Brock University, through the Department of Biological Sciences, offers an undergraduate program that leads to an Honours BSc in Oenology and Viticulture. This program is designed to meet the growing needs of the grape and wine industries in Canada and abroad. The aim of the program is to provide a comprehensive scientific education as well as practical skills in Oenology and Viticulture together with exposure to marketing, tourism and wine appreciation. Since wine begins in the field and ends in the glass, our graduates are trained to work in the vineyard and the winery or may become owners and operators of vineyards and wineries themselves. A unique feature of this program is its strong base in biotechnology which has been used for centuries in fermentation and the making of bread, wine and cheese. It encompasses the scientific disciplines pertaining to the grape and wine industry such as sensory science, biochemistry, chemistry, microbiology, genetics, cell and molecular biology, plant physiology and environmental biology. The program can enable our graduates to pursue graduate education in any of these disciplines.

Students may elect to complete a Co-op option with their degree.

Industry experience is an essential part of our students’ preparation. To gain that experience students may elect to complete a Co-op option with their degree. Co-op students will participate in a minimum of three work terms as indicated in the program of study. At least one work term will be in a vineyard setting and a second term will be at a winery during the harvest and crush.

These work terms will be paid positions providing a meaningful, academically relevant employment experience within the grape and wine industry. The primary goal of the Oenology and Viticulture Co-op Program is to arrange and monitor placements within the Canadian industry. However, suitable international work terms may be used to meet the program requirements. In addition to the current fees for courses in academic study terms, students are assessed an administrative fee (see the Schedule of Fees).

For more information please consult the OEVI Academic advisor and visit the Brock University Co-operative Programs site.

For admission from high school, the normal requirement is an average of 80 per cent on six credits including 1 Mathematics (minimum 70 per cent), 1 Chemistry (minimum 70 per cent) and 2 from Biology, Physics or another Mathematics.

Students may apply for admission to Year 2 of the Oenology and Viticulture program upon completion of Year 1 of an appropriate science program, or completion of a previous related degree at another university.  Transfer credit is awarded on a case by case basis and may not exceed 5.0 credits (out of the required 20.0 credits).

Application to the program is completed through the Ontario Universities’ Application Center website.

Current Ontario high school students will use form 101; applicants not currently in an Ontario high school will use form 105.

For more information on the OEVI program and links to course descriptions see the appropriate section in the Brock University Undergraduate Calendar.

The OEVI program is one of the most supported Brock programs as far as scholarships are concerned. Scholarships, awards and bursaries are based on academic merit but also financial needs.

An example are the Cuvee scholarships awarded annually to three students (two degree, one certificate) based upon academic merit and volunteer and other experiences within the grape and wine industry.

A search for scholarships available to OEVI students can be done through the Awards Search page.

The Certificate in Grape and Wine Technology provides the opportunity for individuals with an existing science degree to gain the training necessary to enter the grape and wine industry or for those with industry experience to upgrade their knowledge. All courses meeting Certificate requirements can be directly transferred to the Degree program if students choose to pursue the degree.

The program is designed so that it may be completed in one calendar year for full-time students. Part-time study is also an option.

Students can choose from two streams of study: Course Only or Internship Option.

Students will be admitted to the Certificate Program who:

• have completed an undergraduate degree in biological sciences ,chemistry or another subject area related to the grape and wine industry (e.g., biotechnology, biochemistry, food science, agricultural science, etc.) or
• are admissible to the University and have relevant, substantial work experience in the grape and wine industry.

Transfer credit may be awarded upon admission for up to 1.0 credit (of the required 5.0 credits)

Application to the program is completed using an internal Brock University application.  Normally only September start dates are considered.  Deadline for application is the first week of school, however it is recommended to have your application completed by July 1^st to ensure smooth entry into the program.

Students must maintain a minimum 70 per cent average of the required and additional courses listed below to continue in the certificate program. The certificate is awarded upon completion of 5.0 credits with a minimum 70 per cent overall average. This can include up to 1.0 transfer credits.

Required Courses (4.0 credits)

Fall semester (September to December)

• OEVI 1P20: Introduction to Wines
• OEVI 2P99: Grapevine Biology
• OEVI 3P25: Wine Chemistry
• OEVI 4P20: Sensory Evaluation of Wine

Winter semester (January to April)

• OEVI 2P45: Cultural Practices
• OEVI 3P21: Wine Processing and Equipment
• OEVI 3P98: Wine Microbiology

Summer semester (May to August)

• OEVI 4P30: Grape Pest Management

 Plus 1.0 additional credits from

• OEVI/GEOG 2P97: Introduction to Soil Science (Winter)
• OEVI/MKTG 4P92: Wine Marketing (Winter)
• or any BCHM, BIOL, BTEC or CHEM courses numbered 2(alpha)00 or above.

Students who choose the Internship Option must complete OEVI 0N41: Grape and Wine Technology Internship

For more information please consult the OEVI Academic Advisor.

Okanagan College:
A Memorandum of Understanding exists between Okanagan College and Brock University that provides for:

• A degree completion whereby Okanagan College students who have completed one or two years of an appropriate BSc program may enrol in Brock’s OEVI undergraduate degree program.

Niagara College:
Provisions exist whereby graduates of the Niagara College Winery and Viticulture Technician Diploma program and who have achieved a minimum average of 80 per cent may be admitted to OEVI programs with advanced standing.

Lincoln University – Canterbury, New Zealand:
A Memorandum of Understanding exists between Lincoln University and Brock University that provides for:

• A student exchange program that permits the reciprocal exchange of undergraduate students and
• The exchange of both faculty and staff for teaching or research.

Etablissement National d’Enseigement Supérieur Agronomique de Dijon (ENESAD) – Dijon, France:
An Exchange Agreement exists between ENESAD and Brock University that provides for:

• A student exchange program that permits the reciprocal exchange of undergraduate students and
• The exchange of faculty for teaching and/or research.

Università degli Studi di Udine – Udine, Italy:
An Exchange Agreement exists between the Università degli Studi di Udine and Brock University that provides for:

• A student exchange program that permits the reciprocal exchange of undergraduate students and
• The exchange of faculty for teaching and/or research.

Eastern Institute of Technology- Napier, New Zealand:
An Exchange Agreement exists between the Eastern Institute of Technology and Brock University that provides for:

• A student exchange program that permits the reciprocal exchange of undergraduate students and
• The exchange of faculty for teaching and/or research.

Ecole d’Ingénieurs de Changins / Haute Ecole Spécialisée de Suisse Occidentale—Nyon, Switzerland :
An Exchange Agreement exists between the Eastern Institute of Technology and Brock University that provides for:

• A student exchange program that permits the reciprocal exchange of both undergraduate and graduate students (MSc level) and
• The exchange of faculty for teaching and/or research.