This module will introduce you to key scientific concepts within the field of infectious disease epidemiology, with a practical focus on how these concepts inform evidence-based global health policy. The course will cover core concepts, including factors influencing transmission dynamics, vaccine epidemiology, basic molecular epidemiology and the impact of underlying structural and political influences on policy development and implementation. You will be asked to critically appraise examples of policy and the underlying scientific evidence.

At the end of the course, you will have a good working knowledge of applied epidemiology for global infectious disease control. After taking this module you should be able to:

1. Distinguish the most common study designs used within infectious disease epidemiology, including surveillance.

2. Propose the key elements of pathogen transmission dynamics and measuring of infectiousness.

3. Outline the epidemiology of at least one major vaccine preventable disease and describe some of the key difficulties in implementing immunisation programmes.

4. Illustrate the epidemiology of major global infectious diseases, their associated underlying causes, and how these are linked to control efforts.

5. Critically evaluate a range of policy responses to control of infectious diseases.

6. Propose how infectious diseases contribute to the global burden of disease.

7. Appraise the social, political and economic drivers of infectious disease in a global context.

The module is open to students on the MSc/PG Dip Global Health and Development, other UCL MSc/PG Dip students, Taster course students and Short course students.

You will have a mix of teaching and self-directed reading and learning. Interactive lectures will be combined with seminars and group discussion, where critical appraisal of scientific evidence will be explicitly linked to the health policies these data inform. Tutors within the unit will carry out the bulk of teaching, but external lecturers (e.g. collaborating experts within Public Health England and other UCL scientists) are also employed. The module prioritises time for private reading and self-study. Moodle will be used to give students access to reading materials, and short summary lectures from high profile experts.

Selected Reading List:

Global Burden of Disease (GBD 2019) | Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (healthdata.org)
	WHO | World Health Organization
	Centres for Disease Control and Prevention
	UK Health Security Agency - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
	Homepage | European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (europa.eu)