Associate Degree in Applied Science(Winegrowing) at Charles Sturt University ::

Associate Degree in Applied Science (Winegrowing) AssocDegAppSc(Winegrowing)

CSU’s Associate degree in Applied Science (Winegrowing) is designed to educate and assist vineyard managers and people establishing small vineyards and wineries.

About the course

This course teaches skills in vineyard establishment and management and provides an understanding of winemaking and the relationship between grape and wine quality. Basic sciences provide the background for subjects ranging from vineyard site selection to table wine production.

The course is offered by distance education so grape growers may obtain professional training while employed in the industry.

Where it will take you

Graduates work in the areas of vineyard management and the establishment and development of vineyards and small wineries.

The latest facilities

To make sure you are experienced using the equipment and techniques found in the workplace, our facilities include:

state-of-the-art laboratory
12ha commercial vineyard
a fully-operational modern commercial winery that produces a range of award winning wines

Practical experience

Students are required to gain experience in a commercial vineyard and winery to complete the requirements of the subject Wine Industry Experience. The course also includes a seven-day excursion to a major wine growing region.

Residential school

The course includes residential schools for each subject of three to five days duration, usually held at the Wagga Wagga Campus.

Distance education students working in New Zealand may in some instances be able to attend residential schools at the Eastern Institute of Technology. There is a fee payable to the Institute for this option.

Graduation requirements

To graduate, students must satisfactorily complete 128 points and meet all residential school and work experience requirements.

Course structure

Students will undertake study in the following areas:

Science

Basic science subjects give students the scientific background in chemistry, plant sciences and soil science, which underpins the applied viticulture and wine production studies.

Viticulture and Horticulture

Includes a group of subjects which examine topics such as site selection, grapevine varieties, propagation, vineyard establishment and management, irrigation and plant protection.

Wine Production

These subjects cover the chemical and biological processes that affect wine production, the principles, techniques and procedures for producing quality wines and also sensory evaluation.

Enrolment pattern

Year one
Session 1
BIO127 Botany
WSC111 Grape and Wine Science

Session 2
MCR101 Introduction to Microbiology
STA201 Scientific Statistics

Year two
Session 3
CHM108 Chemical Fundamentals
PSC215 Plant Physiology B
VIT211 Viticultural Science (8 points commenced)

Session 4
PSC104 Soil Science
VIT211 Viticultural Science (completed)
WSC101 Wine Science 1

Year three
Session 5
VIT311 Vine Health (8 points commenced)
VIT312 Vineyard Establishment (8 points commenced)
WSC210 Sensory Science

Session 6
VIT311 Vine Health (completed)
VIT312 Vineyard Establishment (completed)

Year four
Session 7
AGB233 Agribusiness Management 1
PHY107 Engineering Physics
WSC201 Wine Production 1 (8 points commenced)
WSC260 Wine Industry Experience (0 points)

Session 8
IRR200 Principles of Irrigation
WSC201 Wine Production 1 (completed)

Admission Requirements

To be admitted into the course, prospective students need to indicate their likelihood of success through:

previous studies
and
other attainments and experience.

Previous studies

Previous studies include:

the NSW Higher School Certificate or interstate /overseas equivalent;
the International Baccalaureate Diploma;
a completed or part completed course of a university, college of advanced education or other accredited tertiary institution;
a completed or part completed course of a TAFE college or other accredited post-secondary institution (including TAFE Tertiary Preparation Certificate);
an approved Foundation Studies program certificate;
completion of undergraduate subjects as an Associate Student with the University or through another University, or Open Universities Australia.

NSW and interstate school leavers are normally selected on the basis of their Universities Admissions Index (UAI) or interstate equivalent. You may also be admitted on the basis of a strong performance in subjects relevant to your course preferences.

Currently no secondary school subjects are prerequisites for admission to particular CSU courses however some courses assume a certain level of knowledge. This will be specified in the course information if applicable.

English language proficiency

Applicants will be deemed to have sufficient English proficiency if they:

have completed all their formal studies in one or more of the following countries; or
were born in one of the following countries and have completed at least one qualification in one of those countries; or
have completed senior secondary study or at least one year of full-time University study in one of the following countries: American Samoa, Australia, Canada, Fiji, Ireland, Kenya, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, United Kingdom, USA, Zambia
or
have successfully completed one year of full-time (or part-time equivalent) post-secondary study at an affiliate institution of the University, with English as the medium of instruction and assessment.

All other applicants must explicitly demonstrate proficiency.

Acceptable tests for English proficiency

Any of the following results, attained within the last two years, can be used to demonstrate English proficiency:

a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) paper-based score of 550 and TWE of 5.0;
a TOEFL Internet-based score of 80 for undergraduate and postgraduate coursework programs, and 90 for postgraduate research candidates with a minimum score of 25 in the writing section.
a TOEFL computer-based score of 213 and Essay Rating of 5;
an Academic IELTS (International English Language Testing System) overall score of at least 6.0, and with no score below 5.5;
a Combined Universities Admission Test (CULT) overall score of at least 65;
a C pass in English at the GCE ‘A’ level examinations in either Singapore or the United Kingdom;
completion of the International Baccalaureate diploma with English A2 at higher or sub. Level;
a C pass in ‘Use of English’ in the Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE);
completion of the UNSW Foundation Studies Certificate with a C pass in ‘Use of English’;
completion of an AQF Certificate IV (including English for Academic Purposes);
successful completion of at least one year of study in a course at Associate Diploma or Diploma level on the Register of Australian Tertiary Education;
a score of 155 in the verbal component of the STAT test;
a Pass grade in the Uniworld English College English for Tertiary Entrance course; or
IRI Diploma of English.

An applicant who does not otherwise meet the University’s requirements may be admitted on the recommendation of the Dean of the appropriate faculty.

Attainment and experience

You may also be admitted to a course based on other attainments and experience. These may include:

voluntary or paid work experience;
performance in tests and examinations conducted by professional recognised bodies;
participation in continuing education programs and/or staff development programs conducted by adult education agencies, consultancies, professional bodies or employers;
completion of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT).

Internet access

CSU places great emphasis on services to its students. It is a leader in the provision of online services and, in particular, the use of the internet in the support of teaching, administration and communications with students.

The online environment is so integrated into all aspects of student life and the learning experience at CSU that the University now assumes that all on campus and distance education students at CSU will have ongoing access to an internet connected computer capable of communicating with CSU online systems.

Students enrolled in Information Technology subjects (i.e. with an ITC subject code) may be required to have additional hardware and/or software that is deemed essential for the completion of the learning activities in that subject.

Study through	Wagga Wagga
Study mode and normal course duration	4 years distance education
Course code	ETVQ
Fees	Commonwealth supported place Fee paying Students may be eligible for FEE-HELP
Session available	February/July (Semester basis)
Apply through	CSU Admissions Office
UAI cut-offs	N/A

Study through	Wagga Wagga
Study mode and normal course duration	4 years distance education - offshore
Course code	Program code: 5102VT
Fees	Offshore - see fees list
Session available	February/July (Semester basis)
Apply through	CSU International Admissions
UAI cut-offs	N/A