UC Davis Postharvest Courses

Fall

Food Science 131: Food Packaging
Principles of food packaging. Functions of packaging. Properties of metal, glass, paper and plastic materials and packages. Design, fabrication, and applications of food packaging. Packaging of fresh and processed foods including fruits and vegetables, dairy foods, beer and wine.

Plant Sciences 172: Postharvest Physiology and Technology
Overview of physiological processes related to maturation and senescence of plant products and their responses to postharvest stresses. Targeted approaches and technologies to maintain product quality and limit postharvest disorders.

Plant Sciences 174: Microbiology and Safety of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
Overview of microorganisms on fresh produce, pre- and postharvest factors influencing risk of microbial contamination, attachment of microorganisms to produce, multiplication during postharvest handling and storage, and methods of detection. Mock outbreak trial and presentation of science-based forensic discovery.

Plant Sciences 201: Plant Senescence
Cellular and molecular phenomena associated with the senescence of plants and plant parts. Emphasis on principles and mechanisms.

Plant Sciences 293: Seminar in Postharvest Biology
Intensive study of selected topics in the postharvest biology of fruits, vegetables and ornamental (S/U grading only).

Winter

Plant Sciences 293: Seminar in Postharvest Biology
See Fall listing for description.

Spring

Applied Biological Systems Technology 110L: Experiments in Food Engineering
Use of temperature sensors; measurement of thermal conductivity and heat transfer in foods; refrigeration, freezing, concentration and dehydration of foods.

Plant Pathology 205A/B: Diseases of Vegetable and Field Crops
Extra-session summer. Study of vegetable and field crops diseases with emphasis on recognition and diagnosis, epidemiology, and control.

Plant Pathology 206A/B: Diseases of Fruit, Nut, and Vine
Extra-session summer. Clinical study of fruit, nut, and vine crops diseases with emphasis on etiology, epidemiology, diagnosis, and control.

Plant Sciences 173: Molecular and Cellular Aspects of Postharvest Biology
Basic concepts and current knowledge of issues relevant to postharvest biology. Mechanisms of fruit ripening, senescence, programmed cell death. Metabolism and functions of phytohormones, carbohydrates, lipids, pigments, flavor compounds, and phytonutrients at molecular and cellular levels.

Plant Sciences 196: Postharvest Technology of Horticultural Crops
Intensive study of postharvest considerations and current procedures and challenges in postharvest handling for fruits, nuts, vegetables, and ornamentals in California. Scheduled first two weeks immediately following last day of spring quarter. Considered a spring course for pre-enrollment.

Plant Sciences 212: Postharvest Biology and Biotechnology of Fruits and Nuts
Review of postharvest biology of fruits and nuts and biotechnological approaches to address postharvest challenges. Morphology, biology and postharvest handling of fruits and nuts are presented along with current research, including biotechnology, and discussion of future research needs and approaches.

Plant Sciences 213: Postharvest Physiology of Vegetables
Comparative physiology of harvest vegetables; emphasis on maturation, senescence, compositional changes, physiological disorders and effects of environmental factors. Concepts and research procedures.

Plant Sciences 293: Seminar in Postharvest Biology
See Fall listing for description.

More Information

For more information about admissions, requirements for degrees, fees and expenses, financial aid, etc. contact:

Graduate Studies
University of California, Davis, CA 95616
Fax: (530) 752-622