BIOS 3036 Agricultural Biosecurity

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Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 301450

Coordinator Jonathan Plett Opens in new window

Description Students will be exposed to current and emerging biosecurity issues world food production systems are expected to comply with and develop to ensure sustainable and safe animal and plant products. This unit will enable you to recognise, monitor and control animal and plant pests (invertebrates, microorganisms and weeds) and their impact on human society and food security. Major areas of study include strategies and procedures to identify, record and assess damage to animal and plant products. Included in this unit are key issues related to legislative, physical, biological, genetic and chemical control methods, along their benefits and limitations. Theory and practice of integrated pest and disease management systems and issues associated with quarantine and biosecurity are contextually embedded in unit content and activity.

School Science

Discipline Biological Sciences

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 2 10cp

Check your HECS Band contribution amount via the Fees page.

Level Undergraduate Level 3 subject

Equivalent Subjects LGYA 6250 Plant Microbiology and Protection BIOS 3021 Plant Health and Biodiversity

Incompatible Subjects LGYA 5948 Plant Microbiology Interactions LGYA 6200 Plant Protection

Restrictions Successful completion of 100 credit points

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
  1. Describe the biology of, and symptoms and losses caused by, the major groups of invertebrate pests, animal and plant pathogens as well as weeds.
  2. Explain interactions between pests, diseases, their hosts and the environment.
  3. Critically analyse strategies for protecting animals and plants from pest and disease damage, their benefits and limitations.
  4. Propose practical methods for control of plant invertebrate pests, pathogens and weeds.
  5. Identify the systems and implications for quarantine, plant biosecurity and trade.
  6. Integrate a range of strategies in developing integrated pest and disease management programs, and biosecurity.

Subject Content

1. Processes and procedures to identify symptomatology of animal and plant pathogens
2. Physical and mechanical control of vertebrate and invertebrate pests, pathogens and weeds
3. Sustainable management strategies of animal and plant pests and diseases.
4. Animal and plant breeding methodologies for resistance to pathogens and pests.
5. Chemical control and legislative requirements for invertebrate pests and pathogens.
6. Quarantine and biosecurity for sustainable food security and ecosystems

Assessment

The following table summarises the standard assessment tasks for this subject. Please note this is a guide only. Assessment tasks are regularly updated, where there is a difference your Learning Guide takes precedence.

Item Length Percent Threshold Individual/Group Task
Report – Pest & Disease Control 2,500 word report (NOTE: limit excludes references section) 25 N Group
Report - Practical reports (6) 6 ‘fill-in-the-blank’ , short answer and paragraph prac reports 35 N Individual
Critical Review maximum 2000 words 40 N Individual

Teaching Periods

Spring

Hawkesbury

Day

Subject Contact Jonathan Plett Opens in new window

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Structures that include subject