Global Food Security (B.Sc.(Ag.Env.Sc.)) (18 credits)
Offered by: Plant Science (Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences)
Degree: Bachelor of Science (Agricultural and Environmental Sciences)
Program credit weight: 18
Program Description
The Specialization in Global Food Security focuses on agriculture as a fundamental tool to help rural development, alleviate poverty and reach food security, especially in a world context, including global contexts and economically sustainable approaches to provide acceptable nutrition, water resources, sustainable development, nutrition, planning and development. This Specialization may be taken with the Major in Sustainable Agricultural Systems and offers the possibility to take dedicated agronomic content leading to an additional Specialization in Professional Agrology, thereby meeting the eligibility requirements for the Ordre des agronomes du Québec.
Required Courses (18 credits)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AEIS 230 | Indigenous Health & Nutrition | 3 |
Indigenous Health Nutrition Terms offered: Winter 2026 Examination of the histories impacting the contemporary nutrition, environment, and health of the Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island by integrating Western and Indigenous knowledge systems with best practices in supporting Indigenous decision-making. Topics include: Indigenous knowledge systems and methodologies, Treaties and Reconciliation, Residential and Day schools, food sovereignty, environmental contamination and climate change, community-based participatory research, Indigenous access to health care, reflexivity and cultural safety, media advocacy strategies. | ||
| AGEC 430 | Agriculture, Food and Resource Policy. | 3 |
Agriculture, Food and Resource Policy. Terms offered: Winter 2026 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. | ||
| AGEC 442 | Economics of International Agricultural Development. | 3 |
Economics of International Agricultural Development. Terms offered: Winter 2026 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. | ||
| AGRI 411 | Global Issues on Development, Food and Agriculture. | 3 |
Global Issues on Development, Food and Agriculture. Terms offered: Winter 2026 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. | ||
| AGRI 493 | International Project Management. | 3 |
International Project Management. Terms offered: Winter 2026 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. | ||
| NUTR 341 | Global Food Security. | 3 |
Global Food Security. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 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. | ||