Week 7 – Epidemiology Module

Map of London, England from 1854 drawn to show clusters of Cholera outbreak
Cover Page Image: Snow, J. (1854). Clusters of cholera cases in the London epidemic of 1854, drawn and lithographed by Charles Cheffins.

This module was originally designed by Dr. Kim Dej (School of Interdisciplinary Science). It has been revised and updated by Mr. Ryan Belowitz, Ms. Devon Jones and Dr. Ana Tomljenovic-Berube in the School of Interdisciplinary Science. 

This lab has been modified from the following  case study:

Harrison-Pitaniello, M., Shiltz, J. L., Hughes, R. E., Estep, R. L., & Mummert, A. B. (2006). Campus Outbreak! Modeling Seasonal Influenza. National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science. https://sciencecases.lib.buffalo.edu/collection/detail.html?case_id=837&id=837

Module Overview

In this Epidemiology Module, we will use the seasonal influenza virus to introduce you to the field of epidemiology and research on infectious disease modelling. The lecture will provide you with general background knowledge on the seasonal influenza virus (e.g. transmission, symptoms and strains), how the virus is studied and modelled (e.g. Fluwatch), and risk factors that make certain segments of the population more vulnerable to the virus. In the lab, there will be group discussions regarding an influenza outbreak simulation you complete using acid/base solutions. You will then be introduced to Netlogo, a program that allows you to mathematically model the spread of seasonal influenza and test the effects of changing different variables on the spread of the disease. In the tutorial, you will apply the knowledge from the lab and lecture to an infectious disease case study that takes place in a nursing home.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this module, students should be able to:

  1.  Explain the parameters that affect the transmission of an infectious disease.
  2. Identify the characteristics that make people over the age of 65 more susceptible to the impacts of infection.
  3. Describe the importance of epidemiology in disease research and prevention.
  4. Design and test hypotheses.
  5. Apply the NetLogo software to model disease infectivity and test hypotheses.

Missed work

If you miss the lab, tutorial or any work associated with this module, here are the details on accommodations.

License

Icon for the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License

LIFESCI 2L03: Living Systems Laboratory Course Pack (6th Edition) Copyright © by Ryan Belowitz; Ana Tomljenovic-Berube; and Devon Jones is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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