- HBA · 4 years
- Work experience details
- ~High 80s to low 90s
Bioresource Engineering
McGill University · Most courses at Macdonald Campus. At least one semester at the Downtown Campus.
Image source
AI-generated ink illustration
Conceptual study artwork, not a photograph of teaching facilities.
Unidex · generated with ImageGen
Checked 2026-11-05
Symbolic subject artwork; no university facility depicted
4.5 years
Duration (years)
4.5 years from non-Quebec high school
McGill Bioresource Engineering duration, co-op and internship FAQOptional internship courses
Work experience
Optional internship courses
McGill Bioresource Engineering duration, co-op and internship FAQ~Mid to high 70s
Entering average
Published approximate guidance: Mid to high 70s. Historical guidance checked November 2026. Ontario high school Top 6, typical minimum range
McGill Ontario high-school admissions and published grade guidance
Deadlines
February 2027
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Next deadline
Fall 2027 application for Canadian high school applicants outside Quebec
2027 entry · Applicants studying or who last studied in a Canadian high school outside Quebec
Covers Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Architecture, Arts, B.A. & Sc., Education, Engineering, Management, Nursing and Science.
Requirements
Admission requirements
High-school prerequisites
Grade 12 U English or French
MCV4UCalculus and Vectors
Two of Biology (SBI4U), Chemistry (SCH4U) and Physics (SPH4U)
Application steps
Step 1Check the admission requirements
- Check the published entry route for your applicant category.
Step 2Apply through McGill admissions
Step 3Ontario applicants: self-reported grades and transcript
- Ontario high school applicants in Canada normally self-report through the Applicant Portal and upload an unofficial transcript. Exceptions include Ontario schooling outside Canada, high school completed over five years ago and specified partial Canadian-school histories. The portal gives the applicable route.
Step 4English proficiency results when no exemption applies
- Applicants who have lived and attended school for at least four years in a country where English is the acknowledged primary language are exempt. Otherwise submit official accepted test results unless another published exemption applies.
Degree requirements
Required courses and electives
- Complete 113 degree credits, including 62 required and 51 complementary credits.
ReferencesMcGill 2026–27 Course Catalogue · Bioresource Engineering majorEngineers Canada exact institution listing for McGill UniversityMcGill Bioresource Engineering degreeMcGill Macdonald Foundation Year beginning Fall 2026McGill Bioresource Engineering 2026–27 suggested sequenceMCGILL complete current official course definitionMCGILL complete current official course definitionMCGILL complete current official course definitionMCGILL complete current official course definitionMCGILL complete current official course definitionMCGILL complete current official course definitionMCGILL complete current official course definitionMCGILL complete current official course definitionMCGILL complete current official course definitionMCGILL complete current official course definitionMCGILL complete current official course definitionMcGill Minerva course catalogue · LSCI 230MCGILL complete current official course definitionMCGILL complete current official course definitionMcGill Minerva course catalogue · BREE 314MCGILL complete current official course definitionMCGILL complete current official course definitionMCGILL complete current official course definitionMCGILL complete current official course definitionMCGILL complete current official course definition
Credits and degree requirements
- Complete the design sequence and professional practice requirements.
ReferencesMcGill 2026–27 Course Catalogue · Bioresource Engineering majorEngineers Canada exact institution listing for McGill UniversityMcGill Bioresource Engineering degreeMcGill Macdonald Foundation Year beginning Fall 2026McGill Bioresource Engineering 2026–27 suggested sequenceMCGILL complete current official course definitionMCGILL complete current official course definitionMCGILL complete current official course definitionMCGILL complete current official course definitionMCGILL complete current official course definitionMCGILL complete current official course definitionMCGILL complete current official course definitionMCGILL complete current official course definitionMCGILL complete current official course definitionMCGILL complete current official course definitionMCGILL complete current official course definitionMcGill Minerva course catalogue · LSCI 230MCGILL complete current official course definitionMCGILL complete current official course definitionMcGill Minerva course catalogue · BREE 314MCGILL complete current official course definitionMCGILL complete current official course definitionMCGILL complete current official course definitionMCGILL complete current official course definitionMCGILL complete current official course definition
Program facts
Entering average~Mid to high 70s
Ontario high school Top 6, typical minimum range
McGill Ontario high-school admissions and published grade guidanceMcGill Ontario high-school admissions and published grade guidanceInternshipOptional internship courses
Majors & specializations
Streams guide later course selection. Professional Agrology and Honours are separately governed degree options.
Bio-Environmental Engineering
BEng(Bioresource)
Apply engineering to environmental systems and resource management.
Courses
Revised Macdonald Foundation Year for applicants from high-school systems outside Quebec CEGEP, beginning Fall 2026. Foundation Year applies to entrants from high school outside Quebec CEGEP. U1–U4 is McGill’s suggested major sequence for 2026–27.
Foundation Year · Fall4 listed
- AEBI 120Integrated Life Sciences4 credits
Life sciences from molecules to ecosystems, with energy flow, information transfer and population dynamics in agricultural and environmental systems.
McGill Minerva course catalogue · AEBI 120 
AECH 110General Chemistry 14 creditsAtomic structure, bonding, reactions and fundamental chemical principles.
McGill Minerva course catalogue · AECH 110- AEMA 101Calculus 13 credits
Functions, limits, derivatives and antiderivatives with applications.
McGill Minerva course catalogue · AEMA 101 - AEPH 113Physics 14 credits
Calculus-based motion, forces, momentum, energy, oscillations, waves and sound.
McGill Minerva course catalogue · AEPH 113
Foundation Year · Winter4 listed
- AECH 111General Chemistry 24 credits
Equilibrium, thermodynamics, kinetics and other general chemistry topics.
McGill Minerva course catalogue · AECH 111 - AEMA 102Calculus 24 credits
Definite and indefinite integration, applications and infinite series.
McGill Minerva course catalogue · AEMA 102 - AEPH 115Physics 24 credits
Calculus-based electricity, magnetism, waves and optics.
McGill Minerva course catalogue · AEPH 115 
BREE 103Linear Algebra3 creditsSystems of linear equations, matrices, vectors and related applications.
McGill Minerva course catalogue · BREE 103
Foundation Year · Fall4 listed
- AEBI 120Integrated Life Sciences4 credits
Life sciences from molecules to ecosystems, with energy flow, information transfer and population dynamics in agricultural and environmental systems.
McGill Minerva course catalogue · AEBI 120 - AECH 110General Chemistry 14 credits
Atomic structure, bonding, reactions and fundamental chemical principles.
McGill Minerva course catalogue · AECH 110 - AEMA 101Calculus 13 credits
Functions, limits, derivatives and antiderivatives with applications.
McGill Minerva course catalogue · AEMA 101 - AEPH 113Physics 14 credits
Calculus-based motion, forces, momentum, energy, oscillations, waves and sound.
McGill Minerva course catalogue · AEPH 113
Foundation Year · Winter4 listed
- AECH 111General Chemistry 24 credits
Equilibrium, thermodynamics, kinetics and other general chemistry topics.
McGill Minerva course catalogue · AECH 111 - AEMA 102Calculus 24 credits
Definite and indefinite integration, applications and infinite series.
McGill Minerva course catalogue · AEMA 102 - AEPH 115Physics 24 credits
Calculus-based electricity, magnetism, waves and optics.
McGill Minerva course catalogue · AEPH 115 - BREE 103Linear Algebra3 credits
Systems of linear equations, matrices, vectors and related applications.
McGill Minerva course catalogue · BREE 103
U1 · Fall6 listed
Required major courses in McGill’s suggested sequence. Stream-specific complementary selections are listed separately.
- AEMA 202Intermediate Calculus3 credits
Methods of differential and integral calculus forthe study of multivariable functions. Calculus of parametric and polar curves, vectors and geometry of space, vector functions, partial derivatives, multiple integrals, and their applications.
MCGILL complete current official course definition 
BREE 205Engineering Design 13 credits- BREE 210Mechanical Analysis and Design3 credits
BREE 216Bioresource Engineering Materials3 credits- BREE 252Computing for Engineers3 credits
A disciplined general approach to the solution of engineering problems, and the implementation of these solutions using structured programming methods in a current computational environment.
MCGILL complete current official course definition - BREE 451Undergraduate Seminar 1 - Oral Presentation1 credits
U1 · Winter5 listed
Required major courses in McGill’s suggested sequence. Stream-specific complementary selections are listed separately.
- AEMA 305Differential Equations3 credits
First and second order differential equations, Laplace transforms, numerical solutions, systems of differential equations, series solutions, applications to biological, chemical and engineering systems, use of computer-based mathematical tools.
MCGILL complete current official course definition - BREE 301Biothermodynamics3 credits
- BREE 341Mechanics of Materials3 credits
- BREE 452Undergraduate Seminar 2 Poster Presentation1 credits
- FACC 250Responsibilities of the Professional Engineer0 credits
A course designed to provide all Engineering students with further training regarding their responsibilities as future Professional Engineers. Particular focus will be placed on three professional characteristics that future engineers must demonstrate: i) professionalism, ii) ethical and equitable behaviour, and iii) consideration of the impact of engineering on society and the environment.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
U2 · Fall5 listed
Required major courses in McGill’s suggested sequence. Stream-specific complementary selections are listed separately.
- BREE 305Fluid Mechanics3 credits
BREE 312Electric Circuits and Machines3 credits- BREE 319Engineering Mathematics3 credits
Advanced topics in engineering mathematics, including systems of ordinary differential equations, stability analysis, special functions, orthogonal functions and Fourier series, boundary value problems in various coordinate systems, and integral transforms. The use of computer-based mathematical tools is an integral part of the course.
MCGILL complete current official course definition 
BREE 327Bio-Environmental Engineering3 credits
BREE 453Undergraduate Seminar 3 - Scientific Writing1 credits
U2 · Winter2 listed
Required major courses in McGill’s suggested sequence. Stream-specific complementary selections are listed separately.
- FACC 300Engineering Economy3 credits
Introduction to the basic concepts required for the economic assessment of engineering projects. Topics include: accounting methods, marginal analysis, cash flow and time value of money, taxation and depreciation, discounted cash flow analysis techniques, cost of capital, inflation, sensitivity and risk analysis, analysis of R and D, ongoing as well as new investment opportunities.
MCGILL complete current official course definition 
FACC 400Engineering Professional Practice1 creditsLaws, regulations and codes governing engineering professional practice. Responsibility and liability. Environmental legislation. Project and organization management. Relations between engineer and client. Technical practice - analysis, design, execution and operation.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
U3 · Fall3 listed
Required major courses in McGill’s suggested sequence. Stream-specific complementary selections are listed separately.
- BREE 415Design of Machines and Structural Elements3 credits
- BREE 485Senior Undergraduate Seminar1 credits
- BREE 504Instrumentation and Control3 credits
U3 · Winter2 listed
Required major courses in McGill’s suggested sequence. Stream-specific complementary selections are listed separately.
- BREE 420Engineering for Sustainability3 credits
Principles and practices of engineering for sustainability. Emphasis on environmental, economic, social, management and policy factors that should be incorporated into sustainable approaches to engineering and design. Topics will include: sustainability metrics, systems thinking, stakeholder engagement, and leading change for sustainability within companies.
MCGILL complete current official course definition - BREE 490Engineering Design 23 credits
U4 · Fall1 listed
Required major courses in McGill’s suggested sequence. Stream-specific complementary selections are listed separately.
- BREE 495Engineering Design 33 credits
Required course · term unassigned1 listed
Confirm placement with your adviser. The suggested sequence does not assign this required catalogue course to a term.
- MECH 289Design Graphics3 credits
Set A · Statistics or probability2 listed
Choose 3 credits.
AEMA 310Statistical Methods 13 credits- CIVE 302Probabilistic Systems3 credits
Set A · Heat transfer2 listed
Choose 3 credits.
- CHEE 315Heat and Mass Transfer3 credits
- MECH 346Heat Transfer3 credits
Basic concepts and overview. Steady and unsteady heat conduction. Fin Theory. Convective heat transfer: governing equations; dimensionless parameters; analogy between momentum and heat transfer. Design correlations for forced, natural, and mixed convection. Heat exchangers. Radiative heat transfer: black- and gray-body radiation; shape factors; enclosure theory. Thermal engineering design project.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
Set B · Natural Sciences and Mathematics8 listed
Choose at least 3 credits from the published list and another 6 with your adviser.
- AEBI 210Organisms 13 credits
- AEBI 211Organisms 23 credits
- ENVB 210The Biophysical Environment3 credits
- ENVB 305Population and Community Ecology3 credits
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.
MCGILL complete current official course definition 
LSCI 202Molecular Cell Biology3 credits- LSCI 211Biochemistry 13 credits
Biochemistry of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids; enzymes and coenzymes. Introduction to intermediary metabolism.
MCGILL complete current official course definition - LSCI 230Introductory Microbiology3 credits
Microbial growth and activity in soil, water, food, plants, people and animals.
McGill Minerva course catalogue · LSCI 230 - MICR 331Microbial Ecology3 credits
The ecology of microorganisms, primarily bacteria and archaea, and their roles in biogeochemical cycles. 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.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
Set C · Social Sciences4 listed
Choose at least 3 credits from the list and another 6 adviser-approved credits in eligible subjects.
- ENVR 201Society, Environment and Sustainability3 credits
- ENVR 203Knowledge, Ethics and Environment3 credits
- SEAD 530Economics for Sustainability in Engineering and Design3 credits
- SOCI 235Technology and Society3 credits
An examination of the extent to which technological developments impose constraints on ways of arranging social relationships in bureaucratic organizations and in the wider society: the compatibility of current social structures with the effective utilization of technology.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
Set D · Engineering26 listed
Choose 27 credits. With approval, up to 6 credits may be other Faculty of Engineering courses.
BREE 214Geomatics3 credits- BREE 217Hydrology and Water Resources3 credits
- BREE 314Agri-Food Buildings3 credits
Design of agricultural buildings and food facilities, including climate control and waste management.
McGill Minerva course catalogue · BREE 314 
BREE 322Management of Organic Residue3 credits- BREE 325Food Process Engineering3 credits
- BREE 329Precision Agriculture3 credits
- BREE 403Biological Material Properties3 credits
- BREE 412Machinery Systems Engineering3 credits
- BREE 416Engineering for Land Development3 credits
- BREE 419Structural Design3 credits
- BREE 497Bioresource Engineering Project3 credits
- BREE 501Simulation and Modelling3 credits
- BREE 502Drainage/Irrigation Engineering3 credits
- BREE 505Life Cycle Assessment for Sustainable Agrifood Systems3 credits
- BREE 509Hydrologic Systems and Modelling3 credits
Hydrologic cycle in the nature and how to quantitatively describe those processes using models. The fundamentals of hydrology including basic concepts, precipitation, snow and snowmelt, evapotranspiration, subsurface flow, infiltration and soil water movement, and runoff and streamflow. Equivalent attention to theories and hands-on practices on model application. How to set up and execute weather data driven physical based models, both at a point-scale and a watershed scale, to predict snowmelt, evapotranspiration, infiltration, soil water redistribution, subsurface drainage, runoff, and stream flow in hydrologic systems.
MCGILL complete current official course definition - BREE 510Watershed Systems Management3 credits
A holistic examination of methods in watershed management with a focus on integrated water resources management (IWRM). Topics include: integration, participatory management, water resources assessment, modeling, planning, adaptive management, transboundary management, and transition management.
MCGILL complete current official course definition - BREE 518Ecological Engineering3 credits
Concepts and practice of ecological engineering: the planned creation or management of a community of organisms, their nonliving surroundings, and technological components to provide services. Survey of applications such as constructed wetlands, aquatic production systems, green infrastructure for urban storm water management, environmental restoration. Taught cooperatively with a parallel course at University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Online collaboration with an interdisciplinary, international team is an important component of the course.
MCGILL complete current official course definition - BREE 519Advanced Food Engineering3 credits
- BREE 520Food, Fibre and Fuel Elements3 credits
- BREE 522Bio-Based Polymers3 credits
- BREE 529GIS for Natural Resource Management3 credits
Applications of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and spatial analysis techniques to the presentation and analysis of ecological information, including sources and capture of spatial data; characterizing, transforming, displaying spatial data; and spatial analysis to solve resource management problems.
MCGILL complete current official course definition - BREE 530Fermentation Engineering3 credits
- BREE 531Post-Harvest Drying3 credits
- BREE 532Post-Harvest Storage3 credits
- BREE 533Water Quality Management3 credits
The water phases of terrestrial ecological systems and the processes that link them. Physical, chemical, and biological properties of water, and water quality standards. The fate and transport of pollutants in rivers and streams, lakes, and wetlands. Methods to quantify soil carbon and nitrogen cycle to predict nutrient leaching. Impacts of human activities (e.g., agricultural drainage) on water quality and measures to improve drainage water quality. Assess the effectiveness of proposed engineering measures or management practices in improving or maintaining water quality of a real site/water body using numerical methods or a computer modelling approach.
MCGILL complete current official course definition - BREE 535Food Safety Engineering3 credits
Elective choices
- Meet the requirements for Sets A to D.
- The three streams guide complementary course selection. Individual selections remain subject to academic approval and offerings.
Study locations
- Teaching locations
- Most courses at Macdonald Campus. At least one semester at the Downtown Campus.McGill Bioresource Engineering · careers, location and internship examples
ReferencesMcGill 2026–27 Course Catalogue · Bioresource Engineering majorEngineers Canada exact institution listing for McGill UniversityMcGill Bioresource Engineering degreeMcGill Macdonald Foundation Year beginning Fall 2026McGill Bioresource Engineering 2026–27 suggested sequenceMcGill Bioresource Engineering · careers, location and internship examplesMCGILL complete current official course definitionMCGILL complete current official course definitionMCGILL complete current official course definitionMCGILL complete current official course definitionMCGILL complete current official course definitionMCGILL complete current official course definitionMCGILL complete current official course definitionMCGILL complete current official course definitionMCGILL complete current official course definitionMCGILL complete current official course definitionMCGILL complete current official course definitionMcGill Minerva course catalogue · LSCI 230MCGILL complete current official course definitionMCGILL complete current official course definitionMcGill Minerva course catalogue · BREE 314MCGILL complete current official course definitionMCGILL complete current official course definitionMCGILL complete current official course definitionMCGILL complete current official course definitionMCGILL complete current official course definition
Careers
Professional recognition
Engineers Canada lists the McGill University Bioresource Engineering degree as CEAB accredited from 2005 to the present.
Scope and qualifications
The listing is for this engineering discipline at this institution. Professional registration has additional provincial requirements.
Costs
Tuition
Programme-specific fees are unavailable.
Last updated
