PredictionX: John Snow and the Cholera Epidemic of 1854 from edX

In 1854, a cholera epidemic swept through the London neighborhood of Soho. In the course of about three weeks, over 600 people died. This incident was, tragically, not unusual in London or the rest of the 19th century world as a whole. The scourge of cholera seemed unstoppable and, even worse, unpredictable. But one doctor -- ignored by the scientific community at large -- set out to prove that he knew how this infectious disease was spread.

Join us for this one-week, immersive learning experience. We will explore John Snow’s London, from the streets of Soho to the dataset that helped create the map that changed our understanding of cholera, public health, and epidemiology forever.

This course features interactive tools including an interactive ArcGIS map of the 1854 Broad Street cholera outbreak and a Timeline JS of John Snow’s investigation.

This module is a part of PredictionX, which looks at the history of attempts to predict the future. PredictionX courses will cover topics from omens and oracles in ancient civilizations to modern computer simulations.

What's inside

Learning objectives

John snow’s role in creating modern epidemiology

Description of 19th century london life

John snow’s role in creating modern epidemiology
Description of 19th century london life

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Provides a deeper understanding of the origins and history of epidemiology

Develops a historical perspective on the field of epidemiology, which can be valuable for students interested in the history of science and public health

Provides an example of how data analysis can be used to solve real-world problems, which can be beneficial for students interested in data science

Suitable for learners with a basic understanding of public health or epidemiology who are interested in learning more about the field

Can provide historical context for students in fields such as medicine, public health, and data science

Interactive tools, such as the ArcGIS map and Timeline JS, offer engaging ways to explore the course material

Reviews summary

John snow's cholera epidemic

Learners say this short, interesting mini-course is well-put together and provides plenty of optional resources like readings, videos, and links. Students particularly enjoyed the interactive version of John Snow's map of Soho and Google Ngrams.

Easily digestible format

"It is short and can be completed in a week..."

Supplementary materials add value

"I appreciate the related materials to this mini course..."

Highly informative materials

"This mini-course was full of information..."

Long videos can be improved

"Certain videos can be quite long, however..."

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 PredictionX: John Snow and the Cholera Epidemic of 1854 with these activities:

Read 'The Ghost Map' by Steven Johnson

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Gain a deeper understanding of John Snow's investigation and the historical context of the 1854 cholera outbreak by reading this engaging historical account.

View Extra Life: A Short History of Living Longer on Amazon

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Acquire the book 'The Ghost Map'
Read and reflect on the content

Brush up on epidemiology basics

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Review fundamental concepts in epidemiology, such as disease surveillance, outbreak investigation, and data analysis, to strengthen your understanding of the course material.

Browse courses on Epidemiology

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Review textbooks or online resources on epidemiology
Complete practice exercises or quizzes on epidemiology concepts

Join a study group to discuss course concepts

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Engage with peers to exchange perspectives, clarify doubts, and reinforce your understanding of the course material through collaborative learning.

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Find or create a study group with other students taking the course
Meet regularly to discuss assigned readings, concepts, and assignments

Five other activities

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Show all eight activities

Attend a workshop on data visualization in epidemiology

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Participate in a workshop to enhance your skills in presenting epidemiological data effectively, improving your ability to communicate insights and influence decision-making.

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Research upcoming workshops on data visualization in epidemiology
Register and attend the workshop

Analyze cholera outbreak data

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Engage in hands-on analysis of historical cholera outbreak data to develop critical thinking skills and apply epidemiological principles.

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Access datasets related to cholera outbreaks
Use statistical software or tools to analyze the data
Interpret the results and draw conclusions

Create a timeline of John Snow's investigation

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Develop a visual representation of John Snow's investigation into the 1854 cholera outbreak, highlighting key events and milestones, to reinforce your understanding of his methods and findings.

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Gather information about John Snow's investigation
Organize the events chronologically
Use a timeline tool or create your own visual representation

Compile a resource list on cholera epidemiology

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Create a comprehensive list of resources, including articles, websites, and organizations, that provide valuable information on cholera epidemiology, expanding your knowledge base.

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Conduct a thorough online search for relevant resources
Organize the resources into a structured format
Share the compilation with other students or interested parties

Develop a public health intervention proposal

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Design a comprehensive public health intervention strategy based on John Snow's principles, demonstrating your understanding of disease prevention and control.

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Identify a public health issue
Develop a research-based intervention plan
Create a proposal outlining the intervention's goals, methods, and evaluation

Career center

Learners who complete PredictionX: John Snow and the Cholera Epidemic of 1854 will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Medical Epidemiologist

Medical Epidemiologists study the spread of diseases in human populations. In this role, you would use what you learn from this course to map and predict the spread of diseases. Prior coursework in biostatistics would be very helpful in this role. In the U.S., this role typically requires at least a master's degree in public health or a related field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Medical Epidemiologist

Environmental Health Scientist

Environmental Health Scientists research and study how the environment affects the health of humans. In this role, you could use what you learn from this course to study how geography and physical environment influence disease spread in human populations. Most Environmental Health Scientists have at least a bachelor's degree in public health, environmental science, or a related field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Health Scientist

Public Health Analyst

Public Health Analysts research and study health issues within communities. Public Health Analysts who specialize in epidemiology often work to understand the spread of infectious diseases. Coursework in both GIS and biostatistics would be valuable to most Public Health Analysts, particularly those interested in epidemiology.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Health Analyst

Biostatistician

Biostatisticians work with medical and health data to identify trends and patterns. Those working in epidemiology apply statistical methods to study the spread of infectious diseases. This course would be helpful to anyone in this role as it provides a solid foundation in the history and methods of epidemiology. In the U.S., most roles in biostatistics require at least a master's degree in the field or a related field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Biostatistician

Disease Control Specialist

Disease Control Specialists plan and implement programs to prevent and control the spread of diseases. This role often requires a focus on infectious diseases and may require coursework in epidemiology and biostatistics. This course would be particularly useful for those who wish to specialize in epidemiology.

See salaries and explore the career path for Disease Control Specialist

Geographer

Geographers research and study the physical features of the Earth. This course would be particularly helpful for Geographic Researchers who wish to enter the subfield of medical geography or epidemiology. The course's emphasis on GIS would be particularly useful to those who want to map disease spread and health trends.

See salaries and explore the career path for Geographer

Health Educator

Health Educators teach people about how to maintain good health and avoid disease. This course would be helpful to Health Educators who wish to specialize in educating people about infectious diseases. The course's emphasis on the spread of infectious diseases and the role of geography in disease transmission would be particularly useful for this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Educator

Health Policy Analyst

Health Policy Analysts research and study health policy and its impact on communities. The course would be helpful to those who wish to specialize in studying policies related to public health and infectious diseases. A master's or doctorate in public health or a related field is typically required for this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Policy Analyst

Operations Research Analyst

Operations Research Analysts use data to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of organizations. OR Analysts working in healthcare may have the opportunity to use their knowledge of GIS to map and track hospital and patient data to identify trends and make predictions. This course would be helpful for these professionals as it would provide a solid foundation in the use of GIS for tracking and mapping.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Research Analyst

Professor

Professors teach and conduct research in institutions of higher learning. This course would be helpful for those who wish to teach or do research in epidemiology or public health. A PhD is typically required for this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Professor

Research Scientist

Research Scientists conduct research in a variety of fields and industries. Those who have an interest in medicine or public health may be particularly interested in this course. A master's or doctorate is typically required for this role, depending on the industry.

See salaries and explore the career path for Research Scientist

Science Writer

Science Writers communicate complex scientific information to a general audience. Those who specialize in writing about medicine or public health may be particularly interested in this course. A bachelor's degree in science or journalism is typically the minimum requirement for this role, but many professionals hold a master's degree.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Writer

Software Engineer

Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software applications. Those who work in healthcare or public health may have the opportunity to use GIS data to develop new tools and applications. A bachelor's degree in computer science is typically required for this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Statistician

Statisticians collect, analyze, and interpret data. Those who work in public health may be interested in this course as it would provide a solid foundation in the use of GIS to map and track disease spread.

See salaries and explore the career path for Statistician

Technical Writer

Technical Writers create documentation and instructions for technical products and services. Those who work in healthcare or public health may be particularly interested in this course as it would provide a solid foundation in the use of GIS to map and track disease spread. A bachelor's degree in science, computer science, or a related field is typically required for this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer