Ecology, epidemiology and combatting tropical diseases

Academic year: 2009-2010 Course code module 1MBMW-K-002 Semester: 1st semester Credits: 6 Study load (hours) 168 Theory (hours): 30,00 Practice/Exercises(hours): 15,00 Other (hours): Part-time program: 2 Instructor(s) Herwig Leirs Marc Coosemans Nico Speybrouck Language of instruction: Dutch Semester exam information: exam in the 1st semester Contract restriction information: exam contract not possible 1. Prerequisites *Algemene competenties B.Sc. in biomedical sciences or biology *Sequentiality None A credit has to be obtained for all courses in Ba1 and Ba2. 2. Objectives (expected learning outcomes) -Basic understanding of the ecology of infectious diseases and how ecological dynamics are important in the development of disease control strategies. Understanding the role of models as tools to this effect. - Understand how the environment affects the distribution of an infectious disease, throughs effects on the parasites, vectors and hosts. - Understand how environmental interventions can contribute to infectious disease management. 3. Course content Theoretical lectures 1          General population ecology 2          Parasite ecology 3          Geography of infectious diseases, biodiversity, climate effects 4          Remote sensing and GIS techniques 5          Epidemiology of tropical infectious diseases (a.o. study designs, qualitative vs. quantitative methods, screening, sampling, data entry/analysis) 6          Epidemiology of infectious diseases: risk-analyses, dynamical simulation models 7          Vaccinology 8          Model system: Malaria 9          Model system: Malaria 10        Organisation of disease control programs   exercises -Populationdynamics models - Simple static disease models - Dynamical disease models - Remote sensing and GIS - Rule-based models 4. Teaching method Direct contact: Lectures Exercise sessions Personal work: Exercises Assignments - individual 5. Assessment method Exam: Oral, with written preparation 6. Compulsory reading – study material own syllabus 7. Recommended reading - study material Yearly updated list of free software to be downloaded for the exercises. Bringing your own laptop to class is not a requirement but makes things easy. 8. Tutoring Direct contact with teachers, in person or by email. laatste aanpassing: last update: 21/12/2009 15:34 herwig.leirs