Biosecurity
Qualifications
Overview
Biosecurity concerns the exclusion, eradication, and effective management of threats to the economy, environment, and human health that are posed by pests and diseases. Aotearoa New Zealand's economy and trade rely on a strong primary production base, and our freedom from major pests and diseases is critical to producing efficiently and trading freely.
Ongoing global climate change and its effects on ecosystems make understanding biosecurity issues crucial. As our climate alters, organisms previously unable to survive in our environment may become a potential threat to our ecosystem.
Year 13 biology is recommended. Some background in mathematics, particularly statistics and chemistry, is valuable. All students should have adequate English skills.
While you cannot major or minor in Biosecurity as an undergraduate student, you can take courses in the subject as part of any degree.
See also Ecosystem Health and Biosecurity.
As an emerging issue of both national and international importance, biosecurity provides many career opportunities in government agencies, spearheaded by the regulatory authority Manatū Ahu Matua | Ministry for Primary Industries. You may also find work in Crown Research Institutes and in ministries concerned with conservation, the environment, agriculture, and forestry.
District and regional councils also may employ biologists to manage invading organisms.
Find out more about what you can do with a degree from UC.
Contact us
Te Kura Pūtaiao Koiora | School of Biological Sciences
Phone +64 3 369 5200
Email biological-sciences@canterbury.ac.nz
Location
Pūtaiao Koiora building – see campus maps
Postal address
Te Rāngai Pūtaiao | College of Science
Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury
Private Bag 4800
Christchurch 8140
New Zealand
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