Certificate in Border and Biosecurity

Program Overview

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The Certificate in Border and Biosecurity is a part-time, distance learning program that provides government-ready skills for careers in border security, biosecurity, and primary industries. It offers a multi-disciplinary curriculum covering concepts, issues, and practices in these fields, with a focus on New Zealand's unique position. The program is designed to enhance career prospects and benefit employees in various sectors, including pack house staff, farm managers, and council staff.

Program Outline

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Certificate in Border and Biosecurity – CertBBiosec

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Degree Overview:

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Objectives:

• Enhance career prospects in border, biosecurity, or primary industries.
• Gain government-ready skills for roles within Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), New Zealand Customs Service, and Maritime New Zealand.
• Benefit primary sector employees such as pack house staff, farm managers and labourers, council staff, and horticulturalists.

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Description:

• Multi-disciplinary qualification focusing on border security and biosecurity.
• Part-time, distance learning format.
• Provides knowledge and expertise across various disciplines relevant to border and biosecurity.
• Offers a focus on government-relevant skills and New Zealand's unique position in the field.

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Outline:

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Content:

• Concepts of border security and biosecurity
• Contemporary border and biosecurity issues and practices
• Implications for national security, economic and social wellbeing
• Plant and animal science
• Border security
• Biosecurity
• Organisational behaviour
• Law
• Globalisation and trade
• Data management and decision making
• Logistics and supply chain management

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Structure:

• Two compulsory courses (15 credits each)
• Electives from the Schedule (30 credits)

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Course Schedule:

• Compulsory courses:
• Introduction to Biosecurity (15 credits)
• Introduction to Border Security (15 credits)
• Elective courses (choose 30 credits):
• Organisational Behaviour (15 credits)
• Introduction to Animal Production in New Zealand (15 credits)
• Food and Eating (15 credits)
• Nau mai e noho: Engaging with Māori (15 credits)
• Essentials of Law (15 credits)
• Management, Analytics and Decision Making (15 credits)
• Introductory Biology (15 credits)
• Food Safety and Human Health (15 credits)
• Logistics and Supply Chain Fundamentals (15 credits)
• Understanding Plant Protection (15 credits)
• States, Borders and Resource Security (15 credits)

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Modules:

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Module 1: Introduction to Biosecurity

• Focuses on the importance of pest and disease control in agriculture, horticulture, forestry, trade, gardening, and conservation.
• Covers the biology of pests and diseases and their management and control strategies.
• Examines chemical, non-chemical, and integrated control methods.

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Module 2: Introduction to Border Security

• Explores the concept of border security and its challenges.
• Discusses the role of different border security agencies and their responses to managing risks.
• Focuses on interagency collaboration, risk management, and the impact of policy.

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Module 3: Organisational Behaviour

• Examines individual and team behaviour in the work environment.
• Covers topics like motivation, communication, leadership, decision making, power, and organizational change.
• Provides practical insights into managing and leading people effectively.

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Module 4: Introduction to Animal Production in New Zealand

• Offers an overview of animals and animal science in New Zealand.
• Covers a range of animal species, principles of nutrition, reproduction, lactation, genetics, and growth.
• Provides an insight into New Zealand's livestock production systems and considers animal ethics, welfare, and biosecurity issues.

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Module 5: Food and Eating

• Explores the food chain, from production to consumption and exchange.
• Examines the role of food in identity formation and social inequalities.
• Analyzes the impact of food on health, culture, and the environment.

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Module 6: Nau mai e noho: Engaging with Māori

• Equips students with skills to engage with Māori communities.
• Covers common expressions in te reo, key traditional concepts, customary practices (tikanga), and the importance of the Treaty of Waitangi.
• Introduces students to the structure and functioning of Māori social and political organizations.

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Module 7: Essentials of Law

• Provides an introduction to the New Zealand legal system, legal interpretation, and substantive law.
• Covers key areas like criminal law, tort law, contract law, and family law.

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Module 8: Management, Analytics and Decision Making

• Introduces techniques and issues involved in using data for organizational decision making.
• Covers topics such as data collection, analysis, interpretation, and presentation.
• Develops students' skills in applying data-driven approaches to solve business problems.

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Module 9: Introductory Biology

• Covers fundamental concepts in biology, suitable for students with limited prior knowledge.
• Provides a foundation for further biological studies.

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Module 10: Food Safety and Human Health

• Examines key issues in food safety management, including preparation, handling, and delivery.
• Covers HACCP principles, inspection and assessment techniques, food legislation, and common problems.
• Discusses the role of food safety in public health and its impact on individuals and communities.

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Module 11: Logistics and Supply Chain Fundamentals

• Explores the principles of logistics and supply chain management.
• Covers topics such as customer service, forecasting, process integration, relationship management, performance measurement, and supply chain optimization.
• Develops students' understanding of the complexities and importance of efficient supply chains.
• emphasizes the importance of plant disease, pest, and weed control in horticulture, agriculture, forestry, conservation, and trade.
• Covers the biology of these organisms and their management and control strategies.
• Covers topics such as resource scarcity, conflict, international cooperation, and resource management strategies.
• Examines the role of states in promoting sustainable development and ensuring resource security for future generations.

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Assessment:

• Continuous assessment through assignments, essays, and presentations.
• Specific assessment details may vary depending on the chosen elective courses.

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Teaching:

• Distance learning format with online resources and support.
• Block courses offered occasionally for specific modules.
• Experienced and qualified teaching staff with expertise in border and biosecurity.
• Innovative teaching methods and technology integration to enhance the learning experience.
• Strong emphasis on practical application and real-world case studies.

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Careers:

• Primary industries
• Government agencies like MPI, Customs, and Maritime New Zealand
• Local councils
• International organizations focused on border and biosecurity