Studying Biosecurity at Canterbury
Biosecurity is more that just a subject stream; we have determined that it is important enough to warrant it being an endorsement to the degree. What this means is that rather than just gaining a BSc in Biological Sciences you gain a BSc in Biological Sciences (Biosecurity). This tells prospective employers that you have a degree that is focused on issues relevant to the security of New Zealand’s flora and fauna.
Biosecurity focuses on native organisms, how they have shaped New Zealand, and the impact of human occupation and consequent invasions. However, biosecurity is global and our courses reflect this. Biosecurity also focuses on epidemics, such as bird flu, how it could affect New Zealand, and how we keep ourselves free of it.
Career paths
Biosecurity is a major growth industry in New Zealand, spearheaded by the regulatory authority Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ), and this is generating many positions, from border control, to pest surveillance and eradication, to strategic planning. District and regional councils employ biologists to manage invading organisms, while DoC and other environmental agencies need biologists to manage our native heritage.
Postgraduate
BSc (Hons) - Students complete a fourth year of study
comprising four 400-level papers and a research project.
PGDipSc - Students complete a fourth year of study comprising
four 400-level papers.
MSc - Students complete a fourth year of study comprising
four 400-level papers (part I), then proceed to a research project (part
II), written up as a thesis.
PhD - Students complete a 3-4 year research project written
up as a thesis. Entry is after successful completion of either BSc(Hons)
or an MSc.
Planning Your Degree
Below is a guide to help you select courses that will give you a well rounded degree in biosecurity.
Year 1
Essential
BIOL
111 Cellular Biology & Biochemistry
BIOL
112 Ecology, Evolution & Conservation
BIOL
113 Diversity of Life
CHEM
112 General Chemistry B* (or CHEM
114)
Recommended
LAWS 101 The Legal System
LAWS 110 Legal System: Research, Writing and Legal Foundations
SCIM
101 Science, Maori and Indigenous Knowledge
MATH
101 Methods of Mathematics **
* Unless
you have 9 NCEA level 3 credits in chemistry
it is essential that you take a CHEM 114 before
CHEM 111 and CHEM 112.
** Note: Unless you have good NCEA level 3 credits
in maths, it is essential that you take a minimum
of 15 points in MATH (MATH101).
Optional
STAT 101 Statistics 1**
* Biology majors are required to take BIOL
209 Introduction to Biological Data Analysis (or
equivalent preparation e.g. STAT 201, PSYC 206).
Entry to this course does not require STAT 101,
but if you haven’t done maths or stats at level
12 or 13, then think about doing STAT 101 in your
first year.
Year 2
Essential
BIOL 209 Introduction to Biological
Data Analysis
BIOL 231 Foundations in Molecular Biology
BIOL 270 Ecology
BIOL 271 Evolution
BIOL 273 New Zealand Biodiversity and
Biosecurity
BIOS 201 Issues in New Zealand Biosecurity
Recommended
BIOL 215 Plant Diversity and Systematics
BIOL 203 Introduction to Forensic Biology
Any 2nd year BIOL courses
FORE 218 Forest Ecosystem Health
ANTA 201 Antarctica and Global Change
Year 3
Essential
BIOL 332 Genetics and Evolution of
Invasive Species
BIOL 377 Global Change and Biosecurity
Recommended
BIOL 303 Forensic Genetics
BIOL 305 Practical Field
Botany
BIOL 309 Experimental Design & Data
Analysis
BIOL 313 Advanced Microbiology
BIOL 330 Advanced Concepts in Genetics
BIOL 352 Plant Development &
Biotechnology
BIOL 371 Evolutionary Ecology
BIOL 374 Marine Ecosystems
BIOL 375 Freshwater Ecosystems
BIOL 378 Population Ecology &
Conservation
BIOL 379 Sustaining Biodiversity in Primary
Production Systems