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.
Program Requirements
This 30-credit certificate program is very similar to the minor program and is designed to focus on the principles underlying the practice of ecological agriculture. The Certificate may be of special interest to professional agrologists who wish further training, as well as formal recognition that they have completed a coherent program of courses beyond their B.Sc. studies.
Students holding a B.Sc. in agriculture or a related area are eligible to register for this program provided that they are otherwise acceptable for admission to the University. Students who have completed the Minor or Specialization in Ecological Agriculture are not permitted to register for this program.
Academic Adviser: Dr. Caroline Begg
Macdonald-Stewart Building, Room 2-071
Telephone: 514-398-8749
General Regulations
To obtain a Certificate in Ecological Agriculture, students must complete a minimum total of 30 credits from the courses as given below.
Notes:
1. Most courses listed at the 300 level and higher have prerequisites. Although instructors may waive prerequisite(s) in some cases, students are urged to prepare their program of study to ensure that they have met all conditions.
2. Students using AGRI 310 towards the requirements of the Specialization/Minor/Certificate are limited to an experience on farms or other enterprises that are either organic, biodynamic, or practising permaculture. The placement must be approved by the academic adviser for the Specialization/Minor/Certificate.
Required Courses (9 credits)
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AGRI 210 Agro-Ecological History (3 credits)
Overview
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.
- 3 lectures
-
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 2011
Instructors: Begg, Caroline B (Winter)
- 3 lectures and one 2-hour seminar
- Restriction: Not open to students who have taken AGRI 250
-
ENVB 305 Population & Community Ecology (3 credits)
Overview
Environmental Biology : Interactions between organisms and their environment; historical and current perspectives in applied and theoretical population and community ecology. Principles of population dynamics, feedback loops, and population regulation. Development and structure of communities; competition, predation and food web dynamics. Biodiversity science in theory and practice.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Buddle, Christopher (Winter)
- Winter
- Restriction: Not open to students who have taken WILD 205
Complementary Courses (21 credits)
21 credits chosen from the following, in consultation with the Academic Adviser for Ecological Agriculture.
3 - 6 credits (at least 3 credits) from the following:
-
SOIL 335 Soil Ecology and Management (3 credits)
Overview
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.
- Winter
- 3 lectures and one 3-hour lab
- Prerequisites: SOIL 210 or ENVB 210
-
SOIL 445 Agroenvironmental Fertilizer Use (3 credits)
Overview
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)
- Winter
- Prerequisite: SOIL 315.
15-18 credits to be chosen from:
-
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 2010
Instructors: Thomassin, Paul (Fall)
- Fall
- Prerequisites: AGEC 200 or equivalent
-
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 2010
Instructors: Begg, Caroline B; Cue, Roger I (Fall)
- Restriction: Not open to students who have taken PLNT 215.
-
AGRI 310 Internship in Agriculture/Environment (3 credits)
Overview
Agriculture : Internship on working farms or in other appropriate businesses of the agri-food/environment industries.
Terms: Fall 2010, Summer 2011
Instructors: Begg, Caroline B (Fall) Begg, Caroline B (Summer)
- Restriction: Not open to students who have taken AGRI 201D1/D2.
-
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 2010
Instructors: Clark, Grant (Fall)
- Fall
- 3 lectures and one 3-hour lab
-
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 2011
Instructors: Dunphy, Gary Brian; Boivin, Guy (Winter)
- Winter
- Restriction: Not open to students who have previously taken ENTO 452
- 3 lectures
-
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 2010
Instructors: Fyles, James W (Fall)
- Fall
- Prerequisite(s): ENVB 222, AEMA 310 or Permission of instructor
- Restriction: Not open to students who have taken WOOD 410
-
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 2011
Instructors: Driscoll, Brian T (Winter)
- Winter
- Restriction: Not open to students who have successfully completed NRSC 331
-
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: Fall 2010
Instructors: Johns, Timothy A (Fall)
- Fall
- 3 lectures and a project
- Prerequisites (Undergraduate): FDSC 211 or LSCI 211 or BIOL 201 or BIOC 212
-
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 2010
Instructors: Seguin, Philippe (Fall)
- Prerequisites: PLNT 201 or AEBI 210 or AEBI 211 or WILD 200
- Restriction: Not open to students who have taken PLNT 331.
-
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: Winter 2011
Instructors: Wees, David (Winter)
-
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 2011
Instructors: Watson, Alan K (Winter)
- 3 lectures and one 3-hour lab
- Prerequisite: PLNT 201 or AEBI 210
-
PLNT 460 Plant Ecology (3 credits)
Overview
Plant Science : Theory and practice of plant ecology with an emphasis on the interaction between patterns and ecological processes and the dynamics, conservation and management of plant populations and communities over a range of temporal and spatial scales.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: de Blois, Sylvie (Fall)
- 3 lectures and one 3-hour lab
- Prerequisite: AEMA 310 or permission of instructor.
-
WILD 311 Ethology (3 credits)
Overview
Resource Development : Invertebrate and vertebrate behaviour; innate behaviour, learning, motivation, agonistic behaviour, rhythms, social organization, mating systems and communication.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Bird, David M (Winter)
- Winter
- 2 lectures, one 3-hour lab
- Restriction: Not open to students who have taken ZOOL 311
Faculty of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences—2010-2011 (last updated Jan. 19, 2011) (disclaimer)