About OAC
Our 4 Communities
OAC is a global leader in innovative life sciences education and research for environment, agriculture, food, and rural communities:
Environment Environmental programs are wide-ranging, encompassing both natural and built environments in rural and urban settings. Broad research themes include biophysical research, environmental protection and improvement, resource economics, landscape architecture and regional planning. The landscape architecture program is the only English-language undergraduate program in Canada; the landscape architecture and the planning programs are accredited by leading professional associations, both national and international. OAC includes the School of Environmental Sciences, which comprises a true integration of the life and physical sciences to address important environmental problems in forest, aquatic and agro-ecosystems. |
Agriculture Agriculture programs focus on the science and business of agriculture, from plant and animal biology and production techniques to business management and marketing. Our agricultural science research is ranked above all other universities in Canada for impact, and includes strengths such as breeding of soybeans corn, and specialty crops, and livestock nutrition, particularly for dairy cattle, swine, poultry and horses. Host to a province-wide research network in the emerging area of bioproducts, OAC is actively engaged in applying its established strengths in the areas of bioinformatics, plant and animal breeding and genetics to the development of new, environmentally friendly solutions to meet industrial and societal needs. Other focus areas include urban agriculture, e.g., turf science, organic agriculture and animal welfare. |
Food Food research programs are focused on food quality and safety, the development of value-added products, and innovative technologies for the manufacture of both traditional and new food products. OAC hosts the Advanced Food & Materials Network (a National Centre of Excellence), the Canadian Research Institute for Food Safety and 3 Canada Research Chairs in the area of Food Science. The undergraduate program in Food Science is accredited by both the Canadian Institute of Food Science and Technology and the Institute of Food Technologists. Focus areas include improved technologies for food preservation, risk analysis and management, functional foods and nutraceuticals, and effective intervention strategies to improve food quality. |
Rural Communities Programs are focused on improving the economic, social and environmental conditions of rural communities across Canada, including in Northern communities, and around the world. Priority areas are community empowerment, communication and development, and economic well-being. Community outreach programs in areas such as Russia, Bolivia, Brazil, India, Egypt, Ghana, Uganda, Senegal and Cameroon examine issues related to rural quality of life, agricultural extension practices, communication technology and distance education. |
