Multidisciplinary approach to biosecurity at University of Canterbury
Barry O'Neil, Assistant Director-General,
Biosecurity New Zealand, talking with
one of the University of Canterbury
biosecurity course students. Contributions
to the course from agencies such as
Biosecurity New Zealand help give the
course strong relevance.
Biosecurity education at the University of Canterbury has been built upon its long-standing strengths in terrestrial, marine and aquatic ecology, and molecular biosciences. Specialist departments, such as the School of Forestry, also add depth.
The university's approach to biosecurity education reflects the multidisciplinary approach required for New Zealand's biosecurity infrastructure, and students can be introduced to the subject in a range of ways. Forestry students, as a part of their four-year professional degree, complete two papers in forest health and biosecurity. Students cover traditional aspects, such as forest pests and diseases, but also learn about biosecurity structures, response systems, and regional pest management. This is all taught in the context of the wider forestry science degree, meaning that students emerge as potential forest managers with a broad understanding of forest health and biosecurity issues.
Through the School of Biological Sciences, students have the opportunity to specialise in a wide range of disciplines. They can learn about terrestrial, aquatic, or marine systems and can consider biosecurity at an organism or molecular level. By following this approach, students gain a strength in a particular field of the biological sciences but with a biosecurity focus.
Multidisciplinary paper
For students not studying forestry or biological sciences, there is still the opportunity to investigate the issue of biosecurity. In 2001, a multidisciplinary paper (now called BIOS101/201: Issues in New Zealand Biosecurity) was set up after discussions amongst academic staff. The course is open to all faculties and is designed to look at a scientific, legal and practical definition of biosecurity and discuss the ramifications of breaches of the systems in place.
Students taking the paper come from throughout the university, with a strong showing from the law and commerce faculties. The course focuses on how an integrated social and scientific approach can be taken to manage threats to biosecurity.
The course has been very popular, and is well supported by agencies in the biosecurity sector. Support has been provided by MAF (several Biosecurity New Zealand staff have contributed and continue to do so), Environment Canterbury, New Zealand Police and the Animal Health Board. This outside support is incredibly important and strongly appreciated. University-based teaching staff include biological scientists, forestry scientists, economists, political scientists, sociologists and international law experts. By combining academic teaching with operational experience and policy knowledge, the course is relevant and exciting for students.
Biosecurity education pathway
What does the future hold? The University of Canterbury is in the process of developing a pathway for students to be able to take biosecurity from their first year through to the end of their undergraduate degree. In this way, students would emerge with a strength in a particular subject that has then been underpinned by education in biosecurity.
See Biosecurity issue 73:20 for a feature on the University of Canterbury Animal Law course.
- Dr Hamish Cochrane, Chair Forestry Board of Studies, School of Forestry, College of Engineering, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch, phone 03 364 2121, hamish.cochrane@canterbury.ac.nz
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Page last updated: 30 April 2008