Field Studies Minor (B.Sc.) (18 credits)
Offered by: Science (Faculty of Science)
Degree: Bachelor of Science
Program credit weight: 18
Program Description
Students participating in any one of the field study semesters, i.e., the Africa Field Study Semester, the Barbados Field Study Semester, the Barbados Interdisciplinary Tropical Studies (BITS) Field Study Semester, McGill Arctic Field Study Semester, or the Panama Field Study Semester may complete the 18-credit Minor in Field Studies.
The Minor consists of the 15 credits of a field study semester plus three additional complementary credits chosen by the student in consultation with their departmental adviser and/or the Field Study Minor adviser.
For students in the B.Sc. Liberal Program, the Field Studies Minor can serve as the breadth component.
Program descriptions for each of the field study semesters are provided below.
Note: The field study semesters are not degree programs. Credits may be counted toward McGill degrees with the permission of program advisers. Students who complete a field study semester may consult the Field Study Minor adviser about completing the Minor program as part of their McGill degree.
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.
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.
Africa Field Study Semester (15 credits)
The Africa Field Study Semester (AFSS) is run through McGill's Canadian Field Study in Africa Program (CFSIA).
The AFSS provides one term of integrated field study in East Africa, with emphasis on environmental conservation, culture change, and sustainable development. Students investigate challenges of sustaining biological diversity and social justice in African environments subject to cultural change, economic development, and environmental stress. Cultural and ecological variation is examined in highland, montane, rangeland, desert, riverine, salt- and fresh-water lake, coastal, and urban settings.
Africa Field Study Semester - Required Courses
6 credits
Students select one course titled "Research in Society and Development in Africa" and one course titled "Research in Ecology and Development in Africa" from the courses below.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ANTH 451 | Research in Society and Development in Africa. | 3 |
Research in Society and Development in Africa. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Instruction focuses on three goals: 1) existing research in selected core thematic areas, 2) participating in interdisciplinary team research, 3) developing powers of observation and independent inquiry. Students will be expected to develop research activities and interdisciplinary perspectives, and to become conversant with advances in local research in their field. | ||
| BIOL 451 | Research in Ecology and Development in Africa. | 3 |
Research in Ecology and Development in Africa. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Development of observation and independent inquiry skills through: 1) participation in short-term project modules in collaboration with existing researchers; 2) participation in interdisciplinary team research on topics selected to allow comparative analysis of field sites; 3) active and systematic observation, documentation, and integration of field experience in ecology and development issues. | ||
| GEOG 451 | Research in Society and Development in Africa. | 3 |
Research in Society and Development in Africa. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Three intersecting components: 1) core development themes including culture change, environmental conservation, water, health, development (urban and rural), governance and conflict resolution, 2) research techniques for topics related to core themes, including ethics, risk, field methods and data analysis, 3) field documentation, scientific recording and communication. | ||
Africa Field Study Semester - Complementary Courses
9 credits from:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ANTH 411 | Primate Studies and Conservation. | 3 |
Primate Studies and Conservation. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Critical evaluation of theories in primate behaviour, ecology, and conservation that emphasizes direct observations, research design, and developing field methods. | ||
| ANTH 416 | Environment/Development: Africa. | 3 |
Environment/Development: Africa. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Study of environmental effects of development in East Africa, especially due to changes in traditional land tenure and resource use across diverse ecosystems. Models, policies and cases of pastoralist, agricultural, fishing, wildlife and tourist development will be examined, across savanna, desert, forest, highland and coastal environments. | ||
| BIOL 428 | Biological Diversity in Africa. | 3 |
Biological Diversity in Africa. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Biological diversity as exemplified by a particular taxonomic group chosen by the instructor, using field setting in East Africa to impart training in species identification, field research, and principles embodied in the phylogeny, systematics, biogeography, ecology, physiology and/or behaviour of the organisms concerned. | ||
| BIOL 429 | East African Ecology. | 3 |
East African Ecology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Field settings (Uganda, Kenya, and/or Tanzania) are used to impart training in ecological principles critical to tropical conservation with an emphasis on research design and field research exercises. | ||
| GEOG 404 | Environmental Management 2. 1 | 3 |
Environmental Management 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Practical application of environmental planning, analysis and management techniques with reference to the needs and problems of developing areas. Special challenges posed by cultural differences and traditional resource systems are discussed. This course involves practical field work in a developing area (Kenya or Panama). | ||
| GEOG 408 | Geography of Development. | 3 |
Geography of Development. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Examines the geographical dimensions of development policy, specifically the relationships between the process of development and human-induced environmental change. Focuses on environmental sustainability, struggles over resource control, population and poverty, and levels of governance (the role of the state, non-governmental organizations, and local communities). | ||
| GEOG 423 | Dilemmas of Development. | 3 |
Dilemmas of Development. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Africa seems beset by development problems. Some of these appear to have no clear answer. Such dilemmas present significant barriers to moving forward with durable, effective development in Africa. This course will examine two primary and frequently interlocked dilemmas in East Africa with wide ranging impact - food security, and conflict. | ||
| HIST 498 | Independent Research. | 3 |
Independent Research. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Exceptionally, and under the direction of a member of staff, advanced and highly qualified students who have an extensive background in the proposed area of study, may pursue this independent study. | ||
| NUTR 404 | Nutrition Field Studies in East Africa. | 3 |
Nutrition Field Studies in East Africa. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Community-based case-study experience in East Africa, focussed on documentation and inquiry skills, and systematic analysis of the: 1) patterns and nature of major nutritional and food security problems; 2) sociocultural, economic and environmental determinants on food availability, quality, choice, behaviour and consumption in relation to health and disease, particularly in high risk populations; 3) institutional and policy mediators of community and national-level interventions and program responses. | ||
| REDM 405 | Natural History of East Africa. | 3 |
Natural History of East Africa. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Integrated study of African landforms, geologic history, climate, environments, biota, water resources and human influences, fostering a thorough understanding of the East African landscape and its inhabitants. Lectures, discussions on selected topics, use of museum resources and field studies will develop powers of observation, identification and enquiry. | ||
| WILD 420 | Ornithology. 1 | 3 |
Ornithology. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Taxonomic relationships and evolution of birds. Examination of the physiology, migration, identification and ecological processes of North American birds. | ||
- 1
Courses are offered on a rotational basis, at least 3 credits annually.
Barbados Field Study Semester (15 credits)
The Barbados Field Study Semester (BFSS) offers a unique opportunity to study at McGill University’s campus in the tropics, the Bellairs Research Institute in Barbados. The focus of this field study semester is the study of sustainability science, with emphasis on the Caribbean, which includes: a different climate and culture, field research, and conducting an applied research project. Project work is conducted with local partners and focuses on sustainability in Barbados.
Barbados Field Study Semester - Required Courses
15 credits
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ATOC 341 | Caribbean Climate and Weather. | 3 |
Caribbean Climate and Weather. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The climate system and ongoing global change, ocean and atmosphere circulation and future trends in the tropics; local climate variability and dynamics, extreme weather events in the Caribbean | ||
| BIOL 343 | Biodiversity in the Caribean. | 3 |
Biodiversity in the Caribean. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Biodiversity loss and the measure of ecological integrity of ecosystems, patterns of diversification and evolution of terrestrial and oceanic biotas in the Caribbean. | ||
| FSCI 444 | Barbados Research Project. | 6 |
Barbados Research Project. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A research project that is supervised by McGill academic staff and is conducted in collaboration with local partners. The project topic must relate to the field of sustainability relating to the Caribbean or Barbados specifically. | ||
| GEOG 340 | Sustainability in the Caribbean. | 3 |
Sustainability in the Caribbean. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The local environmental, social, historical, political and economic context of Barbados and the Caribbean. The small island developing States (SIDS), and why those nations are more vulnerable to global environmental challenges. The 17 Sustainability Development Goals of the United Nations, with a focus on the leadership role played by Barbados for the entire Caribbean region. | ||
Barbados Interdisciplinary Tropical Studies Field Semester (15 credits)
The Barbados Interdisciplinary Tropical Studies (BITS) Field Semester is an activity-filled, hands-on experience for students with an interest in international studies with a Caribbean flavour. The focus is on sustainable agri-food, nutrition, and energy production on a tropical island with a tourist-based economy. It is offered annually (in the Summer). It consists of two 2-hour orientation sessions conducted on the Macdonald campus and at the Bellairs Research Institute in Barbados, followed by three 3-credit and one 6-credit project courses at Bellairs Research Institute. This program integrates intensive course work with group project work and contributes to the formation of professionals with planning, managing, decision-making, and communication skills. The program addresses a global need for experienced professionals capable of interacting with various levels of government, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector. BITS welcomes applications from senior undergraduate students from across the University.
Barbados Interdisciplinary Tropical Studies Field Semester - Required Courses
15 credits
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AEBI 421 | Tropical Horticultural Ecology. | 3 |
Tropical Horticultural Ecology. Terms offered: Summer 2025 A comprehensive survey of the major fruit, vegetable, turf, and ornamental crops grown in Barbados. Effect of cultural practices, environment, pests and pathogens, social and touristic activities, and importation of horticultural produce on local horticulture. | ||
| AEBI 423 | Sustainable Land Use. | 3 |
Sustainable Land Use. Terms offered: Summer 2025 Management, preservation, and utilization of forage crops in sustainable tropical environments; examination of their value as livestock feed in terms of nutritional composition and impact on animal performance; land use issues as it pertains to forage and animal production in insular environments. | ||
| AEBI 425 | Tropical Energy and Food. | 3 |
Tropical Energy and Food. Terms offered: Summer 2025 Tropical biofuel crops, conversion processes and final products, particularly energy and greenhouse gas balances and bionutraceuticals. Topics include effects of process extraction during refining on biofuel economics, the food versus fuel debate and impact of biofuels and bioproducts on tropical agricultural economics. | ||
| AEBI 427 | Barbados Interdisciplinary Project. | 6 |
Barbados Interdisciplinary Project. Terms offered: Summer 2025 The planning of projects and research activities related to tropical food, nutrition, or energy at the local, regional, or national scale in Barbados. Projects and activities designed in consultation with university instructors, government, NGO, or private partners, and prepared by teams of 2-3 students working cooperatively with these mentors. | ||
Panama Field Study Semester (15 credits)
This program is offered in Panama with the support of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI).
Hands-on experience is gained through research projects organized around multidisciplinary environmental issues. The nature of these projects will centre on practical environmental problems/questions important for Panama. Students will form teams that will work with Panamanian institutions (NGO, governmental, or research).
There is a one- or two-day period of transition and 13 weeks of course attendance in Panama. Field trips will be integrated into each of the courses offered.
Panama Field Study Semester - Required Courses
9 credits
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 553 | Neotropical Environments. | 3 |
Neotropical Environments. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Ecology revisited in view of tropical conditions. Exploring species richness. Sampling and measuring biodiversity. Conservation status of ecosystems, communities and species. Indigenous knowledge. | ||
| ENVR 451 | Research in Panama. | 6 |
Research in Panama. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Research projects will be developed by instructors in consultation with Panamanian universities, government agencies and non-governmental organizations. Project groups will consist of four to six students working with a Panamanian institution. Topics will be relevant to Panama: e.g., protection of the Canal watershed, economical alternatives to deforestation, etc. | ||
Panama Field Study Semester - Complementary Courses
6 credits
Complementary courses change from year to year. Students will register for the 6 credits offered the Winter of their participation in the field study semester.
First Winter semester complementary courses:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AGRI 550 | Sustained Tropical Agriculture. | 3 |
Sustained Tropical Agriculture. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Contrast theory and practice in defining agricultural environmental "challenges" in the Neotropics. Indigenous and appropriate technological means of mitigation. Soil management and erosion, water scarcity, water over-abundance, and water quality. Explore agro-ecosystem protection via field trips and project designs. Institutional context of conservation strategies, NGO links, and public participation. | ||
| GEOG 498 | Humans in Tropical Environments. | 3 |
Humans in Tropical Environments. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Focus on understanding of inter-relations between humans and neotropical environments represented in Panama. Study of contemporary rural landscapes, their origins, development and change. Impacts of economic growth and inequality, social organization, and politics on natural resource use and environmental degradation. Site visits and field exercises in peasant/colonist, Amerindian, and plantation communities. | ||
Second Winter semester complementary courses:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GEOG 404 | Environmental Management 2. | 3 |
Environmental Management 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Practical application of environmental planning, analysis and management techniques with reference to the needs and problems of developing areas. Special challenges posed by cultural differences and traditional resource systems are discussed. This course involves practical field work in a developing area (Kenya or Panama). | ||
| HIST 510 | Environmental History of Latin America (Field). | 3 |
Environmental History of Latin America (Field). Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Human-nature interactions over different scales of time in Latin America (with an emphasis on neo-tropical environments) and the application of the historical perspective to contemporary environmental issues, including historiography and methodology; cultures of environmental knowledge. | ||
McGill Arctic Field Study Semester
Required Courses (15 credits)
9 credits
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ATOC 373 | Arctic Climate and Climate Change. | 3 |
Arctic Climate and Climate Change. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Introduction to the principles of Arctic climate and climate change with a special focus on the Canadian Arctic. The primary objectives of the course are to 1)develop an understanding of the presentday high latitude climate, including the atmosphere, the ocean and the sea ice, 2) develop an understanding of the role of the polar regions in the global climate and climate change, and 3) introduce students to field methods of polar research including ice coring, sea-ice buoys installation and data analysis, atmospheric measurements (radiative and turbulent heat fluxes), and ocean hydrographic measurements (e.g. CTD, nets). | ||
| EPSC 373 | Arctic Geology. | 3 |
Arctic Geology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. This course introduces students to the principles of the geology of the Canadian Arctic. The primary objectives of the course are to train students in theory and practice of geology in the Canadian Arctic. Practical training includes drill core logging, surveying, mapping, sample collecting, and geological interpretations. | ||
| GEOG 373 | Arctic Geomorphology. | 3 |
Arctic Geomorphology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Introduction to the principles of periglacial and permafrost science and its field context in the Canadian North. Objectives focus on the geomorphic significance of freezing and frozen ground and training in field methods of permafrost mapping, measurement and interpretation. | ||
and 6 credits from
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ATOC 473 | Artic Field Research. | 6 |
Artic Field Research. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. This course is the independent research component of the McGill Arctic Field Study Semester. It has four distinct parts, a) problem identification and background preparation, b) research design and field data collection, c) lab and data analysis, and d) report preparation and presentation. The research design and field data collection will be part of an extended period of fieldwork based in the Canadian Arctic. The Lab and data analysis will begin in the field and finish on campus. Each student will prepare a manuscript style report and make a conference presentation based on their research. | ||
| EPSC 473 | Arctic Field Research. | 6 |
Arctic Field Research. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. This course is the independent research component of the McGill Arctic Field Study Semester. It has four distinct parts, a) problem identification and background preparation, b) research design and field data collection, c) lab and data analysis, and d) report preparation and presentation. The research design and field data collection will be part of an extended period of fieldwork based in the Canadian Arctic. The Lab and data analysis will begin in the field and finish on campus. Each student will prepare a manuscript style report and make a conference presentation based on their research. | ||
| GEOG 473 | Arctic Field Research. | 6 |
Arctic Field Research. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. This course is the independent research component of the McGill Arctic Field Study Semester. It has four distinct parts, a) problem identification and background preparation, b) research design and field data collection, c) lab and data analysis, and d) report preparation and presentation. The research design and field data collection will be part of an extended period of fieldwork based in the Canadian Arctic. The Lab and data analysis will begin in the field and finish on campus. Each student will prepare a manuscript style report and make a conference presentation based on their research. | ||
Minor Field Studies - Complementary Course
In consultation with their departmental adviser and/or the Field Study Minor adviser, students who have completed one of the field study semesters described above may select a 3-credit complementary course to complete the requirements for the Minor and ask for it to be added to their academic records.