Bachelor of Agriculture and Technology Viticulture and Winemaking

This subject focuses on the development of academic literacy skills and knowledge. The subject develops the skills required to understand and engage with academic texts and academic writing through a range of printed and visual material including textbooks, newspapers, scholarly articles, blogs and documentaries.

Living Systems 1 is a core subject that brings together traditional biology and chemistry, reflecting the interrelationship between the two fields. You will be introduced to chemistry concepts and processes and explore their roles in biological systems.

This subject explores human food production, its current and future challenges from both Australian and global perspectives. Students will develop a comprehensive understanding of the evolution of human food production and the key factors driving change in food production systems.

Living Systems 2 builds on the knowledge and skills acquired in Living Systems 1, which synthesises the fields of traditional biology and chemistry to explore the interrelationship of the two fields. Living Systems 2 extends concepts from the preceding subject into selected aspects of more advanced fields including genetics, metabolism, ecology and organic chemistry.

This subject develops knowledge of the Australian agricultural business environment focusing on principles of development, planning, operation and performance analysis as applied to rural business enterprises in local and global settings. Students will examine a variety of agricultural business types through a variety of experiential tasks and develop skills in the use of structured planning methods to identify business and marketing opportunities as well as skills in business plan development.

The industry placement provides students opportunities to consolidate knowledge and enhance skills developed throughout the course in addition to gaining perspectives and skills essential for employment in the industry. Practical experiences and application of scientific and business theory in a commercial agricultural environment will assist students to critically evaluate technical and generic aspects of the agricultural sector as required by employers and the broader industry.

This subject will provide an introduction to statistical concepts and techniques and the application of statistics in management and decision making in a variety of primary industries contexts. You will develop a practical knowledge of selected statistical concepts, theories and methodologies including an understanding of experimental design and sampling techniques within a management context for a range of primary industries.

In this subject you will consolidate and extend your knowledge of plants and plant physiology, and examine the impact of, and interactions between components of crop production. You will study the biological processes occurring in plants at a cellular level from seedling emergence to maturity.

In this subject you will complete the second part of an applied research project initiated in the subject Applied Research Project 1. You will apply knowledge and skills to undertake a small research project including: the collection, analysis and interpretation of data, adherence to ethics considerations, and the development of recommendations and/or materials for industry. You will develop time management skills, ability to organize, liaise and work closely with external collaborators and will be required to demonstrate the processes you used to manage the project.

This subject aims to develop students’ theoretical knowledge of the methods and relevant project management skills required to plan and undertake an applied research project in the primary industries field. Elements covered include searching for, analysing and synthesising relevant academic literature; selecting appropriate research methodologies; incorporating research design and methods of data collection; and ethical considerations.

The subject will equip you to develop systems for environmental management. You will be exposed to dominant environmental management models that involve a multidisciplinary approach to examining why environmental impacts occur, and the development of appropriate solutions to manage these impacts. You will develop the skills required to understand government policy direction and legislative compliance issues related to environmental management, as well as assess global environmental risks.

In this subject you will develop knowledge and skills relevant to marketing of rural products and services along with matters of business management that can be applied in a broad range of contexts. Principles of marketing such as market segmentation, the 4 P's model - Price, Promotion, Place, and Product - and the marketing mix, will be used as a basis for the development of marketing plans and programs. Techniques for on-going analysis of the market will be developed.

This subject explores traditional techniques and emerging international practices in winemaking. During this subject students will guide the production of a commercial wine, from the creation of wine production proposals, to setting grape harvesting parameters, and all stages of production all the way through to labelling.

Concepts of viticulture engineering practices in commercial viticulture operations and the safe operation of facilities and equipment. Evaluate new information, concepts and techniques relating to viticulture engineering and investigate the management of engineering problems in the vineyard.