Disease Management and Food Security

Subject FOOD90024 (2010)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2010.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2010:

Semester 2, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: Twenty-four hours of lectures / tutorials and 20 hours of group learning exercises and field excursion (4 hours) (total 48 hours)
Total Time Commitment:
Forty-eight hours contact time; 72 hours directed study, assessment and reading (total 120 hours)
Prerequisites: N/A
Corequisites: N/A
Recommended Background Knowledge: N/A
Non Allowed Subjects: N/A
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Coordinator

Assoc Prof Rebecca Ford

Contact

Email: rebeccaf@unimelb.edu.au

Phone: 8344 9753

Subject Overview:

This subject outlines the principles and methods used to identify and manage major pests and pathogens causing plant and animal disease; and in particular their applications in securing food production, quality and trade.

Topics include:

  • methods for efficient and accurate disease diagnosis;
  • biosecurity, quarantine and food trade barriers;
  • applied technologies and transgenics for developing pest and disease resistance;
  • impacts of pests and diseases on the natural ecology;
  • postharvest and food storage diseases and impacts; and
  • innovative and integrated management control strategies.
Objectives:

On completion of this subject, students will be knowledgeable of:

  • cutting edge technologies used for accurate and timely pest and disease diagnosis;
  • the impacts of pests and disease on the movement and global trading of food products;
  • the strategies employed for protecting against major invasive pests and pathogens; and
  • practicable approaches to integrated control in commercial species.
Assessment:
  • One 3000 word essay on a topic chosen from a list of provided topics (worth 30% of final marks and due Week 6);
  • a small group assignment of a conference style poster based on the review of a journal paper to be provided (worth 20% for production and a further 10% for oral presentation);
  • a report on the field excursion of 1500 words maximum (worth 10% of final marks, due Week 10); and a two hour exam (worth 30% of final marks).
Prescribed Texts: N/A
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

On completion of this subject, students should have developed:

  • An ability to critically review scientific literature;
  • Communication skills, through written and oral presentations; and
  • A sense of intellectual curiosity
Related Course(s): Master of Agricultural Science
Postgraduate Certificate in Food Science
Postgraduate Diploma in Agricultural Science
Postgraduate Diploma in Food Science

Download PDF version.