The Biosecurity & Disaster Preparedness programs offered through the Institute for Biosecurity at Saint Louis University’s School of Public Health provide professional training and management preparation to meet the needs of a wide variety of healthcare and security professionals interested in this expanding field. Public health professionals, physicians, nurses, emergency management professionals, first responders, and corporate security managers will receive the necessary tools to prepare for and respond to natural and terrorist threats. There are four program options in the Biosecurity and Disaster Preparedness discipline offered by the School of Public Health: the Master of Science (MS) degree (42 credit hours), the Certificate program (15 hours), a Biosecurity and Disaster Preparedness concentration within the Master of Public Health (MPH) degree (48 hours), and a newly established doctoral program (PhD) beginning in Fall 2009. The certificate and MS programs are entirely distance-based—this means that there is no requirement for students to physically attend the Saint Louis University campus in order to complete their course of study. This distance-based program is unique, and makes iteal for working professionals, both national and international, who would otherwise be unable to complete this degree. The program utilizes a blend of web-based teaching tools, including traditional texts, journal articles, DVDs, and threaded discussions to present material. The program employs Blackboard CE, a proven online academic teaching tool which engages learners, increases collaborative work efforts over distances, and serves diverse student populations. The MPH and PhD programs are hybrid, combining both distance-based coursework and traditional on-site courses here at Saint Louis University. The programs specific goals are to

• Help the nation and the world manage the public health consequences of terrorism and emerging infectious diseases by preparing students for careers in biosecurity at the federal, state, and local governmental level and in the private sector

• Provide an opportunity for working biosecurity and public health preparedness professionals to enhance their job performance and future career path

• Establish a curriculum in the School of Public Health in the area of terrorism and emerging infections preparedness that will become the national standard

• Boost faculty interest and involvement in biosecurity issues related to their teaching, research, and service

• Increase the role and visibility of Saint Louis University and the School of Public Health in the rapidly-growing discipline of biosecurity

The Institute’s website (http://bioterrorism.slu.edu) contains a wealth of additional information about the program and related Institute research activities. The Institute for Biosecurity and The School of Public Health are part of a larger academic enterprise--Saint Louis University, one of the premier Catholic universities in the country dedicated to providing excellence in education. The first university established west of the Mississippi River, it is the second oldest of the 28 Jesuit colleges and universities in America. Located in the heart of St. Louis, the University is a green, beautifully landscaped oasisentified in the St. Louis skyline by its copper-topped buildings. The University enrolls more than 11,000 day and evening students. For more information contact: Larry Bommarito, Program Manager Institute for Biosecurity, Saint Louis University School of Public Health Phone: 314-977-8135 Email: bommarlg@slu.edu Website: www.bioterrorism.slu.edu