Basics of Infectious Diseases

Emerging infectious diseases of humans and animals make it into the headlines of the news on a daily basis (e.g. malaria, TBC, norovirus). This multidisciplinary course approaches these infectious diseases from several perspectives, including the underlying biology, ecology, epidemiology, and socio-economics. Information will be provided on new insights on the causative agents of several infectious diseases (e.g. viral, prion, bacterial, fungal, protozoan, and parasitic worm diseases) as well as arthropod vector biology and vector-borne diseases. Mathematical modelling has strongly influenced policy-making in relation to the epidemiology and control of infectious diseases. In this course we will focus on the key principles of epidemiological models of infectious diseases to understand how they are used in the health economy.

• Explain fundamental concepts of infectious diseases and their causative agents

• Explain social, economic, political and biological factors that influence the emergence and re-emergence of infectious diseases

• Formulate a research question based on literature review and design an experimental approach to answer this question

• Apply appropriate research methods to answer the research question (under supervision)

• Document, analyse and evaluate obtained research data

• Report on the research project (including research question, methodology, results and conclusions) by means of a scientific report and an oral presentation

• Assignment other (5%) Written research plan. In case of a failed proposal, students can hand in a revised version of their proposal in the next re-sit period (by email to the course coordinator). Groups consist of 3-4 students.
• Assignment report (17.5%) Written report of research formatted as a scientific article. In case of a failed report, students can hand in a revised version of their report in the next re-sit period (by email to the course coordinator). Groups consist of 3-4 students.
• Written test with open questions (50%) The written test is a digital exam in ANS. A scheduled exam inspection will be made available upon request.
• Assignment oral presentation (2.5%) Oral presentation of key findings. In case of a failed presentations, students can present their presentation in the next re-sit period (to be scheduled) by the course coordinator. Groups consist of 3-4 students.
• Performance (25%) Observations on practical performance, including reporting activities in lab-journal. In case of failed lab performance, students can participate in the practicals of the next edition of the course. Groups consist of 3-4 students.

ZSS06100 Laboratory Safety 2nd year BSc curricula Biology, Animal Sciences and Plant Sciences prepares for this course.

• Lecture notes and selected literature review will be provided during the course.