Program Overview

Master of Biosecurity

The Master of Biosecurity is a growing field of activity for many professionals involved in agriculture, the environment, and international and domestic trade. This growth is driven by the need to maintain agricultural and environmental integrity in a world where, due to ever-increasing levels of trade and human movement, exotic organisms pose major and ongoing threats. Biosecurity is central to the management of these threats, with a continuum of activities involving risk analysis, quarantine, and surveillance to stop the entry of exotic organisms, rapid emergency response in the event of an exotic incursion or declaration of a pandemic, and then the management of pest and disease organisms if they permanently establish and impact on trade.

Overview

Biosecurity is a growing field of activity for many professionals involved in agriculture, the environment, and international and domestic trade. This growth is driven by the need to maintain agricultural and environmental integrity in a world where, due to ever-increasing levels of trade and human movement, exotic organisms pose major and ongoing threats. Biosecurity is central to the management of these threats, with a continuum of activities involving risk analysis, quarantine, and surveillance to stop the entry of exotic organisms, rapid emergency response in the event of an exotic incursion or declaration of a pandemic, and then the management of pest and disease organisms if they permanently establish and impact on trade. This course has been developed in consultation with representatives from Canada, the United States, New Zealand, and Australia. Students graduating from the course can do so with the knowledge that their degree will meet the highest level of industry requirement.

Admission Requirements

• Enrolment restrictions: All graduate courses are subject to restriction.
• Special requirements: Internet access is required for all students. Some units may be delivered in intensive mode.
• Entry requirements (onshore): Completion of an AQF level 7 qualification in the biological, ecological, environmental, or agricultural sciences.
• English language requirements: Equivalent of an Academic IELTS overall score of 6.0 with no band less than 6.0.
• Additional progression requirements/restrictions:
  • The Dissertation option (BIO629) requires a Distinction average and approval of the Academic Chair prior to enrolment.
  • The Internship option (BIO683) requires approval of the Academic Chair prior to enrolment.

Learning Outcomes

1. From recent developments in the profession, categorize and establish regulated pests and diseases with likely import pathways and hosts.
2. Implement surveillance, detection, triage diagnosis, and reporting of regulated pests and diseases.
3. Effectively develop and implement biosecurity procedures and regulations if delegated to, and/or employed to do so by an appropriate regulatory body.
4. Research, synthesize, organize, and communicate information using a range of technologies required for professional practice.
5. Appraise changing contexts and apply key information from scientific and regulatory sources to achieve effective solutions.
6. Argue from evidence and communicate effectively in a range of formats to a variety of audiences.
7. Demonstrate and apply highly specialized knowledge of Biosecurity principles across a range of contexts including agriculture, the environment, and international and domestic trade.
8. Consistently demonstrate the professional behaviors and attitudes expected of a Biosecurity professional, and uphold ethical, legal, and societal responsibilities, including awareness of their own limitations.

Structure

The course consists of 36 credit points.

• Course Core: 36 credit points
  • Core Units: 12 credit points
    • BIO639: Global Biosecurity (3 cp)
    • VET655: One Health Management and Leadership (3 cp)
    • VET657: Risk Analysis from Farm to Fork (3 cp)
    • COD601: Community Development Methods (3 cp)
  • Specified Electives: 24 credit points
    • Research: 24 credit points
      • Required Units: 15 credit points
        • MMF600: Advanced Research Methods for Scientists (3 cp)
        • BIO629: Biosecurity Masters Research Project (12 cp)
      • Specified Electives: 9 credit points
        • BIO537: Plant Biosecurity: Detection and Diagnostics (3 cp)
        • BIO601: Biosecurity Plant Pests (3 cp)
        • BIO606: Aquatic Biosecurity (3 cp)
        • BIO607: Vertebrate Pest Species Management (3 cp)
        • VET656: Public Health and Epidemiology (3 cp)
        • ENV616: Environmental Policy for the 21st Century (3 cp)
        • TLC501: Communication Skills for Postgraduate Study (3 cp)
    • Biosecurity in the Workplace: 24 credit points
      • Required Units: 9 credit points
        • BIO683: Professional Placement (6 cp)
        • MCM506: Strategic Communication (3 cp)
      • Specified Electives: 15 credit points
        • BIO537: Plant Biosecurity: Detection and Diagnostics (3 cp)
        • BIO601: Biosecurity Plant Pests (3 cp)
        • BIO606: Aquatic Biosecurity (3 cp)
        • BIO607: Vertebrate Pest Species Management (3 cp)
        • VET656: Public Health and Epidemiology (3 cp)
        • ENV616: Environmental Policy for the 21st Century (3 cp)
        • TLC501: Communication Skills for Postgraduate Study (3 cp)
    • Case Study: 24 credit points
      • Required Unit: 3 credit points
        • BIO600: Agricultural and Veterinary Science Research Studies (3 cp)
      • Specified Electives: 21 credit points
        • BIO537: Plant Biosecurity: Detection and Diagnostics (3 cp)
        • BIO601: Biosecurity Plant Pests (3 cp)
        • BIO606: Aquatic Biosecurity (3 cp)
        • BIO607: Vertebrate Pest Species Management (3 cp)
        • VET656: Public Health and Epidemiology (3 cp)
        • ENV616: Environmental Policy for the 21st Century (3 cp)
        • TLC501: Communication Skills for Postgraduate Study (3 cp)
      • General Elective: 3 credit points

Professional Outcomes

Graduates will be eligible to apply for membership to societies such as the Australian Entomological Society, the Australian Plant Pathology Society, the Australian Ecological Society, the Australian Institute of Agricultural Science, the Australian Society of Horticultural Sciences, and the Australian Society for Risk Analysis.

Additional Information

• Research areas: Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, Biological Sciences, Commerce, Management, Tourism and Services, Economics, Environmental Sciences, Studies in Human Society.
• Course version: 25
• Version start date: 01/07/2024
• Owning college: College of Environmental and Life Sciences
• Owning school: Agricultural Sciences
• Duration in years: 1.5
• Enrolment pattern(s): Part Time, Full Time
• Credit points: 36
• Award title: Master of Biosecurity
• AQF level: Level 9 - Masters Degree (Coursework)