Field Study Minor
Note: For information about Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 course offerings, please refer to Visual Schedule Builder. A technical issue is causing the "Terms offered" field to incorrectly report "this course is not currently offered" for many courses in the Course Catalogue.
Internship and Field Studies Office
Internship and Field Studies Office
2001 McGill College, Room 646B **By Appointment Only**
Email: ifso.science@mcgill.ca
Website: mcgill.ca/science/undergraduate/internships-field
Field Study Minor Advisor
Science Office for Undergraduate Student Advising (SOUSA)
Dawson Hall, 853 Sherbrooke Street West, 4th floor
Curtis Sharman
Email: curtis.sharman@mcgill.ca
Website: mcgill.ca/science/undergraduate/advice/sousa
McGill East Africa Field Study Semester
Website: mcgill.ca/africa
Program Overview
The McGill East Africa Field Study Semester comprises 15 credits of field study courses:
- Context courses: 6 credits in natural and social sciences providing interdisciplinary academic context for field study.
- Complementary courses: 9 credits from the complementary courses list.
Refer to the Field Studies Minor (B.Sc.) (18 credits) for the latest program updates and the course list.
Details
Offered: Winter term
Location: East Africa
Enrolment limit: 38 students
Fees
In addition to regular McGill fees, students must cover additional costs for field courses, including local travel, food and accommodation, special admission fees for parks and museums, and other field-related expenses. Note that airfare and visa applications are not included. Fee details for the upcoming semester are available at mcgill.ca/africa/program-fees.
Funding
Students can apply for the Enriched Educational Opportunities need-based bursary (EEOs). See mcgill.ca/studentaid/special-funding/eeo for details.
Application Information
Deadline: May 15, 2025 for January 2026 departure. Depending on space, a second intake may be available with a deadline of August 15, 2025.
Details: Students must submit the following by email to ifso.science@mcgill.ca:
- Online application (available at mcgill.ca/africa/application)
- Copy of their transcript
- Letter of intent
- One reference letter
- CV
Further details are available on the McGill East Africa Field Study Semester website.
Prerequisites
The McGill East Africa Field Study Semester is intended for students in their final two years.
Eligibility for External Students
Students from other universities are eligible to apply to the McGill East Africa Field Study Semester and must also meet the criteria for admission to McGill as a Visiting Student. Please see the McGill East Africa Field Study website for details.
Arctic Field Study Semester
**This program is currently not offered.**
Website: mcgill.ca/arctic
Program Overview
The McGill Arctic Field Study Semester comprises 15 credits of field study courses:
- Background courses: 6 credits providing the foundation for an independent research project.
- Complementary courses: 9 credits from Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, Earth and Planetary Sciences, and Geography.
Refer to the Field Studies Minor (B.Sc.) (18 credits) for the latest program updates and the course list.
Details
Offered: Summer term
Location: Central Axel Heiberg Island in the Canadian High Arctic
Enrolment Limit: 10 students
Fees
In addition to regular McGill fees, students must cover additional costs for field courses, including airfare, local travel, food and accommodation, special admission fees for parks and museums, and other field-related expenses. Fee details for the upcoming semester are available at mcgill.ca/arctic/program-fees.
Prerequisites
The Arctic Field Study Semester program is intended for students in their final two years. A CGPA of 3.00 and higher is recommended.
Application Information
Deadline: **This program is currently not offered.** Details: Students must submit the following by email to ifso.science@mcgill.ca:
- Online application (available at mcgill.ca/arctic/apply-now)
- Copy of their transcript
- Letter of intent
- One reference letter
- CV
Further details are available on the Arctic Field Study Semester website.
Prerequisites
The Arctic Field Study Semester is intended for students in their final two years. A CGPA of 3.00 and higher is recommended.
McGill Barbados Field Study Semester
Website: mcgill.ca/bfss
Program Overview
Refer to the Field Studies Minor (B.Sc.) (18 credits) for the latest program updates and the course list.
Details
Offered: Fall term
Location: Bellairs Research Institute in Barbados
Enrolment limit: 20 students
Fees
In addition to the regular McGill fees, students will need to cover additional costs associated with field courses, including accommodation, most meals, and other field-related expenses. Note that airfare is not included. Fee details for the upcoming semester are available at mcgill.ca/bfss/cost.
Funding
Students can apply for the Enriched Educational Opportunities need-based bursary (EEOs). See mcgill.ca/studentaid/special-funding/eeo for details.
Application Information
Deadline: April 28 2025. The deadline is for admission to the Fall 2025 semester.
Details: Students must submit the following by email to ifso.science@mcgill.ca:
- The online application (available at mcgill.ca/bfss/apply-now)
- A copy of their transcript
- A letter of intent
- A CV
Further details are available on the Barbados Field Study Semester site.
Prerequisites
None
Eligibility for External Students
Students from other universities are eligible to apply and must also meet the criteria for admission to McGill as a Visiting Student. Please see the McGill Barbados Field Study website for details.
Barbados Interdisciplinary Tropical Studies Field Semester
Website: mcgill.ca/bits
Program Overview
The Barbados Interdisciplinary Tropical Studies Field Semester, administered by the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, combines classroom and laboratory learning with extensive field trips. The program consists of 15 credits of field study courses:
- Three intensive courses (9 credits)
- Project course (6 credits)
Refer to the Field Studies Minor (B.Sc.) (18 credits) for the latest program updates and the course list.
Details
Offered: Summer term
Location: Bellairs Research Institute in Barbados
Enrolment Limit: 20 students
Fees
In addition to regular McGill fees and tuition, students must cover additional costs for field courses. These costs include accommodation, most meals, and other field-related expenses, but do not include airfare. Fee details for the upcoming semester are available at mcgill.ca/bits/cost.
Funding
Students may apply for the Enriched Educational Opportunities need-based bursary (EEOs). See mcgill.ca/studentaid/special-funding/eeo for details. Additionally, the Global Skills Opportunity Program is available to support eligible students.
Application Information
Deadline: Please consult the website for upcoming deadlines.
Details: Students must submit the following by email to caroline.begg@mcgill.ca:
- Letter of intent
- CV
- Application form
- Academic transcript
Further details are available at mcgill.ca/bits.
Prerequisites
A CGPA of 2.5 or higher is recommended.
Eligibility for International Students
Students from other universities are eligible to apply for the Barbados Interdisciplinary Tropical Studies Field Semester. To be considered, international students must meet the criteria for admission to McGill as a Visiting Student. This includes submitting the necessary application materials and meeting academic prerequisites.
Panama Field Study Semester
Website: mcgill.ca/pfss
Program Overview
For information and course lists, see Field Studies - Minor Field Studies (18 credits).
Details
Offered: Winter term
Location: Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) in Panama
Enrolment limit: 22 students
Fees
In addition to regular McGill fees, students must cover additional costs for field courses. These costs include accommodation and other field-related expenses, but do not include airfare, food, or other living expenses. Fee details for the upcoming semester are available at mcgill.ca/pfss/cost.
Funding
Students can apply for the Enriched Educational Opportunities need-based bursary (EEOs). See mcgill.ca/studentaid/special-funding/eeo for details.
Application Information
Deadline: May 15, 2025 for the January 2026 departure (Winter term of the 2025–2026 academic year). Application deadline may be extended. Please check our website for updates.
Details: Students must submit the following by email to ifso.science@mcgill.ca:
- Online application
- Copy of their transcript
- Letter of intent
- CV
Eligibility for External Students
Students from other universities are eligible to apply to the McGill Panama Field Study Semester and must also meet the criteria for admission to McGill as a Visiting Student. Please see the McGill Panama Field Study Semester website for details.
Prerequisites
HISP 218 Spanish Language Intensive - Elementary. or equivalent proficiency, and MATH 203 Principles of Statistics 1. or equivalent. A CGPA of 3.00 and higher is recommended. The program is aimed at undergraduate students in their final year.