Epidemics

Please note: This course has been revised to an honors level.

This Epidemics class takes students on a quest to investigate the origins, distribution and interventions of one of the most fascinating and concerning aspects of disease, epidemics. The first half of the semester, students will explore the historical roots of epidemiological thinking and its contribution to the evolution of the scientific method. They will develop and use models to explain different modes of disease transmission and analyze data focused on the distribution of disease by person, place and time to generate hypotheses related to the patterns of disease. “How does disease spread?” “Who is at risk?” and “Why are some people getting sick while others remain healthy?” are some of the key questions students will answer as they learn about descriptive epidemiology.

In the second term, students will work as epidemiologists or “disease detectives'' as they investigate a public health outbreak. Students will test hypotheses to determine if exposure to risks has a beneficial or detrimental effect on disease outcome. After identifying interventions to control and prevent health problems in a community, students will understand the role of political, social and scientific factors in improving population health. Finally, students will evaluate and communicate information about various career paths in public health as well as the applications and benefits of public health for a healthy society.

This semester-long epidemics course will engage students through hands-on, student centered, real world case studies, videos, group activities, modeling and virtual simulations. Students will use their scientific investigation skills to collect, organize, graph and analyze epidemiological data to identify patterns in the distribution of disease. Students will utilize critical thinking skills to evaluate methods to detect, prevent, cure and minimize disease in a population and construct arguments based on evidence to assess strengths and weaknesses in disease mitigation strategies.

Acknowledgements

This course has been revised to an Honors level.
Successful completion of a full year of high school biology or equivalent.
Please Note: This course contains an end-of-course proctored exam. Instructions for students to identify an appropriate adult proctor are included in the course lessons.

Course Objectives

Essential Questions:

What is the relevance/importance of epidemiology?
How is disease distributed, and how do we explain the distribution?
What factors influence the cause of disease?
Can disease be prevented, and what evidence/measures do we use to determine success?

Objectives:

Develop a deeper understanding of the basic science of epidemiology and its use in the control of disease.
Research and discuss the historical evolution of epidemiology and the contribution of key figures in that evolution.
Obtain, evaluate and communicate information to understand and analyze the disease process and chain of infection.
Analyze and interpret data focusing on the amount, distribution and patterns of disease within a population by person, place and time.
Use models to identify patterns of health and disease to characterize a public health problem.
Plan and carry out investigations to analyze associations and causations of health and disease.
Evaluate the effectiveness of prevention methods to improve health and prevent disease.
Explore the role of various career paths in public health as well as the applications and benefits of public health for a healthy society.

Additional Requirements

Calculator, graph paper, and a ruler will be needed to complete assignments throughout the course.
Data or case studies related to sensitive topics may be discussed throughout the course.