Professional Agrology for Agribusiness Major (B.Sc.(Ag.Env.Sc.)) (24 credits)
Offered by: Agricultural Economics (Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences)
Degree: Bachelor of Science (Agricultural and Environmental Sciences)
Program credit weight: 24
Program Description
This Specialization is required for students who wish to qualify for membership in the Ordre des agronomes du Québec (OAQ). It cannot be taken alone; it must be taken with the Major in Agricultural Economics and the Agribusiness Specialization. This Specialization focuses on working in the professional agribusiness industry and covers agricultural legislation as well as professional conduct.
For information on academic advising, see: http://www.mcgill.ca/macdonald/studentinfo/advising.
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 (15 credits)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AGRI 310 | Internship in Agriculture/Environment. | 3 |
Internship in Agriculture/Environment. Terms offered: Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Internship on working farms or in other appropriate businesses of the agri-food/environment industries. | ||
| AGRI 330 | Agricultural Legislation. | 1 |
Agricultural Legislation. Terms offered: Winter 2026 A study of Quebec legislation of importance to the agricultural sector, with emphasis on the reasons why these laws were implemented and on their net effects on this sector. Some Canadian laws will be covered but only inasmuch as they affect Quebec agriculture. | ||
| AGRI 410D1 | Agrology Internship. | 3 |
Agrology Internship. Terms offered: Summer 2025 Professional internship (stage) under the supervision of a practicing agrologist. | ||
| AGRI 410D2 | Agrology Internship. | 3 |
Agrology Internship. Terms offered: Fall 2025 See AGRI 410D1 for course description. | ||
| AGRI 430 | Professional Practice in Agrology. | 2 |
Professional Practice in Agrology. Terms offered: Winter 2026 This course introduces students to the professional aspects of the practice of agrology. Topics include understanding the responsibilities of agrologists, the broad context and functioning of the Québec agricultural industry, how to deal with clients, colleagues, and understanding legal and regulatory aspects of the profession in Québec. | ||
| AGRI 490 | Agri-Food Industry Project. | 3 |
Agri-Food Industry Project. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Interdisciplinary team project in the agri-food industry. | ||
| ANSC 458 | Advanced Livestock Management | 3 |
Advanced Livestock Management Terms offered: Fall 2025 Overview of the major Canadian livestock industries with particular emphasis on dairy, pork, broilers, and layers. Building on introductory livestock management and advanced nutrition, breeding, and reproductive physiology, current and evolving IofT practices for the production of consumer animal products. | ||
Complementary Courses (12 credits)
6 credits from:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AEBI 212 | Evolution and Phylogeny. | 3 |
Evolution and Phylogeny. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Overview of the tree of life and exploration of the central role evolution plays in the field of biology. Difficulties inherent to classifying life and critically assessing evolutionary theory among scientific and popular audiences. The importance of phylogenetics and the relationships among major groups of organisms. | ||
| LSCI 202 | Molecular Cell Biology. | 3 |
Molecular Cell Biology. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Organization and function of intracellular organelles in eukaryotic cells. Mechanisms of membrane transport. Protein sorting and vesicular transport. Cytoskeleton. DNA and chromosome structure. DNA replication. Mechanisms of RNA and protein synthesis. Control of gene expression. Cell cycle and the control of cell division. Mechanisms of cell communication and signal transduction. Apoptosis. Neuronal signaling. | ||
| 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. | ||
3 credits from:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | ||
| 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 434 | Weed Biology and Control. | 3 |
Weed Biology and Control. Terms offered: Winter 2026 A study of the biology of undesirable vegetation as related to the principles of prevention and physical, biological, managerial and chemical control. Emphasis on the environmental impact of the different methods of weed control. | ||