Applied Economics at Macdonald Campus

McGill offers two programs in in applied economics at the Macdonald Campus. These programs are appropriate for you if you are interested in environmental or ecological economics, the economics of the farm sector, international development, food distribution and retailing or agricultural and food policy.

Students at Macdonald live and learn within a small, close knit academic community on the edge of a city of over 2 million, that is safe and reflects the wide social diversity of Montreal. If you have questions about either program, contact us at  

The first program is a 90 credit (3 year) Major leading to a BSc. within which students specialize in either Environmental Economics OR Agri-Business. Graduates from the Major join a fairly elite group for which employment opportunities have been very strong for the past two decades, and continues today. There are few programs like this in Canada, and the demand for graduates is very robust.

If you are interested in the Major you should also visit the Prospective Students Website for general information on studying at McGill's Macdonald Campus. For prospective students from outside Quebec, you should consult the Freshman Website. Generally, students from outside Quebec must complete an additional year of courses prior to starting the Major.

The second program is the 24 credit MINOR in Agricultural Economics. This program is suitable for students in other Major programs who would like to follow a coherent program in economics.

1. MAJOR IN AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS - BSc.(Agr.Env.Sci.)

Program prior to 2010

Increasingly complex economic problems facing the agri-food system and the environment demand the specialized knowledge and training found in the field of agricultural economics. This is an interdisciplinary program that combines agricultural and environmental sciences with economics and other social sciences.

Our curriculum is designed to provide students with this knowledge and with analytical and decision making skills required for a career in many fields in either the private or public sector.

All students in the Major take a common core of courses in economics (listed below) and one of two specializations: Agri-business, or Environmental Economics. The specializations require courses in either environmental or agricultural sciences in addition to courses related to environmental economics or the business of the agriculture and food system. This allows you to orient your studies for different career paths.

The University also offers a number of Minors that can be combined with the major, with the approval of the Faculty that offers the minor. If you wish to become a professional agronome, and become a member of Ordre des agronomes du Québec (OAQ), there are specific courses you must take as part of your program. These courses are provided through the Specializationn in Professional Agrology. This Specialization must be taken together with the Specialization in Agri-Business.

Students who are interested in graduate studies should consult with their academic advisor as to an appropriate set of additional courses to take in the areas of economic theory and mathematical economics. For example, ECON-250 Int. to Economic Theory is highly recommended as an additional course.

Admission Requirements

For questions about admission requirements, please contact our Student Affairs Office (SAO). Ms. Fern Ship is the Faculty Advisor at the SAO and can best answer your questions.

COURSE SEQUENCE

This is a typical course plan, describing the sequence of courses you will take during your studies. (download as a PDF) It describes the sequence, semester by semester, for a typical student.

Major in Agricultural Economics: Required Courses for all Students Course Number Subject Credits Required courses: (42 credits) AGEC-200A Principles of Microeconomics 3 AGEC-201B Principles of Macroeconomics 3 AGEC-231B Economic Systems of Agriculture 3 AGEC-320B Intermediate Microeconomic Theoery 3 AGEC-333A Resource Economics 3 AGEC-330A Agricultural & Food Markets 3 AGEC-425A Applied Econometrics 3 AGEC-430B Agri-Food and Resource Policy 3 AGEC-442B Econ. of Int. Agr. Development 3 AGEC-491A Methodology & Research 3 ENVB-210A Bio-physical Environment 3   One course in Accounting (With Advisor Approval) 3   One course in Statistics (With Advisor Approval) 3   One course in Communications or writing (With Advisor Approval) 3   PLUS:     Specialization courses (Agribusiness OR Environmental Economics) 24 Elective Courses 24 Total Course Credits for the Major: 90

Course numbers indicate the unit that offers the course in addition to the usual semester that the course is offered. For example AGEC-200A indicates the fall semester while AGEC-200B indicates the winter semester.

It is a Faculty rule that at least 54 of the 90 credits for the degree be a combination of 300 and 400 level courses. Of these 54 credits, at least 12 credits must be at the 400 level. Choose your electives carefully so that this requirement is met.

It is also a Faculty rule that at least 2/3 of course credits be taken at the Faculty of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences.

2. MINOR IN AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS (24 credits)

This program has been designed for students who are taking a Major other than Agricultural Economics.

SPECIALIZATIONS

1) Agri-Business

This Specialization combines courses in business, marketing, finance, management, and accounting, along with foundation courses in Agricultural Sciences. It is appropriate for anyone thinking of a career working anywhere within the business of the modern agriculture and food system.

2) Environmental Economics

This Specialization integrates environmental sciences and economics to give students the skills to evaluate environmental policies and resource management.

CAREER PATHS

There has never been a better time to choose a career in Agricultural Economics. Graduates are in high demand because of the increasing importance of economics and management in the modern global food system and with growing public concerns related to the environment and resource use. Demand greatly outstrips the supply of graduates from our university programs, because there are few programs in these areas in Canada.

Graduates pursue careers with companies that process, market, and distribute agricultural products; with farms and ranches; and with related businesses which supply farmers with materials, services, and and financial capital. Job opportunities are also widely available with government agencies, public organizations, or NGO's concerned with agricultural production, marketing, credit, the preservation and management of the environment, and international agriculture.

Our alumni can be found working as policy analysts with environmental NGO's, agricultural credit officers in chartered banks and the Office du Credit Agricole, staff economists at Agriculture Canada, Environment Canada or the World Bank, marketing managers for food processors, consultants for the Syndicats de Gestion Agricole, and managers at international NGO's on projects in developing countries.

Focus on Agriculture:  articles, interviews and videos about starting a career in the Agricultural sector.