Graduate Certificate in Wine Technology and Viticulture

The course has been developed for employees in the viticulture and/or oenology sectors of the Wine Industry, people currently employed in different careers who wish to gain employment in the wine industry, or people who are establishing or operating their own vineyard and/or winery.

Students are introduced to the science of viticulture and wine, as well as reviewing the Australian Wine Industry's position in the world wine scene. An integrated approach to viticulture and oenology exposes students to all operations undertaken throughout the yearly cycle on a vineyard and in a winery.

These courses are offered by distance education. Students receive learning guides and attend a residential school for most subjects. The Graduate Certificate is one year part time and the Graduate Diploma is two years part time. The Graduate Certificate comprises the first four subjects of the Graduate Diploma.

The courses are offered from the Dookie Campus of the University of Melbourne. The course has been developed for employees in the viticulture and/or oenology sectors of the wine industry or people who are establishing or operating their own vineyard and/or winery.

On completion of this course, students should be able to:

• understand and utilise the principles of chemistry and microbiology as they apply to grape production and wine making;
• compare and analyse the wine production regions within Australia and internationally;
• devise and implement integrative management practices and techniques for the production of quality grapes and wine;
• analyse wine quality using chemical and sensory techniques.

The first four subjects introduce students to the science of viticulture and wine, as well as reviewing the Australian wine industry's position in the world wine scene. The two winegrowing subjects take an integrated approach to viticulture and oenology, and on completion students will have reviewed all operations undertaken throughout the yearly cycle on a vineyard and in a winery.

The second group of four subjects allows the student to study viticulture and oenology at an advanced level, whilst the two electives provide avenues for students to further investigate specific areas of interest within the wine industry.

Attendance at residential schools is compulsory and the work undertaken during this time is generally worth 20% of the final assessment. Each residential school is a week long and provides the opportunity to complete practical sessions in the campus vineyard, winery, laboratories and tasting facilities. A tour to vineyards and wineries may be incorporated into residential schools.

All four subjects in the Graduate Certificate in Wine Technology and Viticulture are offered by distance education. For each subject students will receive:

• A subject guide
• Course notes
• Residential School Practical Book

Throughout their course students will have access to subject coordinators and other relevant staff via phone and email. During the residential school students will have access to the following facilities:

• Teaching winery
• Vineyard
• Wine laboratory
• Tasting room
• Classroom
• Accommodation and recreational facilities

The Graduate Certificate in Wine Technology and Viticulture will require the completion of four compulsory subjects of course work over a minimum of 12 months. This allows students to experience the annual cycle of operations that occur in vineyards and wineries.

Graduate Certificate in Wine Technology and Viticulture

The course is conducted over one year and includes distance education-based study and residential workshops based at the Dookie Campus.

The Graduate Certificate can articulate into the Graduate Diploma in Wine Technology and Viticulture program.

Eligibility

2. The Selection Committee will evaluate the applicant's ability to pursue successfully the course using the following criteria -

• an undergraduate degree; or
• a TAFE or Higher Education Advanced Diploma in an appropriate discipline and 3 years full time, documented, relevant work experience, or equivalent; or
• a TAFE Diploma in an appropriate discipline and 4.5 years, full time, documented, relevant work experience, or equivalent,
• 6 years full time, documented, relevant work experience, including at least 3 years in a supervisory role.

Selection

2. The Selection Committee may conduct interviews and tests and call for referees reports and employer references to elucidate any of the matters referred to above.

On successful completion of the Graduate Certificate, students can articulate into Second Year of the Graduate Diploma in Wine Technology and Viticulture.

-A profound respect for truth, intellectual and professional integrity, and the ethics of scholarship
-Capacity for independent critical thought, rational inquiry and self-directed learning and research
-An ability to derive, interpret and analyse social, technical or economic information from primary and other sources
-Awareness of and ability to utilise appropriate communication technology and methods for the storage, management and analysis of data
-Capacity for creativity and innovation, through the application of skills and knowledge
-Ability to integrate information across a relevant discipline to solve problems in applied situations
-Highly developed computer - based skills to allow for effective on-line learning and communication.
-Highly developed written communication skills to allow informed dialogue with individuals and groups from industry, government and the community
-Highly developed oral communication skills to allow informed dialogue and liaison with individuals and groups from industry, government and the community.
-Appreciation of social and cultural diversity from a regional to a global context
-Ability to participate effectively as a member of a team
-Ability to plan work, use time effectively and manage small projects