College: Addiction and Forensic Sciences Institute

This major prepares students to work in the field of biosecurity, focusing on protecting public health, agriculture, and the environment from biological threats. Students develop practical skills and theoretical knowledge to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious diseases, bioterrorism, and other biological hazards. Graduates are equipped for roles in public health agencies, agricultural departments, environmental organizations, and private biosecurity companies.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the basics of biosecurity, epidemiology, and infectious disease control.
• Develop skills in risk assessment, monitoring, and emergency response.
• Learn biosafety, bio-containment techniques, and decontamination.
• Explore principles of public health, agricultural biosecurity, and environmental protection.
• Analyze challenges and opportunities in biosecurity and emergency management.
• Develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills for practicing biosecurity.

Major Curriculum:

1. Introduction to Biosecurity
   • Overview of key concepts and industry trends in biosecurity.
   • Fundamentals of biosecurity, epidemiology, and infectious disease control.
2. Epidemiology
   • Principles of epidemiology and disease surveillance.
   • Techniques for investigating and controlling infectious disease outbreaks.
3. Infectious Disease Control
   • Basics of infectious disease management and prevention.
   • Techniques for managing and mitigating infectious disease risks.
4. Risk Assessment and Management
   • Principles of risk assessment and management in biosecurity.
   • Techniques for identifying, evaluating, and mitigating biological risks.
5. Biosafety and Bio-containment
   • Fundamentals of biosafety practices and bio-containment.
   • Techniques for implementing biosafety measures and managing bio-containment facilities.
6. Emergency Response and Management
   • Principles of emergency response and management in biosecurity.
   • Techniques for preparing and responding to biological emergencies.
7. Agricultural Biosecurity
   • Principles of agricultural biosecurity and animal health.
   • Techniques for protecting agriculture from biological threats.
8. Environmental Biosecurity
   • Principles of environmental biosecurity and ecosystem protection.
   • Techniques for managing and mitigating environmental biological risks.
9. Practical Training in Biosecurity
   • Real-world biosecurity experiences, including observations, internships, and practical projects in public health, agriculture, or environment.
   • Application of acquired skills in practical biosecurity scenarios.
10. Capstone Project in Biosecurity
    • A comprehensive project applying skills in risk assessment, emergency response, or agricultural biosecurity.
    • Presentation of a polished project or case study in biosecurity.

Assessment Methods:

Risk assessment reports, epidemiological studies, infectious disease control plans, biosafety management projects, emergency response plans, agricultural biosecurity analyses, environmental biosecurity projects, practical training reports, capstone projects, group projects, and internship evaluations.

Recommended Textbooks:

• "Epidemiology and the Web of Causation" by Kenneth J. Rothman.
• "Epidemiology for Infectious Diseases" by Kenrad E. Nelson and Carolyn Masters Williams.
• "Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories" by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
• "Emergency Management: Principles and Practices for Local Government" by William L. Waugh Jr.
• "Agricultural Biosecurity: Protecting Food, Farms, and Communities" by various authors.
• "Environmental Biosecurity: Protecting Ecosystems and Public Health" by various authors.

Prerequisites:

Basic knowledge of biology, public health, and environmental science. Suitable for students interested in biosecurity, epidemiology, public health, and related fields.

Duration of Major:

Typically 4 years for a bachelor's degree, including coursework, projects, practical training, and internships.

Degree:

Graduates can earn a degree in biosecurity and pursue professional certifications or further education in related fields, such as a master's degree in public health, epidemiology, or biosecurity.

Target Audience:

Aspiring biosecurity professionals, epidemiologists, public health specialists, agricultural biosecurity experts, and individuals seeking careers in biosecurity, public health, agriculture, and related fields. This major equips students with the practical, theoretical, and analytical skills required to excel in biosecurity and support careers in public health, agriculture, environmental protection, and related domains.