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Overview

Course Prescription

Develops understanding of the contemporary scientific knowledge and research that is of relevance to grape production for winemaking. The application of traditional and modern molecular methods in plant science and plant pathology will be discussed in relation to the selection, improvement and management of vines and grape attributes. Research issues of national and international relevance to viticulture will also be addressed.

Course Overview

This course combines an understanding of the scientific knowledge and research that is relevant to wine grape production along with practical aspects of vineyard establishment, management, and harvest.Students are allocated a specific vineyard site and variety to use to undertake various assignments.

Key Topics

Basic viticulture and history An introduction. Grape species, varieties, and their origins, clones, rootstocks, hybrids, grafting, history of viticulture, cultural practices. Harvest decisions/ripening and fruit chemistryClimate and weather, temperature, sunlight, light spectrum, the process of ripening, photosynthesis, physiological ripeness, berry constituents, when to harvest, machine vs. manual harvesting. Grapevine canopy managementManaging vines, training and trellising, pruning, vine vigor, yield vs. quality, canopy assessment methods (shading indices, sun fleck analysis, and point quadrat analysis), methods to improve grape berry exposure to light (hedging, leaf removal). Terroir and soil managementSite selection, planting, climate classifications, soil composition, soil nutrients, interactions between soil, nutrients and water, biodynamics and organics, the concept of terroir, geography and geology, Old World vs. New World. Vine physiology, vine balanceThe vineyard cycle, balancing vegetative and reproductive growth, physiology of the vine. Water and nutrient balances Water and irrigation, precipitation, hazards, nutrients required for grapevine growth, and drainage. Grapevine structure and function Grapevine anatomy, structure of roots, leaves, trunks, buds, tendrils, flowers, fruits and stems, cellular components, one-year-old wood (cane or spur) vs. permanent wood (cordon). Grapevine pathogens and diseases Introduction to pests and diseases of the vine and their management and prevention. Molecular methods in plant science used for grapevine improvementCurrent techniques in molecular biology are routinely used to study grapevine genetics and physiology and to develop improved grapevines.  

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15-point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15-point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 16 hours of lectures, a 3-hour lab and a 1-hour tutorial, 28 hours of reading and thinking about content, and 50 hours of work on assignments/projects.

Locations and Semesters Offered

LocationSemester
Waiheke Island

Teaching and Learning

Campus Experience

Attendance is required at scheduled activities including labs to receive credit for components of the course.

Attendance on campus is required for tests and exams.

The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable delivery.

Learning Resources

Taught courses use a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas to provide students with learning materials including reading lists and lecture recordings (where available). Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Additional Information on Learning Resources

To be determined by the individual lecturers depending upon the topic. Primary textbook: Wine Science: Principles, Practice, Perception. Ronald S. Jackson. Third Edition (2008). Available at the university library and electronically.

Copyright

The content and delivery of content in this course are protected by copyright. Material belonging to others may have been used in this course and copied by and solely for the educational purposes of the University under license.


You may copy the course content for the purposes of private study or research, but you may not upload onto any third-party site, make a further copy or sell, alter or further reproduce or distribute any part of the course content to another person.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

Similarly, research students must meet the University’s expectations of good research practice. This requires:

  • Honesty - in all aspects of research work
  • Accountability - in the conduct of research
  • Professional courtesy and fairness – in working with others
  • Good stewardship – on behalf of others
  • Transparency – of research process and presentation of results
  • Clarity - communication to be understandable, explainable and accessible

For more information on the University’s expectations of academic integrity, please see the Academic Conduct section of the University policy hub.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about taught courses is made available to enrolled students in Canvas.

Students may be asked to submit assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.


Assessment and Learning Outcomes

Special Requirements

Students will be allocated specific vineyard sites from which they will collect data. The collection of data will take place during normal business hours, however, may include some weekend work. Students are required to wear safety boots and a high-visibility vest in the vineyard.

Course Learning Outcomes

CLO #OutcomeProgramme Capability Link
1
2
3
4
5
6
7

Assessments

Assessment TypeAssessment PercentageAssessment Classification

Assessment to CLO Mapping

Assessment Type1234567

Student Feedback, Support and Charter

Student Feedback

Feedback on taught courses is gathered from students at the end of each semester through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions. Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students. In addition, class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Additional Information on Student Feedback

Students were happy with the course.

Class representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Tuākana

Tuākana is a multi-faceted programme for Māori and Pacific students providing topic specific tutorials, one-on-one sessions, test and exam preparation and more. Explore your options at Tuakana Learning Communities.

Additional Information on Tuākana

As part of the University-wide Tuākana community, The School of chemical sciences aims to provide a welcoming learning environment for and enhance the success of, all of our Māori and Pacific students. We are led by the principles of tautoko (support) and whanaungatanga (connection) and hope you find a home here at the School. Students who have identified as Māori and/or Pacific will receive an invitation to our online portal introducing the Programme, the resources we have available, and how you can get involved.

Tuākana Chemistry runs a range of activities for students enrolled in this class. This includes weekly workshops, social activities, and opportunities to engage with senior students and researchers within the School of Chemical Sciences. Tuākana-eligible students will be added automatically to the Tuākana Chemistry program when they enroll in this course. For more information, please see the Tuākana program website or email scstuakana@auckland.ac.nz.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website.

Wellbeing

We all go through tough times during the semester, or see our friends struggling. There is lots of help out there - please see the Support Services page for information on support services in the University and the wider community.

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed work is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due. If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page. This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter.

Student Academic Complaints and Disputes

Students with concerns about teaching including how a course is delivered, the resources provided, or supervision arrangements, have the right to express their concerns and seek resolution. The university encourages informal resolution where possible, as this is quicker and less stressful. For information on the informal and formal complaints processes, please refer to the Student Academic Complaints Statute in the Student Policies and Guidelines section of the Policy Hub.