Biosecurity

Pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana). Photo - Landcare Research

The German wasp (Vespula germanica). Photo - Richard Toft, Landcare Research

The PGDipSci (Biosecurity) is a one-year full-time course providing candidates with advanced training in invasion biology and an appreciation for the science behind current biosecurity issues. The programme is designed to be flexible and offer numerous choices so as to cater for the different backgrounds and employment status of participating students. The University of Auckland is uniquely placed to offer this postgraduate qualification in biosecurity. It not only has a Centre for Biodiversity and Biosecurity, but also a Marine Laboratory at Leigh, Schools of Biological Sciences, Geology, Geography & Environmental Science and Population Health, and close links with Landcare Research and MAF (Biosecurity NZ) at the Tamaki Campus.
The University also hosts the international headquarters of the IUCN/SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group. Auckland provides an excellent base for biosecurity research as the main point of entry for cargo and people in New Zealand and with a climate that suits the establishment of a wide variety of pests.

The PGDipSci (Biosecurity) and Masters are supported by

Links

• What is Biosecurity?
• Employment Opportunities
• Goals of the programme
• Courses
• Enrolment Flexibility
• Regulations for the Posgraduate Diploma and MSc Biosecurity
• How do I enrol?
• The Postgraduate Diploma & MSc in Science (Biosecurity) brochure - biosecurity brochure 2009.pdf (4MB)
  
• Additional information

"Biosecurity is the exclusion, eradication or effective management of risks posed by pests and diseases to the economy, environment and human health." (NZ Biosecurity Strategy 2003) The three main goals of biosecurity are:

1) Prevention and exclusion: preventing the entry and establishment of pests and unwanted organisms capable of causing unacceptable harm to the economy, environment and people’s health;

2) Surveillance and response: early detection, identification and assessments of pests and unwanted organisms capable of causing unacceptable harm and, where appropriate, deployment of a rapid and effective incursion response that maximises the likelihood of eradication;

3) Pest management: effective management (including eradication, containment and control) of established pests and unwanted organisms capable of causing harm to the economy, environment and people’s health.

Science is critical to achieving these biosecurity goals. Students participating in the PGDipSci (Biosecurity) will gain an understanding and a practical knowledge of the enormous role science has in managing the risks and uncertainties in biosecurity and ultimately in determining the effectiveness of biosecurity decisions.

Employment Opportunities

Potential opportunities for graduates include employment throughout the biosecurity sector, including MAF Biosecurity New Zealand, local government, research consultancies, private pest control companies, non-governmental conservation organisations, Department of Conservation, Crown Research Institutes, tertiary education sector.

Goals of the programme

The Postgraduate Diploma in Science and Master of Science in Biosecurity represent new interdisciplinary programmes which aim to give science graduates and biosecurity practitioners the skills to move with confidence in the rapidly growing field of biosecurity. The PGDipSci (Biosecurity) will include topics concerning biosecurity and the economy and human health, but will primarily focus on biosecurity issues associated with biodiversity and natural environments, both terrestrial and aquatic. The skills learned in the new programmes will allow graduates to understand and protect the natural environment (both terrestrial and aquatic) from biosecurity threats. The programmes cover a range of topics including new discoveries in contemporary environmental and life sciences and their translation into tools for prevention and management of invasive species. The programmes will also offer networking opportunities for students to meet practitioners and leaders from the biosecurity sector and related research areas.

Students who have obtained a PGDipSci (Biosecurity) will :
- Have an understanding of the science of invasion biology
- Be able to distinguish between the stages of the invasion process
- Be able to identify ecological interactions between species
- Be able to demonstrate an understanding of the impacts of invasive alien species in different ecosystems
- Be able to demonstrate an understanding of population and community ecology, in relation to biosecurity
- Understand and be able to apply techniques for the management of invasive organisms in different ecosystem types
- Be able to demonstrate an understanding of approaches to the prevention, control and eradication of invasive species in different situations
- Have gained new analytical skills, proficiency in science communication and critical evaluation, and an appreciation for the integration of science into policy and decision-making.

Courses

Compulsory/prescribed courses

• BIOSCI 747 Biosecurity and invasion biology
• BIOSCI 748 Weed and pest management
• ENVSCI 733 Biodiversity Management and Conservation

Additional courses

• BIOSCI 761 MSc Thesis Proposal or ENVSCI 701 Research Planning and Communication
• BIOSCI 724 Marine Ecology
• BIOSCI 730 Entomology and Biosecurity
• BIOSCI 751 Advanced Plant Pathology
• BIOSCI 735 Advanced Behavioural Ecology
• ENVMGT 742 Environmental Processess
• ENVMGT 743 Environmental Policy and Governance
• ENVMGT 746 Collaborative Conservation and Indigenous Rights
• ENVSCI 716 Aquatic Ecological Assessment
• ENVSCI 734 Landscape and Restoration Ecology
• ENVSCI 737 Applied Forest & Wetland Ecology

Course content is a mixture of seminar/lecture material and practical experience. Guest lecturers provide insights into current biosecurity management issues and case studies of science in action. Assessment is a mixture of examination and internal assessment, which may consist of seminar presentations, essays, scientific reports, scientific posters, synopses, feasibility studies.

Enrolment Flexibility

Candidates for entry in the PGDipSci (Biosecurity) must have a BSc or equivalent experience subject to approval. To gain the PGDipSci (Biosecurity) you need to take all three prescribed courses plus five other approved courses. The Diploma is designed to meet the needs of biosecurity practitioners and graduates seeking employment in this field and mainly consists of intensive modular courses (c. 1-2 weeks) that can all be taken in one year (as a full time student), or over a longer period (as a part time student).

The Master of Biosecurity requires the successful completion of the Postgraduate Diploma and will be launched in 2009. It includes a research project that can be carried out in a University, company or government environment.

Regulations for the Postgraduate Diploma and MSc in Science (Biosecurity)

Postgraduate Diploma in Science (Biosecurity) - YEAR ONE
Prerequisite: An approved BSc or equivalent experience subject to approval.
Requirement: 8 courses (120 points)
Three prescribed courses (45 points): BIOSCI 747, BIOSCI 748, ENVSCI 733
Five additional courses, at least three (45 points) of which must be ENVSCI 701 or BIOSCI 761, BIOSCI 724, BIOSCI 730, BIOSCI 751, BIOSCI 735, ENVMGMT 743, 746, ENVSCI 716, ENVSCI 737.
The remaining 30 points: approved 700 level courses in the Faculty of Science.

BIOSCI 747 (first semester) (15 points)
Biosecurity and Invasion Biology
The science of invasion biology, including stages of the invasion process and ecological interactions between species. The impacts of invasive alien species in different ecosystems. Population and community ecology, in relation to biosecurity.

BIOSCI 748 (second semester) (15 points)
Weed and Pest Management
Techniques for the management of invasive plants and animals (vertebrates and invertebrates) in different ecosystem types, including terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Approaches to the prevention, control and eradication of invasive species in different situations.

ENVSCI 733 (first semester) (15 points)
Biodiversity Management and Conservation
The management of species, ecosystems and conservation areas, including potential synergies and conflicts between different uses. Biosecurity and the management of invasive species in a conservation context. Biodiversity management and conservation in terrestrial and aquatic habitats. National and international mechanisms for the sustainable management of natural resources.

Master of Biosecurity (MBiosec) Schedule - YEAR TWO
Prerequisite: PGDipBiosec (including BIOSCI 761 or ENVSCI 701)
Requirement:
60 points: BIOSEC 796A
60 points: BIOSEC 796B
Available from 2009

BIOSEC 796A and B (120 points)
Thesis in Biosecurity
Research project addressing a topic relevant to biosecurity issues. May be overseen jointly by both academic and industry supervisors. Subject to approval from the Programme Director, project can be carried out while employed as a biosecurity practitioner.

How do I enrol?

The following information should answer most initial questions but feel free to contact us for any further advice you may require.See also here for a road map of how to enrol - PGHR.pdf (35kB)

Dates: Courses will be offered in Semesters 1 and 2 from 2008. A number will be delivered as fulltime modules while others will involve weekly teaching sessions throughout the semester.

The core courses will be offered in 2008 as follows:

• BIOSCI 747 Biosecurity and Invasion Biology - Semester 1 (week beginning 3 March*).
• ENVSCI 733 Biodiversity and Conservation Management - Semester 1 (week beginning 28 April*).
• BIOSCI 748 Weed and Pest Management - Semester 2 (week beginning 11 August*) *Note: timetabling information is provisional at this stage.

Venue: Courses will be taught either on the Tamaki Campus or the City Campus at the University of Auckland.

Cost: Fees for subjects in this area are approximately $730 per course. You will be invoiced by the University once you have completed the enrolment procedures.

Prerequisites: A background in biological or environmental sciences and a tertiary qualification equivalent to at least Bachelor level.

Enrolment: See flow chart outlining the nDeva electronic enrolment process below
Brief summary of the key enrolment points:

1. if you have studied at a tertiary institution other than the University of Auckland (UOA), you will first need to apply for admission to the University (ie you are a new student). This will require evidence of name and birth date (passport or birth certificate) as well as an academic transcript from your previous institution (original documents or certified true copies).
2. if you studied at UOA before 1999, you will need your ID number in order to be set up in the nDeva system but you will not have to supply a transcript (if you no longer know your ID number, Bessie D’Sa may be able to help - see contact details below)
3. if you have been enrolled at the University of Auckland since 1999, you will already have an nDeva password and a university ID number. You should be able to go online anytime from early November and apply for admission to the programme
4. once you have an ID number and an nDeva password, you must apply online for admission to the programme (PGDipSci (Biosecurity)). If your application is accepted, you will be sent a letter offering you a place in the programme. In order to enrol in your courses you must first accept the place offered online. The nDeva website should guide you through this process but please let us know if you encounter problems that are not solved by ringing the enrolment helpline (0800 61 62 63)

Note: the Postgraduate Diploma consists of eight courses that can all be taken in one year or spread out over a maximum of four years of part-time study. It is also possible to enrol in individual courses for credit

Contacts:

For academic advice about the programme:
Dr Margaret Stanley (School of Biological Sciences)
Email: mc.stanley@auckland.ac.nz
Phone: 09 3737599 ext 86819

For enrolment advice: Bessie D’Sa
Email: b.dsa@auckland.ac.nz
Phone: 09 3737599 ext 86825

Additional Information

For further information contact:
Dr Margaret Stanley School of Biological Sciences
Phone: ( 09) 373 7599 ext.86819
E-mail: mc.stanley@auckland.ac.nz
www.sbs.auckland.ac.nz