Animal Science: ABCs of Biosecurity

Covers the acronyms of relevant agencies, organizations, and preparedness strategies for agrosecurity, biosecurity, and communication to protect food and agriculture from disaster. Introduces food and agriculture threats, vulnerabilities, and disease disaster mitigation strategies.

Open to degree and PACE students

US food and agriculture systems are vulnerable to threats like highly pathogenic avian influenza, spotted lanternfly, and food borne contamination. This course introduces what kinds of threats exist, why the food system is vulnerable, and how mitigation measures can help protect it. You will gain a basic understanding of how agencies and organizations enact agrosecurity, biosecurity, and communication strategies to protect food and agriculture from disaster. This course is part of the biosecurity minor. As an introductory level course, all backgrounds and interests are welcome. Upon completion of this course students will be able to: • Describe agrosecurity and why it is important. • Recognize the roles played by various agencies and organizations. • Explain how the missions of emergency management apply to food and agricultural disasters. • Develop risk communication messages relevant to protecting food and agriculture from biological disasters. • Recognize and know how to report suspected significant pests and diseases of plants and animals.

In-class discussions and activities depend on completing assignments before class. Weekly modules are hosted in UVM's learning management system, Brightspace. Test your knowledge with assignments before completing graded quizzes. Apply time management skills to tracking due dates and meeting deadlines. This is a 3-credit class, so expect readings and assignments to take at least 6 hours per week to complete.

Grading is based on the following types of assessments: • Participation (Padlet) (40%) • Quizzes (Brightspace) (40%) • Take home final exam due during finals (Essay responses to case study prompts) (20%)