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Field studies offer you a chance to put theory into practice through local, regional, and international field study semesters and individual courses. Field Study Semesters are packages of McGill courses aimed at upper-year students that focus on the physical and social aspects of the environment. They are offered in various regions around the world in the Fall or Winter term. Currently, Field Study Semesters are offered in East Africa, Panama, and Barbados.
The Africa Field Study Semester provides one term of integrated field study in East Africa, with emphasis on environmental conservation, culture change and sustainable development. It is a 15-credit program offered in the Winter term (January-March) that can be counted towards certain McGill degree with the permission of program advisers.
Now accepting applications for the January 2025 departure
This program is a joint venture between McGill University and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) in Panama. It is a 15-credit program offered in the Winter term (January to April) that specifically addresses issues relevant to the understanding of the Latin America tropical environment.
McGill Barbados Field Study Semester (MBFSS)
The Faculty of Science offers a 15-credit program at the Bellairs听Research Institute in Barbados during the Fall term (September to December). It is directed at students having an interest in global issues听and sustainability science, applied to the Caribbean region.听
Now accepting applications for the September 2025 departure
Barbados Interdisciplinary Tropical Studies (BITS)
The BITS program provides one semester of integrated course and project work at Bellairs Research Institute in Barbados with a major emphasis on nutrition, food production, and energy. It is a 15-credit program offered in the summer semester (May to August). Staff and students from University of the West Indies (UWI) contribute to the internationalization experience. Student projects will be conducted under the supervision of researchers from McGill or UWI and local mentors drawn from governmental or non-governmental agencies, or local industry.
Shorter field courses
Shorter field courses are offered through various departments including, for example, Biology, Geography, Earth and Planetary Sciences.
To explore these opportunities go to the McGill Abroad website.
You may also want to look at the "Field Studies (Undergraduate)" section of the McGill University Calendar
Minor in Field Studies
All of the field study semesters can be taken as a minor. The Field Study Minor consists of 18 credits:
- 15 credits from the Field Study Semester
- 3 credits from a complementary course
NOTE: None of the 18 credits may be used to satisfy any other program or requirement such as a major concentration or another minor.
For more information contact the Interdisciplinary Programs Adviser.
McGill Field Stations
McGill University operates several unique off-campus field stations, from the tropics to the high arctic.