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Faculty Program Environment - Economics and the Earth's Environment (54 credits)

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Offered by: Bieler School of Environment     Degree: Bachelor of Arts

Program Requirements

Revision, June 2012. Start of revision.

Understanding Earth's geologic processes provides us with the knowledge to mitigate many of our society's environmental impacts due to resource extraction and waste disposal. This knowledge is not always enough, as economics often plays a controlling role in how we use and abuse our environment.

This domain educates students in the fundamentals of economics and Earth sciences. The fundamentals of economics are provided, as is their application to the effects of economic choices on Earth's environment. Examples of these applications include the economic effects of public policy toward resource industries and methods of waste disposal, and the potential effects of global warming on the global economy. Students also learn of minerals, rocks, soils, and waters that define much of Earth's environment and how these materials interact with each other and with the atmosphere. Courses in specific subdisciplines of Earth sciences combined with courses presenting a global vision of how the Earth and its environment operate provide the student with the necessary knowledge of geologic processes. Examples of this knowledge include the effects of mineral and energy extraction on the environment and how industrial waste interacts with solids and liquids in the environment. The Earth science and economics studies merge in the final year when the students apply what they have learned in the domain to current environmental issues.

Program Prerequisites or Corequisites

To graduate from the Faculty Program in Environment, students are required to complete these courses by the end of their U1 year. These courses can be taken using the Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory option. See: for details.

Calculus

3 credits of Calculus, one of the following, or equivalent (e.g., CEGEP objective OOUN):

  • MATH 139 Calculus 1 with Precalculus (4 credits)

    Offered by: Mathematics and Statistics (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : Review of trigonometry and other Precalculus topics. Limits, continuity, derivative. Differentiation of elementary functions. Antidifferentiation. Applications.

    Terms: Fall 2012

    Instructors: Hundemer, Axel W (Fall)

    • Fall

    • 4 hours lecture, 1 hour tutorial

    • Prerequisite: a course in functions

    • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken CEGEP objective 00UN or equivalent.

    • Restriction Note B: Not open to students who have taken or are taking MATH 122, except by permission of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics.

    • Students continue in MATH 141

    • Each Tutorial section is enrolment limited

  • MATH 140 Calculus 1 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Mathematics and Statistics (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : Review of functions and graphs. Limits, continuity, derivative. Differentiation of elementary functions. Antidifferentiation. Applications.

    Terms: Fall 2012, Winter 2013, Summer 2013

    Instructors: Trudeau, Sidney; Drury, Stephen W; Fox, Thomas F (Fall) Topaloglu, Ihsan (Winter) de Quehen, Victoria (Summer)

    • 3 hours lecture, 1 hour tutorial

    • Prerequisite: High School Calculus

    • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken MATH 120, MATH 139 or CEGEP objective 00UN or equivalent

    • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken or are taking MATH 122 or MATH 130 or MATH 131, except by permission of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics

    • Each Tutorial section is enrolment limited

Basic Science

3 credits of Basic Science, one of the following, or their equivalents (e.g., CEGEP objectives Biology OOUK, Chemistry OOUL, Physics OOUR):

  • BIOL 111 Principles: Organismal Biology (3 credits)

    Offered by: Biology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Biology (Sci) : An introduction to the phylogeny, structure, function and adaptation of unicellular organisms, plants and animals in the biosphere.

    Terms: Fall 2012

    Instructors: Hendry, Andrew; Dhindsa, Rajinder S; Krahe, Rudiger (Fall)

    • Fall

    • 2 hours lecture and 3 hours laboratory

    • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken CEGEP objective 00UK or equivalent; or BIOL 115.

    • This course serves as an alternative to CEGEP objective code 00UK

    • May require departmental approval.

    • Open to all students wishing introductory biology.

    • Attendance at first lab is mandatory to confirm registration in the course.

    • This class will use a Student Response System (clicker) which can be obtained from the Bookstore.

  • CHEM 110 General Chemistry 1 (4 credits)

    Offered by: Chemistry (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Chemistry : A study of the fundamental principles of atomic structure, radiation and nuclear chemistry, valence theory, coordination chemistry, and the periodic table.

    Terms: Fall 2012

    Instructors: Gauthier, Jean-Marc; Kakkar, Ashok K; Fenster, Ariel; Bohle, David (Fall)

    • Fall

    • Prerequisites/corequisites: College level mathematics and physics or permission of instructor; CHEM 120 is not a prerequisite

    • Each lab section is limited enrolment

  • PHYS 101 Introductory Physics - Mechanics (4 credits)

    Offered by: Physics (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Physics : An introductory course in physics without calculus, covering mechanics (kinematics, dynamics, energy, and rotational motion), oscillations and waves, sound, light, and geometrical optics.

    Terms: Fall 2012

    Instructors: Ragan, Kenneth J (Fall)

    • Fall

    • 3 hours lectures; 2 hours laboratory; tutorial sessions

    • Restriction: Not open to students taking or having taken PHYS 131, CEGEP objective 00UR or equivalent

    • Laboratory sections have limited enrolment

Other Suggested First Year (U1) Courses

For suggestions on courses to take in your first year (U1), you can consult the "MSE Student Handbook 2012-2013" available on the MSE website (), or contact Ms. Kathy Roulet, the Program Adviser (kathy.roulet [at] mcgill.ca).

Program Requirements

Note: Students are required to take a maximum of 34 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, but does not include the domain prerequisites or corequisites listed above.

Location Note: When planning your schedule and registering for courses, you should verify where each course is offered because courses for this program are taught at both McGill's Downtown campus and at the Macdonald campus in Sainte-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 Sainte-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.

  • ENVR 200 The Global Environment (3 credits)

    Offered by: Bieler School of Environment (School of Environment)

    Administered by: Faculty of Science

    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 2012

    Instructors: Ricciardi, Anthony; McCourt, George; Atallah, Eyad Hashem; Fyles, James W; Fabry, Frederic (Fall)

    • Fall

    • Section 001: Downtown Campus

    • Section 051: Macdonald Campus

  • ENVR 201 Society, Environment and Sustainability (3 credits)

    Offered by: Bieler School of Environment (School of Environment)

    Administered by: Faculty of Science

    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 2012

    Instructors: Badami, Madhav Govind; Bennett, Elena; Kosoy, Nicolas (Fall)

    • Fall

    • Section 001: Downtown Campus

    • Section 051: Macdonald Campus

  • ENVR 202 The Evolving Earth (3 credits)

    Offered by: Bieler School of Environment (School of Environment)

    Administered by: Faculty of Science

    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 2013

    Instructors: Leung, Brian; Lechowicz, Martin J; Paquette, Jeanne; McCourt, George; de Blois, Sylvie (Winter)

    • Winter

    • Section 001: Downtown Campus

    • Section 051: Macdonald Campus

  • ENVR 203 Knowledge, Ethics and Environment (3 credits)

    Offered by: Bieler School of Environment (School of Environment)

    Administered by: Faculty of Science

    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 2012, Winter 2013

    Instructors: Goodin, David (Fall) Ellis, Jaye Dana; Sieber, Renee; Hirose, Iwao (Winter)

    • Fall - Macdonald Campus; Winter - Downtown

    • Section 001: Downtown Campus

    • Section 051: Macdonald Campus

  • ENVR 301 Environmental Research Design (3 credits)

    Offered by: Bieler School of Environment (School of Environment)

    Administered by: Faculty of Science

    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 2012, Winter 2013

    Instructors: Vaccaro, Ismael; Gray, Suzanne; Barrington-Leigh, Christopher (Fall) Cardille, Jeffrey; Kroemker, Doerthe (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)

    Offered by: Bieler School of Environment (School of Environment)

    Administered by: Faculty of Science

    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 2012, Winter 2013

    Instructors: Mikkelson, Gregory Matthew; Dressel, Holly; Brown, Peter Gilbert; Kosoy, Nicolas (Fall) Hirose, Iwao; Goodin, David; Posthumus, Stephanie (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.

  • AEBI 427 Barbados Interdisciplinary Project (6 credits)

    Offered by: Plant Science (Agricultural & Environmental Sciences)

    Overview

    Biology (Agric & Envir Sc) : 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.

    Terms: Summer 2013

    Instructors: Donnelly, Danielle J (Summer)

    • Corequisite(s): AEBI 421, AEBI 423 and AEBI 425

    • Restriction(s): Restricted to students that are participating in the Barbados Interdisciplinary Tropical Studies Field Semester

  • AGRI 519 Sustainable Development Plans (6 credits)

    Offered by: Bioresource Engineering (Agricultural & Environmental Sciences)

    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 2012

    Instructors: Alli, Inteaz (Fall)

    • Restrictions: Enrolment in full "Barbados Field Study Semester". Not open to students who have taken CIVE 519 or URBP 519.

  • ENVR 401 Environmental Research (3 credits)

    Offered by: Bieler School of Environment (School of Environment)

    Administered by: Faculty of Science

    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 2012

    Instructors: Fabry, Frederic; McCourt, George; Sieber, Renee (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.

  • ENVR 451 Research in Panama (6 credits)

    Offered by: Bieler School of Environment (School of Environment)

    Administered by: Faculty of Science

    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 2013

    Instructors: Potvin, Catherine (Winter)

    • Winter

    • Restriction: students in the Panama Field Semester program. Offered in Panama only

Domain: Required Courses (15 credits)

  • ECON 230D1 Microeconomic Theory (3 credits)

    Offered by: Economics (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Economics (Arts) : The introductory course for Economics Major students in microeconomic theory. In depth and critical presentation of the theory of consumer behaviour, theory of production and cost curves, theory of the firm, theory of distribution, welfare economics and the theory of general equilibrium.

    Terms: Fall 2012

    Instructors: Lange, Fabian; Engle-Warnick, James (Fall)

  • ECON 230D2 Microeconomic Theory (3 credits)

    Offered by: Economics (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Economics (Arts) : See ECON 230D1 for course description.

    Terms: Winter 2013

    Instructors: Kurien, John C; Engle-Warnick, James (Winter)

    • Prerequisite: ECON 230D1

    • No credit will be given for this course unless both ECON 230D1 and ECON 230D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms

  • ECON 405 Natural Resource Economics (3 credits)

    Offered by: Economics (Faculty of Arts)

    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 2013

    Instructors: Long, Ngo Van (Winter)

  • EPSC 210 Introductory Mineralogy (3 credits)

    Offered by: Earth & Planetary Sciences (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Earth & Planetary Sciences : Crystal chemistry and identification of the principal rock-forming and ore minerals. Elementary crystallography. Optional 2-day field trip.

    Terms: Fall 2012

    Instructors: Paquette, Jeanne (Fall)

  • EPSC 212 Introductory Petrology (3 credits)

    Offered by: Earth & Planetary Sciences (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Earth & Planetary Sciences : A survey of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks and the processes responsible for their formation. The laboratory will emphasize the recognition of rocks in both hand-specimen and thin section using optical microscopes.

    Terms: Winter 2013

    Instructors: Francis, Donald M (Winter)

    • Winter

    • 2 hours lectures, 3 hours laboratory

    • Prerequisite: EPSC 210

Domain: Complementary Courses (18 credits)

18 credits are selected from various categories as follows:

Statistics

One of the following Statistics courses or equivalent:

Note: Credit given for Statistics courses is subject to certain restrictions. Students should consult the "Course Overlap" information in the "Course Requirements" section for the Faculty of Arts.

  • AEMA 310 Statistical Methods 1 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Plant Science (Agricultural & Environmental Sciences)

    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 2012, Winter 2013

    Instructors: Bona, Kelly Ann; Lucier, Jason (Fall) Bona, Kelly Ann; Gravel, Valérie (Winter)

    • Two 1.5-hour lectures and one 2-hour lab

  • GEOG 202 Statistics and Spatial Analysis (3 credits)

    Offered by: Geography (Faculty of Science)

    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 2012

    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)

    Offered by: Mathematics and Statistics (Faculty of Science)

    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 2012, Winter 2013, Summer 2013

    Instructors: Reynolds, Patrick; Genest, Christian (Fall) Correa, Jose Andres (Winter) Harel, Daphna (Summer)

    • 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.

Economics

6 credits from:

  • AGEC 333 Resource Economics (3 credits)

    Offered by: Agricultural Economics (Agricultural & Environmental Sciences)

    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 2012

    Instructors: Thomassin, Paul (Fall)

    • Fall

    • Prerequisites: AGEC 200 or equivalent

  • ECON 326 Ecological Economics (3 credits)

    Offered by: Economics (Faculty of Arts)

    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 2012

    Instructors: Naylor, Robin Thomas (Fall)

  • ECON 347 Economics of Climate Change (3 credits)

    Offered by: Economics (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Economics (Arts) : The course focuses on the economic implications of, and problems posed by, predictions of global warming due to anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases. Attention is given to economic policies such as carbon taxes and tradeable emission permits and to the problems of displacing fossil fuels with new energy technologies.

    Terms: Winter 2013

    Instructors: Galiana, Isabel (Winter)

    • Prerequisites: ECON 208 and ECON 209 or those listed under Prerequisites above

  • ECON 416 Topics in Economic Development 2 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Economics (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Economics (Arts) : This course gives students a broad overview of the economics of developing countries. The course covers micro and macro topics, with particular emphasis on the economic analysis at the micro level.

    Terms: Winter 2013

    Instructors: Grimard, Franque (Winter)

  • ECON 525 Project Analysis (3 credits)

    Offered by: Economics (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Economics (Arts) : A course in cost benefit analysis for graduate and advanced undergraduate students.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2012-2013 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2012-2013 academic year.

    • Restriction: Open to advanced undergraduate students. Prerequisite: ECON 250, ECON 352 or equivalent

Advanced Courses

9 credits from:

* Note: You can take BREE 217 or GEOG 322 but not both; you can take ENVB 305 or BIOL 308 but not both.

  • AEBI 423 Sustainable Land Use (3 credits)

    Offered by: Plant Science (Agricultural & Environmental Sciences)

    Overview

    Biology (Agric & Envir Sc) : 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.

    Terms: Summer 2013

    Instructors: Seguin, Philippe; Mustafa, Arif (Summer)

    • Corequisite(s): AEBI 421, AEBI 425, AEBI 427

    • Restriction: Restricted to students that are participating in the Barbados Interdisciplinary Tropical Studies Field Semester

  • AGRI 435 Soil and Water Quality Management (3 credits)

    Offered by: Natural Resource Sciences (Agricultural & Environmental Sciences)

    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 2012

    Instructors: Madramootoo, Chandra A; Stämpfli, Nicolas (Fall)

    • Fall

    • 3 lectures and one 3-hour lab

    • This course carries an additional charge of $13 to cover the cost of transportation with respect to a field trip. The fee is refundable only during the withdrawal with full refund period.

  • AGRI 452 Water Resources in Barbados (3 credits)

    Offered by: Bioresource Engineering (Agricultural & Environmental Sciences)

    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 2012

    Instructors: Gehr, Ronald; Keane, Angela (Fall)

    • Restrictions: Enrolment in full "Barbados Field Study Semester". Not open to students who have taken CIVE 452.

  • AGRI 550 Sustained Tropical Agriculture (3 credits)

    Offered by: Plant Science (Agricultural & Environmental Sciences)

    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 2012-2013 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2012-2013 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

  • ANTH 339 Ecological Anthropology (3 credits)

    Offered by: Anthropology (Faculty of Arts)

    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 2013

    Instructors: Scott, Colin H (Winter)

  • ANTH 451 Research in Society and Development in Africa (3 credits)

    Offered by: Anthropology (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Anthropology : 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.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2012-2013 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2012-2013 academic year.

    • Winter

    • Prerequisite: Open to U2 or later students in the AFSS.

    • Corequisite: NRSC 452.

    • Restriction: Open only to AFSS students during the year of participation in the field. Not open to students who have taken GEOG 451.

  • BIOL 305 Animal Diversity (3 credits)

    Offered by: Biology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Biology (Sci) : The characteristics of the major groups of animals, their ancestry, history and relationship to one another. The processes of speciation, adaptive radiation and extinction responsible for diversity. Methods for constructing of phylogenies, for comparing phenotypes, and for estimating and analyzing diversity.

    Terms: Winter 2013

    Instructors: Bell, Graham; Larsson, Hans Carl; Ricciardi, Anthony; Millien, Virginie (Winter)

  • BIOL 308 Ecological Dynamics (3 credits) *

    Offered by: Biology (Faculty of Science)

    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 2012

    Instructors: Fussmann, Gregor; Guichard, Frederic (Fall)

  • BIOL 451 Research in Ecology and Development in Africa (3 credits)

    Offered by: Biology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Biology (Sci) : 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.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2012-2013 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2012-2013 academic year.

    • Winter

    • Open only to U2 or later students in the AFSS.

    • Corequisite(s): ANTH 451 or GEOG 451

    • Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken or are taking NRSC 451.

  • BREE 217 Hydrology and Water Resources (3 credits) *

    Offered by: Bioresource Engineering (Agricultural & Environmental Sciences)

    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 2013

    Instructors: Prasher, Shiv (Winter)

    • 3 lectures, one 2-hour lab

    • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken ABEN 217.

  • ECON 305 Industrial Organization (3 credits)

    Offered by: Economics (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Economics (Arts) : The course analyzes the structure, conduct, and performance of industries, particularly but not exclusively in Canada. Topics include effects of mergers, barriers to entry, product line and promotion policies, vertical integration, and R & D policies of firms.

    Terms: Fall 2012

    Instructors: Green, Christopher (Fall)

    • Prerequisites: ECON 208 and ECON 209 or those listed under Prerequisites above

    • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken ECON 305

  • ECON 313 Economic Development 1 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Economics (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Economics (Arts) : Microeconomic theories of economic development and empirical evidence on population, labour, firms, poverty. Inequality and environment.

    Terms: Fall 2012, Winter 2013, Summer 2013

    Instructors: Laszlo, Sonia; Chemin, Matthieu (Fall) Kurien, John C (Winter) Sen Choudhury, Eesha (Summer)

    • Prerequisite: ECON 208 and either ECON 209 or one development course.

    • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken 154-313D.

  • ECON 314 Economic Development 2 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Economics (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Economics (Arts) : Macroeconomic development issues, including theories of growth, public finance, debt, currency crises, corruption, structural adjustment, democracy and global economic organization.

    Terms: Fall 2012, Winter 2013, Summer 2013

    Instructors: Rakovski, Tzvetana (Fall) Sen Choudhury, Eesha; Rakovski, Tzvetana (Winter) Sen Choudhury, Eesha (Summer)

    • Prerequisite: ECON 313

    • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken 154-313D

  • ECON 408 Public Sector Economics 1 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Economics (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Economics (Arts) : Theoretical and empirical economic analysis of the public sector with an emphasis on public goods and government spending. Study of Canadian institutions in international perspective.

    Terms: Fall 2012

    Instructors: Tasneem, Dina (Fall)

    • Prerequisite: ECON 230D1/D2 or 250D1/D2 or permission of the instructor.

    • Not open to students who have already completed ECON 408D1/D2.

  • ECON 409 Public Sector Economics 2 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Economics (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Economics (Arts) : Theoretical and empirical economic analysis of the public sector with an emphasis on taxation. Study of Canadian institutions in international perspective.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2012-2013 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2012-2013 academic year.

    • Prerequisite: ECON 408 or permission of the instructor

    • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken ECON 408D1/D2

  • ENVB 305 Population & Community Ecology (3 credits) *

    Offered by: Natural Resource Sciences (Agricultural & Environmental Sciences)

    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 2013

    Instructors: Buddle, Christopher (Winter)

    • Winter

    • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken WILD 205

  • ENVB 437 Assessing Environmental Impact (3 credits)

    Offered by: Natural Resource Sciences (Agricultural & Environmental Sciences)

    Overview

    Environmental Biology : 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: Winter 2013

    Instructors: Hickey, Gordon (Winter)

    • Winter

    • 2 lectures

    • Restrictions: U2 students and above. Not open to students who have taken WILD 437 or NRSC 437.

  • EPSC 455 Sedimentary Geology (3 credits)

    Offered by: Earth & Planetary Sciences (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Earth & Planetary Sciences : This course discusses the origin, diagenesis, classification and economic importance of sedimentary rocks. Students will learn about the physical properties of sedimentary rocks, including porosity and permeability, different techniques for analyzing those rocks (thin sections, hand specimens, wireline logs) and the types of sedimentary basins within which sediments accumulate.

    Terms: Fall 2012

    Instructors: Halverson, Galen (Fall)

  • EPSC 549 Hydrogeology (3 credits)

    Offered by: Earth & Planetary Sciences (Faculty of Science)

    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: This course is not scheduled for the 2012-2013 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2012-2013 academic year.

    • Winter

    • 3 hours lectures, 1-2 hours laboratory

    • Prerequisite: permission of the instructor

  • GEOG 302 Environmental Management 1 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Geography (Faculty of Science)

    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 2012, Summer 2013

    Instructors: Meredith, Thomas C (Fall) Akman, Geraldine (Summer)

    • 3 hours

    • Prerequisite: Any 200-level course in Geography or MSE or BIOL 208 or permission of instructor.

  • GEOG 322 Environmental Hydrology (3 credits) *

    Offered by: Geography (Faculty of Science)

    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 2013

    Instructors: Roulet, Nigel Thomas (Winter)

    • Winter

    • 3 hours

    • Prerequisite: GEOG 203 or equivalent

  • GEOG 404 Environmental Management 2 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Geography (Faculty of Science)

    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 2013

    Instructors: Meredith, Thomas C; Blair, Alec (Winter)

    • Winter

    • 3 hours

    • Prerequisite: GEOG 302 or permission of instructor

  • GEOG 451 Research in Society and Development in Africa (3 credits) *

    Offered by: Geography (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Geography : 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.

    Terms: Winter 2013

    Instructors: Meredith, Thomas C (Winter)

    • Winter

    • Prerequisite: Open to U2 or later students in the AFSS.

    • Corequisite: NRSC 452.

    • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken, or are taking ANTH 451.

  • GEOG 498 Humans in Tropical Environments (3 credits)

    Offered by: Geography (Faculty of Science)

    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 2012-2013 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2012-2013 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

  • HIST 510 Environmental History of Latin America (Field) (3 credits)

    Offered by: History and Classical Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    History : 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.

    Terms: Winter 2013

    Instructors: Studnicki-Gizbert, Daviken (Winter)

    • This course will be offered in Panama as part of the Panama Field Studies Semester. Language of instruction is in English but fluency in Spanish is required for the fieldwork component of the class.

    • Prerequisites: HISP 218 or HISP 210 or equivalent proficiency

  • NRSC 451 Research in Ecology and Development in Africa (3 credits)

    Offered by: Natural Resource Sciences (Agricultural & Environmental Sciences)

    Overview

    Natural Resource Sciences : 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.

    Terms: Winter 2013

    Instructors: Meredith, Thomas C (Winter)

    • Winter

    • Not open to students who have taken or are taking BIOL 451. Open to U2 or later students in the African Field Study Semester (AFSS).

    • Corequisites: ANTH or GEOG 451 Society & Development in Africa

  • SOIL 510 Environmental Soil Chemistry (3 credits)

    Offered by: Natural Resource Sciences (Agricultural & Environmental Sciences)

    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 2012-2013 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2012-2013 academic year.

    • Winter

    • Prerequisite: A course in Soil Science or permission of instructor

    • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken SOIL 410.

  • URBP 507 Planning and Infrastructure (3 credits)

    Offered by: Urban Planning (Faculty of Engineering)

    Overview

    Urban Planning : An exploration of the interrelationship between land-use planning and infrastructure provision, especially water and sewerage. An examination of their policy and regulatory frameworks and other methodology of plan making and evaluation.

    Terms: Fall 2012

    Instructors: Bornstein, Lisa; Braiden, Heather (Fall)

    • (8-.5-.5)

    • Restriction: Must be enrolled in the Barbados Field study Semester.

  • URBP 520 Globalization: Planning and Change (3 credits)

    Offered by: Urban Planning (Faculty of Engineering)

    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 2012

    Instructors: Phillip, Leroy E; Alli, Inteaz (Fall)

    • (3-3-3)

    • Restriction: Must be enrolled in the Barbados Field Study Semester.

Revision, June 2012. End of revision.
McGill School of Environment—2012-2013 (last updated Dec. 20, 2012) (disclaimer)
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