environmental Sciences Programs
Bieler School of Environment
The Bieler School of Environment is a joint initiative of the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, the Faculty of Arts, and the Faculty of Science. It offers a B.Sc.(Ag.Env.Sc.) Major in Environment, a B.Sc. Major in Environment, a B.A. & Sc. Interfaculty Program in Environment, a B.A. Faculty Program in Environment, a Minor in Environment, and a Diploma in Environment. These programs allow you to choose to study on both the Macdonald and Downtown campuses. Further information on all programs is given in the Bieler School of Environment section of this publication, and on the Bieler School of Environment website.
Environmental Programs on the Macdonald Campus
A number of integrated environmental science programs are offered on the Macdonald Campus, particularly within the B.Sc.(Ag.Env.Sc.) and B.Eng.(Bioresource) degrees. The objective of these interdepartmental programs is to provide a well-rounded training in a specific interdisciplinary subject as well as a basis for managing natural resources. For a complete list of the programs, see Overview of Programs Offered.
Honours Programs
- Agricultural Economics Honours (B.Sc.(Ag.Env.Sc.)) (42 credits)
- Environmental Biology Honours (B.Sc.(Ag.Env.Sc.)) (54 credits)
- Life Sciences (Biological and Agricultural) Honours (B.Sc.(Ag.Env.Sc.)) (54 credits)
- Bioresource Engineering Honours (B.Eng.(Bioresource)) (113 credits)
- Food Science - Food Science Option Honours (B.Sc.(F.Sc.)) (90 credits)
- Nutrition Honours (B.Sc.(Nutr.Sc.)) (90 credits)
- Food Science/Nutritional Science Honours (Concurrent) (B.Sc.(F.Sc.)) and (B.Sc.(Nutr.Sc.)) (122 credits)
- Environment Honours (B.Sc.(Ag.Env.Sc.)) (69 credits), listed under the Bieler School of Environment
Minor Programs
- Agricultural Economics Minor (B.Sc.(Ag.Env.Sc.)) (24 credits)
- Agricultural Production Minor (B.Sc.(Ag.Env.Sc.)) (24 credits)
- Animal Biology Minor (B.Eng.) (24 credits)
- Animal Health and Disease Minor (B.Eng.) (24 credits)
- Applied Ecology Minor (B.Sc.(Ag.Env.Sc.)) (24 credits)
- Field Studies Minor (B.Sc.) (15 credits): Barbados Interdisciplinary Tropical Studies
- Ecological Agriculture Minor (B.Sc.(Ag.Env.Sc.)) (24 credits)
- Environmental Engineering Minor (B.Eng.)
- Human Nutrition Minor (B.Sc.(Ag.Env.Sc.)) (24 credits)
- International Agriculture Minor (B.Sc.(Ag.Env.Sc.)) (24 credits)
- Environment Minor (B.Sc.(Ag.Env.Sc.)) or (B.Sc.) (18 credits) listed under Bieler School of Environment
- Minor in Management for Non-Management Students — the Desautels Faculty of Management offers minors that may interest FAES students.
Diplomas and Certificates
Exchange Programs
The Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences participates in all University-wide student exchange programs available at McGill and also offers Faculty-specific exchange programs.
For more information, see the Exchange Programs page, and visit the faculty's study away webpage.
Internship Opportunities
Internships allow students to gain practical, hands-on experience and develop skill sets that are frequently in high demand by employers. Internships involve a work placement where you are exposed to the main areas of operation of your employer. Each work placement is unique, and you benefit from a program developed exclusively for you by your employer and your instructor.
FAES 200 / FAES 300 Internship Program
As a full-time undergraduate student (with a CGPA of 2.7 or higher) in the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, you have the opportunity to participate in the Internship program.
The internship should be a minimum length of 10 weeks, with the student working 35 hours a week or more. FAES 200 Internship 1 is a non-credit (pass or fail) course. FAES 300 Internship 2 is a 3-credit course, and you will receive a final grade on your transcript. The internship should be related to your field of study.
AGRI 310 Internship in Agriculture/Environment
The objective of AGRI 310 Internship in Agriculture/Environment is to give you experience working in an enterprise that is related to your field of study, and to find out how your studies can contribute to your understanding and performance in the workplace environment. The internship should be a minimum length of 12 weeks. Through observations of the enterprise's functioning, the decision-making process, and the economic constraints, you should obtain a better understanding of the technical, economic, and social challenges faced by enterprises in your field of study. AGRI 310 Internship in Agriculture/Environment. is a 3-credit course.
AGRI 410D1/D2 Agrology Internship
As a qualified student in the B.Sc.(Ag.Env.Sc.), you have the opportunity to participate in a 420-hour-minimum internship related to your field of study.
AGRI 410 Agrology Internship is part of the Professional Agrology Specialization and constitutes practical training as required by the Ordre des agronomes du Québec. Each internship placement must be approved by the instructor.
AGRI 499 Agricultural Development Internship
AGRI 499 Agricultural Development Internship is a supervised internship which provides 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. Each internship placement must be approved by the instructor.
Graduate Programs in Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
Graduate work may be undertaken on the Macdonald Campus, through the following academic units:
- Animal Science
- Bioresource Engineering
- Food Science and Agricultural Chemistry
- School of Human Nutrition
- Natural Resource Sciences
- Institute of Parasitology
- Plant Science
The advanced courses of study offered lead to the degrees of Master of Science, Master of Science Applied, and Doctor of Philosophy.
Information on these programs and related fellowships is available from the:
Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Office
Macdonald Campus of McGill University
21111 Lakeshore Road
Macdonald-Stewart Building
Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue QC H9X 3V9
Email: gradstudies.macdonald@mcgil.ca
Further information including full program lists is offered in the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies section, and details regarding theses, registration, fellowships, etc., can be accessed on the McGill Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies site.