Course Description
This course will focus on the biology of epidemics. One of the most fascinating and frightening aspects of disease, epidemics are known to have affected civilizations, medicine, and human interactions since the beginning of written history. Today, our battle against epidemic diseases continues, despite medical successes and our improved understanding of the causes and process of disease. Indeed, exotic new diseases are emerging, and those considered controlled are re-emerging in more virulent, resistant forms. News reports are documenting outbreaks of strange diseases in both underdeveloped regions and those with the highest levels of medical care.

This course is designed to enable the student to understand why new diseases are appearing and why those we thought conquered are reappearing. This is done in the context of basic concepts upon which our understanding of biology is built. The role of evolution is linked with that of ecology to give a framework in which to examine and understand the "plagues" that are occurring worldwide. Epidemic diseases will be analyzed using the concepts of succession in natural ecological systems and the evolutionary pressures and processes that drive them. We will also use this framework to help us predict how our present actions will affect the future course of disease.

This course is also concerned with the impact of plagues of the past and the public health response to manage them. Students will read documents such as Thucydides' account of the plague in ancient Greece, reports of the plagues of the 1890's in Bombay, and Camus' "The Plague."

Current information on infectious diseases and their treatment and control are available through many on-line resources. Students will explore these resources to understand diseases that are of interest to them and prepare reports to be discussed with other students. Students will also complete lab exercises, examine case histories, and perform simulations to better understand the impact of infectious diseases on populations. A final student-created project will allow students to demonstrate their understanding of epidemic disease processes.

Academic Content:
Biology: explores the basic concepts of epidemiology, ecology and disease evolution.
Kinds of Assignments:
You will complete assignments both individually and in small groups.
CourseRoom discussions (read and comment, research and comment, respond to peers)
CourseRoom work assignments (answer questions, essays, reports)
Timelines of disease occurrence and public response
Virtual Laboratory Experiments/Formal Lab reports
Computer simulations of disease spread and virulence
Virtual field trips to clearing houses of information on diseases
Real field trip to a local site
Internet research
Share research information in a World Forum setting
Create web pages to share with each other and educate others
Surveys
Self-assessments Quiz
Final Exam

Projects Required:
Lab experiments and reports
Group discussions and assignments

Delivery Method

• Email
• Internet
• Streaming Audio
• Streaming Video
• Telephone

Prerequisites
Biology

Course Materials
Virtual High School will have course materials, if any, shipped directly to students. While there is no additional cost for course materials, there is an additional charge for shipping. Students are required to return such course materials to course instructor upon completion of the course.