BIOS201-12S2 (C) Semester Two 2012

Issues in New Zealand Biosecurity

15 points

Details:
Start Date: Monday, 9 July 2012
End Date: Sunday, 11 November 2012
Withdrawal Dates
Last Day to withdraw from this course:
  • Without financial penalty (full fee refund): Sunday, 22 July 2012
  • Without academic penalty (including no fee refund): Sunday, 7 October 2012

Description

This course will establish a scientific, legal and practical definition of biosecurity and pursue the ramifications of breaches to the systems in place to protect New Zealand from such affronts to our security.

During the last few years, New Zealand's’ image as a ‘clean green’ safe and secure country with healthy, pest free primary-industries has become tarnished. The introduction of organisms such as the Varroa mite, the kiwifruit disease Psa, incursion of the salt marsh mosquito and numerous snake sightings are just a few of many examples. In addition, the illegal importation and dissemination of rabbit calici-virus may be viewed as an act of bioterrorism. Beyond external incursions of unwanted or pest organisms, New Zealand faces an ongoing struggle with established pests in terrestrial, marine and freshwater ecosystems. This course will establish a scientific, legal and practical definition of biosecurity and pursue the ramifications of breaches to the systems in place to protect New Zealand. Emphasis will be placed on the wide variety of sources and types of biosecurity threats, policy, processes and strategies designed to protect New Zealand from unwanted organisms and the public perception of biosecurity threats and the response to these threats. The course is intended to present relevant information from an interdisciplinary group of academics and experts in the area of biosecurity.

Topics covered in this course are:

• definitions of biosecurity
• the biology of invasives
• biosecurity regulation, administration and operations in New Zealand
• biosecurity issues in production, conservation and health sectors
• biosecurity issues in the marine and freshwater environments
• biosecurity and genetically modified organisms
• biological weapons and terrorism
• biosecurity risk management around  intentional introductions

Learning Outcomes

  • Specific outcomes of the course are:
  • Students will have an appreciation and understanding of biosecurity issues faced by New Zealand
  • Students will have an appreciation and understanding of the way in which biosecurity affects interest groups and New Zealand society in general
  • Students will have an appreciation and understanding of management procedures and agencies involved in dealing with biosecurity threats
  • To engage students in a problem-based learning environment to build their knowledge and skills in the area of biosecurity management

Prerequisites

60 points at 100-level

Restrictions

BIOS101

Course Coordinator / Lecturer

Tara Murray

Lecturers

Paula Jameson , Sharyn Goldstien , Jonathan Harding and Colin Cochrane

Assessment

Assessment Due Date Percentage 
Essay 30%
Biosecurity Poster 30%
End-of-Year Exam 40%


Assessment comprises:

Essay
Biosecurity Poster
Final Examination

Textbooks / Resources

There is no required textbook. Apart from the course readings provided via the learn website Central Library has a number of hard copies and electronic access to the report by the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment entitled New Zealand under siege: a review of the management of biosecurity risks to the environment.  The library also has online access to Biosecurity magazine which provides information on current biosecurity interests in New Zealand.

Indicative Fees

Domestic fee $619.00

International fee $2,688.00

* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.

Limited Entry Course

Maximum enrolment is 250

For further information see School of Forestry .

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