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Biology Teaching and Learning Centre · ANU College of Science and Medicine
Biosecurity safeguards our industries, our environment, our livelihoods, and our way of life. Yet we are constantly challenged by biosecurity risks which are dynamic and evolving in an ever-changing world. Risks that require us to innovate, integrate, and communicate across disciplines and perspectives. A significant biosecurity outbreak could for example decimate grain yields, impact export markets, and severely affect supply chains. In addition, it could have negative impact on land and sea that has important cultural and heritage values to Indigenous Australians. This course provides a transdisciplinary approach to biosecurity integrating multiple disciplines (e.g. biology, epidemiology, public health, and science communication) and perspectives (e.g. government organisations, Indigenous knowledge frameworks, and the public). The course is delivered by staff from Research School Biology, the National Centre for Epidemiology and Public Health, and the National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science. It draws on relevant expert knowledge from government representatives, Indigenous rangers, industry researchers, and industry peak bodies. This course starts off with providing an introduction to policies and legislation that frame the collective biosecurity discussions in Australia. It follows on with on country engagement with local Indigenous rangers that provide a unique perspective on biosecurity and caring for country. It moves on to introduce the science of plant pathogens that pose biosecurity risks and provides hands on experience with diagnosing plant diseases using various approaches. It explores novel technologies that improve detection and identification of organisms that pose biosecurity risks. The second half of the course dives into biosecurity in relation to public health and the One Health concept. It provides opportunities to learn and practice effective (science) communication skills. It introduces risk management frameworks that will be used to quantify biosecurity risks of specific real-world scenarios. It finishes off with a panel discussion of experts from academic, industry, and governments who provide the opportunity to explore future challenges of and employment opportunities in the biosecurity sector. Note: Graduate students attend joint classes with undergraduates but are assessed separately.
Quizzes
Learning outcomes 2, 3, 4
Laboratory reports on a plant biosecurity diagnostic challenge
Learning outcomes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6
Multimedia submission (e.g. presentation, podcast, video clip, etc) on a One Health topic selected by individual students or in small groups
Learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Critical essay on a biosecurity topic selected by each student individually
Learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Journal club presentation on primary biosecurity literature
Learning outcomes 4, 5, 6, 7
The expected workload will consist of approximately 130 hours throughout the semester. The workload each week includes the following as indicated: - 2 x 1 hour lectures per week (total 24 hours) of which most will be available as short online mini-lectures. - 1 x 2 hour in person workshop per week (total 24 hours) for which attendance is required as these are essential to address LO 3-6 which are directly linked to 3/4 assessments items. Workshops will most often be delivered by real world domain experts e.g. federal and local government representatives, industry researchers, Indigenous rangers, etc.. - 10 x 3 hour practical labs across the Semester. - 2 x 1.5 hours on journal club attendance for presentations of primary biosecurity literature. Journal clubs require students to participate in discussions and to provide critical feedback on fellow students presentation. - up to 6 hours preparation time for a journal club presentation on primary biosecurity literature. In addition, throughout the course students are expected to spend approximately 48 hours of self-directed study which will include preparation for lectures, workshops, practical laboratories and assessment tasks. Students are expected to actively participate in discussions and problem-solving activities as part of the workshops and practical labs. Other Information Participation in 70% of workshops and 70% of practical laboratories are a course requirement. Students are also required to attend at least two primary biosecurity literature journal clubs.
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