Agro-Environmental Sciences Major (B.Sc.(Ag.Env.Sc.)) (42 credits)
Offered by: Plant Science (Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences)
Degree: Bachelor of Science (Agricultural and Environmental Sciences)
Program credit weight: 42
Program Description
This Major is focused on the idea that agricultural landscapes are managed ecosystems, and that humans engaged in agriculture must maintain the highest possible environmental standards while providing food and other bioproducts to the marketplace. The Major core focuses on the basic and applied biology of cultivated plants, domestic animals, arable soils, and the economics of agriculture. Students then choose one or two specializations in these or connected disciplines that reflect their interests and career goals.
The program has a strong field component that includes hands-on laboratories, visits to agricultural enterprises, and opportunities for internships. Classes and laboratories exploit the unique setting and facilities of the Macdonald Campus and Farm, which is a fully functioning farm in an urban setting that exemplifies many of the issues at the forefront of modern agricultural production. Graduates of this program are eligible to become members of the Ordre des agronomes du Québec (OAQ).
For information on academic advising, see: http://www.mcgill.ca/macdonald/studentinfo/advising
Program Prerequisites
Refer to "Faculty Information and Regulations" > "Minimum Credit Requirements" in this Course Catalogue for prerequisites and minimum credit requirements.
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.
Required Courses (36 credits)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AEBI 210 | Organisms 1. | 3 |
Organisms 1. Terms offered: Fall 2025 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. | ||
| 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. | ||
| AGEC 200 | Principles of Microeconomics. | 3 |
Principles of Microeconomics. Terms offered: Fall 2025 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. | ||
| AGEC 231 | Economic Systems of Agriculture. | 3 |
Economic Systems of Agriculture. Terms offered: Winter 2026 The structure and organization of Canada's agriculture-food system, the operation, financing, linkages, and functions of its components. Focus to be on management of the various components and the entire system, types of problems confronted now and in the future. | ||
| 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. | ||
| ANSC 250 | Introduction to Livestock Management | 3 |
Introduction to Livestock Management Terms offered: Fall 2025 Introduction to the scientific principles underlying animal livestock production as it relates to the consumer food chain. The world- wide demand for animal products, various areas of management (reproduction, nutrition, breeding, health, and welfare) that are used to provide those products by examining both conventional means as well as new and evolving technologies. How these techniques relate to some of the major production systems (dairy, beef, pig, and broiler and egg production) – primarily in a Provincial/Canadian context. | ||
| BREE 329 | Precision Agriculture. | 3 |
Precision Agriculture. Terms offered: Winter 2026 The course provides an overview of the principle concepts of precision agriculture. It focuses on equipment, software and the information management systems for mastering the essential steps when adopting and developing economically viable and environmentally sound solutions for modern farms and other agribusiness enterprises. | ||
| ENVB 210 | The Biophysical Environment. | 3 |
The Biophysical Environment. Terms offered: Fall 2025 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. | ||
| 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. | ||
| SOIL 315 | Soil Nutrient Management. | 3 |
Soil Nutrient Management. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Plant nutrients in the soil, influence of soil properties on nutrient absorption and plant growth, use of organic and inorganic fertilizers. | ||
Complementary Courses (6 credits)
6 credits of complementary courses selected as follows:
One of:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PLNT 302 | Forage Crops and Pastures. | 3 |
Forage Crops and Pastures. Terms offered: Fall 2025 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. | ||
| 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. | ||
One of:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ANSC 451 | 3 | |
Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. | ||
| PLNT 300 | ||
Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. | ||
Specialization
Choose at least one specialization of 18-24 credits.
Specializations designed to be taken with the Agro-Environmental Sciences Major:
- Animal Production
- Ecological Agriculture
- Plant Production
- Professional Agrology1
- Soil and Water Resources
- 1
Membership to the OAQ requires students successfully complete one of the above specializations in addition to the Professional Agrology Specialization.
Electives
To meet the minimum credit requirement for the degree.