Undergraduate Certificate
of Biosecurity Science

February and July

Full time: 13 weeks

Mode of delivery is online.  Online engagement hours are typically 16 hours per week. An additional 32 hours per week of personal study time is typical.

This course is delivered online.  Online learning can involve a range of programs and resources including StudentWeb, Microsoft Teams, Cisco Webex, Skype, specific industry platforms, pre-recorded sessions, assigned reading, tutorials, discussion boards, and online activities. Online delivery means that you can enrol in this course when you wish, and complete at your own pace.

This biosecurity science course may provide you with professional employment opportunities as science-educated and biosecurity-skilled personnel at entry-level positions in surveillance monitoring of industries impacted by biosecurity risk. Employment opportunities are available across a broad range of industries but may include jobs with position descriptions that include aspects of biosecurity surveillance and monitoring or an understanding of the application of biosecurity practices. You may also find positions in allied industries that are biosecurity relevant, informed by comprehensive understanding of national and international best practice.

The Undergraduate Certificate in Biosecurity Science provides graduates with a broad understanding of the biosecurity continuum (onshore, at border, and offshore) and the social and economic challenges involving biological threats to humans, agriculture and the environment. Graduates will have a detailed understanding of pest and disease surveillance and monitoring, the national preparedness plans put in place to protect Australia’s ecosystems, and will have developed knowledge and skills to identify and monitor biosecurity breaches.

Offshore Residents 

• Australian Year 12 completion or International equivalent
• IELTS 6.0 or International equivalent recognised by the Institute

Australian Residents

Applicants with higher education study

Applicants with higher education are those who have completed some or all of a higher education course as their highest level of study since leaving secondary education.  This includes study undertaken by applicants at non-university higher education providers or university, such as applicants seeking to transfer to Box Hill Institute from another education provider or applicants changing to a different course at Box Hill Institute.

Applicants with higher education may be eligible for advanced standing and should mention any relevant qualifications in their application or during the interview with the course coordinator.

You can apply to study with us through direct entry and must also have:

• • achieved a score of at least 20 in English OR demonstrate an equivalent literacy standard 
  • successfully completed any maths at unit 3/4 level OR demonstrate an equivalent numeracy standard
  • booked and successfully completed an individual online selection interview of approximately 30 minutes duration
  • competent computer skills for accessing subject resources, completing online tutorial tasks and submitting word processed assignments through StudentWeb

Applicants with vocational education and training study

Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study are those who have completed some or all of a VET course as their highest level of study since leaving secondary education. This includes study at a public TAFE or other VET provider and applicants who have other qualifications such as Year 10 or Year 12 secondary school certificate.

Applicants with diploma or higher qualifications may be eligible for advanced standing and should mention any relevant qualifications in their application or during the interview with the course coordinator. 

You can apply to study with us through direct entry and must also have:

• • achieved a score of at least 20 in English OR demonstrate an equivalent literacy standard 
  • successfully completed any maths at unit 3/4 level, OR demonstrate an equivalent numeracy standard
  • booked and successfully completed an individual online selection interview of approximately 30 minutes duration
  • competent computer skills for accessing subject resources, completing online tutorial tasks and submitting word processed assignments through StudentWeb

Applicants with work and life experience

Applicants with work and life experience are those that have left secondary education more than 2 years ago (i.e. applicants who are not classified as recent secondary education applicants) and have not undertaken VET or higher education study since then.

Experience could include a combination of factors sufficient to demonstrate readiness for higher education. This includes mature age entry, professional experience, community involvement or work experience. Applicants may have undertaken non-formal programs that have helped them to prepare for tertiary education or are relevant to the proposed higher education field of study.

Applicants with relevant work and life experience may be eligible for advanced standing and should mention any relevant experience in their application or during the interview with the course coordinator.

You can apply to study with us through direct entry and must also have:

• • achieved a score of at least 20 in English OR demonstrate an equivalent literacy standard 
  • successfully completed any maths at unit 3/4 level OR demonstrate an equivalent numeracy standard
  • booked and successfully completed an individual online selection interview of approximately 30 minutes duration
  • competent computer skills for accessing subject resources, completing online tutorial tasks and submitting word processed assignments through StudentWeb

Applicants with recent secondary education

Applicants with recent secondary education are those whose admission is based primarily on completion of Year 12 undertaken at school, TAFE or other VET or higher education provider (this includes Australian or international equivalent) that was completed (or will be) within the previous 3 years.

You can apply through VTAC and must have:

• • achieved a score of at least 20 in English OR demonstrate an equivalent literacy standard 
  • successfully completed any maths at unit 3/4 level OR demonstrate an equivalent numeracy standard
  • booked and successfully completed an individual online selection interview of approximately 30 minutes duration
  • competent computer skills for accessing subject resources, completing online tutorial tasks and submitting word processed assignments through StudentWeb

Australian Residents:

Direct entry 

All applicants must:

• • Submit a course enquiry (via Apply Now above)

Offshore Residents:

Please apply through:

1. 1. an authorised representative in your country
   2. a Box Hill Institute booth at an education exhibition
   3. or direct to Box Hill Institute

See how to apply or contact the international office for more information.

If you have successfully completed the Diploma of Laboratory Technology, you may qualify for 6 credit points (1 units).

Successful completion of the Undergraduate Certificate will enable you to apply for four units (24 credit points) of advanced standing into the Bachelor of Biosecurity Science.  

This training is provided to eligible individuals with funds made available by the Commonwealth and Victorian Governments

Offshore Residents

Applicants located outside of Australia Will be charged A$9,755.00

Australian Residents

In 2021, Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) eligible domestic students will pay a tuition fee of $0 for a limited number of places. To apply for one of these places, please submit a course enquiry. Students must complete the course by December 2021 (for July 2021 intake) and February 2022 (for the November 2021 intake) to be eligible for the discounted fee. Students who study beyond this date will be required to pay full fees.

To get a CSP you must be one of the following:

• an Australian citizen, who will live and study in Australia for some of the course
• a New Zealand citizen, who will live and study in Australia for the whole course
• a permanent visa holder, who will live and study in Australia for the whole course

More information about the eligibility requirements for CSPs can be found at the Study Assist website.

Retain Course Items are purchased once by the student prior to commencing. Those items then become the property of the student. Fees listed are at 2021 rates and may increase annually over the duration of delivery. The student tuition fees listed are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. For more information please contact our Course Advisors on 1300 BOX HILL.

The Undergraduate Certificate of Biosecurity Science is a 6 month qualification. You are expected to attend all lectures online and complete all online activities. Tutorials are elective and you are encouraged to attend. Students will require a computer with reliable internet access in order to participate in online forums and to download and upload class materials. A webcam and microphone (such as on a laptop or smart phone) is essential to participate in online discussion forums and to record or present some assessment tasks.

Delivery of most subjects are timetabled for 4 hours per week in a remote-learning environment. Lectures are recorded and can be watched in your own time if you cannot attend scheduled times. Some lectures and tutorial may be pre-recorded.

You should expect to spend 12 hours per week per subject including personal study hours. Full time students should expect to commit 48 hours per week total workload for the length of the course. 

Completion of all 4 unit subjects is required to graduate.

Class sizes are typically less than 20.