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Program Requirements
The Minor Ecological Agriculture is designed to focus on the principles underlying the practice of ecological agriculture and is suitable for students wishing to farm and do extension and government work, and those intending to pursue postgraduate studies in this field.
This Minor can be associated with existing major programs in the Faculty, but in some instances it may require more than 90 credits to meet the requirements of both the Major and the Minor.
Students are advised, during the U1 year, to consult their Major program adviser and the Academic Adviser of the Minor. At the time of registration for the U2 year, students must declare their intent to obtain the Minor. With the agreement of their Major program adviser they must submit their program of courses already taken, and to be taken, to the Academic Adviser of the Minor. The Academic Adviser of the Minor will then certify which courses the student will apply toward the Minor and confirm that the student's program conforms with its requirements.
For information on academic advising, see:
General Regulations
To obtain a Minor in Ecological Agriculture, students must:
a) Ensure that their academic record at the University includes a C grade or higher in the courses as specified in the course requirements given below.
b) Offer a minimum total of 24 credits from the courses as given below, of which not more than 6 credits may be counted for both the Major and the Minor programs. This restriction does not apply to elective courses in the Major program.
Required Courses (12 credits)
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AGEC 430 Agriculture, Food and Resource Policy (3 credits)
Overview
Agricultural Economics : Examination of North American and international agriculture, food and resource policies, policy instruments, programs and their implications. Economic analysis applied to the principles, procedures and objectives of various policy actions affecting agriculture, and the environment.
Terms: Winter 2015
Instructors: Thomassin, Paul; Mukhopadhyay, Kakali (Winter)
Winter
3 lectures
Prerequisites: AGEC 200 or equivalent
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AGRI 215 Agro-Ecosystems Field Course (3 credits)
Overview
Agriculture : Through case studies and field trips, students will examine the problems and constraints within the Canadian agro-ecosystem, including the interrelationships among food production, the environment, agricultural policy and social issues. Research in this field of study will also be introduced.
Terms: Fall 2014
Instructors: Begg, Caroline B; Cue, Roger I (Fall)
Restriction: Not open to students who have taken PLNT 215.
This course carries an additional charge of $51.30 to cover the cost of transportation (bus rental) for local field trips to agricultural enterprises. The fee is refundable only during the withdrawal with full refund period.
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AGRI 340 Principles of Ecological Agriculture (3 credits)
Overview
Agriculture : Focus on low-input, sustainable, and organic agriculture: the farm as an ecosystem; complex system theory; practical examples of soil management, pest control, integrated crop and livestock production, and marketing systems.
Terms: Winter 2015
Instructors: Begg, Caroline B (Winter)
3 lectures and one 2-hour seminar
Restriction: Not open to students who have taken AGRI 250
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SOIL 535 Ecological Soil Management (3 credits)
Overview
Soil Science : The physical and chemical environment of soil organisms; survey of soil microflora and fauna; processes and interactions in the soil-plant system at local and global scales; human impacts and management of soil biota; critical analysis and interpretation of primary scientific literature in soil ecology.
Terms: Winter 2015
Instructors: Whalen, Joann Karen (Winter)
Complementary Courses (12 credits)
Minimum of 6 agronomic credits from:
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AGRI 310 Internship in Agriculture/Environment (3 credits)
Overview
Agriculture : Internship on working farms or in other appropriate businesses of the agri-food/environment industries.
Terms: Fall 2014, Summer 2015
Instructors: Begg, Caroline B (Fall) Begg, Caroline B (Summer)
Restriction: Not open to students who have taken AGRI 201D1/D2.
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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 2014
Instructors: Qi, Zhiming; Madramootoo, Chandra A; Biswas, Asim (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.
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ANSC 312 Animal Health and Disease (3 credits)
Overview
Animal Science : An introduction to the pathogenesis and control of diseases in farm animals. Immune response and other protective mechanisms. Implications of animal diseases and drug therapy for product safety and public health.
Terms: Winter 2015
Instructors: Bordignon, Vilceu (Winter)
Winter
3 lectures and one 2-hour conference
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ENTO 352 Biocontrol of Pest Insects (3 credits)
Overview
Entomology : Modern concepts of integrated control techniques and principles of insect pest management, with emphasis on biological control (use of predators, parasites and pathogens against pest insects), population monitoring, and manipulation of environmental, behavioral and physiological factors in the pest's way of life. Physical, cultural, and genetic controls and an introduction to the use of non-toxic biochemical controls (attractants, repellents, pheromones, antimetabolites).
Terms: Winter 2015
Instructors: Dunphy, Gary Brian (Winter)
Winter
Restriction: Not open to students who have previously taken ENTO 452
3 lectures
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PLNT 302 Forage Crops and Pastures (3 credits)
Overview
Plant Science : Ecology, management, and physiology of forage crops with emphasis on establishment, growth, maintenance, harvesting, and preservation; value as livestock feed in terms of nutritional composition and role in environmental conservation.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2014-2015 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2014-2015 academic year.
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PLNT 307 Agroecology of Vegetables and Fruits (3 credits)
Overview
Plant Science : Application of ecological concepts and principles to the design and management of selected vegetable and fruit agroecosystems. Includes selection of varieties and management from seedling to harvest to storage.
Terms: Winter 2015
Instructors: Gravel, Valérie (Winter)
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PLNT 312 Urban Horticulture (3 credits)
Overview
Plant Science : Selection, use and care of plants in urban environments for the benefit of urban populations: landscape design, turf and green space management, urban trees, green roofs and walls, design and management of community gardens, urban agriculture.
Terms: Winter 2015
Instructors: Wees, David (Winter)
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PLNT 434 Weed Biology and Control (3 credits)
Overview
Plant Science : A study of the biology of undesirable vegetation as related to the principles of prevention and physical, biological, managerial and chemical control. Emphasis on the environmental impact of the different methods of weed control.
Terms: Winter 2015
Instructors: Watson, Alan K (Winter)
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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 2014
Instructors: Biswas, Asim (Fall)
Fall
3 lectures and one 3-hour lab
Prerequisite: A previous course in soil science, geography, geology or permission of instructor.
Other complementary courses:
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AGRI 411 Global Issues on Development, Food and Agriculture (3 credits)
Overview
Agriculture : International development and world food security and challenges in developing countries. Soil and water management, climate change, demographic issues, plant and animal resources conservation, bio-products and biofuels, economic and environmental issues specially in tropical and sub-tropical regions. Globalization, sustainable development, technology transfer and human resources needs for rural development.
Terms: Winter 2015
Instructors: Monardes, Humberto (Winter)
Winter
Two 2-hour conferences
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MICR 331 Microbial Ecology (3 credits)
Overview
Microbiology (Agric&Envir Sc) : The ecology of microorganisms, primarily bacteria and archaea, and their roles in biogeochemical cycles will be discussed. Microbial interactions with the environment, plants, animals and other microbes emphasizing the underlying genetics and physiology. Diversity, evolution (microbial phylogenetics) and the application of molecular biology in microbial ecology.
Terms: Winter 2015
Instructors: Driscoll, Brian T (Winter)
Winter
Restriction: Not open to students who have successfully completed NRSC 331
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NUTR 341 Global Food Security (3 credits)
Overview
Nutrition and Dietetics : Food insecurity is one of the most critical issues humanity has faced in history. The magnitude of this phenomenon, reflected in its worldwide presence and in the number of individuals affected, makes it an imperative component of all nations' and of all internaltional agencies' agendas. Its complexity of determinants and its numerous consequences require the involvement of multipe disciplines and sectors. McGill undergraduate students as future professionals tackling global issues require an integrated and multidisciplinary training on food security.
Terms: Winter 2015
Instructors: Melgar-Quiñonez, Hugo (Winter)
Prerequisites: NUTR207 or permission of Instructor
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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 2014
Instructors: Beauregard, Frieda (Fall)
3 lectures and one 3-hour lab
Prerequisite: AEMA 310 or permission of instructor.
This course carries an additional charge of $25.65 to cover the cost of transportation (bus rental) for local field trips. The fee is refundable only during the withdrawal with full refund period.
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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 ecological goods and services such as wildlife, water and landscape in natural forests and rural environments (agroforestry). Acquisition of practical skills in forest surveying and computer simulation of forest growth.
Terms: Winter 2015
Instructors: Cote, Benoit (Winter)
Faculty of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences—2014-2015 (last updated Feb. 18, 2014) (disclaimer)
