The course provides the opportunity for students to: Study to an advanced level the techniques used for the postharvest handling of horticultural crops and the underlying mechanisms which determine and limit these techniques; develop a thorough knowledge of the fresh horticultural produce business environment and marketing processes concerned within the trade of horticultural produce; apply research methodology and information technology to postharvest horticultural practice; identify and critically evaluate important trends and developments within the horticultural industry; identify the needs of national and international communities, and reconcile these with the aims and objectives of specific postharvest technology organisations.