Whether you're a recent graduate looking to gain advanced knowledge and skills, or you're ready to take your career to the next level, a postgraduate course in Biosecurity might be the perfect step to advance your career.

Why study Biosecurity

As the world becomes increasingly interconnected and globalized, the importance of biosecurity – the protection of human, animal, and plant health from biological threats – is more important than ever. Postgraduate biosecurity courses at Murdoch provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to tackle these complex and challenging issues.

Murdoch is the first university in Australia to offer Masters in Biosecurity. The course delivery is very flexible, meaning you can study this course from anywhere and alongside other employment. The program provides students with the knowledge and skills they need to identify, assess and mitigate biosecurity risks, as well as to develop, implement and evaluate biosecurity policies and procedures. 

Kirsty Bayliss, Associate Professor says, 

This knowledge and skill set can be useful for anyone, looking to make a real difference in the world and contribute in protecting the health and safety of our people, plants, and animals and protect our economy”   

 

What does a career in biosecurity look like?

A Biosecurity degree from Murdoch University can provide students with a strong foundation for a career in a range of industries, including government, non-profit, and private sectors, as well as academia.

Some potential job titles for graduates of the program might include: 

Biosecurity Manager: Protect natural ecosystems and agriculture from pests and diseases by implementing surveillance, quarantine and eradication measures 

Policy Officer: Shape biosecurity policies and regulations at the local, national, and international levels to strengthen biosecurity preparedness and response.

Research Scientist: Conduct ground-breaking research to understand the spread of pests and diseases and develop innovative solutions to mitigate their impact.

Risk Analyst: Assess the potential risks posed by pests and diseases to ecosystems, agriculture, and human health, and develop strategies to mitigate these risks.

Emergency Response Coordinator: Coordinate rapid response efforts during biosecurity emergencies, such as disease outbreaks or pest incursions, to minimize their impact on ecosystems, agriculture, and public health.

Wildlife Conservation Manager: Lead conservation efforts to preserve native biodiversity and ecosystems by managing threats posed by pests and diseases and invasive species.

Biosecurity Educator: Educate communities, stakeholders, and the public about the importance of biosecurity and empower them to take action to prevent the spread of pests and diseases.

Kirsty believes that jobs within the sector are expected to keep growing, and will certainly never disappear. 

When COVID-19 came along, it reminded us about the value of being prepared.”

Postgraduate courses in Biosecurity help equip students to address problems facing agriculture, health and environmental sectors. Can we improve our tools to detect outbreaks earlier, or contain infectious diseases better to stop their spread? How to we better engage with the general community to convey the importance of disease control measures? What legislation or policies need to be updated to initiate emergency responses in a more timely manner?

Our goal is to equip our graduates with the tools and expertise they need to address major global challenges, both currently and in the future. Alongside this, we strive to offer them the possibility to specialize in biosecurity and develop a deep understanding of the field.”

 

Work and study alongside leading academics and researchers

Murdoch Biosecurity courses provide students with the knowledge and skills they need to protect animal, plant and public health and safety. The programs are taught by academic staff who are experts in their field, who bring a wealth of experience and insight to the classroom.

Tara, a graduate says one of the main reasons for choosing this degree was to work with the outstanding academics.

Dr Bayliss was an excellent project supervisor. As my supervisor, she always had time to discuss my ideas and research. I really appreciated her attention to detail and constructive advice as it not only improved the project but allowed me to improve my own critical thinking and writing skills. Dr Bayliss is a leader in the field of plant biosecurity and I was honoured to be one of her students.”

Murdoch University’s Biosecurity degrees are an excellent choice for those looking to pursue a career in this important and growing field. Its interdisciplinary approach, strong practical component, and commitment to sustainability make it a standout among other programs.