• Semester 1 (External)
• Semester 2 (Day)

Synopsis

The   handling,   grading  storage,  packaging   and   processing   of
agricultural  produce  are  all important parts  of  the  agricultural
production  and  distribution system and frequently involve  costs  in
excess  of  those associated with simply growing the crop. A knowledge
of,  the  physiological, physical, thermal, aerodynamic,  rheological,
electrical and optical properties of agricultural materials is  highly
relevant  to these areas. Such knowledge may be used for the  proposes
of  devising  techniques  for grading, sorting,  separation,  moisture
determination, flow rate prediction, the design of packaging  and  the
determination  of stresses in large storage structures.  Post  harvest
treatments  against  pests  and diseases are  considered  as  well  as
modified  atmosphere  storage and controlled  atmosphere  storage  for
extending  shelf life. The fundamentals of waste management  and  some
basic aspects of food processing technology are also considered.