Computer Skills, Statistics and Data Management in the Winery
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The contribution of course to the achievement of the educational objectives of the bachelor degree consistently with the professional profiles and employment opportunities provided for the entire training course consists in the acquisition of the ability to consult bibliographic and thematic databases, and in the to collect the essential information for the technical description of the related environmental, structural and managerial characteristics preparatory for their critical evaluation. To acquire the knowledge of descriptive and inferential statistics, essential for the description of biological phenomena and the evaluation of simple viticultural experiments, in an integrated vision, having obtained the computer skills needed for their synoptic and graphic representation.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, the student will have adequate knowledge of the most popular database management software, as well as the notions for effective querying of search engines to find information. He/she will also have acquired adequate knowledge of descriptive statistics and elements of inferential statistics; an adequate ability to produce technical report in synoptic and graphic form. Furthermore, the student will acquire the ability to approach a technical-scientific report documented as a final dissertation or a technical report, with reference to the vinicultural farm, in relation to the environmental (geographical and pedoclimatic), land (land and buildings) and management description (genetic resources, plants, machinery and technical tools), and the critical description of the production processes in the vineyard and in the winery.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Giudizio di approvazione
Assessment result: superato/non superato
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
MODULE 1 - Statistical skills
1. Bibliographic survey
- Consultation of databases
- Analysis and management of the identified literature
2. Introduction to statistics
- Descriptive and inferential statistics
- Concepts of: population, sample, variable
- Qualitative (nominal and ordinal) and quantitative (discrete and continuous) statistical variables
3. Sample definition: data collection and sorting
- Homogeneity of the sample
- Standard error / outliers detection
- Data entry in Excel and calculation of derived variables
- Approval of the data entered within the software
4. Sample analysis
- Minimum / maximum; average / mode / median; differences among averages
- Sample representation (graphs)
- Frequency; percentages
- Standard deviation
- Distribution and quartiles
- Correlation
- Test (Student t, one-way analysis of variance)
- Chi square test
- Probability
MODULE 2 - Computer skills
1. General structures and characteristics of the main spreadsheets and presentation programs
- How to select and apply spreadsheets (MS Excel) and presentation programs (MS PowerPoint)
2. Use of spreadsheets
- Structure of a spreadsheet: management of cells, rows and columns; sheet management. Rational and linear construction of tables
- Basic functions of spreadsheets; how to import and export data
- Application of the main functions (MS Excel): minimum, maximum, se count, median, mode, mean, frequency, quartiles, standard deviation, variance, quadratic deviation, linear forecast, frequency, chi distribution, chi test, correlation, probability, normalize, Student's t distribution and t test
- Criteria for choosing the graphical representations: one, two and three axis diagrams; double ordinate; careful choice of measurement scales
- Pivot tables
3. Use of presentation programs
- The communication of information
- Structure of a representation program (MS PowerPoint): slides management
- How to structure a PowerPoint presentation
- Data and graphics to be included in a presentation; how to import and export
- How to manage movies and audio comments
MODULE 3 - Data management in the winery
1. Geographical, pedo-landscape and climatic framework: resources and methodologies
2. Meteorological course of the year: resources and methodologies
3. Agricultural framework: landscape and agricultural system
4. Winery description: legal and structural aspects
5. Land assets. Land and buildings: maps and description
6. Viticultural plants: genetic resources and type of plant
7. Machinery and equipment
8. Cellar: systems and equipment
9. Vineyard management: techniques and technical means
10. Vinification chain: techniques and technical means
11. Structure of the internship report
1. Bibliographic survey
- Consultation of databases
- Analysis and management of the identified literature
2. Introduction to statistics
- Descriptive and inferential statistics
- Concepts of: population, sample, variable
- Qualitative (nominal and ordinal) and quantitative (discrete and continuous) statistical variables
3. Sample definition: data collection and sorting
- Homogeneity of the sample
- Standard error / outliers detection
- Data entry in Excel and calculation of derived variables
- Approval of the data entered within the software
4. Sample analysis
- Minimum / maximum; average / mode / median; differences among averages
- Sample representation (graphs)
- Frequency; percentages
- Standard deviation
- Distribution and quartiles
- Correlation
- Test (Student t, one-way analysis of variance)
- Chi square test
- Probability
MODULE 2 - Computer skills
1. General structures and characteristics of the main spreadsheets and presentation programs
- How to select and apply spreadsheets (MS Excel) and presentation programs (MS PowerPoint)
2. Use of spreadsheets
- Structure of a spreadsheet: management of cells, rows and columns; sheet management. Rational and linear construction of tables
- Basic functions of spreadsheets; how to import and export data
- Application of the main functions (MS Excel): minimum, maximum, se count, median, mode, mean, frequency, quartiles, standard deviation, variance, quadratic deviation, linear forecast, frequency, chi distribution, chi test, correlation, probability, normalize, Student's t distribution and t test
- Criteria for choosing the graphical representations: one, two and three axis diagrams; double ordinate; careful choice of measurement scales
- Pivot tables
3. Use of presentation programs
- The communication of information
- Structure of a representation program (MS PowerPoint): slides management
- How to structure a PowerPoint presentation
- Data and graphics to be included in a presentation; how to import and export
- How to manage movies and audio comments
MODULE 3 - Data management in the winery
1. Geographical, pedo-landscape and climatic framework: resources and methodologies
2. Meteorological course of the year: resources and methodologies
3. Agricultural framework: landscape and agricultural system
4. Winery description: legal and structural aspects
5. Land assets. Land and buildings: maps and description
6. Viticultural plants: genetic resources and type of plant
7. Machinery and equipment
8. Cellar: systems and equipment
9. Vineyard management: techniques and technical means
10. Vinification chain: techniques and technical means
11. Structure of the internship report
Prerequisites for admission
A basic computer knowledge at the hardware level on the use of the computer is required.
Teaching methods
The 3 modules (computer science, statistics and winery data management skills) are developed in serial mode, with the following details.
1) "Statistics skills" module: after a series of classroom lessons, in which the fundamentals of descriptive and inferential statistics are presented, a series of practical exercises is carried out, aimed at applying the concepts already illustrated, often with examples centered on viticulture context. Particular emphasis is given in this module to the acquisition of skills for consulting the most popular scientific databases.
2) "Computer science skills" module: the activity is entirely aimed at enabling students to use the statistical functions of the MS Excel software, taking into consideration in particular what has already been illustrated in the previous module. In addition, a part of the module is dedicated to the best arrangement of a Power Point presentation, both in its classic structure for what concerns the contents, and for the aspects of comprehensibility and appeal of the contents.
3) "Data management skills in a winery" module: also with the contribution of some experts, the main aspects of a winery and its activities are analytically presented, in order to provide students with the best preparation to perform fruitfully and with the utmost awareness the subsequent practical institutional internship.
1) "Statistics skills" module: after a series of classroom lessons, in which the fundamentals of descriptive and inferential statistics are presented, a series of practical exercises is carried out, aimed at applying the concepts already illustrated, often with examples centered on viticulture context. Particular emphasis is given in this module to the acquisition of skills for consulting the most popular scientific databases.
2) "Computer science skills" module: the activity is entirely aimed at enabling students to use the statistical functions of the MS Excel software, taking into consideration in particular what has already been illustrated in the previous module. In addition, a part of the module is dedicated to the best arrangement of a Power Point presentation, both in its classic structure for what concerns the contents, and for the aspects of comprehensibility and appeal of the contents.
3) "Data management skills in a winery" module: also with the contribution of some experts, the main aspects of a winery and its activities are analytically presented, in order to provide students with the best preparation to perform fruitfully and with the utmost awareness the subsequent practical institutional internship.
Teaching Resources
For all 3 modules, the reference material are the handouts prepared by the teachers, integrated with several videos and web references. All the material is available in the dedicated section of the Ariel website.
In addition, for the "Statistics skills" module, the following book is recommended: Pelosi M.K, Sandifer M.K., Cerchiello P., Giudici P. "Introduction to Statistics", McGraw-Hill 2nd edition.
In addition, for the "Statistics skills" module, the following book is recommended: Pelosi M.K, Sandifer M.K., Cerchiello P., Giudici P. "Introduction to Statistics", McGraw-Hill 2nd edition.
Assessment methods and Criteria
- Statistical skills module: both during the course and then thanks to dedicated sessions, a test with 24 multiple choice questions and one open-ended question is proposed, this last on a wide-ranging topic inherent to the program. The test must be completed in one hour and its assessment is approved / not approved.
- Computer skills module: the preparation of a Power Point report is required. Starting from statistical data found in public databases (e.g. ISTAT) or provided by Bodies and Associations (preferably in the wine sector), different aspects of the chosen topic are analyzed. The analysis must be conducted with the application of the MS Excel software and must contain statistical aspects shown in the previous module. The presentation setting must follow the classic scheme: a) Introduction; b) materials and methods; c) results and discussion: d) conclusions.
The paper can be prepared and presented individually or by a maximum of two students. The duration of the presentation must not exceed 15 minutes. The test assessment is approved / not approved.
- Data management skills module in a winery: the exam is oral and consists of a verification of the understanding of a practical aspect covered in the program. Its evaluation is approved / not approved
- Computer skills module: the preparation of a Power Point report is required. Starting from statistical data found in public databases (e.g. ISTAT) or provided by Bodies and Associations (preferably in the wine sector), different aspects of the chosen topic are analyzed. The analysis must be conducted with the application of the MS Excel software and must contain statistical aspects shown in the previous module. The presentation setting must follow the classic scheme: a) Introduction; b) materials and methods; c) results and discussion: d) conclusions.
The paper can be prepared and presented individually or by a maximum of two students. The duration of the presentation must not exceed 15 minutes. The test assessment is approved / not approved.
- Data management skills module in a winery: the exam is oral and consists of a verification of the understanding of a practical aspect covered in the program. Its evaluation is approved / not approved
- University credits: 9
Practicals: 32 hours
Lessons: 56 hours
Lessons: 56 hours
Shifts:
Professor(s)
Reception:
On appointment
Room 3006, via L. Vanvitelli n.32, 3rd floor
Reception:
by appointment only (preferably defined via e-mail)
Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie e Ambientali - via Celoria, 2 - 20133 Milano