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Syllabus

Graduate Programs in Public Health

GPH 713 Infectious Disease Epidemiology — Spring A

Credits - 3

Description

This course is an upper-level course designed for students who would like to continue learning after completing the basic principles of epidemiology. The course includes: a historical perspective on infectious disease (ID) epidemiology, basic biostatistics and study design as they apply to ID outbreaks and epidemics, the multi-causal and social aspects of ID, surveillance, and control of epidemics. Emphasis will be placed on investigative techniques, epidemiological methodology, and critical thinking about epidemiological studies and data. By the end of the course, students will have a strong background in the fundamentals of infectious disease epidemiology, will be able to critique and understand current literature in epidemiology and public health, and will be able to use these tools in their practice.

Pre-requisite:

GPH 712 Principles of Epidemiology or equivalent

Materials

Required Textbooks:

Magnus M. Essentials of Infectious Disease Epidemiology. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers, 2008, ISBN-13: 978-0-7637-3444-2

Learning Objectives and Outcomes

Course Goal:

To foster an understanding and appreciation for the practice of infectious disease epidemiology through exploration, critical thinking, and discussion.

Course Learning Objectives:

  1. Define infectious disease epidemiology.
  2. Identify key moments in the historical evolution of infectious disease epidemiology and its influences on present day practice.
  3. Describe the biological basics of infectious disease.
  4. Apply descriptive epidemiology and the epidemiological triangle to describe infectious diseases.
  5. Define and apply basic epidemiological terms and measures.
  6. List the steps of an outbreak investigation.
  7. Describe surveillance and its role in infectious disease epidemiology.
  8. Define epidemiological studies and its appropriate application to studying infectious diseases.
  9. Calculate and interpret epidemiological measures of disease occurrence and the measures of effect used to compare the risk of disease.
  10. Identify key characteristics of data quality and presentation.
  11. Describe the influence of infectious disease as a health disparity and health equity issue.
  12. Identify sources of infectious disease epidemiological data.

Core Competencies:

This course lays a foundation for the core competencies on which future courses build.  Each subsequent course will continue to build on these competencies.

This course addresses the following Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH) Competencies:

  • A.5. Apply descriptive techniques commonly used to summarize public health data.
  • A. 9. Interpret results of statistical analyses found in public health studies.
  • C.1. Identify key sources of data for epidemiologic purposes.
  • C. 3. Describe a public health problem in terms of magnitude, person, time, and place.
  • C. 4. Explain the importance of epidemiology for informing scientific, ethical, economic, and political discussion of health issues.
  • C. 6. Apply the basic terminology and definitions of epidemiology.
  • C. 7. Calculate basic epidemiology measures.
  • C. 9. Draw appropriate inferences from epidemiologic data.
  • C. 10. Evaluate the strengths and limitations of epidemiologic reports.
  • E. 6. Describe the role of social and community factors in both the onset and solution of public health problems.
  • H.4. Engage in dialogue and learning from others to advance public health goals.
  • I.10. Integrate general biological and molecular concepts into public health.

Assignments

Introduction Post

Weekly Discussion Posts

Written Assignments 1-4

Quiz

Final Exam

Grading Policy

Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:

Grade Breakdown

AssignmentsPoints
Introduction Post1
Weekly Discussion Posts24 (3 each week)
Written Assignment 1-4 (10 points each)40
Quiz10
Final Exam25
Total100

Grade Scale

Grade Points Grade Point Average (GPA)
A 94 – 100% 4.00
A- 90 – 93% 3.75
B+ 87 – 89% 3.50
B 84 – 86% 3.00
B- 80 – 83% 2.75
C+ 77 – 79% 2.50
C 74 – 76% 2.00
C- 70 – 73% 1.75
D 64 – 69% 1.00
F 00 – 63% 0.00

Schedule

Week 1: January 6 – 13

Topics: Introduction, history, biological basics of infectious disease, basic terminology

Objectives:

    • Define infectious disease epidemiology.
    • Identify key moments in the historical evolution of infectious disease epidemiology and its influences on present day practice.
    • Describe biological basics of infectious disease.
    • Define and apply basic epidemiological terms and measures.

Readings:

Lecture:

    • Introduction and Foundational Concepts (Gunderman)

Discussion Board:

    • Post 1: Introduction: Introduce yourself to the class. Tell us where you live and 3 other interesting facts about yourself. Describe what you hope to learn in the class and your expectations.
    • Post 2: Take a photo of something related to infectious disease. I encourage you to be in the photo too. Upload it onto the discussion board. Provide 3-5 sentences of how your photo relates to infectious disease.
    • Post 3: Respond to colleague’s photo.

 

Week 2: January 13 – 20

Topics: Descriptive epidemiology, epidemiological triangle, data sources

Objectives:

  • Apply descriptive epidemiology and the epidemiological triangle to describe infectious diseases.
  • Identify sources of infectious disease epidemiological data.

Readings:

Lecture:

  • Descriptive Epidemiology (Gunderman)

Discussion Board:

  • Post 1: Research data sources for infectious diseases. You can use one listed in the lecture. In your post identify the data source and provide the web link. Describe what you liked about the data source, how you would use it, and recommendations for improvement.
  • Post 2: Pick a data source from one of the posts. Identify 2 indicators/measures/pieces of data from that source. Explain/Interpret what the data means.

Assignment 1:

Choose an infectious disease within each category. Using the template provided, apply the epidemiological triangle to your chosen infectious diseases. Use and correctly reference relevant data (AMA format) to describe agent, host, and environment. Due Wednesday January 20 at 11:59PM via Blackboard.

Reminder: The assignment for Week 3 requires that you watch the movie Contagion — please make sure to make plans to do so.

 

Week 3: January 20 – 27

Topics: Surveillance, outbreak investigation

Objectives:

  • List the steps of an outbreak investigation.
  • Describe surveillance and its role in infectious disease epidemiology.

Readings:

Lectures:

Discussion Board:

  • Post 1: The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified an emerging infectious disease. Its symptoms include: fever, headache, and other meningitis like symptoms. It seems to have been first identified in tropical climates with heat and humidity. You are working for your country, state, or local health department that has the authority to conduct surveillance. What do you need to do to build a strong surveillance system for this emerging disease? Provide 2 recommendations. Things to consider include: What information should you be collecting? How should you be collecting it? From whom should you be collecting it?
  • Post 2: Respond to another student’s post. Describe which partners should be involved to implement their recommendations for a strong surveillance system. Provide examples.

Assignment 2:

Watch the movie Contagion. Using the attached template, provide the information and critique about the outbreak investigation conducted in the movie. Due Wednesday January 27 at 11:59PM via Blackboard.

 

Week 4: January 27 – February 3

Topics: Case control and cross sectional studies

Objectives:

  • Define epidemiological studies and its appropriate application to studying infectious diseases.
  • Calculate and interpret epidemiological measures of disease occurrence and the measures of effect used to compare the risk of disease.

Readings:

Lecture:

  • Case Control and Cross Sectional Studies (Gunderman)

Supplemental Video:

Discussion Board:

  • Post 1: Research articles and identify an article about a cross sectional or case control study for an infectious disease. Provide the title and web link to the article. Identify the hypothesis/research question being tested; the results of the study; your interpretation of the results (in your own words); and the pros/cons of the study.
  • Post 2: Respond to another’s student’s post. Provide recommendations on how to use the findings of the study.

Assignment 3:

Design a case control study. Use the template to complete this assignment. Due Wednesday February 3 at 11:59PM via Blackboard.

 

Week 5: February 3 – 10

Topics: Cohort and experimental studies

Objectives:

  • Define epidemiological studies and its appropriate application to studying infectious diseases.
  • Calculate and interpret epidemiological measures of disease occurrence and the measures of effect used to compare the risk of disease.

Readings:

 Lecture:

  • Cohort and Experimental Studies (Gunderman) 

Supplemental Video:

Discussion Board:

  • Post 1: Choose an infectious disease, develop a hypothesis you would like to study using a cohort or experimental study. Provide the hypothesis or research question you would like answer/test. Identify and list 2 studies that have been conducted that could assist as background information/literature review to your study.
  • Post 2: Respond to another student. What should your colleague consider when conducting the study? Population to study? Questions to ask? etc.

Quiz:

The quiz will open when Module 5 becomes available and must be submitted by Wednesday February 10 at 11:59PM. It will contain material from modules 1-4.

 

Week 6: February 10 – 17

Topics: Infectious disease as a health equity issue.

Objectives:

  • Describe the influence of infectious disease as a health disparity and health equity issue.

Reading:

  • Quinn SC, Kumar S. Health inequalities and infectious disease epidemics: a challenge for global health security. Biosecur Bioterror. 2014 Sep- Oct;12(5):263-73.

Lectures:

Discussion Board:

  • Post 1: You are given a million dollars to invest in epidemiological resources to address health inequities of infectious diseases. Identify the disease(s) you want to focus on. Describe how you would use the funds. Conduct surveillance? Conduct a study? How is it addressing health inequities/disparity? Make a case for why your idea should get the money.
  • Post 2: Respond to another student’s post from the perspective of the funder. What additional information would you want to know to make a decision about funding their initiative.

Assignment 4:

Write a letter to your legislator. Explain why your country should be involved in global health infectious disease issues. This may include polio eradication; HIV/AIDS; etc. Use epidemiological data to support your position. Make recommendations on your country’s response, including continued epidemiological activities. The letter should be no more than 2 pages double spaced, not including references. Due Wednesday February 17 at 11:59PM via Blackboard.

 

 

Week 7: February 17 – 24

Topics: Data quality

Objectives:

  • Identify key characteristics of data quality and presentation.

Readings:

Lecture:

  • Essentials of Data Quality and Presentation (Gunderman)

Discussion Board:

  • Post 1: Find a table, chart, or graph on an infectious disease that you think is not presented well. Take the data from your chosen table, chart, or graph and create a new figure that presents the data better. Post both the original and your revised figures to the discussion board
  • Post 2: Respond to one of your colleague’s posts. Describe if you did/did not like the revised figure and why.

Final Exam:

The final exam will open February 19 and must be submitted by Friday February 26 at 11:59PM. It will contain material from modules 1-8.

 

Week 8: February 24 – February 28 (Sunday)

Topics: Conclusion, final exam

Objectives:

  • Summarize concepts, methods, models presented in course.

Lecture:

  • Conclusion (Gunderman)

Discussion Board:

  • Post 1: How do you hope to use the information gained in this class?

Student Resources

Online Student Support

Your Student Support Specialist is a resource for you. Please don't hesitate to contact them for assistance, including, but not limited to course planning, current problems or issues in a course, technology concerns, or personal emergencies.

Questions? Visit the Student Support Public Health page

UNE Libraries:

UNE Student Academic Success Center

UNE's Student Academic Success Center (SASC) offers a range of free online services to support your academic achievement. Writing support, ESOL support, study strategy and learning style consultations, as well as downloadable resources, are available to all matriculating students. The SASC also offers tutoring for GPH 712 Epidemiology, GPH 716 Biostatistics, GPH 717 Applied Epidemiology, GPH 718 Biostatistics II, and GPH 719 Research Methods. To make an appointment for any of these services, go to une.tutortrac.com. For more information and to view and download writing and studying resources, please visit:

Information Technology Services (ITS)

  • ITS Contact: Toll Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673

Accommodations

Any student who would like to request, or ask any questions regarding, academic adjustments or accommodations must contact the Student Access Center at (207) 221-4438 or pcstudentaccess@une.edu. Student Access Center staff will evaluate the student's documentation and determine eligibility of accommodation(s) through the Student Access Center registration procedure.

Online Peer Support

Togetherall is a 24/7 communication and emotional support platform monitored by trained clinicians. It’s a safe place online to get things off your chest, have conversations, express yourself creatively, and learn how to manage your mental health. If sharing isn’t your thing, Togetherall has other tools and courses to help you look after yourself with plenty of resources to explore. Whether you’re struggling to cope, feeling low, or just need a place to talk, Togetherall can help you explore your feelings in a safe supportive environment. You can join Togetherall using your UNE email address.

Information Technology Services (ITS)

Students should notify their Student Support Specialist and instructor in the event of a problem relating to a course. This notification should occur promptly and proactively to support timely resolution.

ITS Contact: Toll-Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673.

Career Ready Program

The College of Professional Studies supports its online students and alumni in their career journey!

The Career Ready Program provides tools and resources to help students explore and hone in on their career goals, search for jobs, create and improve professional documents, build professional network, learn interview skills, grow as a professional, and more. Come back often, at any time, as you move through your journey from career readiness as a student to career growth, satisfaction, and success as alumni.

Policies

Late Policy

During weeks 1-­7, assignments submitted after the due date will receive a 5% penalty for each day the assignment is late. Late papers will not be accepted after 5 days. In week 8, the same penalty applies, however late assignments will not be accepted after the course end date on Sunday at 11:59 pm. Please make every effort ahead of time to contact your instructor and your student support specialist if you are not able to meet an assignment deadline. Your instructor may grant an extension without penalty for extenuating circumstances such as an emergency, serious illness, power outage, etc.

AMA Writing Style Statement

The American Medical Association Manual (AMA) of Style, 11th edition is the required writing format for this course. Additional support for academic writing and AMA format is provided throughout the coursework as well as at the UNE Portal for Online Students.

Online resources: AMA Style Guide

Turnitin Originality Check and Plagiarism Detection Tool

The College of Professional Studies uses Turnitin to help deter plagiarism and to foster the proper attribution of sources. Turnitin provides comparative reports for submitted assignments that reflect similarities in other written works. This can include, but is not limited to, previously submitted assignments, internet articles, research journals, and academic databases.

Make sure to cite your sources appropriately as well as use your own words in synthesizing information from published literature. Webinars and workshops, included early in your coursework, will help guide best practices in APA citation and academic writing.

You can learn more about Turnitin in the guide on how to navigate your Similarity Report.

Technology Requirements

Please review the technical requirements for UNE Online Graduate Programs: Technical Requirements

Course Evaluation Policy

Course surveys are one of the most important tools that University of New England uses for evaluating the quality of your education, and for providing meaningful feedback to instructors on their teaching. In order to assure that the feedback is both comprehensive and precise, we need to receive it from each student for each course. Evaluation access is distributed via UNE email at the beginning of the last week of the course.

Late Policy

Students are responsible for submitting work by the date indicated in Brightspace.

Quizzes and Tests: Quizzes and tests must be completed by the due date. They will not be accepted after the due date.

Assignments: Unless otherwise specified, assignments will be accepted up to 3 days late; however, there is a 10% grade reduction (from the total points) for the late submission. After three days the assignment will not be accepted.

Discussion posts: If the initial post is submitted late, but still within the discussion board week, there will be a 10% grade reduction from the total discussion grade (e.g., a 3 point discussion will be reduced by 0.3 points). Any posts submitted after the end of the Discussion Board week will not be graded.

Please make every effort ahead of time to contact your instructor and your student support specialist if you are not able to meet an assignment deadline. Arrangements for extenuating circumstances may be considered by faculty.

Student Handbook Online - Policies and Procedures

The policies contained within this document apply to all students in the College of Graduate and Professional Studies. It is each student's responsibility to know the contents of this handbook.

Student Handbook

UNE Course Withdrawal

Please contact your student support specialist if you are considering dropping or withdrawing from a course. The last day to drop for 100% tuition refund is the 2nd day of the course. Financial Aid charges may still apply. Students using Financial Aid should contact the Financial Aid Office prior to withdrawing from a course.

Academic Integrity

The University of New England values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable. For information about plagiarism and academic misconduct, please visit https://www.une.edu/studentlife/plagiarism.

Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:

  1. Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
  2. Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
  3. Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
  4. Multiple submissions of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
  5. Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.

Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the Program Director. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations.  Appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final.  Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in the student handbook.

Attendance Policy

8 week: Students taking online graduate courses through the College of Professional Studies will be administratively dropped for non-participation if a graded assignment/discussion post is not submitted before Sunday at 11:59 pm ET of the first week of the term. Reinstatement is at the purview of the Dean's Office.

16 week: Students taking online graduate courses through the College of Professional Studies will be administratively dropped for non-participation if a graded assignment/discussion post is not submitted before Friday at 11:59 pm ET of the second week of the term. Reinstatement is at the purview of the Dean's Office.

Student Handbook Online - Policies and Procedures

The policies contained within this document apply to all students in the College of Professional Studies. It is each student's responsibility to know the contents of this handbook.

UNE Online Student Handbook

UNE Course Withdrawal

Please contact your student support specialist if you are considering dropping or withdrawing from a course. The last day to drop for 100% tuition refund is the 2nd day of the course. Financial Aid charges may still apply. Students using Financial Aid should contact the Financial Aid Office prior to withdrawing from a course.

Academic Integrity

The University of New England values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable. For information about plagiarism and academic misconduct, please visit UNE Plagiarism Policies.

Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:

  1. Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
  2. Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
  3. Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
  4. Multiple submissions of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
  5. Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.

Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the Program Director. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations. Appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final. Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in the student handbook.