Program Overview
Through courses on global biosecurity, challenges in food security, and development and sustainability, students gain insights into the agronomic, environmental, socio-political, and economic factors impacting the food supply chain. With experienced faculty and industry connections, graduates are well-equipped for careers in agriculture, international development, and related fields.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The Graduate Certificate in Food Security is a part-time program that aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of food security, including the pillars underpinning it and the key challenges it faces now and in the future. The program emphasizes the importance of managing future food security, particularly in light of the growing global population. It highlights the challenges faced by food and feed production industries worldwide, including the increasing risk of pest and disease spread due to international trade and travel. The program emphasizes the crucial role of biosecurity in protecting the food supply chain.
Outline:
The program consists of 12 credit points and is structured as follows:
- BIO639 Global Biosecurity (3 credit points): This unit explores the international frameworks that drive global biosecurity and the Australian biosecurity system.
- BIO688 Challenges in Food Security (6 credit points): This unit delves into the range of agronomic, environmental, socio-political, and economic factors that impact the food supply chain.
- SUS628 Development and Sustainability (3 credit points): This unit examines the global challenges to food security.
Teaching:
The program benefits from Murdoch's strong research strengths in crop and pasture and agricultural biotechnology, where they have an Excellence in Research rating of well above world standard. Students learn from teaching staff with significant practical experience, ensuring learning is at the forefront of professional practice. The program also leverages strong ties to industry, allowing students to conduct projects that focus on in-depth analysis of workplace-relevant issues.
Careers:
Graduates of the program are well-prepared for careers in agriculture and international development, taking on policy, technical, research, and administrative roles within organizations such as:
- State Departments of Agriculture
- State and Federal Agriculture or Development Agencies
- NGOs
- Private industry
- International counterparts
Other:
Graduates may be eligible to apply for membership to societies such as the Australian Institute of Agricultural Science and the Australian Society of Horticultural Sciences.
