Epidemiology Session 2

From Covid-19 to HIV to malaria, infectious diseases remain one of the world’s leading causes of death. How do scientists compile and use statistics to combat outbreaks? In this course, you and your classmates will investigate the science and politics of disease, from the roles epidemiologists play in unlocking pandemics’ points of origin to exploring how policymakers address AIDS and the avian flu. You’ll gain insight into the cause and spread of global diseases, the role of scientists in identifying, controlling, and/or preventing them, and the political and ethical implications. You’ll build a foundation in cell, bacterial, and viral biology, evolutionary biology, and pathogenic resistance to drugs, and learn about the tools scientists use—from statistical analysis to computer modeling to biomedical research—and leave the course with a greater understanding of how epidemiologists combat diseases and prepare for future outbreaks. This science-based course also explores the roles the arts and media play in issues of global health, human rights, and stigma associated with infectious disease.