![](/study/2016-2017/files/study.2016-2017/exclamation-point-small.png)
Note: This is the 2010–2011 edition of the eCalendar. Update the year in your browser's URL bar for the most recent version of this page, or click here to jump to the newest eCalendar.
Note: This is the 2010–2011 edition of the eCalendar. Update the year in your browser's URL bar for the most recent version of this page, or click here to jump to the newest eCalendar.
The Minor Ecological Agriculture is designed to focus on the principles underlying the practice of ecological agriculture and is suitable for students wishing to farm and do extension and government work, and those intending to pursue postgraduate studies in this field.
This Minor can be associated with existing major programs in the Faculty, but in some instances it may require more than 90 credits to meet the requirements of both the Major and the Minor.
Students are advised, during the U1 year, to consult their Major program adviser and the Academic Adviser of the Minor. At the time of registration for the U2 year, students must declare their intent to obtain the Minor. With the agreement of their Major program adviser they must submit their program of courses already taken, and to be taken, to the Academic Adviser of the Minor. The Academic Adviser of the Minor will then certify which courses the student will apply toward the Minor and confirm that the student's program conforms with its requirements.
Academic Adviser: Dr. Caroline Begg
Raymond Building, Room 2-028a
Telephone: 514-398-8749
To obtain a Minor in Ecological Agriculture, students must:
a) Ensure that their academic record at the University includes a C grade or higher in the courses as specified in the course requirements given below.
b) Offer a minimum total of 24 credits from the courses as given below, of which not more than 6 credits may be counted for both the Major and the Minor programs. This restriction does not apply to elective courses in the Major program.
Agriculture : Introduction to the environmental consequences of agriculture through time, relating the cultural diversity of agronomic practices to regionally varied ecological processes.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.
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 2010
Instructors: Begg, Caroline B; Cue, Roger I (Fall)
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 2011
Instructors: Begg, Caroline B (Winter)
15 credits chosen from:
*Note: Offered in alternate years.
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 2010
Instructors: Thomassin, Paul (Fall)
Agriculture : Internship on working farms or in other appropriate businesses of the agri-food/environment industries.
Terms: Fall 2010, Summer 2011
Instructors: Begg, Caroline B (Fall) Begg, Caroline B (Summer)
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 2010
Instructors: Clark, Grant (Fall)
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 2011
Instructors: Dunphy, Gary Brian; Boivin, Guy (Winter)
Entomology : Theory and practice of beekeeping. Social insects; development of social behaviour; co-evolution of flowering plants and social insects; life and behaviour of honeybees; insect pollination; honey production; properties of honey; practical beekeeping. Demonstrations and written assignments essential.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.
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 2011
Instructors: Driscoll, Brian T (Winter)
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: Fall 2010
Instructors: Johns, Timothy A (Fall)
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 2010
Instructors: Seguin, Philippe (Fall)
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: Winter 2011
Instructors: Wees, David (Winter)
Plant Science : Biochemistry and ecophysiology of the active ingredients in medicinal plants. Links between cultivation practices and plant compounds. The effect of propagation and environmental factors on active compounds are examined using greenhouse experiments, followed by quantification of active ingredients by analytical techniques and analysis of bioactivity.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.
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 2011
Instructors: Watson, Alan K (Winter)
Plant Science : Theory and practice of plant ecology with an emphasis on the interaction between patterns and ecological processes and the dynamics, conservation and management of plant populations and communities over a range of temporal and spatial scales.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: de Blois, Sylvie (Fall)
Soil Science : Soil processes responsible for soil formation will be studied and the impact of changes to the physical and chemical environment will be discussed.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Hendershot, William H (Fall)
Soil Science : The physical and chemical environment of soil organisms; survey of soil microflora and fauna; processes and optimal agronomic systems of management consistent with the goals of ecological agriculture.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.
Soil Science : A sustainable, agroenvironmental approach to nutrient management planning at the farm scale, consistent with guidelines and laws governing fertilizer use in Quebec and other jurisdictions.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Whalen, Joann Karen (Winter)