Biosecurity and Microbial Forensics (8665.3)

Please note these are the 2018 details for this unit
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Biosecurity and Microbial Forensics
Available teaching periods Delivery mode Location
View teaching periods
EFTSL Credit points Faculty
0.125 3 Faculty Of Science And Technology
Discipline Study level HECS Bands
Academic Program Area - Science Level 3 - Undergraduate Advanced Unit Band 2 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan 2021)
Band 3 2021 (Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021)
This unit introduces students to the key concepts involved in Biosecurity and Microbial Forensics, with a focus on understanding the types of biological agents that pose potential security risks and the system and practices involved in investigation and management of potential threats. This unit is co-taught with unit Biosecurity and Microbial Forensics G.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Collate, analyse, evaluate, interpret and present information relating to Biosecurity and Microbial Forensics;
2. Identify and analyse potential biosecurity threats and to implement and evaluate appropriate microbial forensic techniques for threat resolution, with independent critical and creative thinking;
3. Respond to potential biosecurity threats with the ability to initiate new ideas, implement effective decisions and cope with uncertainty; and
4. Understand the health, environmental, economic, political, legal and social issues related to biosecurity, with an international perspective.


Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
1. UC graduates are professional - display initiative and drive, and use their organisation skills to plan and manage their workload
2. UC graduates are global citizens - communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings
2. UC graduates are global citizens - make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development


Prerequisites

Biochemistry OR Introduction to Microbiology.

Corequisites

None.

Equivalent units

None.

Assumed knowledge

None.
Year Location Teaching period Teaching start date Delivery mode Unit convener
Not available

Required texts

Microbial Forensics 2nd Edition (recommended)
Authors: Bruce Budowle, Steven E. Schutzer, Roger G. Breeze and Paul S. Keim
Publisher: Academic Press; 2nd Edition (2010)
ISBN: 9780123820068
Available as an E-book through the University of Canberra Library

Microbial Forensics 1st Edition (recommended)
Authors: Roger G. Breeze, Bruce Budowle, Steven E. Schutzer
Publisher: Elsevier/Academic Press; 1st Edition (2005)
ISBN: 0120884836
Available as an E-book through the University of Canberra Library

Submission of assessment items

Extensions & Late submissions

Approval of extenuating circumstances will be dependent upon the production of supporting documentation and at the discretion of the unit convener.

Please note: All assessment items will be submitted through the University of Florida unit site. Please contact your online instructor if you have any questions regarding assessment items.

By submitting your work online through the University of Florida unit website you are certifying that:

  • the attached assignment is my own work and no part of this work has been written for me by any other person except where such collaboration has been authorised by the lecturer/s concerned;
  • material drawn from other sources has been fully acknowledged as to author/creator, source and other bibliographic details according to unit-specific requirements for referencing; and
  • no part of this work has been submitted for assessment in any other unit in this or another Faculty except where authorised by the lecturer/s concerned.

Special assessment requirements

An aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the unit. 
You must attempt all assessment items.

The final mark for this subject will be calculated by an accumulation of marks from each assessment item.

Students must apply academic integrity in their learning and research activities at UC. This includes submitting authentic and original work for assessments and properly acknowledging any sources used.

Academic integrity involves the ethical, honest and responsible use, creation and sharing of information. It is critical to the quality of higher education. Our academic integrity values are honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility and courage.

UC students have to complete the Academic Integrity Module annually to learn about academic integrity and to understand the consequences of academic integrity breaches (or academic misconduct).

UC uses various strategies and systems, including detection software, to identify potential breaches of academic integrity. Suspected breaches may be investigated, and action can be taken when misconduct is found to have occurred.

Information is provided in the Academic Integrity Policy, Academic Integrity Procedure, and University of Canberra (Student Conduct) Rules 2023. For further advice, visit Study Skills.

Learner engagement

As this unit is delivered online there are no set face-to-face contact hours. Instead you should plan to spend 5 hours on the unit material and discussion boards per week over the 15 weeks for a total of 75 hours. The remaining 75 hours should be apportioned according to the weighting for each assessment item.  For example, the quizzes are worth 6 % each and should account for 4.5 hours each and the short answer questions are 15 % each and so account for 11.25 hours each.

Participation requirements

Your participation in all online activities will enhance your understanding of the unit content and therefore the quality of your assessment responses. Lack of participation may result in your inability to satisfactorily pass assessment items. Note that participation in online discussions is a required assessment item.

Required IT skills

Familiarity with computers and internet browsers is necessary.

In-unit costs

As detailed in Section 4a the recommended text books are available freely as an E-book through the University of Canberra library.

Work placement, internships or practicums

Work placements, internships or practicums are not part of this unit.

Additional information

Notifications through the University of Florida unit Discussion Forums are deemed to be made to the whole class.  It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that they check for announcements on the Unit's website. Students should ensure they check their UC student email regularly. The University of Florida discussion forums will be checked by staff regularly.

This unit involves research-led education. There are active researchers delivering this unit who are able to engage students in deep and active learning and transmit to students their passion for the research they are carrying out.