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Viticulture/Enology

College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences


 

QUICK JUMP
  Viticulture/Enology
  Requirements and Core Classes
  Careers in Viticulture/Enology
  Suggested Strengths, Interests, and Preparation
  Scholarships and Financial Aid
  Related Fields of Study That Might Interest You
  Contact Information

Viticulture/Enology

Viticulture and enology is the study of growing and cultivating grapes together with the study of wines and winemaking. WSU’s departments of Biological Systems Engineering, Crop and Soil Sciences, Food Science and Human Nutrition, and Horticulture and Landscape Architecture offer this option jointly. Core courses expose students to grapevine physiology and production, microclimate and terroir, the biochemistry of fruit and wine, microbiology and wine processing, and vineyard and winery management systems. Students are also required to complete internships in a vineyard and a winery to acquire practical hands-on skills.

• Offered at WSU: Bachelor of science in horticulture with viticulture/enology option
• Available at: Pullman, WSU Tri-Cities

Requirements and Core Classes

—Bachelor of Science in Horticulture with the Viticulture/Enology Option

• Freshman Year:
Biol 120—Introduction to Botany
Chem 101—Introduction to Chemistry
     or Chem 105—Principles of Chemistry I
Engl 101—Introductory Writing
GenEd 110 and 111—World Civilizations I and II
Chem 102—Chemistry Related to Life Sciences
     or Chem 106—Principles of Chemistry II
ComSt 102—Public Speaking: Theory, Models, and Practice
     or H D 205—Communication in Human Relations
Computer science elective
Hort 201—Introduction to Horticultural Science

• Sophomore Year:
Two arts and humanities or one social sciences general education requirement (GER)
Chem 240—Elementary Organic Chemistry
Hort 334—Controlled Environments for Horticultural Production
Hort 313—Viticulture and Small Fruits
SoilS 201—Soil: A Living System
Ag Ec 201—Economics in Agriculture
     or Econ 102—Fundamentals of Macroeconomics
Biol 320—Introductory Plant Physiology
Hort 251—Plant Propagation
Math proficiency GER

• Junior Year:
AgTM 325—Vineyard and Winery Equipment Systems
Biol 150—Evolution
     or MBioS 301—General Genetics
Hort 356—Preparation for Entering the Horticulture Profession
Intercultural GER
MBioS 303—Introductory Biochemistry
Pl P 429—General Plant Pathology
Complete Writing Portfolio
Entom 340—Agricultural Entomology
FSHN 465—Wine Microbiology and Processing
     or Hort 435—Chemistry and Biochemistry of Fruit and Wine
Hort 413—Advanced Viticulture
MBioS 302—General Microbiology
SoilS 441—Soil Fertility
Hort 399—Professional Work Experience (Summer Session)

• Senior Year:
FSHN 495—Internship in Food Science and Human Nutrition
Hort 418—Postharvest Biology and Technology
Horticulture elective
Tier III course GER
FSHN 465— Wine Microbiology and Processing
     or Hort 435— Chemistry and Biochemistry of Fruit and Wine\
Hort 409—Viticulture and Enology Seminar Series
Hort 416—Advanced Horticultural Crop Physiology
Hort 425—Future World Trends and Horticultural Impact
Elective

NOTE: Students must meet course requirements outlined in the General Catalog to graduate.

Careers in Viticulture/Enology

Students who graduate with the bachelor of science in horticulture with the viticulture/enology option can expect to contribute their skills immediately in the wine grape growing/wine production industry, one of the most rapidly growing sectors of the Washington agricultural economy. In 1998 Washington surpassed New York as the second largest wine-producing state in the nation, and Washington wines have acquired an international reputation for their quality.

Suggested Strengths, Interests, and Preparation

• Interest in becoming part of a vital, growing grape industry
• Interest in a science-based and practical four-year degree program
• Interest in research and development opportunities in the wine industry

Scholarships and Financial Aid

The College of Agriculture and Home Economics awards more than $400,000 to first-year and continuing CAHE students. Incoming freshmen with a GPA of 3.60 or higher are eligible to apply for the prestigious Dean’s Award Scholarship. Other scholarships may be awarded on the basis of county residency, need, or other membership criteria and do not require high GPAs. Some departmental scholarships are also available and may not be dependent on GPA. CAHE students are also encouraged to apply for University-wide scholarships and financial aid.

Related Fields of Study That Might Interest You

• Botany
• Food Science
• Horticulture

Contact Information
Viticulture/Enology Program
Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture
College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences
Washington State University
149 Johnson Hall
PO Box 646414
Pullman, WA 99164-6414
hobart@wsu.edu
509-335-9502
 
hobart@wsu.edu
 
holdenk@wsu.edu
 

Strengths of the Program

  • The bachelor of science in horticulture with a viticulture/enology option offers the student flexibility in background and employment options.
  • The viticulture/enology option is the first program of its kind in the Pacific Northwest. Courses address the unique cool climate of Washington’s viticultural regions.
  • Viticulture/enology majors gain technical, scientific, and practical experience during their course of study, including internships in vineyards and wineries.
  • You can join a math, science, and engineering community residence hall at WSU Pullman—share classes with your neighbors, study together, get free tutoring, and use the hall’s computer lab.
Office of Enrollment Management, PO Box 641067, Washington State University, Pullman WA 99164-1067, 888-GO TO WSU (888-468-6978), Contact Us