Border Security

1 Credit · Level: Graduate

Boarder Security: Intersection of Global Health and Biorisk Management; International Trade, Emerging Bio Threat and Trends. This graduate seminar combines presentations by experts in biosecurity and biosafety, international policy and protocols, trade and transport regulations, migratory patterns of human, livestock movements and biotechnology/dual use and criminal activity with an analysis of the primary literature in key topics in global risk of infectious diseases. You will be taught the basics of biosecurity and safety as they relate to diplomacy, intelligence, military, enforcement, economics, legislative and medical science (research, emerging epidemic events, pathogen detection, public and veterinary health). Presentations will provide an overview of global health and security issues in the context of border biohazards supported by regional or national case studies. The purpose of this seminar series is to outline possible linkages between the security and health communities, the potential for collaboration in identifying vulnerabilities and recommending viable options to more effectively secure air, sea, land, and cyber borders. These risk factors will be put into perspective from the critical relationship of Global Health, Criminal and Terrorist Activities, International Trade and Commerce, Migratory Patterns of Pathogens, Select Agents, and Pandemic Risk. The curriculum will provide expert presentation(s) on biorisk of infectious disease emergence outside the territories where they are known, as well as the regulations and strategies in place, or required, to prepare for and prevent these border transgressions. The objective of this seminar is to spur discussion to address the factors that promote biological risk at the ports of entry. Moreover, to promote collaborative strategies, policy, and regulatory protocols necessary to prevent and control such biological risk. This course uses a combination of lecture approaches, discussions, and student engagement. Students are expected to read the material provided and to be prepared to participate in all discussions. Written and oral presentations by the students, will constitute the final exam. This course is only open to Ph.D. and M.S. students in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology. This one-credit class meets every week of the semester. Seminars are held during the spring semester, with lectures focusing on concepts of border biohazards.