McGill University
AC-3: Undergraduate Program

The SSS program is an ""Interfaculty"" program between the Arts and Sciences, offered in close partnership between Geography and the McGill School of Environment, and involving other departments at McGill. The program will provide the inter-disciplinary and integrative knowledge and skills required to understand and address the sustainability challenge in its multiple dimensions. It is built upon three pillars: 1) Science and Technology, to provide an in-depth understanding of the underpinnings of the problems of concern (i.e, the 'what'); 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. The courses in the SSS program will cover all 3 pillars. In particular, the following 3 integrative courses will provide an overarching foundation for the entire program. ENVR 201 (Fall) Society, Environment, and Sustainability GEOG 360 (Winter) Analyzing Sustainability GEOG 460 (Fall) Research in Sustainability ENVR 201 is the introductory course to the program. GEOG 360 and 460 are new courses, designed explicitly for the SSS program. GEOG 360 will equip students with the analytical approaches to dealing with issues in Sustainability, using case studies. GEOG 460 will be the capstone course where students will synthesize their understanding through hands-on research. ENVR 201. Society, Environment, and Sustainability (Taught in the Fall semester by Prof. Madhav Badami on the downtown campus, and by Prof. Elena Bennett and colleagues on the MacDonald campus) 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. GEOG 360. Analyzing Sustainability (Taught in the Winter semester by Profs. Jeanine Rhemtulla and Navin Ramankutty) 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. GEOG 460. Research in Sustainability (Taught in the Fall semester by Prof. Brian Robinson) 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.

The Bachelor of Science in Environment is available as a B.Sc. degree through the Faculty of Science (Downtown Campus), or as a B.Sc. (Ag. Env. Sc.) through the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (Madonald Campus). Students interested in working primarily on one or the other campus should apply to the appropriate Faculty. The BSc Major Program has two components: Core and Domain. Students follow three steps in their degree program. 1. Introductory Core: Required Courses (15 credits) The Core consists of four introductory courses and one intermediate course which expose students to the different approaches, perspectives and world views that will help them gain an understanding of the complexity and conflicts that underlie most environmental problems. Through the Core program students go beyond the confines of their individual views of environment. ENVR 200 - The Global Environment ENVR 201 - Society,Environ&Sustainability ENVR 202 - The Evolving Earth ENVR 203 - Knowledge, Ethics&Environment ENVR 301 - Environmental Research Design 2. Domain: Complementary Courses (36-45 credits, depending on Domain selected) Domains provide a transdisciplinary study of a particular theme or component of the environment. Each Domain has different requirements which can be viewed by clicking on the Domain name below. Except where indicated, all Domains are available through the Faculty of Science as well as the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Domains currently approved for the BSc Environment: Atmospheric Environment and Air Quality Science only Biodiversity and Conservation Earth Sciences and Economics Science only Ecological Determinants of Health Environmetrics Food Production and Environment Land Surface Processes and Environmental Change Renewable Resource Management Water Environments and Ecosystems 3. Final Core: Required Courses (6 credits) Students in the two senior courses of the Core will apply the general and specialized knowledge that they have gained in the program to the analysis of some specific, contemporary environmental problems. ENVR 400 - Environmental Thought and Senior Research Project (3 credits*) AGRI 519 - Sustainable Development Plans ENVR 401 - Environmental Research ENVR 451 - Research in Panama * Only 3 credits will be applied to the program; extra credits will count as electives. To obtain a BSc Major in Environment, students must: (a) pass all courses counted towards the Faculty Program or the Major with a grade of C or higher; and (b) confirm that their course selection satisfies the required components of the MSE Core and their chosen Domain, and that the complementary courses are approved courses in their chosen Domain. (c) fulfill all Faculty requirements as specified in the B.Sc. or B.Sc. (Ag. Env. Sci.) section of the Undergraduate Programs Calendar.

The BA Faculty Program in Environment comprises two course components: Core and Domain. 1. Core: Required Courses (21 credits) Introductory Core (15 credits) ENVR 200 - The Global Environment ENVR 201 - Society,Environ&Sustainability ENVR 202 - The Evolving Earth ENVR 203 - Knowledge, Ethics&Environment ENVR 301 - Environmental Research Design The introductory core consists of four introductory courses and one intermediate course where students are exposed to the different approaches, perspectives, and world views that will help them gain an understanding of the complexity and conflicts that underlie most environmental problems. Through the core program students go beyond the confines of their individual views of environment. Final Core (6 credits) Students in the two senior courses of the Core will apply the general and specialized knowledge that they have gained in the program to the analysis of some specific, contemporary environmental problems. ENVR 400 - Environmental Thought (3 cr) and Senior Research Project (3 credits*) AEBI 427 - Barbados Interdisc Project (6 cr) (M) (in Barbados) AGRI 519 - Sustainable Development Plans (6 cr) (M) (in Barbados) ENVR 401 - Environmental Research (3 cr) ENVR 451 - Research in Panama (6 cr) (in Panama) * Only 3 credits will be applied to the program; extra credits will count as electives. 2. Domain: Complementary Courses (33 credits) Domains listed below provide a trans-disciplinary study of a particular theme or component of the environment. Each Domain has different requirements which can be viewed by clicking on the Domain name below. Domains currently approved for the BA Environment: Ecological Determinants of Health in Society Economics and the Earth's Environment Environment and Development To obtain a BA Faculty Program in Environment, students must: (a) pass all courses counted towards the Faculty Program or the Major with a grade of C or higher; and (b) confirm that their course selection satisfies the required components of the MSE core and their chosen Domain, and that the complementary courses are approved courses in their chosen Domain. (c) complete as either a pre- or co-requisite for the core courses: *** One of the following calculus courses: MATH 139 - Calculus 1 with Precalculus MATH 140 - Calculus 1 or equivalent (e.g., CEGEP objective 00UN) AND one of the following science courses: BIOL 111 - Principles:Organismal Biology AEBI 120 - General Biology (M) CHEM 110 - General Chemistry 1 PHYS 101 - Intro Physics - Mechanics or equivalent (e.g., CEGEP objectives Biology 00UK, Chemistry 00UL, Physics 00UR). Students are required to complete the pre-/co-requisite courses by the end of their U1 year. These 100-level courses, if taken exclusively for the purpose of fulfilling this program pre- or co-requisite requirement, may be taken using the Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory option. Contact Kathy Roulet, the MSE Program Advisor for more information. *** Fall 2014 -- Students may satisfy the numeracy requirement instead with ENVR 380 (Special Topics in Environment -- Quantitative Thinking in Environment). This course cannot be taken using the Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory option. Contact Kathy Roulet for more information. (d) fufill all Faculty requirements as specified in the Faculty of Arts section of the Undergraduate Course Calendar, which includes meeting the minimum credit requirement as specified in their letter of admission.

Honours Program in Environment (can be taken in any of the above degree programs) Minor in Environment (18 credits) Diploma in Environment (30 credits) http://www.mcgill.ca/mse/undergraduate/

The Minor in Environment (18 credits) is intended to complement the expertise gained through a major or faculty program outside the MSE. Students taking a Minor in Environment are exposed to different approaches, perspectives, and world views that will help them gain an understanding of the complexity and the conflicts that underlie environmental problems. Students can declare their intention to do a Minor in Environment after first consulting with their Major Program Advisor and the MSE Program Advisor. They then submit to the MSE Program Advisor a program of courses to be applied towards the Minor in Environment (both courses already taken and those to be taken), and register for the Minor on Minerva. (Arts students register for the Minor Concentration in Environment, all other students register in the Minor Program in Environment.) Once approval is granted, to obtain a Minor in Environment students must: (a) Pass all courses counted towards their faculty program or major with a grade of C or higher. (b) Receive 18 credits from complementary courses (listed below). Note: Credits counted towards this Minor CANNOT be counted towards the student's major program or a second minor program. (c) Ensure that all credits from complementary courses are outside the discipline or field of the major program. Complementary Courses (18 credits) 12 credits selected from the MSE core courses: ENVR 200 - The Global Environment ENVR 201 - Society,Environ&Sustainability ENVR 202 - The Evolving Earth ENVR 203 - Knowledge, Ethics&Environment ENVR 400 - Environmental Thought 6 credits of environmentally related subjects selected with the approval of the program advisor. At least 3 credits must be in an area outside of the student's Major. (ie. Arts students take at least 3 credits of natural sciences; Science and Agriculture students take at least 3 credits of social sciences) NOTE: Only courses at the 200-level and above can be counted for the Minor.

The Minor in Environment (18 credits) is intended to complement the expertise gained through a major or faculty program outside the MSE. Students taking a Minor in Environment are exposed to different approaches, perspectives, and world views that will help them gain an understanding of the complexity and the conflicts that underlie environmental problems. Students can declare their intention to do a Minor in Environment after first consulting with their Major Program Advisor and the MSE Program Advisor. They then submit to the MSE Program Advisor a program of courses to be applied towards the Minor in Environment (both courses already taken and those to be taken), and register for the Minor on Minerva. (Arts students register for the Minor Concentration in Environment, all other students register in the Minor Program in Environment.) Once approval is granted, to obtain a Minor in Environment students must: (a) Pass all courses counted towards their faculty program or major with a grade of C or higher. (b) Receive 18 credits from complementary courses (listed below). Note: Credits counted towards this Minor CANNOT be counted towards the student's major program or a second minor program. (c) Ensure that all credits from complementary courses are outside the discipline or field of the major program. Complementary Courses (18 credits) 12 credits selected from the MSE core courses: ENVR 200 - The Global Environment ENVR 201 - Society,Environ&Sustainability ENVR 202 - The Evolving Earth ENVR 203 - Knowledge, Ethics&Environment ENVR 400 - Environmental Thought 6 credits of environmentally related subjects selected with the approval of the program advisor. At least 3 credits must be in an area outside of the student's Major. (ie. Arts students take at least 3 credits of natural sciences; Science and Agriculture students take at least 3 credits of social sciences) NOTE: Only courses at the 200-level and above can be counted for the Minor.

The Diploma in Environment is designed for students with an undergraduate degree who wish to enrich or reorient their training, supplementing their specialization with additional undergraduate level course work. The Diploma requires 30 credits of full-time or part-time study. Taken full-time, the Diploma is a one year program. Students holding a BSc or BA degree or equivalent can register for the Diploma in Environment through the Faculty of Science, the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, or the Faculty of Arts, provided they meet University admission criteria. The Diploma in Environment is designed for students with an undergraduate degree who wish to enrich or reorient their training, supplementing their specialization with additional undergraduate level course work. The Diploma requires 30 credits of full-time or part-time study. Taken full-time, the Diploma is a one year program. Students holding a BSc or BA degree or equivalent can register for the Diploma in Environment through the Faculty of Science, the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, or the Faculty of Arts, provided they meet University admission criteria. Courses should be chosen under the guidance of the MSE Program Coordinator for academic advising. To obtain the Diploma, students must earn a grade of C or higher in all courses. Required Courses (18 credits) ENVR 200 - The Global Environment ENVR 201 - Society,Environ&Sustainability ENVR 202 - The Evolving Earth ENVR 203 - Knowledge, Ethics&Environment ENVR 301 - Environmental Research Design ENVR 400 - Environmental Thought Complementary Courses 3 credits must be taken with the approval of the program adviser in an area outside the student's previous degree (e.g., those with those with a B.A. degree must take 3 credits in the natural sciences; those with a B.Sc. degree must take 3 credits in the social sciences). A list of suggested courses is available. 9 credits must be taken in an area of focus chosen by the student with the approval of the program adviser. At least 6 credits must be taken at the 400-level or higher.