Box Hill Institute – Biosecurity Science – Free 13wk online course

Interested in Biosecurity? Want to help protect our environment, our plants and animals from invasive pests and weeds. This fully accredited introductory course is delivered online and has been fully funded through Commonwealth Supported Places*. To enrol go to: course web page

The 13 week, online course covers:

• Introduction to Biosecurity: Study biosecurity threats to humans, flora, fauna and the environment such as coronavirus, myrtle rust and foot and mouth disease. You will examine how policy, standards, delivery systems and risk management can reduce biosecurity threats and proactively prepare for emerging biosecurity challenges to ensure safety for plant and animal agriculture, food processing, environmental status, animal and human welfare and personal and corporate economic stability. The subject will also consider bioterrorism as a potential biosecurity threat.
• Australian Agricultural Industry: Study the major agricultural industries such as livestock, horticulture, and emerging and smaller industries such as aquaculture and bees. You will be extended to discuss the major issues facing agriculture such as social, environmental and climate change and to examine how these affect agricultural operations and logistics.
• Research Methods and Statistics: You will develop skills in basic statistical methods, experimental design and hypothesis testing. Reliable sources of scientific information will be considered and accessed to examine the role of statistics in scientific and peer-reviewed communication.
• Biosecurity Surveillance and Monitoring: This fascinating subject builds on knowledge and skills acquired in Introduction to Biosecurity, and introduces strategies and tools available to successfully monitor and respond to biosecurity risk agents. You will achieve a high level of understanding of surveillance and monitoring methodologies and be asked to apply their knowledge to a mock biosecurity case study. You will be asked to critically assess a possible biosecurity breach and using their knowledge and skills identify the disease, pest or weed and develop a plan to control and monitor the situation.

If you are interested contact me m.blake@boxhill.edu.au or go to course web page for more information and and enrol. Now taking enrolments now for  2-Nov-2020 start.

*There are limited CSP funding places and eligibility criteria apply. You must be a Australian citizen or permanent resident to qualify.