Note: This is the 2010–2011 edition of the eCalendar. Update the year in your browser's URL bar for the most recent version of this page, or click here to jump to the newest eCalendar.
Program Requirements
This Domain (63 credits including Core) is open only to students in the B.Sc.(Ag.Env.Sc.) Major in Environment or B.Sc. Major in Environment program.
The thin soil layer on the planet's land surfaces controls the vital inputs of water, nutrients and energy to terrestrial and freshwater aquatic ecosystems. Widespread occurrences around the globe of desertification, soil erosion, deforestation and land submergence over water reservoirs indicate that this dynamic system is under increasing pressure from population growth and changes in climate and land uses. Production of key greenhouse gases (water vapour, CO2 and methane) is controlled by complex processes operating at the land surface, involving climate change feedbacks that need to be fully understood, given current global warming trends.
The program introduces students to the interacting physical and biogeochemical processes at the atmosphere-lithosphere interface, which fashion land surface habitats and determine their biological productivity and response to anthropogenic or natural environmental changes. Through an appropriate selection of courses, students can prepare for graduate training in emerging research areas such as earth system sciences, environmental hydrology and landscape ecology.
Suggested First Year (U1) Courses
For suggestions on courses to take in your first year (U1), you can consult the "MSE Student Handbook 2010-11" available on the MSE website (), or contact Ms. Kathy Roulet, the Program Advisor (kathy.roulet [at] mcgill.ca).
Program Requirements
NOTE: Students are required to take a maximum of 30 credits at the 200-level and a minimum of 12 credits at the 400-level or higher in this program. This includes Core and Required courses.
Location Note: Core Required courses for this program are taught at both McGill's downtown campus and at the Macdonald Campus in Ste. Anne de Bellevue.
Core: Required Courses (18 credits)
Location Note: Core required courses for this program are taught at both McGill's downtown campus and at the Macdonald campus in Ste. Anne de Bellevue. You should register in Section 001 of an ENVR course that you plan to take on the downtown campus, and in Section 051 of an ENVR course that you plan to take on the Macdonald campus.
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ENVR 200 The Global Environment (3 credits)
Overview
Environment : A systems approach to study the different components of the environment involved in global climate change: the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere. The interactions among these components. Their role in global climate change. The human dimension to global change.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: McCourt, George; Fyles, James W; Fabry, Frederic; Rhemtulla, Jeanine; Atallah, Eyad Hashem (Fall)
- Fall
- Section 001: Downtown Campus
- Section 051: Macdonald Campus
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ENVR 201 Society, Environment and Sustainability (3 credits)
Overview
Environment : This course deals with how scientific-technological, socio-economic, political-institutional and behavioural factors mediate society-environment interactions. Issues discussed include population and resources; consumption, impacts and institutions; integrating environmental values in societal decision-making; and the challenges associated with, and strategies for, promoting sustainability. Case studies in various sectors and contexts are used.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Badami, Madhav Govind; Bennett, Elena; Purdon, Mark; Kosoy, Nicolas (Fall)
- Fall
- Section 001: Downtown Campus
- Section 051: Macdonald Campus
-
ENVR 202 The Evolving Earth (3 credits)
Overview
Environment : Formation of the Earth and the evolution of life. How geological and biological change are the consequence of history, chance, and necessity acting over different scales of space and time. General principles governing the formation of modern landscapes and biotas. Effects of human activities on natural systems.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: de Blois, Sylvie; McCourt, George; Wheeler, Terry A; Lechowicz, Martin J; Paquette, Jeanne; Chapman, Colin Austin (Winter)
- Winter
- Section 001: Downtown Campus
- Section 051: Macdonald Campus
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ENVR 203 Knowledge, Ethics and Environment (3 credits)
Overview
Environment : Introduction to cultural perspectives on the environment: the influence of culture and cognition on perceptions of the natural world; conflicts in orders of knowledge (models, taxonomies, paradigms, theories, cosmologies), ethics (moral values, frameworks, dilemmas), and law (formal and customary, rights and obligations) regarding political dimensions of critical environments, resource use, and technologies.
Terms: Fall 2010, Winter 2011
Instructors: Goodin, David; Johns, Timothy A (Fall) Sieber, Renee; Purdon, Mark; Hirose, Iwao (Winter)
- Fall - Macdonald Campus; Winter - Downtown
- Section 001: Downtown Campus
- Section 051: Macdonald Campus
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ENVR 301 Environmental Research Design (3 credits)
Overview
Environment : Techniques used in design and completion of environmental research projects. Problem definition, data sources and use of appropriate strategies and methodologies. Principles underlying research design are emphasized, including critical thinking, recognizing causal relationships, ideologies and bias in research, and when and where to seek expertise.
Terms: Fall 2010, Winter 2011
Instructors: Vaccaro, Ismael; Sengupta, Raja; Reyna Hurtado, Rafael Angel (Fall) Chapman, Colin Austin; Sengupta, Raja; Vaccaro, Ismael; Marshall, E Joan (Winter)
- Fall-Downtown Campus: Section 001
- Winter-Downtown Campus: Section 001; Macdonald Campus: Section 051
- Restrictions: Restricted to U2 or higher
-
ENVR 400 Environmental Thought (3 credits)
Overview
Environment : Students work in interdisciplinary seminar groups on challenging philosophical, ethical, scientific and practical issues. They will explore cutting-edge ideas and grapple with the reconciliation of environmental imperatives and social, political and economic pragmatics. Activities include meeting practitioners, attending guest lectures, following directed readings, and organizing, leading and participating in seminars.
Terms: Fall 2010, Winter 2011
Instructors: Goodin, David; Isabel, Mariève (Fall) Goodin, David; Purdon, Mark; Hirose, Iwao; Mikkelson, Gregory Matthew; Isabel, Mariève (Winter)
- Fall - Macdonald Campus; Winter - Downtown
- Section 001: Downtown Campus
- Section 051: Macdonald Campus
- Prerequisite: ENVR 203
- Restriction: Open only to U3 students, or permission of instructor
Core: Complementary Course - Senior Research Project (3 credits)
Only 3 credits will be applied to the program; extra credits will count as electives.
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AGRI 519 Sustainable Development Plans (6 credits)
Overview
Agriculture : Geared for solving real-world environmental problems related to water at the local, regional and international scale in Barbados. Projects to be designed by instructors in consultation with university, government and NGO partners and to be conducted by teams of 2 to 4 students in collaboration with them.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Alli, Inteaz (Fall)
- Restrictions: Enrolment in full "Barbados Field Study Semester". Not open to students who have taken CIVE 519 or URBP 519.
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ENVR 401 Environmental Research (3 credits)
Overview
Environment : Students work in an interdisciplinary team on a real-world research project involving problem definition, methodology development, social, ethical and environmental impact assessment, execution of the study, and dissemination of results to the research community and to the people affected. Teams begin defining their projects during the preceding spring.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Fabry, Frederic; McCourt, George; Roulet, Kathryn (Fall)
- Fall
- Prerequisite: ENVR 301
- Restriction: B.A. Faculty Program in Environment, B.A.&Sc. Faculty Program in Environment , B.Sc.(Ag.Env.Sc.) and B.Sc. Major in Environment, and Diploma in Environment.
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ENVR 451 Research in Panama (6 credits)
Overview
Environment : 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.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.
- Winter
- Restriction: students in the Panama Field Semester program. Offered in Panama only
Domain Required Course (3 credits)
-
GEOG 203 Environmental Systems (3 credits)
Overview
Geography : An introduction to system-level interactions among climate, hydrology, soils and vegetation at the scale of drainage basins, including the study of the global geographical variability in these land-surface systems. The knowledge acquired is used to study the impact on the environment of various human activities such as deforestation and urbanisation.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Chmura, Gail L; Murphy, Meaghan (Fall)
- Fall
- 3 hours
- Restriction: Because of quantitative science content of course, not recommended for B.A. and B.Ed. students in their U0 year.
Domain: Complementary Courses (39 credits)
39 credits of Complementary Courses are selected as follows:
9 credits - 3 credits from each category of Statistics, Geo-Information Science, Weather and Climate
9 credits of fundamental land surface processes
3 credits of environment and resource management
3 credits of field course
3 credits of social science
12 credits total of advanced studies chosen from the List A: Particular Environments and the List B: Surface Processes
Statistics
One of the following statistics courses or equivalent:
Note: Credit given for statistics courses is subject to certain restrictions. Students in Science should consult the "Course Overlap" information in the "Course Requirements" section for the Faculty of Science.
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AEMA 310 Statistical Methods 1 (3 credits)
Overview
Mathematics (Agric&Envir Sci) : Measures of central tendency and dispersion; binomial and Poisson distributions; normal, chi-square, Student's t and Fisher-Snedecor F distributions; estimation and hypothesis testing; simple linear regression and correlation; analysis of variance for simple experimental designs.
Terms: Fall 2010, Winter 2011
Instructors: Dutilleul, Pierre R L; Bona, Kelly Ann (Fall) Dutilleul, Pierre R L (Winter)
- Two 1.5-hour lectures and one 2-hour lab
-
GEOG 202 Statistics and Spatial Analysis (3 credits)
Overview
Geography : Exploratory data analysis, univariate descriptive and inferential statistics, non-parametric statistics, correlation and simple regression. Problems associated with analysing spatial data such as the 'modifiable areal unit problem' and spatial autocorrelation. Statistics measuring spatial pattern in point, line and polygon data.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Berrang Ford, Lea (Fall)
- Fall
- 2.5 hours and lab
- You may not be able to receive credit for this course and other statistic courses. Be sure to check the Course Overlap section under Faculty Degree Requirements in the Arts or Science section of the Calendar.
-
MATH 203 Principles of Statistics 1 (3 credits)
Overview
Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : Examples of statistical data and the use of graphical means to summarize the data. Basic distributions arising in the natural and behavioural sciences. The logical meaning of a test of significance and a confidence interval. Tests of significance and confidence intervals in the one and two sample setting (means, variances and proportions).
Terms: Fall 2010, Winter 2011, Summer 2011
Instructors: Khalili Mahmoudabadi, Abbas; Correa, Jose Andres (Fall)
- No calculus prerequisites
- Restriction: This course is intended for students in all disciplines. For extensive course restrictions covering statistics courses see Section 3.6.1 of the Arts and of the Science sections of the calendar regarding course overlaps.
- You may not be able to receive credit for this course and other statistic courses. Be sure to check the Course Overlap section under Faculty Degree Requirements in the Arts or Science section of the Calendar. Students should consult for information regarding transfer credits for this course.
GIS and Remote Sensing Techniques
one of:
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GEOG 201 Introductory Geo-Information Science (3 credits)
Overview
Geography : An introduction to Geographic Information Systems. The systematic management of spatial data. The use and construction of maps. The use of microcomputers and software for mapping and statistical work. Air photo and topographic map analyses.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Sieber, Renee; Sengupta, Raja (Fall)
- Fall
- 3 hours and lab
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GEOG 308 Principles of Remote Sensing (3 credits)
Overview
Geography : A conceptual view of remote sensing and the underlying physical principles. Covers ground-based, aerial, satellite systems, and the electromagnetic spectrum, from visible to microwave. Emphasis on application of remotely sensed data in geography including land cover change and ecological processes.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Kalacska, Margaret (Fall)
- Fall
- 3 hours and laboratory periods
- Corequisite(s): GEOG 201
- Restriction: Not open to students who have taken ATOC 308
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NRSC 430 GIS for Natural Resource Management (3 credits)
Overview
Natural Resource Sciences : Applications of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and spatial analysis techniques to the presentation and analysis of ecological information, including sources and capture of spatial data; characterizing, transforming, displaying spatial data; and spatial analysis to solve resource management problems.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.
- Fall
- Prerequisites: At least one environmental science course and one ecology course or permission of instructor
- Restriction: U2 students and above. Not open to students who have taken GEOG 201, 306 or 307 or BREE/ABEN 430. Limited to 32 students.
Weather and Climate
one of:
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ATOC 215 Oceans, Weather and Climate (3 credits)
Overview
Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences : Laws of motion, geostrophic wind, gradient wind. General circulation of the atmosphere and oceans, local circulation features. Air-sea interaction, including hurricanes and sea-ice formation, extra-tropical weather systems and fronts, role of the atmosphere and oceans in climate.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Yau, Man K (Winter)
- Winter
- 3 hours lecture
- Prerequisite: ATOC 214
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ENVB 301 Meteorology (3 credits)
Overview
Environmental Biology : The physical processes underlying weather. Topics include: the atmosphere - its properties (structure and motion), and thermodynamics (stability, heat and moisture); clouds and precipitation; air masses and fronts; mid-latitude weather systems and severe weather.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Strachan, Ian Brett (Fall)
- Fall
- Restriction: Not open to students who have taken NRSC 201
Fundamental Land Surface Processes:
9 credits of fundamental land surface processes chosen as follows:
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GEOG 321 Climatic Environments (3 credits)
Overview
Geography : Scope of climatology, physical, dynamic and applied. The Earth/atmosphere system, radiation and energy balances, governing meteorological processes. Movement and circulation of the atmosphere on a local and global scale. Resulting weather systems.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Strachan, Ian Brett (Winter)
- Winter
- 3 hours
- Prerequisite: GEOG 203 or ATOC 210 or permission of instructor
and/or one of:
-
GEOG 272 Earth's Changing Surface (3 credits)
Overview
Geography : Introduction to the study of landforms as products of geomorphic and geologic systems acting at and near the Earth's surface. The process geomorphology approach will be used to demonstrate how landforms of different geomorphic settings represent a dynamic balance between forces acting in the environment and the physical properties of materials present.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Pollard, Wayne H (Fall)
- Fall
- 3 hours
-
SOIL 300 Geosystems (3 credits)
Overview
Soil Science : Interactions between Earth's various geologic systems and how these interactions lead to mineral and rock formation. Geomorphic processes and how various landforms are created by the interactions at the Earth's surface between the various geologic systems.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: McCourt, George (Winter)
- Winter
- Restrictions: Not open to students who have taken SOIL 200. Restricted to U2 students and above.
and/or one of:
-
GEOG 305 Soils and Environment (3 credits)
Overview
Geography : Discussion of the major properties of soils; soil formation, classification and mapping; land capability assessment; the role and response of soils in natural and disturbed environments (e.g. global change, ecosystem disturbance).
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.
- Fall
- 3 hours and laboratory
- Prerequisite: GEOG 203 or introductory course in biology or geology
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SOIL 326 Soils in a Changing Environment (3 credits)
Overview
Soil Science : Soil processes responsible for soil formation will be studied and the impact of changes to the physical and chemical environment will be discussed.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Hendershot, William H (Fall)
- Fall
- 3 lectures and one 3-hour lab
- Prerequisite: A previous course in soil science, geography, geology or permission of instructor.
and/or one of:
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BREE 217 Hydrology and Water Resources (3 credits)
Overview
Bioresource Engineering : Measurements and analysis of components of the water cycle. Precipitation, evaporation, infiltration and groundwater. Analysis of hydrologic data. Hydrograph theory. Hydrologic estimations for design of water control projects; flood control and reservoir routing. Integrated watershed management and water conservation. Water management systems for environmental protection.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Prasher, Shiv (Winter)
- 3 lectures, one 2 hour lab
- Restriction: Not open to students who have taken ABEN 217.
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GEOG 322 Environmental Hydrology (3 credits)
Overview
Geography : Quantitative, experimental study of the principles governing the movement of water at or near the Earth's surface and how the research relates to the chemistry and biology of ecosystems.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Lehner, Bernhard (Winter)
- Winter
- 3 hours
- Prerequisite: GEOG 203 or equivalent
Environment and Resource Management:
one of:
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AGRI 435 Soil and Water Quality Management (3 credits)
Overview
Agriculture : Management of soil and water systems for sustainability. Cause of soil degradation, surface and groundwater contamination by agricultural chemicals and toxic pollutants. Human health and safety concerns. Water-table management. Soil and water conservation techniques will be examined with an emphasis on methods of prediction and best management practices.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Clark, Grant (Fall)
- Fall
- 3 lectures and one 3-hour lab
-
AGRI 452 Water Resources in Barbados (3 credits)
Overview
Agriculture : Physical environment challenges, centered on water, being faced by an island nation. Guest speakers, field study tours and laboratory tests. Private, government and NGO institutional context of conservation strategies, and water quantity and quality analyses for water management specific to Barbados.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Gehr, Ronald; Keane, Angela (Fall)
- Corequisites: None.
- Restrictions: Enrolment in full "Barbados Field Study Semester". Not open to students who have taken CIVE 452.
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AGRI 550 Sustained Tropical Agriculture (3 credits)
Overview
Agriculture : 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.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.
- Prerequisites: HISP 218 or equivalent; MATH 203 or AEMA 310 or equivalent
- Restriction: Restricted Enrolment. Location in Panama. Student must be registered for a full semester of studies in Panama
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BIOL 308 Ecological Dynamics (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : Principles of population, community, and ecosystem dynamics: population growth and regulation, species interactions, dynamics of competitive interactions and of predator/prey systems; evolutionary dynamics.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Guichard, Frederic (Fall)
- Fall
- 3 hours lecture, 1 hour computer lab/tutorial
- Prerequisite: BIOL 215 or both ENVR 200 and ENVR 202
-
BIOL 465 Conservation Biology (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : Discussion of relevant theoretical and applied issues in conservation biology. Topics: biodiversity, population viability analysis, community dynamics, biology of rarity, extinction, habitat fragmentation, social issues.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Green, David M; Gonzalez, Andrew (Fall)
- Fall
- 3 hours lecture
- Prerequisite: BIOL 215 OR both ENVR 200 and ENVR 202
-
CHEE 230 Environmental Aspects of Technology (3 credits)
Overview
Chemical Engineering : The impact of urbanization and technology on the environment. Topics include urbanization: causes, effects, land use regulations; transportation technology and environmental implications; environmental impact of energy conversions; energy policy alternatives; formulation of energy and environmental policy; air pollution: sources, effects, control; water pollution: sources, effects, control.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Alexakis, Theodora (Winter)
- (3-0-6)
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CIVE 225 Environmental Engineering (4 credits)
Overview
Civil Engineering : Introduction to environmental chemistry; mass balance analyses in engineered and natural systems; water, soil and air pollution characterization and control; water quality parameters; drinking water and wastewater treatment technologies; global climate change: possible causes and effects; risk assessment for pollutant exposure; solid- and hazardous-waste management.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Frigon, Dominic (Winter)
- (4-2-6)
- Prerequisite: CIVE 290.
- Corequisite: MATH 263.
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ENVB 305 Population & Community Ecology (3 credits)
Overview
Environmental Biology : Interactions between organisms and their environment; historical and current perspectives in applied and theoretical population and community ecology. Principles of population dynamics, feedback loops, and population regulation. Development and structure of communities; competition, predation and food web dynamics. Biodiversity science in theory and practice.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Buddle, Christopher (Winter)
- Winter
- Restriction: Not open to students who have taken WILD 205
-
ESYS 301 Earth System Modelling (3 credits)
Overview
Earth System Science : Principal concepts of systems modelling related to earth system science and environmental science. Students explore the ideas of state, stability, equilibria, feedbacks, and complexity using simple models.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Tremblay, Bruno; Ramankutty, Navin (Winter)
- Winter
- 3 hours lecture
- Prerequisite: ESYS 200 or ENVR 200 or equivalent.
-
GEOG 302 Environmental Management 1 (3 credits)
Overview
Geography : An ecological analysis of the physical and biotic components of natural resource systems. Emphasis on scientific, technological and institutional aspects of environmental management. Study of the use of biological resources and of the impact of individual processes.
Terms: Fall 2010, Summer 2011
Instructors: Meredith, Thomas C (Fall)
- 3 hours
- Prerequisite: Any 200-level course in Geography or MSE or BIOL 208 or permission of instructor.
-
GEOG 380 Adaptive Environmental Management (3 credits)
Overview
Geography : Articulates and evaluates competing hypotheses about the functioning of human-dominated ecosystems. Introduces the use of statistics, ecological modeling, and management in an integrated ecological management context. Case studies examine factors that impede and enhance adaptive management.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.
- Winter
- 3 hours
- Pre/Co-requisites: GEOG 202 or equivalent, GEOG 203, ENVR 200, BIOL 215, or equivalent.
-
GEOG 404 Environmental Management 2 (3 credits)
Overview
Geography : 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).
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Meredith, Thomas C (Winter)
- Winter
- 3 hours
- Prerequisite: GEOG 302 or permission of instructor
-
NRSC 437 Assessing Environmental Impact (3 credits)
Overview
Natural Resource Sciences : Theories and procedures of assessing environmental impact. An examination of the environmental impact of existing programs and projects to examine their accuracy in predicting consequences and attenuating undesirable effects.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.
- Winter
- 2 lectures
- Restriction: Not open to students who have taken WILD 437
- Restrictions: U2 students and above
-
WILD 421 Wildlife Conservation (3 credits)
Overview
Resource Development : Study of current controversial issues focusing on wildlife conservation. Topics include: animal rights, exotic species, ecotourism, urban wildlife, multi-use of national parks, harvesting of wildlife, biological controls, and endangered species.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Bird, David M (Winter)
- Winter
- 3 lectures
- Restriction: Not open to students who have taken NRSC 421.
-
WOOD 420 Environmental Issues: Forestry (3 credits)
Overview
Woodland Resources : The science behind current environmental issues relating to forests including the effects of management on productivity and biodiversity, conservation of old-growth forests and endangered species, pesticide use, and industrial pollution. The role of scientific knowledge, relative to social and economic forces, in forest resource decision-making is discussed.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.
- Winter
- 3 lectures and one 2-hour tutorial
- Prerequisites: PLNT 201 or AEBI 210 and SOIL 210 or ENVB 210 or permission of instructor
-
WOOD 441 Integrated Forest Management (3 credits)
Overview
Woodland Resources : The study of silviculture and silvics and their application to forest management to sustain the production of wood and other resources such as wildlife, water and landscape in natural forests and rural environments (agroforestry). Acquisition of practical skills in forest survey and computer simulation of forest growth.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Cote, Benoit (Winter)
- Winter
- 3 lectures and one 3-hour lab
- Prerequisite: WILD 205 (formerly AEBI 205) or ENVB 305 or permission of instructor
Field Course:
one of:
-
BIOL 553 Neotropical Environments (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : Ecology revisited in view of tropical conditions. Exploring species richness. Sampling and measuring biodiversity. Conservation status of ecosystems, communities and species. Indigenous knowledge.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Potvin, Catherine (Winter)
- Winter
- 24 hours lecture and 36 hours field work over a 4-week period
- Prerequisites: HISP 218, MATH 203, and BIOL 215
- Corequisites: ENVR 451; GEOG 404 and HIST 510 alternating with GEOG 498 and AGRI 550
- Restriction: location in Panama. Students must register for a full semester of studies in Panama
-
GEOG 495 Field Studies - Physical Geography (3 credits)
Overview
Geography : Field research projects in physical geography. Held locally in Monteregian or Eastern Township regions. The course is organised around field projects designed to formulate and test scientific hypotheses in a physical geography discipline. May Summer session. Preregistration in Department required by March 16.
Terms: Summer 2011
Instructors: Pollard, Wayne H (Summer)
- 2-week field school
- Prerequisites: 6 credits from the following list of Systematic Physical Geography courses: GEOG 305, GEOG 321, GEOG 322, GEOG 350, GEOG 372
-
GEOG 496 Geographical Excursion (3 credits)
Overview
Geography : Lecture course on the geography of a region and excursion through the selected country or region including landscape interpretation and field study projects.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.
- Winter
- Prerequisites: GEOG 290 and permission of instructor
-
GEOG 499 Subarctic Field Studies (3 credits)
Overview
Geography : An introduction to the geography of the subarctic with emphasis on the application of field methods in physical and/or human geography.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Pollard, Wayne H (Fall)
- Fall
- Prerequisite: GEOG 203 or GEOG 301
-
NRSC 437 Assessing Environmental Impact (3 credits)
Overview
Natural Resource Sciences : Theories and procedures of assessing environmental impact. An examination of the environmental impact of existing programs and projects to examine their accuracy in predicting consequences and attenuating undesirable effects.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.
- Winter
- 2 lectures
- Restriction: Not open to students who have taken WILD 437
- Restrictions: U2 students and above
-
WILD 475 Desert Ecology (3 credits)
Overview
Resource Development : This course deals with adaptations to heat and drought. Representative areas of Coastal Bend, Chihuahuan and Sonoran deserts are visited over a two-week period. In the third week, emphasis is on the high desert and historical and cultural aspects of desert life observed in at the Mesa Verde cliff dwellings. A pre-trip analysis of an area to be visited and field notes are the principal bases of evaluation. Students must bear transportation costs.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Lewis, David James; McCourt, George; Fyles, James W (Winter)
- Winter
- Field course
- Prerequisites: PLNT 460, WILD 307 (formerly ZOOL 307), WILD 420
- Enrolment limited to 20
Social Science:
one of:
-
AGEC 333 Resource Economics (3 credits)
Overview
Agricultural Economics : The role of resources in the environment, use of resources, and management of economic resources within the firm or organization. Problem-solving, case studies involving private and public decision-making in organizations are utilized.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Thomassin, Paul (Fall)
- Fall
- Prerequisites: AGEC 200 or equivalent
-
ANTH 339 Ecological Anthropology (3 credits)
Overview
Anthropology : Intensive study of theories and cases in ecological anthropology. Theories are examined and tested through comparative case-study analysis. Cultural constructions of "nature" and "environment" are compared and analyzed. Systems of resource management and conflicts over the use of resources are studied in depth.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Scott, Colin Hartley (Winter)
- Winter
- Prerequisite: ANTH 204, or ANTH 206, or SOCI 328, or GEOG 300 or ENVR 201, or ENVR 203, or permission of instructor
-
ECON 225 Economics of the Environment (3 credits)
Overview
Economics (Arts) : A study of the application of economic theory to questions of environmental policy. Particular attention will be given to the measurement and regulation of pollution, congestion and waste and other environmental aspects of specific economies.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.
- Restriction: Not open to students who have taken 154-325 or 154-425
-
ECON 326 Ecological Economics (3 credits)
Overview
Economics (Arts) : Macroeconomic and structural aspects of the ecological crisis. A course in which subjects discussed include the conflict between economic growth and the laws of thermodynamics; the search for alternative economic indicators; the fossil fuels crisis; and "green'' fiscal policy.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Naylor, Robin Thomas (Fall)
- Prerequisites: ECON 208 and ECON 209 or consent of instructor
-
ECON 405 Natural Resource Economics (3 credits)
Overview
Economics (Arts) : Topics include: Malthusian and Ricardian Scarcity; optimal depletion of renewable and non-renewable resources; exploration, risk and industry structure, and current resources, rent and taxation. Current public policies applied to the resource industries, particularly those of a regulatory nature.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Cairns, Robert D (Winter)
- Prerequisite: ECON 230 or ECON 250
-
GEOG 221 Environment and Health (3 credits)
Overview
Geography : This course introduced physical and social environments as factors in human health, with emphasis on the physical properties of the atmospheric environment as they interact with diverse human populations in urban settings.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Strachan, Ian Brett; Ross, Nancy (Winter)
- Winter
- 3 hours
- Restriction: Not open to students who have taken or are taking NRSC 221.
- Note: This course is also offered as NRSC 221. Students enrolled in downtown campus programs register in GEOG 221; students enrolled in Macdonald campus programs register in NRSC 221. In Winter 2011, GEOG221/NRSC 221 will be taught on the downtown campus.
-
GEOG 408 Geography of Development (3 credits)
Overview
Geography : 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).
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Unruh, Jon (Fall)
- Fall
- 3 hours
- Prerequisite: GEOG 210 or GEOG 216 or permission of instructor
-
GEOG 498 Humans in Tropical Environments (3 credits)
Overview
Geography : 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.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.
- Winter
- 6 hours lecture for 4 weeks, 3 hours seminar, 2 hours laboratory, 8 hours conference
- Restriction: Location in Panama. Student must register for a full semester of studies in Panama
- Prerequisites: HISP 218, MATH 203 or equivalents
-
GEOG 508 Resources, People and Power (3 credits)
Overview
Geography : Addresses how different groups of people struggle over natural resources and environmental change. Politics of conservation in resource-dependent local communities, struggles over resource access and character, questions of power, resistance, class, and gender, and to "nature" as a socially-constructed yet active player.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.
- Fall
- 3 hours
- Prerequisite: GEOG 408 or GEOG 410 or permission of instructor
-
NRSC 221 Environment and Health (3 credits)
Overview
Natural Resource Sciences : Introduction to physical and social environments as factors contributing to the production of human health, with emphasis on the physical properties of the atmospheric environment as they interact with diverse human populations in urban settings.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Strachan, Ian Brett; Ross, Nancy (Winter)
- Restriction: Not open to students who are taking or have taken GEOG 221.
- Note: This course is also offered as GEOG 221. Students enrolled in main campus programs register as GEOG 221; students enrolled in Macdonald campus programs register as NRSC 221.
-
SOCI 565 Social Change in Panama (3 credits)
Overview
Sociology (Arts) : Analysis of social change in Panama, particularly during the 20th century: demography, social and economic structures, rural and urban activities and landscapes, indigenous peoples, the effects of the Canal and the Free Trade Zone. Focus throughout on the interaction of human society and the environment.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.
- Prerequisites: SOCI 210 and SOCI 350 or equivalents.
- Restriction: Students must register for a full term in the Panama Field Studies Semester.
- Note: Four field trips.
-
URBP 520 Globalization: Planning and Change (3 credits)
Overview
Urban Planning : Economic and social issues related to planning for sustainable development, with a focus on water. Political and environmental determinants of resource use. Impact of global, regional and local institutions, programs and plans in Barbados and in the field locale in general.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Phillip, Leroy E; Alli, Inteaz (Fall)
- (3-3-3)
- Restriction: Must be enrolled in the Barbados Field Study Semester.
12 credits total of advanced studies chosen from the following two lists:
List A - Particular Environments:
3 to 9 credits of advanced study of Particular Environments:
-
BIOL 432 Limnology (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : A study of the physical, chemical and biological properties of lakes and other inland waters, with emphasis on their functioning as systems.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Gregory-Eaves, Irene (Fall)
- Fall
- 2 hours lecture; 2 weekends at field station equivalent to 3 hours laboratory per week
- Prerequisites: BIOL 206 and BIOL 215 or permission of instructor.
- This course, involving two field weekends, has an additional fee of $225, which includes room and board and transportation. The fee is refundable during the period where a student can drop the course with full refund. The Department of Biology subsidizes a portion of the cost for this activity.
-
ENVB 315 Science of Inland Waters (3 credits)
Overview
Environmental Biology : Nature and history of limnology; divisions of inland waters; properties of fresh water; habitats; zones; nutrient cycles; biota; adaptations; seasonal variation; distributions; pollution; succession and evolution of fresh water environments. Includes field excursions.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.
- Fall
- Restriction: Not open to students who have taken NRSC 315.
-
ENVB 410 Ecosystem Ecology (3 credits)
Overview
Environmental Biology : Biotic and abiotic processes that control the flows of energy, nutrients and water through ecosystems; emergent system properties; approaches to analyzing complex systems. Labs include collection and multivariate analysis of field data.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Fyles, James W (Fall)
- Fall
- Prerequisite(s): ENVB 222, AEMA 310 or Permission of instructor
- Restriction: Not open to students who have taken WOOD 410
-
GEOG 350 Ecological Biogeography (3 credits)
Overview
Geography : The study of the patterns of distribution of organisms in space and time with emphasis on plant communities. Ecological, geographical, historical and anthropological factors affecting these distribution patterns will be discussed. Particular consideration is given to methods for description and classification of plant communities.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.
- Fall
- 3 hours
- Prerequisite: GEOG 203 or ENVR 200 or ENVR 202
- Note: Offered at Macdonald campus in alternate years.
-
GEOG 372 Running Water Environments (3 credits)
Overview
Geography : The course focuses on the physical habitat conditions found in streams, rivers, estuaries and deltas. Based on the laws governing flow of water and sediment transport, it emphasizes differences among these environments, in terms of channel form, flow patterns, substrate composition and mode of evolution. Flooding, damming, channelisation, forestry impacts.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Lapointe, Michel F (Fall)
- Fall
- 3 hours
- Prerequisites: GEOG 203 and GEOG 272, or ENVR 200 and ENVR 202
-
GEOG 470 Wetlands (3 credits)
Overview
Geography : An examination of the structure, function and utility of wetlands. Topics include the fluxes of energy and water, wetland biogeochemistry, plant ecology in freshwater and coastal wetlands and wetlands use, conservation and restoration. Field trip(s) are envisaged to illustrate issues covered in class.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Murphy, Meaghan (Fall)
- Fall
- 3 hours
- Restriction: Permission of instructor.
-
GEOG 536 Geocryology (3 credits)
Overview
Geography : Study of the unique geomorphic aspects of periglacial and permafrost environments. The focus will be on processes in cold climates, the impact of human activity on permafrost landscapes and potential impacts of climatic change.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.
- Fall
- 3 hours
- Prerequisite: GEOG 272 and any 300-level geomorphology course approved by instructor
-
GEOG 550 Historical Ecology Techniques (3 credits)
Overview
Geography : Principles and methods of Quaternary paleoecology and vegetation reconstruction. Examination of ecosystem response to human disturbance and environmental change.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Chmura, Gail L (Fall)
- Fall
- 2 hours, laboratory and seminar
- Prerequisite: GEOG 350 or BIOL 215 or PLNT 460 or permission of instructor.
-
PLNT 358 Flowering Plant Diversity (3 credits)
Overview
Plant Science : Principles of classification and identification of flowering plants and ferns, with emphasis on 35 major families of flowering plants and the habitats in which they grow.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Waterway, Marcia J (Fall)
- 2 lectures, one 3-hour lab, plus a 4-day field week held the week preceding the start of classes
- A $50 fee is charged to all students registered in this course, which has a fieldwork component prior to the beginning of classes in August. This fee is used to support the cost of excursions, a hand lens, instructional handouts and identification aids. Students who have already received a hand lens may request a reimbursement of a portion of this charge through their department.
- Prerequisites: PLNT 201 or AEBI 210 or ENVR 202 or permission of instructor
-
PLNT 460 Plant Ecology (3 credits)
Overview
Plant Science : Theory and practice of plant ecology with an emphasis on the interaction between patterns and ecological processes and the dynamics, conservation and management of plant populations and communities over a range of temporal and spatial scales.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: de Blois, Sylvie (Fall)
- 3 lectures and one 3-hour lab
- Prerequisite: AEMA 310 or permission of instructor.
List B - Surface Processes:
3 to 9 credits advanced study of Surface Processes:
-
ATOC 315 Water in the Atmosphere (3 credits)
Overview
Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences : Global distribution of water in the atmosphere. Moist processes. Global and mesoscale precipitation systems. Quantitative forecasting of precipitation. Extreme precipitation events. Large-scale influences. Precipitation modification.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Son, Seok-Woo (Fall)
- Fall
- 3 hours lecture
- Prerequisite: ATOC 214
-
BREE 509 Hydrologic Systems and Modelling (3 credits)
Overview
Bioresource Engineering : Use of deterministic and stochastic models to analyze components of the hydrologic cycle on agricultural and forested watersheds, floods frequency analysis, hydrograph analysis, infiltration, runoff, overland flow, flood routing, erosion and sediment transport. Effects of land-use changes and farm and recreational water management systems on the hydrologic regime.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.
- 3 hour lectures
- Restriction: Not open to students who have taken ABEN 509.
-
EPSC 549 Hydrogeology (3 credits)
Overview
Earth & Planetary Sciences : Introduction to groundwater flow through porous media. Notions of fluid potential and hydraulic head. Darcy flux and Darcy's Law. Physical properties of porous media and their measurement. Equation of groundwater flow. Flow systems. Hydraulics of pumping and recharging wells. Notions of hydrology. Groundwater quality and contamination. Physical processes of contaminant transport.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: McKenzie, Jeffrey (Winter)
- Winter
- 3 hours lectures, 1-2 hours laboratory
- Prerequisite: permission of the instructor
-
EPSC 580 Aqueous Geochemistry (3 credits)
Overview
Earth & Planetary Sciences : The use of chemical thermodynamics to study fluid-rock interactions with an emphasis on the aqueous phase. The course will introduce basic concepts and will discuss aqueous complexation, mineral surface adsorption, and other controls on crustal fluid compositions. Applications will range from considering contaminated groundwater systems to metamorphic reactions.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.
- Fall
- 3 hours lectures
- Prerequisites: EPSC 210, EPSC 212, or equivalent, or permission of instructor.
-
GEOG 501 Modelling Environmental Systems (3 credits)
Overview
Geography : Most problems in environmental science deal with weak relationships and poorly defined systems. Model development and simulation will be used in this course to help improve understanding of environmental systems. Simulation of environmental systems is examined, focusing on problem definition, model development and model validation.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Roulet, Nigel Thomas (Winter)
- Fall
- 1.15 hours lecture, 0.58 hours seminar, 0.69 hours project, 0.58 hours laboratory
- Restriction: open only to U2 or U3 students who have completed six or more credits from courses at the 300 level of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Planetary Sciences, Geography, Natural Resource Sciences, or a McGill School of Environment domain, or permission of the instructor
- Prerequisites: MATH 139 or MATH 140, MATH 141, and MATH 203, or equivalent
- Enrolment limited to 20 students by availability of workstations
-
GEOG 505 Global Biogeochemistry (3 credits)
Overview
Geography : An examination of the storage, transfers and cycling of major elements and substances, with an emphasis on the global scale and the linkages between the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere and biosphere.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Roulet, Nigel Thomas (Winter)
- Winter
- 2 hours and research
- Prerequisite: GEOG 305 or GEOG 322 and permission of instructor
-
GEOG 522 Advanced Environmental Hydrology (3 credits)
Overview
Geography : Surface and shallow ground water determine the availability of moisture and many chemical elements at the Earth's surface. This course discusses the link between surface water and ground water flow systems and the role this link plays in stream flow production and biogeochemical cycling in lake, riparian and terrestrial ecosystems.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.
- 2 hours and 1 tutorial
- Prerequisite: GEOG 322, or permission of instructor
- Cross-listed with CASN 300
-
GEOG 537 Advanced Fluvial Geomorphology (3 credits)
Overview
Geography : An examination of current advances in fluvial geomorphology: sediment entrainment and transport, alluviation and river channel evolution.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.
- Winter
- Prerequisite (Undergraduate): permission of instructor
-
NRSC 333 Pollution and Bioremediation (3 credits)
Overview
Natural Resource Sciences : The environmental contaminants which cause pollution; sources, amounts and transport of pollutants in water, air and soil; waste management.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Whyte, Lyle; Hendershot, William H (Fall)
- Fall
- 3 lectures
- Restriction: Not open to students who have taken WILD 333
-
SOIL 331 Soil Physics (3 credits)
Overview
Soil Science : Soil structure; fluxes of water, heat, gases and solids in soils; physical properties and plant growth; applications to soil dynamics.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.
- Winter
- 3 lectures and one 3-hour lab
-
SOIL 510 Environmental Soil Chemistry (3 credits)
Overview
Soil Science : Soil chemical principles are presented in a series of problem sets covering basic concepts as well as applications to environmental and agricultural situations.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.
- Winter
- Prerequisite(s): A course in Soil Science or permission of instructor
- Restriction: Not open to students who have taken SOIL 410.
Faculty of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences—2010-2011 (last updated Jan. 19, 2011) (disclaimer)