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Program Requirements
Revision, August 2011. Start of revision. This flexible specialization offers a balance between food systems and consumption and agricultural production. It provides students with an opportunity to select courses in the economics, nutrition, and ethical and environmental implications of food systems and in the fundamentals of animal and plant production. The specialization is designed for students in the International Agriculture and Food Systems Major who have broad interests in international agriculture and development. To complete the specialization, students select 12 credits from the block of complementary courses related to Food Systems and Consumption and 12 credits from the block of complementary courses related to Agriculture Production from the lists in the table below. Specialization Coordinator: Professor Vijaya Raghavan Academic Adviser: Dr. Julie Major Macdonald-Stewart Building, Room 2-082 Telephone: 514-398-8380Complementary Courses (24 credits)
24 credits of complementary courses are selected as follows:
12 credits - Food Systems and Consumption
12 credits - Agricultural Production
Food Systems and Consumption
12 credits from:
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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: Winter 2012
Instructors: Neubert, Thierry (Winter)
Winter
3 lectures
Prerequisite: AGEC 200 or equivalent
-
AGEC 231 Economic Systems of Agriculture (3 credits)
Overview
Agricultural Economics : The structure and organization of Canada's agriculture-food system, the operation, financing, linkages, and functions of its components. Focus to be on management of the various components and the entire system, types of problems confronted now and in the future.
Terms: Winter 2012
Instructors: Baker, Laurence B B (Winter)
Winter
3 lectures
Prerequisite: AGEC 200 or equivalent
-
AGEC 242 Management Theories and Practices (3 credits)
Overview
Agricultural Economics : An introduction to contemporary management theories and practices in organizations of the food sector.
Terms: Fall 2011
Instructors: Canzer, Brahm (Fall)
Fall
3 lectures
-
AGEC 320 Intermediate Microeconomic Theory (3 credits)
Overview
Agricultural Economics : An intermediate theory course in agricultural economics, dealing with economic concepts as applied to agricultural production and cost functions. Includes theory and application of linear programming as related to production decisions.
Terms: Winter 2012
Instructors: Henning, John C (Winter)
Winter
3 lectures
Prerequisite: AGEC 200 or equivalent
-
AGEC 330 Agriculture and Food Markets (3 credits)
Overview
Agricultural Economics : Nature and organization of agricultural and food markets as economic institutions, including the application of economic theory to problems within the agri-food marketing chain. Spatial and temporal price relationships, and the role of market structure.
Terms: Fall 2011
Instructors: Henning, John C (Fall)
-
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 2011
Instructors: Thomassin, Paul (Fall)
Fall
Prerequisites: AGEC 200 or equivalent
-
AGEC 343 Accounting and Cost Control (3 credits)
Overview
Agricultural Economics : An introduction to the basic principles and concepts of responsibility accounting and cost control, analysis and utilization of financial statements and control system data for decision making.
Terms: Fall 2011
Instructors: Landry, Steven (Fall)
Fall
3 lectures
-
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 2012
Instructors: Henning, John C (Winter)
Winter
3 lectures
Prerequisites: AGEC 200 or equivalent
-
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 2012
Instructors: Naseem, Anwar (Winter)
-
ANSC 323 Mammalian Physiology (3 credits)
Overview
Animal Science : A study of the organization, functions and regulation of various organ systems in mammals. The nervous, endocrine, muscular, cardiovascular, respiratory, urinary, digestive and reproductive systems are discussed.
Terms: Fall 2011
Instructors: Kimmins, Sarah; Laurin, Denyse (Fall)
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ANSC 424 Metabolic Endocrinology (3 credits)
Overview
Animal Science : A detailed study of the endocrine system and its role in the maintenance of homeostasis in higher vertebrates, including the endocrine regulation of energy balance.
Terms: Winter 2012
Instructors: Zadworny, David (Winter)
Winter
3 lectures and one 3-hour lab
Prerequisite: ANSC 323
-
ANSC 551 Carbohydrate and Lipid Metabolism (3 credits)
Overview
Animal Science : Comparative aspects of nutrition and metabolism of carbohydrate and lipid from the cellular level through the multi-organ of the whole organism. Main topics will include biothermodynamics, calorimetry, cellular metabolism and functions of carbohydrate and lipid, digestion, absorption and utilization of dietary carbohydrate and lipid.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2011-2012 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2011-2012 academic year.
- Winter
- 3 lectures
- Prerequisite: ANSC 234 or permission of instructor
-
ANSC 552 Protein Metabolism and Nutrition (3 credits)
Overview
Animal Science : Comparative aspects of nutrition and metabolism of amino acids and proteins from the cellular level on through the multisystem operation of the whole organism. Main topics include cellular metabolism and functions of amino acids and proteins, digestion, absorption and utilization of dietary protein. Comparison between farm animals and humans.
Terms: Fall 2011
Instructors: Zhao, Xin; Phillip, Leroy E (Fall)
Fall
3 lectures
Prerequisite: ANSC 234 or permission of instructor
-
ECON 225 Economics of the Environment (3 credits)
Overview
Economics (Arts) : A study of the application of economic theory to questions of environmental policy. Particular attention will be given to the measurement and regulation of pollution, congestion and waste and other environmental aspects of specific economies.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2011-2012 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2011-2012 academic year.
- Restriction: Not open to students who have taken 154-325 or 154-425
-
ECON 326 Ecological Economics (3 credits)
Overview
Economics (Arts) : Macroeconomic and structural aspects of the ecological crisis. A course in which subjects discussed include the conflict between economic growth and the laws of thermodynamics; the search for alternative economic indicators; the fossil fuels crisis; and "green'' fiscal policy.
Terms: Fall 2011
Instructors: Naylor, Robin Thomas (Fall)
-
FDSC 251 Food Chemistry 1 (3 credits)
Overview
Food Science : A study of the chemistry and functionality of the major components comprising food systems, such as water, proteins, carbohydrates and lipids. The relationship of these components to food stability will be studied in terms of degradative reactions and processing.
Terms: Winter 2012
Instructors: Paquette, Guy (Winter)
-
FDSC 319 Food Commodities (3 credits)
Overview
Food Science : The relationship between the chemistry of food constituents present in common commodities, such as milk, meat, eggs, cereals, oilseeds etc. and the common processing technologies associated with their transformation into stable food products.
Terms: Winter 2012
Instructors: Ismail, Ashraf A (Winter)
Winter
3 lectures and one 3-hour lab
Prerequisite: FDSC 251 or permission of instructor
-
FDSC 330 Food Processing (3 credits)
Overview
Food Science : The principles and practices of food processing with an emphasis on canning, freezing, and dehydration. A survey of the newer methods of food preservation such as irradiation, reverse osmosis etc.
Terms: Winter 2012
Instructors: Ramaswamy, Hosahalli (Winter)
Winter
3 lectures and one 3-hour lab
Prerequisite: FDSC 251
-
LSCI 202 Molecular Cell Biology (3 credits)
Overview
Life Sciences : Organization and function of intracellular organelles in eukaryotic cells. Mechanisms of membrane transport. Protein sorting and vesicular transport. Cytoskeleton. DNA and chromosome structure. DNA replication. Mechanisms of RNA and protein synthesis. Control of gene expression. Cell cycle and the control of cell division. Mechanisms of cell communication and signal transduction. Apoptosis. Neuronal signaling.
Terms: Winter 2012
Instructors: Ribeiro, A Paula; Beech, Robin N (Winter)
-
LSCI 230 Introductory Microbiology (3 credits)
Overview
Life Sciences : The occurrence and importance of microorganisms (especially bacteria) in the biosphere. Principles governing growth, death and metabolic activities of microorganisms. An introduction to the microbiology of soil, water, plants, food, man and animals.
Terms: Winter 2012
Instructors: Faucher, Sebastien (Winter)
Winter
Restriction: Not open to students who have taken MICR 230.
-
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 2012
Instructors: Driscoll, Brian T (Winter)
Winter
Restriction: Not open to students who have successfully completed NRSC 331
-
MICR 341 Mechanisms of Pathogenicity (3 credits)
Overview
Microbiology (Agric&Envir Sc) : A study of the means by which bacteria cause disease in animals and humans. Includes response of host to invading bacteria, bacterial attachment and penetration processes, and modes of actions of exotoxins and endotoxins.
Terms: Fall 2011
Instructors: Faucher, Sebastien (Fall)
-
MICR 450 Environmental Microbiology (3 credits)
Overview
Microbiology (Agric&Envir Sc) : Focus on microbes in the environment. Topics include extreme environments, polar microbiology, biotechnology and bioremediation. Emphasis will be on population studies based upon molecular biological methods.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2011-2012 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2011-2012 academic year.
-
NRSC 221 Environment and Health (3 credits)
Overview
Natural Resource Sciences : Introduction to physical and social environments as factors contributing to the production of human health, with emphasis on the physical properties of the atmospheric environment as they interact with diverse human populations in urban settings.
Terms: Fall 2011
Instructors: Strachan, Ian Brett; Ross, Nancy (Fall)
-
NRSC 512 Water: Ethics, Law and Policy (3 credits)
Overview
Natural Resource Sciences : The various legal expressions of the relationship between humanity and water such as those grounded in markets, basic rights, First Nations traditions, utilitarianism and cost/benefit analysis. Public, private and international law, and intergovernmental institutions relevant to the protection and management of water resources.
Terms: Fall 2011
Instructors: Clamen, Murray (Fall)
Fall
-
NUTR 337 Nutrition Through Life (3 credits)
Overview
Nutrition and Dietetics : Emphasis on applied quantitative aspects of human nutrition. Nutrient utilization, evaluation and requirements, as related to dietary standards.
Terms: Winter 2012
Instructors: Kubow, Stan (Winter)
-
NUTR 403 Nutrition in Society (3 credits)
Overview
Nutrition and Dietetics : Sociocultural and economic influences on food choice and behaviour; health promotion and disease prevention through nutrition, particularly in high risk populations; the interaction of changing environment, food availability and quality as they affect health.
Terms: Fall 2011, Winter 2012
Instructors: Marquis, Grace; Gray-Donald, Katherine; Egeland Hovda, Grace (Fall) Johns, Timothy A (Winter)
Fall
3 hour conference
Prerequisite: NUTR 337
-
NUTR 420 Toxicology and Health Risks (3 credits)
Overview
Nutrition and Dietetics : Basic principles of toxicology, health effects of exposure to environmental contaminants such as heavy metals, pesticides and radionuclides and ingestion of food toxicants such as food additives and preservatives; natural toxins in plants and marine foods, human health, ecosystem health, safety evaluation, risk assessment, and current Canadian regulations.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2011-2012 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2011-2012 academic year.
-
NUTR 501 Nutrition in Developing Countries (3 credits)
Overview
Nutrition and Dietetics : This course will cover the major nutritional problems in developing countries. The focus will be on nutrition and health and emphasize young children and other vulnerable groups. The role of diet and disease for each major nutritional problem will be discussed.
Terms: Fall 2011
Instructors: Marquis, Grace (Fall)
Fall
2 lectures and one seminar
Prerequisite: For undergraduate students, consent of instructor required
-
NUTR 512 Herbs, Foods and Phytochemicals (3 credits)
Overview
Nutrition and Dietetics : An overview of the use of herbal medicines and food phytochemicals and the benefits and risks of their consumption. The physiological basis for activity and the assessment of toxicity will be presented. Current practices relating to the regulation, commercialization and promotion of herbs and phytochemicals will be considered.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2011-2012 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2011-2012 academic year.
-
PARA 410 Environment and Infection (3 credits)
Overview
Parasitology : Infectious pathogens of humans and animals and their impact on the global environment are considered. The central tenet is that infectious pathogens are environmental risk factors. The course considers their impact on the human condition and juxtaposes the impact of control and treatment measures and environmental change.
Terms: Winter 2012
Instructors: Scott, Marilyn (Winter)
-
PARA 438 Immunology (3 credits)
Overview
Parasitology : An in-depth analysis of the principles of cellular and molecular immunology. The emphasis of the course is on host defence against infection and on diseases caused by abnormal immune responses.
Terms: Fall 2011
Instructors: Dzierszinski, Florence; Faubert, Gaetan Mario (Fall)
-
PARA 515 Water, Health and Sanitation (3 credits)
Overview
Parasitology : The origin and types of water contaminants including live organisms, infectious agents and chemicals of agricultural and industrial origins. Conventional and new technological developments to eliminate water pollutants. Comparisons of water, health and sanitation between industrialized and developing countries.
Terms: Winter 2012
Instructors: Geary, Timothy; Faubert, Gaetan Mario (Winter)
-
WILD 424 Parasitology (3 credits)
Overview
Resource Development : Systematics, morphology, biology and ecology of parasitic protozoa, flatworms, roundworms and arthropods with emphasis on economically and medically important species.
Terms: Winter 2012
Instructors: Rohrbach, Petra (Winter)
Winter
2 lectures and one 3-hour lab
Restriction: Not open to students who have taken WILD 424 (formerly ZOOL 424).
Agricultural Production
12 credits from:
-
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 2011
Instructors: Begg, Caroline B; Cue, Roger I (Fall)
Restriction: Not open to students who have taken PLNT 215.
-
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 2012
Instructors: Begg, Caroline B (Winter)
3 lectures and one 2-hour seminar
Restriction: Not open to students who have taken AGRI 250
-
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 2011
Instructors: Clark, Grant; Stämpfli, Nicolas; Schwertfeger, Dina (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.
-
ANSC 250 Principles of Animal Science (3 credits)
Overview
Animal Science : Introduction to the scientific principles underlying the livestock and poultry industries. Emphasis will be placed on the breeding, physiology and nutrition of animals raised for the production of food and fibre.
Terms: Fall 2011
Instructors: Wade, Kevin (Fall)
Fall
3 lectures and one 2-hour lab
-
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 2012
Instructors: Bordignon, Vilceu (Winter)
Winter
3 lectures and one 2-hour conference
-
ANSC 451 Dairy and Beef Production Management (3 credits)
Overview
Animal Science : Overview of the Canadian Dairy and Beef industries with emphasis on products, environment, management systems, reproductive technologies, health, genetic improvement, automation, information recording and use of housing facilities and equipment. Field trips to dairy and beef farms as well as processing units included for illustration and application of concepts.
Terms: Winter 2012
Instructors: Wade, Kevin; Phillip, Leroy E (Winter)
-
ANSC 458 Swine and Poultry Production (3 credits)
Overview
Animal Science : Application and integration of biological principles of genetics, physiology, anatomy, nutrition, and health of poultry and swine production systems in Canada. Major factors and practices affecting productivity at the different stages of swine and poultry production. Field trips to farms and related enterprises.
Terms: Fall 2011
Instructors: Duggavathi, Raj (Fall)
-
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 2012
Instructors: Prasher, Shiv (Winter)
3 lectures, one 2-hour lab
Restriction: Not open to students who have taken ABEN 217.
-
ENTO 340 Field Entomology (3 credits)
Overview
Entomology : A field course and project about arthropod taxonomy, field methods and experimental design in entomology. Includes natural history observation, and experimental approaches to arthropod population and community ecology.
Terms: Fall 2011
Instructors: Wheeler, Terry A; Boucher, Stephanie (Fall)
Summer
-
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 2012
Instructors: Dunphy, Gary Brian; Boisclair, Josee Ethel (Winter)
Winter
Restriction: Not open to students who have previously taken ENTO 452
3 lectures
-
FDSC 310 Post Harvest Fruit and Vegetable Technology (3 credits)
Overview
Food Science : The post harvest chemistry and physiology of horticultural crops as they affect quality and marketability, handling methods pre and post harvest, principles and practices in cooling, storage, transportation and packaging.
Terms: Fall 2011
Instructors: Ramaswamy, Hosahalli (Fall)
Fall
3 lectures and one 3-hour lab
This course carries an additional charge of $45 to cover the cost of transportation with respect to field trips. The fee is refundable only during the withdrawal with full refund period.
-
PLNT 300 Cropping Systems (3 credits)
Overview
Plant Science : Application of plant science and soil science to production of agronomic and horticultural crops. Use and sustainability of fertilization, weed control, crop rotation, tillage, drainage and irrigation practices.
Terms: Fall 2011
Instructors: Smith, Donald L; Seguin, Philippe (Fall)
3 lectures and one 3-hour lab
Prerequisite: AEBI 210
-
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: Fall 2011
Instructors: Seguin, Philippe (Fall)
-
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 2012
Instructors: Begg, Caroline B (Winter)
-
PLNT 310 Plant Propagation (3 credits)
Overview
Plant Science : Principles and practical aspects of plant propagation are examined. The course consists of two parts. The first third deals with sexual propagation; the production, processing storage certification and analysis of seeds. The remaining two-thirds deals with vegetative propagation; cutting, budding, grafting, layering, and tissue culture.
Terms: Winter 2012
Instructors: Donnelly, Danielle J (Winter)
3 lectures and one 3-hour lab
-
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, green roofs, design and management of community gardens.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2011-2012 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2011-2012 academic year.
-
PLNT 322 Greenhouse Management (3 credits)
Overview
Plant Science : Greenhouse design and operation, including environmental regulation, fertilization and pest management. Focus will be on the production of major floricultural and vegetable crops.
Terms: Winter 2012
Instructors: Wees, David (Winter)
3 lectures and one 3-hour lab
-
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 2012
Instructors: Watson, Alan K (Winter)
-
SOIL 315 Soil Fertility and Fertilizer Use (3 credits)
Overview
Soil Science : Plant nutrients in the soil, influence of soil properties on nutrient absorption and plant growth, use of organic and inorganic fertilizers.
Terms: Fall 2011
Instructors: Whalen, Joann Karen (Fall)
Revision, August 2011. End of revision.
Faculty of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences—2011-2012 (last updated Aug. 18, 2011) (disclaimer)