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Major Specific Information

From Study Abroad to Senior Projects 

Each academic department and degree program is developed with specific course requirements, policies and processes designed to ensure success in the classroom, fields and labs as well as in industry post-graduation.

Click each major below and see specific information about the program's senior project and internship requirements, as well as the study abroad, credential program and minor opportunities. This is also where you can learn about course substitutes, Credit/ No Credit options and how to change you major.

Academic Departments

Select from the 15 College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences majors and see the specific information pertaining to each.

Agricultural Business

Study Abroad

Must be pre approved. Contact
International Center
Approved Elective: Up to 4 units in the 3000-4000 Agribusiness elective area.  Get approval from crhooper@calpoly.edu

Credit / No Credit

See Registrar's Office table

Course Substitutions

There are currently no pre-approved courses.
Contact Craig Hooper, crhooper@calpoly.edu, to request a course substitution. 

Change of Major

See more information on CAFES Academic Advising Change of Major webpage

Senior Project

Courses: AGB 4462 or AGB 4463

Internships

Internships are not required for the Agribusiness major. Email cafesadvising@calpoly.edu with further questions.

Double Major

Students can double major if they can demonstrate the ability to complete both majors within their allotted time according to the university's expected academic progress policy.
The student must contact the department of the new major to confirm approval.

Minor

Contact Sean Hurley at shurley@calpoly.edu for more information


 

Agricultural Communication

Credential and Masters Programs

For Master of Agricultural Education: contact Dr. Erin Gorter ekthomps@calpoly.edu
For Agricultural Education Credential Program: contact Dr. Nicole Ray nray04@calpoly.edu

Study Abroad

Must be pre approved. Contact International Center

Minor

Agricultural Communication 2022-2026 Catalog

2026-2028 Catalog
Dr. Moses Mike, mmike@calpoly.edu 2.0 GPA minimum. At least half of units must be upper division at Cal Poly.  2022-2026 Form
Agricultural Education 2022-2026 Catalog

2026-2028 Catalog
Dr. Nicole Ray, nray04@calpoly.edu 2.0 GPA minimum. At least half of units must be upper division at Cal Poly.  2022-2026 Form
Agricultural Leadership 2022-2026 Catalog

2026-2028 Catalog
Dr. Erin Gorter, ekthomps@calpoly.edu 2.0 GPA minimum. At least half of units must be upper division at Cal Poly.  2022-2026 Form

Credit / No Credit

See Registrar's Credit / No Credit webpage for more information.

Course Substitutions

There are currently no pre-approved courses.
Contact Brian Swan, bswan@calpoly.edu, to request a course substitution. 
If the course is approved, contact cafesadvising@calpoly.edu with course information to start the form process

Senior Project

Course: AGC 4463, research based course
Students must enroll in AGC 4463 even if working independently with alternative faculty to meet course objectives.

Internship

Course: AGC 3339 1-12 Units Credit / No Credit only Contact Ben Swan, bswan@calpoly.edu, for more information. 

Double Major

Contact Ben Swan, bswan@calpoly.edu, for more information. 
Agricultural Science

Study Abroad

Must be pre approved. Contact International Center

Minor

Agricultural Communication 2022-2026 Catalog

2026-2028 Catalog
Dr. Moses Mike, mmike@calpoly.edu 2.0 GPA minimum. At least half of units must be upper division at Cal Poly.  2022-2026 Form
Agricultural Education 2022-2026 Catalog

2026-2028 Catalog
Dr. Nicole Ray, nray04@calpoly.edu 2.0 GPA minimum. At least half of units must be upper division at Cal Poly.  2022-2026 Form
Agricultural Leadership 2022-2026 Catalog

2026-2028 Catalog
Dr. Erin Gorter, ekthomps@calpoly.edu 2.0 GPA minimum. At least half of units must be upper division at Cal Poly.  2022-2026 Form

Credit / No Credit

See Registrar's Office table

Course Substitutions

There are currently no pre-approved courses.
Contact Natalie Hall, nehall@calpoly.edu, to request a course substitution. 

Change of Major

See more information on CAFES Academic Advising Change of Major webpage

Senior Project

Course: AGC 4463, research based course
Students must enroll in AGC 4463 even if working independently with alternative faculty to meet course objectives.

Internships

Course: AGC 3339 (NOT REQUIRED)
Internships are not required but students can get credit if they enroll in AGC 3339. Contact Ben Swan, bswan@calpoly.edu, for approval. 

Double Major

Contact Ben Swan, bswan@calpoly.edu, for more information. 
Agricultural Systems Management

Study Abroad

Contact Department Head Peter Livingston, paliving@calpoly.edu or cafesadvising@calpoly.edu

Credit / No Credit

One General Education course can be taken credit / no credit.

Course Substitutions

There are currently no pre-approved courses.
Contact Department Head Peter Livingston, paliving@calpoly.edu and CC, Tina Pedersen, tepeders@calpoly.edu, to request a course substitution. 

Change of Major

Contact Department Head Peter Livingston, paliving@calpoly.edu. See more information on CAFES Academic Advising Change of Major webpage

Senior Project

Courses: BRAE 460/461

Internships

Contact Department Head Peter Livingston, paliving@calpoly.edu or cafesadvising@calpoly.edu

Double Major

Contact Department Head Peter Livingston, paliving@calpoly.edu for approval. 
Animal Science

Study Abroad

Must be pre approved. Contact International Center
Contact Dr. Kim Sprayberry, D.V.M., kspraybe@calpoly.edu, for more information.

Credit / No Credit

See Registrar's Office table

Course Substitutions

There are currently no pre-approved courses.
Students changing majors into Animal Science, can request approval of an orientation course or a free elective for ASCI 1100.

Students graduating Fall 2026, Spring 2027 or Summer 2027 
In addition to upper division ASCI or DSCI, students can choose up to two courses to count in the Approved Electives area that are upper division:  BIO, CHEM, NR, BRAE, AGB, or AGC.
Once approved, contact cafesadvising@calpoly.edu, to start form process. 

Senior Project

Courses 
ASCI 4477: Research Experience in Animal Science

ASCI 4478: Advanced Internship Experience in Animal Science

ASCI 4479: Current Issues in Animal Science
ASCI 4477: Contact the professor you are interested in doing research with.

ASCI 4478: Contact Dr. Kim Sprayberry, D.V.M., kspraybe@calpoly.edu, for approval.

Internships

Course: ASCI 3339, up to three units in approved electives
Contact Dr Ike Kang, ikang01@calpoly.edu, for approval. 
A combined maximum of three units may count from ASCI 3339, ASCI 4001, ASCI 4002, ASCI 4003, ASCI 4004, ASCI 4005, ASCI 4006, ASCI 4007, ASCI 4008, ASCI 4009, ASCI 4010, ASCI 4011, ASCI 4012, ASCI 4013, ASCI 4014, and ASCI 4015 towards the Approved Electives requirement.
Visit the Animal Science Internship webpage for more information.

Double Major

Animal Science is not offered as a double major. 
BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

Study Abroad

Contact cafesadvising@calpoly.edu with inquiries

Credit / No Credit

One General Education course can be taken credit / no credit.

Course Substitutions

There are currently no pre-approved courses.
Contact Department Head Peter Livingston, paliving@calpoly.edu and CC, Tina Pedersen, tepeders@calpoly.edu, to request a course substitution. 

Change of Major

Contact Department Head Peter Livingston, paliving@calpoly.edu. See more information on CAFES Academic Advising Change of Major webpage

Senior Project

Courses: BRAE 460/461

Internships

Contact Department Head Peter Livingston, paliving@calpoly.edu with inquiries

Double Major

A BRAE double major is not encourage. Contact Department Head Peter Livingston, paliving@calpoly.edu for approval. 
Dairy Science

Study Abroad

Study Abroad courses can count in approved electives area.
Contact Dr. David Vagnoni, dvagnoni@calpoly.edu, for pre approval

Credit / No Credit

See Registrar's Office table

Course Substitutions

Contact Meagan Groom, groom@calpoly.edu, to request a course substitution. 

Change of Major

See CAFES Academic Advising Change of Major webpage for more information. 

Senior Project

Courses 
ASCI 4477: Research Experience in Animal Science

ASCI 4479: Current Issues in Animal Science

Internships

Course: ASCI 3339 Contact Dr. David Vagnoni, dvagnoni@calpoly.edu

Double Major

Dairy Science is not offered as a double major.
Environmental Earth and Soil Sciences

Study Abroad

Only Study Abroad courses that cover general education and a major class (i.e. UD-2/5, UD-4) may substitute for a major course.
All Study Abroad courses with environmental sciences, sustainability, language, and culture can be substituted as a pre-approved elective. 
Contact Maria Grando, mgrando@calpoly.edu, for pre approval

Credit / No Credit

One general education course can be taken Credit / No Credit. See Registrar's Office table

Course Substitutions

Contact Maria Grando, mgrando@calpoly.edu, to request a course substitution. 

Concentration Declaration

It’s recommended to wait on declaring your concentration to avoid potential impacts to your registration date. Please discuss with Maria Grando, mgrando@calpoly.edu.

Change of Major

To switch into the Environmental Earth & Soil Sciences major, you must meet the following requirements

 

1. Complete three of the courses below with a grade of C or better
Course 1 - Choose one of the following: ERSC 144, SS 120, or GEOL 201
Course 2 - Choose one of the following: BOT 121, SS 120, or CHEM 127
Course 3 - Choose one of the following: MATH 141, or MATH 161

2. Achieve a minimum cumulative Cal Poly GPA of 2.3.

3. Student must be able to complete degree requirements in a timely manner.

 

Once you meet these requirements, you may submit an inquiry to initiate an Individual Change of Major Agreement (ICMA)
 

If you have not met course requirements you may request a one- or two-quarter ICMA contract to fulfill the requirements.

If one quarter contract is initiated, you must achieve a minimum GPA of 2.3 with full time enrollment (12 or more units).

With a two quarter contract, you must achieve a minimum cumulative Cal Poly GPA of 2.3 for the two quarters combined with full-time enrollment (12 or more units each quarter).

See CAFES Academic Advising Change of Major webpage for more information. 

Senior Project

Courses 
ERSC/NR 4478: Current Topics in Environmental Science

ERSC/NR 4479: Independent Study

Internships

Course: NR 3339
Contact Department Head, Dr. Jeremy James, jjames20@calpoly.edu, for permission to enroll.

Double Major

Get approval from both departments, then contact advisor for form process. if you are adding another NRES major, provide graduation plan to advisor.
Environmental Management and Protection

Study Abroad

Only Study Abroad courses that cover general education and a major class (i.e. UD-2/5, UD-4) may substitute for a major course.
For 2026-2028 four semester units of Study Abroad courses may by substituted into a student's concentration. 
Contact Austin Joseph Ferguson, aufergus@calpoly.edu, or Dr. Nicholas Babin, nbabin@calpoly.edu, for additional information

Credit / No Credit

One general education course can be taken Credit / No Credit. See Registrar's Office table

Course Substitutions

For classes that are aligned with a concentration contact Dr. Nicholas Babin, nbabin@calpoly.edu, for approval.
Contact Austin Joseph Ferguson, aufergus@calpoly.edu, to request a course substitution. 
After the class substitution has been approved email cafesadvising@calpoly.edu to start form process. 

Concentration Declaration

It’s recommended to wait on declaring your concentration to avoid potential impacts to your registration date. Please discuss with Austin Ferguson, aufergus@calpoly.edu.
Concentration Options:
Conservation Science and Management
Corporate Environmental Management
Environmental Data Science
Environmental Law Justice and Policy
Sustainable Agriculture
Sustainable Urban Development and Planning
Water Science Management

Change of Major

To switch into the Environmental Management and Protection major, you must meet the following requirements

1. Complete three of the courses below with a grade of C or better
Course 1 - Choose one of the following: NR 142 (offered Fall only), or NR 215
Course 2 - Choose one of the following: BIO 161 or BOT 121 (depending on concentration interest), or CHEM 127, or SS 120
Course 3 - Choose one of the following: MATH 141, MATH 161 or MATH 221

2. Achieve a minimum cumulative Cal Poly GPA of 2.8.

3. Student must be able to complete degree requirements in a timely manner.

 

Once you meet these requirements, you may submit an inquiry to initiate an Individual Change of Major Agreement (ICMA)
 

If you have not met course requirements you may request a one- or two-quarter ICMA contract to fulfill the requirements.

If one quarter contract is initiated, you must achieve a minimum GPA of 2.8 with full time enrollment (12 or more units).

With a two quarter contract, you must achieve a minimum cumulative Cal Poly GPA of 2.8 for the two quarters combined with full-time enrollment (12 or more units each quarter).

See CAFES Academic Advising Change of Major webpage for more information. 

Senior Project

Courses
NR 4460: Watershed Assessment and Protection
NR 4462: Applied Resource Analysis and Assessment
NR 4463: Ecological Restoration
NR 4464: Environmental Policy Analysis
NR 4465: Ecosystem Management 

Internships

Course: NR 3339 Contact Department Head, Dr. Jeremy James, jjames20@calpoly.edu, for permission to enroll.

Double Major

Get approval from both departments, then contact advisor for form process. if you are adding another NRES major, provide graduation plan to advisor.
Experience Industry Management

Key Prerequisites 

EIM 2210 is a prerequisite for several upper division courses

EIM 3360 is a prerequisite for EIM 4424 and EIM 4460

1,000 Volunteer Hours

The Experience Industry Management program requires all students to complete 1,000 hours of work in the industry. Students are required to keep a log of their hours and can start counting hours one day after high school graduation. These hours must be completed before their internship. These can be volunteer or paid hours, but must be in Experience Industry Management industries. 

Study Abroad

Must be pre approved. Contact International Center
Contact Dr. Jerusha Greenwood, jbgreenw@calpoly.edu, for pre approval of approved electives. 
Only approved electives are eligible for Study Abroad. 

Credit / No Credit

See Registrar's Office table

Course Substitutions

Contact Dr. Jerusha Greenwood, jbgreenw@calpoly.edu, to request a course substitution approval. 
Once the substitution is approved email cafesadvising@calpoly.edu to start the form process

Change of Major

See CAFES Academic Advising Change of Major webpage for more information. 

Senior Project

Course: EIM 4460
Contact department for permission code and enrollment. Professor sends email out every term to reserve your spot in the upcoming terms enrollment.

Internships

Course: EIM 4465
Internship, EIM 4465, is the final course to be taken at Cal Poly prior to graduating. Students will earn 12 units, while working 40 hours a week, full time for minimum of 10 weeks with an approved employer. Must take EIM 4463 (1 unit) at least 1 term prior to internship term. Past internships do not count, it must be coordinated through Dr. Jerusha Greenwood, jbgreenw@calpoly.edu.

Declare Concentration

Concentration Options:
Event Planning and Management
Sport and Recreation Management
Tourism Hospitality and Destination Management

Double Major

Experience Industry Management is not offered as a double major.
Food Science

Study Abroad

Study Abroad is only available in summer.
See Study Abroad Advisor, THEN Major Advisor, Amy Lammert alammert@calpoly.edu or Cathy Bartholomew bartholo@calpoly.edu, before committing to a Study Abroad term to make sure you can graduate in a timely manner before adding a study abroad plan in a traditional term.
Contact International Center

Credit / No Credit

One general education course can be taken Credit / No Credit. See Registrar's Office table

Course Substitutions

Pre-approved courses: FSN 4407 substitute Math 118
Start by contacting your faculty advisor, Dr. Amy Lammert alammert@calpoly.edu and Academic Advisor, Cathy Bartholomew bartholo@calpoly.edu
Once the substitution is approved email cafesadvising@calpoly.edu to start the form process

Change of Major

Complete the Change of Major Portal Inquiry to be on the radar for an email follow up from Brie Teh, bteh@calpoly.edu
See CAFES Academic Advising Change of Major webpage for more information. 

Senior Project

For the Advanced, Sustainability and Tech concentrations in Food Science: 
FDSC 4460: Senior Project Scientific and Technical Writing
FDSC 4461: Senior Project Research
FDSC 4462: Senior Project Internship

Culinology concentrations may ONLY do the Internship Senior Project.
Contact department for approval in advance

Internships

Culinology concentration is required to do a senior project internship course during their senior year. The course is asynchronous and offered fall, spring and summer terms. Other Food Science concentrations may opt for the Internship Senior Project as well.
Contact Brie Teh, bteh@calpoly.edu, to be added to the Food Science Senior Project Internship Canvas Portal.
Contact Samir Amin, samin02@calpoly.edu, for any questions on internship courses and/or senior project internship.
Culinology concentration requires an internship, other concentrations optional.

Declare Concentration

Concentration Options:
Culinology
Food Safety
Sustainable Food Technology
To add or double a concentration, go to Concentration Declaration form link.  To swap a concentration, first go to Drop Concentration Form link; next go to "Add Concentration Form Link".

Double Major

Double major is discouraged for Food Science.

Permission Numbers

For permission numbers to waive a hold or get into a closed class within the Food Science major, students will always need to email the following advisors: 
The Food Science professor
The Food Science Department Head, Dr. Kari Pilolla, kpilolla@calpoly.edu
Devin Scattini, drscatti@calpoly.edu, the Department ASC who distributes the permission number
Cathy Bartholomew, bartholo@calpoly.edu, the Academic Advisor
Forest and Fire Science

Study Abroad

Must be pre approved. Contact International Center
Only Study Abroad courses that cover general education and a major class (i.e. UD-2/5, UD-4) may substitute for a major course.
Maximum of four units of study abroad can be substituted in concentration-approved electives. Students must get pre approved from faculty advisor Dr. Chris Surfleet, csurflee@calpoly.edu

Credit / No Credit

One general education course can be taken Credit / No Credit. See Registrar's Office table

Course Substitutions

ECON 2001 use NR 3326. Wildland fires concentration approved electives any UD NRES course.
Start by reaching out to Austin Joseph Ferguson, aufergus@calpoly.edu
Contact faculty advisor Richard Cobb, rccobb@calpoly.edu, to request a course substitution. 
After the class substitution has been approved email cafesadvising@calpoly.edu to start form process. 

Concentration Declaration

It’s recommended to wait on declaring your concentration to avoid potential impacts to your registration date. Please discuss with Austin Ferguson, aufergus@calpoly.edu.
Concentration Options:
Forest Resources
Water Science
Wildland Fire

Change of Major

To switch into the Forest and Fire Science major, you must meet the following requirements

1. Complete three of the courses below with a grade of C or better
Course 1 - Choose one of the following: NR 141 (offered Fall only), or NR 215
Course 2 - Choose one of the following: BOT 121, CHEM 127, or SS 120
Course 3 - Choose one of the following: MATH 141, MATH 161 or MATH 221

2. Achieve a minimum cumulative Cal Poly GPA of 2.3.

3. Student must be able to complete degree requirements in a timely manner.

 

Once you meet these requirements, you may submit an inquiry to initiate an Individual Change of Major Agreement (ICMA)
 

If you have not met course requirements you may request a one- or two-quarter ICMA contract to fulfill the requirements.

If one quarter contract is initiated, you must achieve a minimum GPA of 2.3 with full time enrollment (12 or more units).

With a two quarter contract, you must achieve a minimum cumulative Cal Poly GPA of 2.3 for the two quarters combined with full-time enrollment (12 or more units each quarter).

See CAFES Academic Advising Change of Major webpage for more information. 

Senior Project

Courses
NR 4460: Watershed Assessment and Protection
NR 4466: Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Protection
NR 4475: Forest Stewardship Practices

Internships

Course: NR 3339
Contact Department Head, Dr. Jeremy James, jjames20@calpoly.edu, for permission to enroll.

Double Major

Get approval from both departments, then contact advisor for form process. if you are adding another NRES major, provide graduation plan to advisor.
Nutrition

Study Abroad

Study Abroad is only available in summer. 
See Study Abroad Advisor, then Major Advisor before committing to a Study Abroad term to make sure you can graduate in a timely manner before adding a study abroad plan in a traditional term.
Contact International Center
Foreign Language can be substituted for some concentrations. See Cathy Bartholomew bartholo@calpoly.edu, after study abroad advisor.

Credit / No Credit

One general education course can be taken Credit / No Credit. See Registrar's Office table

Course Substitutions

Pre-approved courses: Any UD approved elective above and beyond requirement can meet FSN 381.
Start by contacting your faculty advisor, Dr. Kari Pilolla, kpilolla@calpoly.edu, and Academic Advisor, Cathy Bartholomew bartholo@calpoly.edu
Once the substitution is approved email cafesadvising@calpoly.edu to start the form process

Change of Major

Complete the Change of Major Portal Inquiry to be on the radar for an email follow up from Brie Teh, bteh@calpoly.edu.

Nutrition is a very popular major, therefore spring enrollment numbers drive whether the major will be opened each year. Fall term is when most second year students start/complete the application process once seat availability is determined.
See CAFES Academic Advising Change of Major webpage for more information. 

Senior Project

FSN 4460: Senior Project Scientific and Technical Writing
NUTR 4461: Senior Project Research
NUTR 4462: Senior Project Internship

Culinology concentrations may ONLY do the Internship Senior Project.
FSN 4460 should only be completed in Fall or Spring of your senior year.  Senior project is one term. Depending on Senior Project Faculty Advisor availability, you may be assigned to a senior project cohort term.
Contact department for approval in advance

Internships

There are no formal internship courses for Nutrition.

Declare Concentration

Concentration Options:
Dietetic
Nutrition and Pre-Health Sciences
To add a concentration, go to Concentration Declaration form link.  To swap a concentration, first go to Drop Concentration Form link; next go to "Add Concentration Form Link".

Double Major

Double major is discouraged for Food Science.

Pre Health

Science or Pre-health Nutrition students are encouraged to reach out to Health Professions Advising to determine Organic Chem preferences and approved electives appropriate for post grad applications and/or health profession careers.

Permission Numbers

For permission numbers to waive a hold or get into a closed class within the Food Science major, students will always need to email the following advisors: 
The Food Science professor
The Food Science Department Head, Dr. Kari Pilolla, kpilolla@calpoly.edu
Devin Scattini, drscatti@calpoly.edu, the Department ASC who distributes the permission number
Cathy Bartholomew, bartholo@calpoly.edu, the Academic Advisor
Plant Sciences

Study Abroad

Contact International Center
Contact Maria Grando, mgrando@calpoly.edu, for pre approval

Credit / No Credit

One general education course can be taken Credit / No Credit. See Registrar's Office table

Course Substitutions

Doing a course substitution for approved electives has a different form for each concentration. Students must talk to their concentration faculty advisor first before filling out these links.  
Fruit and Crop Science Faculty Advisor: Dr. Lauren Garner, lgarner@calpoly.edu 
Environmental Horticultural Science Faculty Advisor: Dr. Benjamin Hoover bkhoover@calpoly.edu
Plant Protection Science Faculty Advisor: Dr. Ryan Perry rkperry@calpoly.edu 

Senior Project

PLSC 4461: Senior Project I
PLSC 4462: Senior Project II
A permission code from a faculty advisor is required for Senior Project II.

Internships

PLSC 3339: Internship in Plant Sciences (1-12 units)
Up to 4 units can count towards approved electives. 
Contact the concentration faculty advisor
Fruit and Crop Science Faculty Advisor: Dr. Lauren Garner, lgarner@calpoly.edu 
Environmental Horticultural Science Faculty Advisor: Dr. Benjamin Hoover bkhoover@calpoly.edu
Plant Protection Science Faculty Advisor: Dr. Ryan Perry rkperry@calpoly.edu 

Declare Concentration

Concentration Options:
Fruit and Crop Science
Environmental Horticultural Science
Plant Protection Science
To add a concentration, go to Concentration Declaration form link.  

Double Major

Double major is not allowed in Plant Sciences.
Wine and Viticulture

Study Abroad

Contact International Center
Contact Department Head Dr. Benoit Lecat, blecat@calpoly.edu, for pre approval

Credit / No Credit

See Registrar's Office table

Course Substitutions

Contact Department Head Dr. Benoit Lecat, blecat@calpoly.edu, to request a course substitution.
Contact Craig Hooper, crhooper@calpoly.edu, once given approval.

Senior Project

WVIT 4460: Senior Project - Wine Business 
WVIT 4464: Senior Project - Enology and Viticulture
WVIT 4465: Senior Project - Research Experience in Enology or Viticulture 
A permission code from a faculty advisor is required for Senior Project II.

Internships

WVIT 3339: Internship in Wine and Viticulture 
Internships are a requirement for all Wine and Viticulture students. 
Students must get internship approval from the department internship coordinator, Adrienne Ferrara, alferrar@calpoly.edu

Declare Concentration

Concentration Options:
Viticulture
Enology
Wine Business
To add a concentration, go to Concentration Declaration form link.  

Double Major

Double major is not allowed in Wine and Viticulture.