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Epidemics - the Dynamics of Infectious Diseases

Approx. 17 hours to complete

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Course Summary

This course provides an introduction to the study of epidemics and how they can be controlled.

Key Learning Points

Learn about the history of epidemics and how they have shaped human society.
Understand the key principles of disease transmission and how to model epidemics.
Explore different strategies for controlling epidemics, including vaccination, quarantine, and social distancing.

Learning Outcomes

Understand the basic principles of epidemiology
Be able to model the spread of infectious diseases
Evaluate different strategies for controlling epidemics

Prerequisites or good to have knowledge before taking this course

Basic understanding of statistics and probability
Familiarity with basic biology concepts

Course Difficulty Level

Intermediate

Course Format

Online
Self-paced

Similar Courses

Infectious Diseases and Countermeasures
Epidemiology in Public Health Practice

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Description

Not so long ago, it was almost guaranteed that you would die of an infectious disease. In fact, had you been born just 150 years ago, your chances of dying of an infectious disease before you've reached the tender age of 5 would have been extremely high.

Since then, science has come a long way in understanding infectious diseases - what they are, how they spread, and how they can be prevented. But diseases like HIV/AIDS, Malaria, Tuberculosis, or the flu are still major killers worldwide, and novel emerging diseases are a constant threat to public health. In addition, the bugs are evolving. Antibiotics, our most potent weapon against bacterial infections, are losing their power because the bacteria are becoming resistant. In this course, we'll explore the major themes of infectious diseases dynamics. After we’ve covered the basics, we'll be looking at the dynamics of the flu, and why we're worried about flu pandemics. We'll be looking at the dynamics of childhood diseases such as measles and whooping cough, which were once considered almost eradicated, but are now making a comeback. We'll explore Malaria, and use it as a case study of the evolution of drug resistance. We'll even be looking at social networks - how diseases can spread from you to your friends to your friends' friends, and so on. And of course we’ll be talking about vaccination too. We’ll also be talking about how mobile phones, social media and crowdsourcing are revolutionizing disease surveillance, giving rise to a new field of digital epidemiology. And yes, we will be talking about Zombies - not human zombies, but zombie ants whose brains are hijacked by an infectious fungus. We're looking forward to having you join us for an exciting course!

Outline

Course Introduction
Course Overview
Course Syllabus
Glossary of Terms

Pathogens
What is an Epidemic?
Micro and Macro Parasites
Infection and Disease
Transmission Types
Reproductive Number
Epidemic Curve
Micro-organisms
Module Overview
Summative: Pathogens

Hosts
Types of Immunity: Innate Immune System
Types of Immunity: Adaptive Immune System
Immune Evasion
Other Determinants of Susceptibility
Social Influences on Immunity
Pathogens and Disease
Detecting an Infectious Disease Outbreak
Module Overview: Hosts
Summative: Hosts

Basics of Ecology
Pathogens and Host Extinction
Force of Infection
Cycles
Seasonality
Flu 1918
Host Diversity, Host Range
Critical Community Size
Pathogen-Microbiome Interactions
The 2014 Ebola Outbreak
Module Overview: Basics of Ecology
Summative: Basics of Ecology

Epidemiology
Roots of Epidemiology
Social Networks
Structure of Networks
Superspreaders
Spatial Hetergeneity
Movement and Modern Transportation
Surveillance and Disclosure
Co-Infection Consequences
Module Overview: Epidemiology
Summative: Epidemiology

Vaccination
Introduction to Control
Discovery of the First Vaccine
Global Impact of Vaccination
How Vaccination Works
Herd Immunity
Social Networks and Targeted Vaccination
Vaccination Refusal
Module Overview: Vaccination
Summative: Vaccination

Control Mechanisms
Eradication and Elimination
Social Challenges to Eradication
Non-pharmaceutical Interventions: Animals
Non-pharmaceutical Interventions: Humans 1
Non-pharmaceutical Interventions: Humans 2
Behavioral Avoidance
Controlling the Vector
Consequences of Control
Vaccination Ethics
New Approaches to an Old Infection
Module Objectives: Control Mechanisms
Summative: Control Mechanisms

Emergence
Disease Emergence
Re-emergence
Evolution General
Antibiotic and Drug Resistance
Management of Resistance
Behavioral And Economic Impact
Evolution of Virulence
Module Overview: Emergence
Summative: Emergence

Global Health
SARS - A Modern Epidemic
Disease Surveillance - Classical
Disease Surveillance - Digital
Culture and Health
Emerging Disease Issues
Crop Diseases and Food Security
Global Pattern of Parasite Biodiversity
Models of Infectious Diseases
Zombies
Module Overview: Global Health
Summative: Global Health

Ask Us Anything Videos
Introductions
What Does It Mean to Be Infectious?
What is the Impact of Prior Infections on Susceptibility to New Pathogens?
What Ended the Plague? What Can We Learn About Pandemics?
Can Behavior Contribute to Susceptibility?
Marilyn Roosinck and What’s Different about Plant Epidemiology?
Can Plants be Vectors of Disease?
What are Other Determinants of Susceptibility?
Can Pathogens Change Host Function?
Immune System Conflict
Eric Harvill and What is the Whole Micro-Biome, Pro-Biotic, Good Bacteria Thing?
Why Can't Our Antibodies Mutate Like Antigens?
How Does Microbiome Exchange Therapy Work?
What are the Best Strategies to Combat Multi-Species Infections?
How Relevant is the Concept of Critical Community Size?
Isabella Catadori and the Translation of Her Lab Work into the Field
Examples of Co-Infections and How They Change Epidemiology of Human Infections
Super-Shedders v. Super Spreaders and the Pareto Principle
The Role of Social Media in Epidemiology and how Information is Disseminated
Dr. Vivek Kapur and What Do We Need to Know about Development and Implementation of New Vaccines?
Why Don't We Have Vaccines for Everything?
Why Don't We Use Targeted Vaccinations?
What Are the Benefits of So-Called Gain-of-Function Experiments?
Dr. Moriah Szpara and How/Why do viruses like Varicella and Herpes Re-activate Themselves?
What are the Challenges to the Eradication of Pathogens and Setting Eradication as a Goal?
How Does Stress Affect Susceptibility and the Expression of Disease?
Has there been a Collective Change in Human Behavior in Response to Sexually Transmitted Diseases?
What can we do to minimize selection for resistance in vectors?
Genetic engineering of vectors? pt.1
Genetic engineering of vectors? pt.2
What is the role of climate change in disease emergence?
What can we learn from antibiotic and vaccine use in agriculture?
Dr. Craig Cameron and What do We Mean by 'Antivirals?'
What is it About Polio?
What About the One Health Concept?
What is the Next Big Thing?

Summary of User Reviews

The Epidemics course on Coursera has received positive reviews from users. Many users appreciated the well-structured course content and engaging lectures.

Key Aspect Users Liked About This Course

Well-structured course content

Pros from User Reviews

Engaging and informative lectures
In-depth coverage of epidemiology and disease transmission
Accessible to both beginners and experts
Certification upon completion
Good value for money

Cons from User Reviews

Some users found the quizzes too challenging
Limited interaction with instructors and other students
Not enough practical exercises
Course content may be too basic for advanced learners
No offline access to course materials

languageEnglish

start dateAvailable now

durationApprox. 17 hours to complete

teacherDr. Ottar N. Bjornstad, Dr. Rachel A. Smith, Dr. Mary L. Poss, Dr. David P. Hughes, Dr. Peter Hudson, Dr. Matthew Ferrari, Dr. Andrew Read, Dr. Marcel Salathé

institutionThe Pennsylvania State University

course taken onCoursera

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