Introduction to disease modelling (P02673)

? Credit Points : 10 ? SCQF Level : 11 ? Acronym : VET-P-P02673

Course description:
This course aims to introduce the basic methods for setting up models and to illustrate some of the insights into the dynamics of infectious diseases that models can provide.

Entry Requirements

? Pre-requisites : Satisfactory completion of the Certificate year of the Emerging and Neglected Infectious Diseases programme.

? Co-requisites : Elective option for year two of this MSc programme. Students are required to take a total of six elective courses during this academic year.

? Special Arrangements for Entry : This course will be taught entirely by distance learning, using the virtual learning environment of WebCT as the delivery platform. Course materials are protected by a secure username and password. These access details are made available to registered users only.

? Costs : Students will be required to have regular access to a networked computer, and will be responsible for providing their own computing equipment and consumables.

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Emerging and Neglected Infectious Diseases, (Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Schedule S)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : Postgraduate

? Delivery Period : To be arranged/Unknown

? Additional Class Information : This course will be delivered online through WebCT

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

Intended learning outcomes:
At the end of this course the candidate should be familiar with the basic methods for setting up mathematical models (i.e. difference and differential equations) and apply this knowledge to:
• Set up simple (deterministic) models using difference or differential equations in Excel and Berkeley Madonna (?)
• Understand how models can provide insights into disease transmission and the impact of interventions
• Set up simple stochastic models of outbreaks in small populations
• Read and appreciate scientific modelling papers and evaluate their underlying assumptions

Assessment Information

Formal summative written assessment will constitute 60% of the student's grade. Online assessment will incorporate a variety of activities will constitute 40% of their overall course grade and is taken to represent a formative assessment of learning throughout the programme.