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Program Requirements
The grand challenge of the 21st century is sustainable well-being; that is, to improve human well-being while maintaining the Earth's life-support systems. This B.A. & Sc. program provides the interdisciplinary and integrative knowledge and skills required to effectively understand and address this challenge in its multiple dimensions-scientific-technological, socio-economic, political-institutional, ethical, and human behavioural - and to chart a transition to sustainability. It is built upon three pillars: 1) Science and Technology, to provide an in-depth understanding of the underpinnings of the problems of concern along these dimensions; 2) Economics, Policy, and Governance, to understand how we can make the sustainability transition; and 3) Ethics, Equity, and Justice, to discuss why we need change, and the issues of equity and justice associated with taking action. This program is a partnership between Geography and the MSE and will be administered through Geography.
The Honours program allows students to pursue a research project with the supervision of a McGill University faculty member, leading to an honours thesis. Applicants must have a minimum program GPA (GPA of all required and complementary courses taken at McGill) of 3.3 to enter the Honours program. Students must earn a B grade (3.0) or higher for the Honours Research course (ENVR 495, 6 credits). Students are required to achieve a minimum overall CGPA of 3.0 at graduation, and a minimum Program GPA of 3.3 to obtain Honours. Honours students need to identify a supervisor, an honours project, and register in ENVR 495. Honours students are encouraged to participate in 500-level seminars with graduate students.
Required Courses (33 credits)
33 credits selected as follows:
Foundations of Sustainability
9 credits selected from Foundations of Sustainability as follows:
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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 2018
Instructors: Manaugh, Kevin; Badami, Madhav Govind; Barrington-Leigh, Christopher; Cardille, Jeffrey; Garver, Geoffrey (Fall)
Fall
Section 001: Downtown Campus
Section 051: Macdonald Campus
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GEOG 360 Analyzing Sustainability (3 credits)
Overview
Geography : Examines challenges to sustainability through a series of case studies to illustrate the analytical approaches used to understand the linkages between scientific-technological, socio-economic, political-institutional, ethical, and human behavioural aspect of systems. Includes cases that are thematic and place-based, national and international, spanning from the local to global scales.
Terms: Winter 2019
Instructors: Robinson, Brian (Winter)
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GEOG 460 Research in Sustainability (3 credits)
Overview
Geography : Through engaging in real-world sustainability challenges through hands-on research, learn to critically analyze problems that arise at the interface of multiple disciplines including the scientific-technological, socio-economic, political-institutional, ethical, and human behavioural. Develop an understanding of the leverages and road blocks in achieving a sustainability transition.
Terms: Fall 2018
Instructors: MacDonald, Graham (Fall)
Fall
Prerequisite: GEOG 360
Honours Required Courses
6 credits
Note: Students either take ENVR 495D1 and ENVR 495D2 (6 credits over consecutive terms) or ENVR 495N1 and ENVR 495N2 (6 credits over non-consecutive terms).
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ENVR 495D1 Honours Research (3 credits)
Overview
Environment : Preparation of an honours thesis.
Terms: Fall 2018, Winter 2019, Summer 2019
Instructors: Ricciardi, Anthony; Freeman, Julia; Humphries, Murray Mitchell; Studnicki-Gizbert, Daviken; Strachan, Ian Brett; Meredith, Thomas C; Goldberg, Mark; Mucci, Alfonso; Begg, Caroline B; Roulet, Nigel Thomas (Fall) Chevrier, Jonathan (Winter) Jodoin Pilon, Sébastien; Freeman, Julia; Chapman, Lauren; McCourt, George; Dechief, Diane; Sengupta, Raja; Hargreaves, Anna (Summer)
Prerequisites: ENVR 301. Acceptance to Honours Program in Environment.
Restrictions: For U3 B.A., B.Sc., and B.A.&Sc. Honours Program in Environment students. Not open to students in the B.Sc.(Ag.Env.Sc.) Honours in Environment program.
Students must register for both ENVR 495D1 and ENVR 495D2.
No credit will be given for this course unless both ENVR 495D1 and ENVR 495D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms.
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ENVR 495D2 Honours Research (3 credits)
Overview
Environment : See ENVR 495D1 for description.
Terms: Fall 2018, Winter 2019, Summer 2019
Instructors: Ricciardi, Anthony; van der Ven, Hamish (Fall) Ricciardi, Anthony; Freeman, Julia; Humphries, Murray Mitchell; Studnicki-Gizbert, Daviken; Strachan, Ian Brett; Meredith, Thomas C; Goldberg, Mark; Mucci, Alfonso; Begg, Caroline B; Roulet, Nigel Thomas (Winter) Chevrier, Jonathan (Summer)
Prerequisite: ENVR 495D1.
No credit will be given for this course unless both ENVR 495D1 and ENVR 495D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms.
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ENVR 495N1 Honours Research (3 credits)
Overview
Environment : Preparation of an honours thesis.
Terms: Fall 2018, Winter 2019, Summer 2019
Instructors: Merlis, Timothy; Basu, Niladri (Winter) von Sperber, Christian (Summer)
Prerequisites: ENVR 301. Acceptance to Honours Program in Environment.
Restrictions: For U3 B.A., B.Sc., and B.A.&Sc. Honours Program in Environment students. Not open to students in the B.Sc.(Ag.Env.Sc.) Honours in Environment program.
Students must register for both ENVR 495N1 and ENVR 495N2.
No credit will be given for this course unless both ENVR 495N1 and ENVR 495N2 are successfully completed in a twelve month period.
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ENVR 495N2 Honours Research (3 credits)
Overview
Environment : See ENVR 495N1 for description.
Terms: Fall 2018, Winter 2019, Summer 2019
Instructors: Tremblay, Bruno; Janda, Richard; Leung, Brian (Fall) Leung, Brian (Winter)
Prerequisite: ENVR 495N1.
Students must register for both ENVR 495N1 and ENVR 495N2.
No credit will be given for this course unless both ENVR 495N1 and ENVR 495N2 are successfully completed in a twelve month period.
Biophysical, Societal, Cultural, Institutional, and Ethical
18 credits from introduction to biophysical, societal, cultural, institutional, and ethical dimensions of sustainability.
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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 2018
Instructors: Fabry, Frederic; McCourt, George; Fyles, James W; Ricciardi, Anthony; Atallah, Eyad Hashem (Fall)
Fall
Section 001: Downtown Campus
Section 051: Macdonald Campus
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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 2019
Instructors: Leung, Brian; Lovat, Christie-Anna; Mahmoudi, Nagissa; McCourt, George; Beauregard, Frieda (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 2018, Winter 2019
Instructors: Freeman, Julia; Mikkelson, Gregory Matthew (Fall) Hirose, Iwao; Vaccaro, Ismael (Winter)
Fall - Macdonald Campus; Winter - Downtown
Section 001: Downtown Campus
Section 051: Macdonald Campus
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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 2018
Instructors: Chmura, Gail L; von Sperber, Christian (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.
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GEOG 310 Development and Livelihoods (3 credits)
Overview
Geography : Geographical dimensions of rural/urban livelihoods in the face of socioeconomic and environmental change in developing regions. Emphasis on household natural resource use, survival strategies and vulnerability, decision-making, formal and informal institutions, migration, and development experience in contrasting global environments.
Terms: Winter 2019
Instructors: Wenzel, George; Turner, Sarah; le Polain de Waroux, Yann (Winter)
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MGPO 440 Strategies for Sustainability (3 credits)
Overview
Management Policy : This course explores the relationship between economic activity, management, and the natural environment. Using readings, discussions and cases, the course will explore the challenges that the goal of sustainable development poses for our existing notions of economic goals, production and consumption practices and the management of organizations.
Terms: Fall 2018, Winter 2019
Instructors: Etzion, Dror (Fall) Robitaille, Jad (Winter)
Restriction: Open to U2, U3 students only
Complementary Courses (27 credits)
27 credits selected as follows:
3 credits of Statistics
3 credits of System Modelling tools
3 credits of Economics
18 credits selected from 3 areas
Statistics
3 credits of Statistics from the following:
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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 2018, Winter 2019
Instructors: Dutilleul, Pierre R L; Gravel, Valérie (Fall) Dutilleul, Pierre R L; Claveau, Yves (Winter)
Two 1.5-hour lectures and one 2-hour lab
Please note that credit will be given for only one introductory statistics course. Consult your academic advisor.
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BIOL 373 Biometry (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : Elementary statistical methods in biology. Introduction to the analysis of biological data with emphasis on the assumptions behind statistical tests and models. Use of statistical techniques typically available on computer packages.
Terms: Fall 2018
Instructors: Leung, Brian (Fall)
Fall
2 hours lecture and 2 hours laboratory
Prerequisite: MATH 112 or equivalent
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.
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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 2018
Instructors: Elrick, Tim (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.
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PSYC 204 Introduction to Psychological Statistics (3 credits)
Overview
Psychology : The statistical analysis of research data; frequency distributions; graphic representation; measures of central tendency and variability; elementary sampling theory and tests of significance.
Terms: Fall 2018, Winter 2019, Summer 2019
Instructors: Amsel, Rhonda N (Fall) Darainy, Mohammad (Winter) Sadikaj, Gentiana (Summer)
Fall and Winter
Restriction: Not open to students who have passed a CEGEP statistics course(s) with a minimum grade of 75%: Mathematics 201-307 or 201-337 or equivalent or the combination of Quantitative Methods 300 with Mathematics 300
This course is a prerequisite for PSYC 305, PSYC 406, PSYC 310, PSYC 336
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.
System Modelling
3 credits of System Modelling tools from the following:
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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 2019
Instructors: Tremblay, Bruno (Winter)
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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: Fall 2018
Instructors: Roulet, Nigel Thomas (Fall)
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
Economics
3 credits of Economics from the following:
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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 2018
Instructors: Thomassin, Paul (Fall)
Fall
Prerequisites: AGEC 200 or equivalent
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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: Fall 2018
Instructors: Saghir, Sandra (Fall)
Restriction: Not open to students who have taken 154-325 or 154-425
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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 2018
Instructors: Naylor, Robin Thomas (Fall)
18 additional credits of complementary courses chosen from three areas listed below:
Students must choose at least two courses from each area, and in total complete at least 9 credits at the 300 level or higher.
AREA 1: Methods: Observation, Analysis, Modelling, and Management
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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: This course is not scheduled for the 2018-2019 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2018-2019 academic year.
Fall
3 lectures and one 3-hour lab
This course carries an additional charge of $32.11 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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ENVB 437 Assessing Environmental Impact (3 credits)
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 2019
Instructors: Hickey, Gordon (Winter)
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ENVR 544 Environmental Measurement and Modelling (3 credits)
Overview
Environment : Utility of geographic information systems, remote sensing and spatially-explicit modelling for environmental planning in conjunction with analytical frameworks used in the decision-making process (e.g., cost-benefit analysis, life-cycle analysis and multi-criteria decision making).
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2018-2019 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2018-2019 academic year.
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ESYS 500 Earth System Applications (3 credits)
Overview
Earth System Science : Individual research projects that contribute to a group project that addresses one of the six scientific "Grand Challenges" crucial to humanity: global cycles (water and biogeochemical); climate variability and change; land use and land cover change; energy and resources; earth hazards; earth-atmosphere observation, monitoring, analysis and prediction.
Terms: Fall 2018
Instructors: Stix, John; McKenzie, Jeffrey (Fall)
Fall
3 hours seminar
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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 2018
Instructors: Kalacska, Margaret; McKenzie, Grant (Fall)
Fall
3 hours and lab
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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 2018
Instructors: Meredith, Thomas C (Fall)
3 hours
Prerequisite: Any 200-level course in Geography or MSE or BIOL 308 or permission of instructor.
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GEOG 306 Raster Geo-Information Science (3 credits)
Overview
Geography : Formal introduction to a computer-based Geographical Information System (GIS). Topics will focus on map analysis and on transforming and displaying spatial data. GIS will be used by students to solve problems in both physical and human geography.
Terms: Winter 2019
Instructors: Lehner, Bernhard (Winter)
Winter
2 hours and laboratory
Prerequisite: GEOG 201
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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 2018
Instructors: Kalacska, Margaret (Fall)
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GEOG 351 Quantitative Methods (3 credits)
Overview
Geography : Multiple regression and correlation, logit models, discrete choice models, gravity models, facility location algorithms, survey design, population projection.
Terms: Winter 2019
Instructors: Breau, Sebastien (Winter)
Winter
3 hours
Prerequisite: GEOG 202 or equivalent or permission of instructor
You may not be able to get 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.
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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 2019
Instructors: Meredith, Thomas C (Winter)
Winter
3 hours
Prerequisite: GEOG 302 or permission of instructor
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GEOG 509 Qualitative Methods (3 credits)
Overview
Geography : Qualitative methods that geographers use and the debates surrounding their use; epistemological underpinnings of methodological choices.
Terms: Fall 2018
Instructors: Turner, Sarah (Fall)
Fall
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
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GEOG 523 Global Ecosystems and Climate (3 credits)
Overview
Geography : Linkages and feedbacks among climate, ecosystems, and human land use at global scales. How global-scale ecological processes (primary production, carbon cycle, etc.) are driven by variations in climate and land use practices such as agriculture and deforestation. How natural and human-modified ecosystems exchange carbon and water with the atmosphere.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2018-2019 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2018-2019 academic year.
Fall
3 hours
Prerequisite: GEOG 203 and 321 or equivalent, or permission of the instructor
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URBP 506 Environmental Policy and Planning (3 credits)
Overview
Urban Planning : Analytical and institutional approaches for understanding and addressing environmental issues at various scales; characteristics of environmental issues, science-policy-politics interactions relating to the environment, and implications for policy; sustainability, and the need for and challenges associated with interdisciplinary perspectives; externalities and their regulation; public goods; risk perception and implications; the political-institutional context and policy instruments; cost-benefit analysis; multiple-criteria decision-making approaches; multidimensional life-cycle analysis; policy implementation issues; conflict resolution; case studies.
Terms: Fall 2018
Instructors: Badami, Madhav Govind (Fall)
(3-0-6)
Restriction: This course is open to students in U3 and above
AREA 2: Society, Economics, Policy, Ethics, and Equity
Take at least one course from each subsection (2A and 2B) below:
2A: Society, Economics, and Policy
Note:
* Students select either AGEC 200 or ECON 208, but not both.
** Students may select either AGEC 201 or ECON 209, but not both.
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AGEC 200 Principles of Microeconomics (3 credits) *
Overview
Agricultural Economics : The field of economics as it relates to the activities of individual consumers, firms and organizations. Emphasis is on the application of economic principles and concepts to everyday decision making and to the analysis of current economic issues.
Terms: Fall 2018
Instructors: Harou, Aurelie (Fall)
Fall
3 lectures
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AGEC 201 Principles of Macroeconomics (3 credits) **
Overview
Agricultural Economics : The overall economic system, how it works, and the instruments used to solve social problems. Emphasis will be on decision-making involving the entire economic system and segments of it.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2018-2019 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2018-2019 academic year.
Winter
3 lectures
Prerequisite: AGEC 200 or equivalent
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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 2019
Instructors: Hickey, Gordon (Winter)
Winter
3 lectures
Prerequisites: AGEC 200 or equivalent
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AGEC 442 Economics of International Agricultural Development (3 credits)
Overview
Agricultural Economics : The course deals with economic aspects of international development with emphasis on the role of food, agriculture and the resource sector in the economy of developing countries. Topics will include world food analysis, development project analysis and policies for sustainable development. Development case studies will be used.
Terms: Winter 2019
Instructors: Harou, Aurelie (Winter)
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ANTH 206 Environment and Culture (3 credits)
Overview
Anthropology : Introduction to ecological anthropology, focusing on social and cultural adaptations to different environments, human impact on the environment, cultural constructions of the environment, management of common resources, and conflict over the use of resources.
Terms: Fall 2018
Instructors: Paquet, Pierre-Alexandre (Fall)
Fall
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ANTH 212 Anthropology of Development (3 credits)
Overview
Anthropology : Processes of developmental change, as they affect small communities in the Third World and in unindustrialized parts of developed countries. Problems of technological change, political integration, population growth, industrialization, urban growth, social services, infrastructure and economic dependency.
Terms: Winter 2019, Summer 2019
Instructors: Fox, Graham (Winter) Fox, Graham (Summer)
Winter
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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 2019
Instructors: Scott, Colin H (Winter)
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ECON 208 Microeconomic Analysis and Applications (3 credits) *
Overview
Economics (Arts) : A university-level introduction to demand and supply, consumer behaviour, production theory, market structures and income distribution theory.
Terms: Fall 2018, Winter 2019, Summer 2019
Instructors: El-Attar Vilalta, Mayssun; Dickinson, Paul; Hayati, Sara (Fall) Dickinson, Paul (Winter) Hayati, Sara (Summer)
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ECON 209 Macroeconomic Analysis and Applications (3 credits) **
Overview
Economics (Arts) : A university-level introduction to national income determination, money and banking, inflation, unemployment and economic policy.
Terms: Fall 2018, Winter 2019, Summer 2019
Instructors: Dickinson, Paul (Fall) Dickinson, Paul; Sen Choudhury, Eesha (Winter) Ji, Yufei (Summer)
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ECON 230 Microeconomic Theory (6 credits)
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 2018, Winter 2019
Instructors: Lander, Moshe (Fall) Benchekroun, Hassan; Lander, Moshe (Winter)
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ECON 347 Economics of Climate Change (3 credits)
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: Fall 2018, Winter 2019
Instructors: Cairns, Robert D (Fall) Cairns, Robert D (Winter)
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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 2019
Instructors: Cairns, Robert D (Winter)
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ENVR 519 Global Environmental Politics (3 credits)
Overview
Environment : How the problem of environmental degradation is dealt with at the international level. The scope and nature of global environmental protection issues that cross boundaries, both physical and conceptual. Actors, structures and processes of international society. Consideration of global commons and transnational resources and of environmental externalities.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2018-2019 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2018-2019 academic year.
Prerequisite: ENVR 201 or ENVR 203 or permission of instructor
Restrictions: Open to students in the Environment Graduate Option (available to other students with permission of instructor). (Not open to students who have taken ENVR 580 -- section 001 -- in Winter 2002, Fall 2003, or Fall 2004
Note: This course has been offered three times as a Topics in Environment Course
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GEOG 210 Global Places and Peoples (3 credits)
Overview
Geography : Introduction to key themes in human geography. Maps and the making, interpretation and contestation of landscapes, 'place', and territory. Investigation of globalization and the spatial organization of human geo-politics, and urban and rural environments.
Terms: Winter 2019
Instructors: Robinson, Brian; le Polain de Waroux, Yann (Winter)
Winter
3 hours
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GEOG 216 Geography of the World Economy (3 credits)
Overview
Geography : The course introduces the geography of the world economic system. It describes the spatial distribution of economic activities and examines the factors which influence their changing location. Case studies from both "developed" and "developing" countries will test the different geographical theories presented in lectures.
Terms: Fall 2018
Instructors: Coomes, Oliver T; Breau, Sebastien (Fall)
Fall
3 hours
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GEOG 303 Health Geography (3 credits)
Overview
Geography : Discussion of the research questions and methods of health geography. Particular emphasis on health inequalities at multiple geographic scales and the theoretical links between characteristics of places and the health of people.
Terms: Winter 2019
Instructors: Riva, Mylene (Winter)
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GEOG 316 Political Geography (3 credits)
Overview
Geography : The study of the spatial dimensions of political activities and developments at the regional, national and global levels in historical and contemporary perspective. Presentation of case studies relating to the theoretical framework of political geography.
Terms: Fall 2018
Instructors: Erl, Christopher (Fall)
Fall
3 hours
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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 2018
Instructors: Unruh, Jon (Fall)
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GEOG 410 Geography of Underdevelopment: Current Problems (3 credits)
Overview
Geography : An examination of the cultural, political, and economic mechanisms and manifestations of contemporary underdevelopment and the response to it from different regional and national peripheral societies within the dominant world economic system.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2018-2019 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2018-2019 academic year.
Winter
3 hours
Prerequisite: GEOG 216 or permission of instructor
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GEOG 514 Climate Change Vulnerability and Adaptation (3 credits)
Overview
Geography : A critical examination of: the theoretical and conceptual evolution of climate change vulnerability and adaptation research; methodological developments from the role of model-driven assessments to the rise of participatory case study research, and the integration of vulnerability research into adaptation planning.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2018-2019 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2018-2019 academic year.
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HIST 292 History and the Environment (3 credits)
Overview
History : Sketch of the history of the material aspects of human interaction with the rest of nature. Included will be a historian's view of the social, technical, and ecological implications of the great variety of activities devised by our species. Though global in outlook, this course will emphasize the relevant historiography of France, England and North America.
Terms: Summer 2019
Instructors: Studnicki-Gizbert, Daviken (Summer)
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MGCR 360 Social Context of Business (3 credits)
Overview
Management Core : This course examines how business interacts with the larger society. It explores the development of modern capitalist society, and the dilemmas that organizations face in acting in a socially responsible manner. Students will examine these issues with reference to sustainable development, business ethics, globalization and developing countries, and political activity.
Terms: Fall 2018, Winter 2019, Summer 2019
Instructors: Addy, Nii Antiaye; David, Robert James; Holmgren, Lindsay (Fall) Holmgren, Lindsay; Jorgensen, Jan J; Karunakaran, Arvind; Whelan, Glen (Winter) Whelan, Glen (Summer)
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MGPO 475 Strategies for Developing Countries (3 credits)
Overview
Management Policy : Strategic management challenges in developing and emerging economies. Focus on strategies that foster both firm competitiveness and economic development, including: technological capabilities, new forms of organization, small and large firms, global production, social impact, global standards and governance.
Terms: Fall 2018
Instructors: Perez-Aleman, Paola (Fall)
Restriction: Open to U2, U3 students only
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MGPO 567 Business in Society (3 credits)
Overview
Management Policy : Examines different ideologies; business ethics and values; the corporation and its constituencies; the social impact of corporate decisions. The focus of this course is on the interaction between business organizations and society and on incorporating social impact analysis into strategic management.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2018-2019 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2018-2019 academic year.
Restriction: U2 and U3 students only
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NRSC 540 Socio-Cultural Issues in Water (3 credits)
Overview
Natural Resource Sciences : Discussion of current debates and problems related to water, especially in developing countries. Topics include: gender relations and health in the context of cultural and economic systems, and the impacts of new technologies, market structures and population growth.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2018-2019 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2018-2019 academic year.
Winter
Prerequisite: A 300- or 400-level course in water or permission of instructor.
3-hour seminar
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URBP 530 Urban Infrastructure and Services in International
Context
(3 credits)
Overview
Urban Planning : Issues of practical and theoretical importance in relation to urban infrastructure and services in the international context: science and technology, political economy, policy analysis, policy implementation, public finance, and institutions and governance.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2018-2019 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2018-2019 academic year.
Note: Not open to students who have taken URBP 614.
2B: Ethics and Equity
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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 2018, Winter 2019
Instructors: Freeman, Julia; Garver, Geoffrey (Fall) Ellis, Jaye Dana; Freeman, Julia; Kosoy, Nicolas (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
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GEOG 382 Principles Earth Citizenship (3 credits)
Overview
Geography : Foundations and applications of earth citizenship. Foundations: sustainability, tragedy of the commons, dominion, privatization and public welfare, resilience, precautionary principle, and land ethic are critically considered. Applications: implications for relationship between human and natural economies; human population size and control; and morality of modern agricultural and forestry practices.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2018-2019 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2018-2019 academic year.
Winter
Restrictions: Not open to students who have taken or are taking NRSC 374. Restricted to U2 or U3 students. Enrolment limited to 50.
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MGPO 450 Ethics in Management (3 credits)
Overview
Management Policy : An examination of the economic, legal and ethical responsibilities of managers in both private and public organizations. Through readings, case studies, discussions and projects the class evaluates alternative ethical systems and norms of behaviour and draws conclusions as to the right, proper and just decisions and actions in the face of moral dilemmas. The focus of this course is on the decision process, values and consistency of values of the individual and on the impact of systems control and incentives on managerial morality.
Terms: Fall 2018, Winter 2019
Instructors: Whelan, Glen (Fall) Gill, Andrea (Winter)
Restriction: U2 and U3 students only
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RELG 270 Religious Ethics and the Environment (3 credits)
Overview
Religious Studies : Environmental potential of various religious traditions and secular perspectives, including animal rights, ecofeminism, and deep ecology.
Terms: Winter 2019
Instructors: Goodin, David (Winter)
Fall: Macdonald Campus (Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue). Winter: Downtown Campus.
AREA 3: Sustainability and Biophysical Processes
Note:
* Students select either BREE 217 or GEOG 322, but not both.
** Students select either BIOL 540 or ENVR 540, but not both.
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ATOC 214 Introduction: Physics of the Atmosphere (3 credits)
Overview
Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences : An introduction to physical meteorology designed for students in the physical sciences. Topics include: composition of the atmosphere; heat transfer; the upper atmosphere; atmospheric optics; formation of clouds and precipitation; instability; adiabatic charts.
Terms: Fall 2018
Instructors: Zuend, Andreas (Fall)
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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 2019
Instructors: Straub, David N (Winter)
Winter
3 hours lecture
Prerequisite: ATOC 214
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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 2018
Instructors: Guichard, Frederic (Fall)
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BIOL 310 Biodiversity and Ecosystems (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : Ecological bases of the natural causes and consequences of current global environmental changes, including how biodiversity and ecosystem processes are defined and measured, how they vary in space and time, how they are affected by physical and biological factors, and how they affect each other and human societies.
Terms: Winter 2019
Instructors: Sunday, Jennifer (Winter)
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BIOL 540 Ecology of Species Invasions (3 credits) **
Overview
Biology (Sci) : Causes and consequences of biological invasion, as well as risk assessment methods and management strategies for dealing with invasive species.
Terms: Winter 2019
Instructors: Ricciardi, Anthony (Winter)
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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 2019
Instructors: Prasher, Shiv (Winter)
3 lectures, one 2-hour lab
Restriction: Not open to students who have taken ABEN 217.
This course carries an additional course charge of $33.12 to cover transportation costs for two field trips, which may include a visit to a national weather station and a trip to gain hands-on experience on monitoring water flow in streams.
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.
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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 2018
Instructors: Fyles, James W (Fall)
Fall
Prerequisites: ENVB 222, AEMA 310 or permission of instructor
Restriction: Not open to students who have taken WOOD 410
This course has an additional charge of $16.99 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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ENVR 540 Ecology of Species Invasions (3 credits) **
Overview
Environment : Causes and consequences of biological invasion, as well as risk assessment methods and management strategies for dealing with invasive species.
Terms: Winter 2019
Instructors: Ricciardi, Anthony (Winter)
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ESYS 200 Earth System Processes (3 credits)
Overview
Earth System Science : Complex interactions among the atmosphere, biosphere, geosphere and hydrosphere. Biological, chemical and physical processes within and between each "sphere" that extend over spatial scales ranging from microns to the size of planetary orbits and that span time scales from fractions of a second to billions of years.
Terms: Winter 2019
Instructors: Lehner, Bernhard; Douglas, Peter (Winter)
Winter
3 hours lecture
Prerequisite(s): ENVR 200 or permission of instructor.
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ESYS 300 Investigating the Earth System (3 credits)
Overview
Earth System Science : An understanding of the biological, chemical and physical fundamentals of the Earth system and how the different components interact. The mechanisms controlling interactions between reservoirs are quantitatively investigated. Special emphasis on the development and response of the Earth system to perturbations.
Terms: Fall 2018
Instructors: Kalacska, Margaret; Tremblay, Bruno (Fall)
Fall
3 hours lecture
Prerequisite: ESYS 200 or equivalent.
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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 2019
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 2013, GEOG 221/NRSC 221 will be taught on the downtown campus.
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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: Fall 2018
Instructors: von Sperber, Christian (Fall)
Fall
3 hours and laboratory
Prerequisite: GEOG 203 or introductory course in biology or geology
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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 2019
Instructors: Lehner, Bernhard; Rankin, Tracy (Winter)
Winter
3 hours
Prerequisite: GEOG 203 or equivalent
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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: This course is not scheduled for the 2018-2019 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2018-2019 academic year.
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GEOG 403 Global Health and Environmental Change (3 credits)
Overview
Geography : Major themes and contemporary case studies in global health and environmental change. Focus on understanding global trends in emerging infectious disease from social, biophysical, and geographical perspectives, and critically assessing the health implications of environmental change in different international contexts.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2018-2019 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2018-2019 academic year.
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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 2018
Instructors: Chmura, Gail L (Fall)
Fall
3 hours
Restriction: Permission of instructor.
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GEOG 530 Global Land and Water Resources (3 credits)
Overview
Geography : Linkage of physical processes (hydrology and ecosystems) with issues of societal and socio-economic relevance (land, food, and water use appropriation for human well-being). Application of a holistic perspective on land, food and water issues in an international setting, highlighting linkages, feedbacks and trade-offs in an Earth system context.
Terms: Fall 2018
Instructors: Lehner, Bernhard; MacDonald, Graham (Fall)
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GEOG 555 Ecological Restoration (3 credits)
Overview
Geography : A broad overview of ecological restoration. Considers causes of environmental degradation, why and what we restore, how restoration goals are set, and standards in restoration practice, as well as critiques and philosophies of ecological restoration, such as "ecocultural" restoration.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2018-2019 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2018-2019 academic year.
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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 2018
Instructors: Whyte, Lyle; Head, Jessica (Fall)
Fall
3 lectures
Restriction: Not open to students who have taken WILD 333
Students who wish to explore the following topics in more depth may select the courses listed below:
1) Climate Change: ESYS 200, ESYS 300, ESYS 500, GEOG 523, ATOC 214, ATOC 215
2) Land Resources, Food, Forests: AGEC 430, AGEC 442, AGRI 435, BIOL 308, BIOL 310, ENVB 410, GEOG 523, GEOG 530
3) Water Resources: AGRI 435, NRSC 540, BREE 217, GEOG 322, GEOG 372, GEOG 470, GEOG 530
4) Biodiversity: BIOL 308, BIOL 310, BIOL 540, ENVB 410, ENVR 540, GEOG 555
5) Human Health: GEOG 221, GEOG 303, GEOG 403
6) Development: GEOG 408, GEOG 410, ANTH 212
Bachelor of Arts & Science—2018-2019 (last updated Aug. 22, 2018) (disclaimer)
