BSDP-625
Biosecurity capstone

As the terminal course in the Biosecurity and Disasters program this course provides the student with the opportunity to integrate and apply biosecurity course material while developing and completing a learner-directed Terminal Project that will make an evidence based and credible contribution to preparedness efforts.

The focus of the project will be proposed by the student and both the scope and focus of the project will be negotiated with the professor. The project will be reflective of the student’s interest, career goals, and whenever possible should enhance the preparedness of the student’s current employment setting and or result in a publication. It is anticipated that in the process of completing the project the student will undertake, in part, a critical evaluation of the “conventional wisdom and dogma associated with the project. The final project will demonstrate the depth and breath of knowledge acquired during the student’s course of study in the Biosecurity and Disaster Preparedness Program. The Terminal Project may take any number of forms such as the development of enduring educational material; the completion of a comprehensive literature review, synopsis and actionable recommendations addressing an unresolved issue within the biosecurity/disaster preparedness field; the development of an institutional or organizational risk assessment; prevention, mitigation, preparedness, recovery plan or activity, which focuses on bioterrorism or a novel or emerging infectious diseases.

The faculty anticipate that the student will devote an amount of time to the project that would be comparable to that of a traditional MPH internship.

Course Number: BSDP-625
Classification: Required
Credits Earned: 3
Term Available: Each Term
Faculty: Rachel Schwartz

Course Description:
This final course in the Biosecurity and Disaster Preparedness program provides students with the opportunity to integrate and apply biosecurity course material while developing and completing a learner directed Final Project that will contribute evidence based and credible materials to preparedness/response efforts. The project will demonstrate the depth and breadth of knowledge acquired during the student’s course of study in the Biosecurity and Disaster Preparedness Program. 

The focus of the project will be proposed by the student and both the scope and focus of the project will be negotiated with the professor. The project will reflect the student’s interests, career goals, and whenever possible should enhance the preparedness of the student’s current employment setting.

The project may take any number of forms such as the development of enduring educational material; the completion of a comprehensive literature review resulting in a synopsis and actionable recommendations within the biosecurity/disaster preparedness field; an internship and report; the development of an institutional or organizational risk assessment/prevention/mitigation/preparedness/recovery assessment, plan or activity.  
 
Students are expected to devote an amount of time to the project that would be comparable to that of a traditional MPH internship. 

Competencies
• Understand risk prevention/mitigation methods to minimize health and safety risks to responders and civilians
• Apply creative problem solving and flexibility in dealing with unusual challenges during emergency management
• Define the relevant components of preparedness (individual, business etc.)
• Identify infection prevention and control strategies.

Course Objectives:
At the conclusion of this course a student will be able to:

1. Demonstrate an ability to apply and integrate the knowledge and skills acquired through degree study.
2. Demonstrate a working familiarity with bioterrorism/disaster preparedness and response literature relevant to project.
3. Design an actionable, evidence based product (response plan, white paper etc.) that addresses serious disaster preparedness/response issues
4. Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the field of biosecurity and disaster preparedness and the major issues it confronts.
5.   Produce an evidence-based, actionable, persuasive argument for a specific form of disaster planning and response.