Epidemics - the Dynamics of Infectious Diseases from Coursera

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!

What's inside

Syllabus

Course Introduction

Welcome to Epidemics: the Dynamics of Infectious Diseases. This course will teach you about the variety of parasitic organisms that infect humans, animals, and plants, how these parasites spread through populations, and the various methods that we employ to control them.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Pertinent to individuals hoping to gain a theoretical understanding of the dynamics of infectious diseases

Suits learners interested in the study of disease spread and transmission

Appropriate for those with an aptitude for epidemiology and infectious disease research

Introduces learners to concepts of digital epidemiology and disease surveillance

Teaches the implications of infectious diseases in global health contexts

Requires no prior knowledge of infectious disease epidemiology

Reviews summary

Comprehensive look at epidemics dynamics

According to learners, this course offers a largely positive introduction to the dynamics of infectious diseases. Students found the instructors engaging and appreciated the clarity of the lectures, especially when explaining complex concepts like R0 and disease spread through networks. The course content is considered highly relevant, particularly in light of recent global health events, and provides a solid foundational understanding. While many found the material accessible, some noted that the quantitative aspects and mathematical models presented could be challenging for learners without a strong math background. The inclusion of unique examples, such as zombie ants, was widely appreciated as it helped illustrate complex ideas in memorable ways. Overall, it is seen as a valuable course for those seeking an overview of epidemiology and disease dynamics.

Interesting examples aid understanding.

"The example of the zombie ants was unexpected but brilliant for illustrating parasitic manipulation."

"Loved the historical anecdotes and the modern examples used throughout the course."

"Using social networks to explain spread was very relatable and helped visualize the concepts."

Provides good introduction to field.

"This course gives a great overview of the key principles in the dynamics of infectious diseases."

"It's a solid starting point if you want to understand how epidemics work."

"I got a good foundational understanding of pathogens, hosts, and control mechanisms."

Instructors make learning enjoyable.

"The passion of the professors for the subject really comes through, making the lectures engaging."

"I enjoyed the teaching style and the way the instructors presented the information."

"The instructors were very knowledgeable and good at communicating complex ideas simply."

Explains complex topics well.

"The instructor did a great job explaining difficult concepts like R0 and herd immunity clearly."

"Finally, I understood the basics of how diseases spread through populations thanks to the clear explanations."

"I found the module on social networks and disease transmission particularly well explained and easy to follow."

Course material feels current and important.

"Given the current global situation, this course felt incredibly timely and relevant to understand."

"Learning about vaccine dynamics and disease emergence is crucial right now, and this course covers it well."

"The content on digital epidemiology was fascinating and showed how modern tools are used."

Quantitative sections can be difficult.

"As someone without a strong math background, I found some of the modeling sections quite difficult to grasp."

"The quantitative examples were a bit confusing at times; could use more step-by-step breakdowns."

"Wish there was more supplementary material for the mathematical dynamics discussed."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Epidemics - the Dynamics of Infectious Diseases with these activities:

Review: Principles of Epidemiology

Show steps

This book will provide you with a comprehensive overview of the principles of epidemiology, from the basics to advanced concepts.

Show steps

Read the first three chapters of the book, which provide an introduction to epidemiology and its principles.
Focus on understanding the different types of epidemiological studies and their strengths and weaknesses.
Review the chapters on measures of disease frequency and association.

Peer-to-peer: Discuss Course Concepts

Show steps

Engaging in discussions with peers can help clarify concepts, challenge assumptions, and deepen your understanding of the course material.

Show steps

Join a study group or online forum for the course.
Actively participate in discussions, asking questions and sharing your insights.

Show all two activities

Career center

Learners who complete Epidemics - the Dynamics of Infectious Diseases will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer

As an Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer, you will investigate outbreaks of infectious diseases and develop strategies to prevent and control them. The course Epidemics - the Dynamics of Infectious Diseases may be useful to you because it covers topics such as the principles of epidemiology, the methods used to investigate outbreaks, and the development of public health policies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer

Virologist

As a Virologist, you will study viruses and the diseases they cause. The course Epidemics - the Dynamics of Infectious Diseases may be useful for you because it covers topics such as the transmission, spread and dynamics of viruses, as well as current research on the evolution and control of viral infections.

See salaries and explore the career path for Virologist

Mathematical Modeler

As a Mathematical Modeler, you will develop and use mathematical models to study the spread and control of infectious diseases. The course Epidemics - the Dynamics of Infectious Diseases may be useful to you because it provides a foundation in the principles of epidemiology and the mathematical modeling of infectious disease dynamics.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mathematical Modeler

Data Scientist

As a Data Scientist, you will use data to solve problems and make predictions. The course Epidemics - the Dynamics of Infectious Diseases may be useful to you because it provides a foundation in the principles of epidemiology and the analysis of public health data.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Digital Epidemiologist

As a Digital Epidemiologist, you will use digital data to study the spread and control of infectious diseases. The course Epidemics - the Dynamics of Infectious Diseases may be useful to you because it provides a foundation in the principles of epidemiology and the analysis of digital health data.

See salaries and explore the career path for Digital Epidemiologist

Parasitologist

As a Parasitologist, you will study parasites and the diseases they cause. The course Epidemics - the Dynamics of Infectious Diseases may be useful to you because it covers topics such as the transmission, spread and dynamics of parasites, as well as current research on the evolution and control of parasitic infections.

See salaries and explore the career path for Parasitologist

Microbiologist

As a Microbiologist, you will study microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa. The course Epidemics - the Dynamics of Infectious Diseases may be useful to you because it covers topics such as the transmission, spread and dynamics of microorganisms, as well as current research on the evolution and control of microbial infections.

See salaries and explore the career path for Microbiologist

Immunologist

As an Immunologist, you will study the immune system and how it protects the body from infection. The course Epidemics - the Dynamics of Infectious Diseases may be useful to you because it covers topics such as the role of the immune system in preventing and controlling infectious diseases.

See salaries and explore the career path for Immunologist

Infectious Disease Physician

As an Infectious Disease Physician, you will diagnose and treat patients with infectious diseases. The course Epidemics - the Dynamics of Infectious Diseases may be useful to you because it covers topics such as the causes of infectious diseases, the development of new treatments, and the prevention of epidemics.

See salaries and explore the career path for Infectious Disease Physician

Science Writer

As a Science Writer, you will communicate complex scientific information to a general audience. The course Epidemics - the Dynamics of Infectious Diseases may be useful to you because it provides a foundation in the principles of epidemiology and the communication of science.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Writer

Medical Researcher

As a Medical Researcher, you will conduct research to advance medical knowledge and improve public health. The course Epidemics - the Dynamics of Infectious Diseases may be useful to you because it covers topics such as the causes of disease, the development of new treatments, and the evaluation of public health programs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Medical Researcher

Public Health Scientist

As a Public Health Scientist, you will work to promote and protect the health of populations. The course Epidemics - the Dynamics of Infectious Diseases may be useful to you because it covers topics such as the spread of infectious diseases, the development of vaccines, and the control of epidemics.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Health Scientist

Ecologist

As an Ecologist, you will study the interactions between organisms and their environment. The course Epidemics - the Dynamics of Infectious Diseases may be useful to you because it covers topics such as the role of the environment in the transmission and spread of infectious diseases.

See salaries and explore the career path for Ecologist

Health Communications Specialist

As a Health Communications Specialist, you will develop and implement communication strategies to promote public health. The course Epidemics - the Dynamics of Infectious Diseases may be useful to you because it provides a foundation in the principles of epidemiology and the communication of public health information.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Communications Specialist

Epidemiologist

As an Epidemiologist, you will study the causes and effects of health-related states and events in specified populations. The course Epidemics - the Dynamics of Infectious Diseases may be useful to you because it teaches the basics of infectious disease dynamics, including the spread of diseases, the development of vaccines, and the control of epidemics.

See salaries and explore the career path for Epidemiologist