Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)
Study Course Description
Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases
Course Code
SVUEK_140
Branch of Science
Clinical medicine; Public and environmental health
ECTS
3.00
Target Audience
Public Health
LQF
Level 6
Study Type And Form
Full-Time
Study Course Implementer
Course Supervisor
Larisa Savrasova
Structure Unit Manager
Anda Ķīvīte-Urtāne
Structural Unit
Institute of Public Health
Contacts
Riga, 9 Kronvalda boulevard, svek@rsu.lv, +371 67338307
About Study Course
Objective
Acquire specific epidemiology (including field epidemiology) issues related to infectious diseases.
Preliminary Knowledge
Basic knowledge in epidemiology and infectious diseases.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
1.After completing the course, the student: * will name the basic epidemiological indicators of infections, will know their calculation formulas, * will define pandemic, epidemic, outbreak, endemic, * will describe the importance of different study designs and association indicators in infection research and surveillance, * will know the components of infection control, * will know the components of infection control programs, * will describe the role of seroepidemiology in infection surveillance and research, * will describe cases of good practice in infection control, * will describe the progress and nature of vaccine effectiveness studies, * will explain the concept of collective immunity, * will know the goals and steps of outbreak investigation, * will describe the most important emergency infections, * will explain what epidemic intelligence is and why it is essential in public health * will distinguish between indicator-based and event-based surveillance * will know the main institutions and platforms that facilitate data sharing and response to health threats.
Skills
1.After completing the course, the student: * will be able to determine the adequacy of specific infection control measures and programs, * will be able to solve the tasks of epidemiological indicators of different types of infections, * will learn to inform, educate and motivate the public about infection prevention measures, * will know how to engage in outbreak investigation steps.
Competences
1.After completing the course, the student: * will develop a set of specific infection control measures, * will be able to independently calculate epidemiological indicators in the field of infectious diseases, * will be able to develop an outbreak investigation plan, * will argue about the need for vaccination, coverage and herd immunity.
Assessment
Individual work
|
Title
|
% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
|
1.
Individual work |
-
|
-
|
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Homework on specific topics of lectures and classes. Independent work with the specified mandatory literature. Self-assessment tests. |
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Examination
|
Title
|
% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
|
1.
Examination |
-
|
10 points
|
|
The final grade is made up of a cumulative assessment: a. 10% - attendance and active participation in lectures and classes b. 25% - three tests in classes c. 20% - independent work in groups and its presentation (analysis and comparison of 3 - 4 primary scientific publications on the epidemiology of infectious diseases) d. 45% - final exam (multiple-choice test with answer options) To successfully pass the course, a successful assessment (at least 4 points) in the independent work and the final exam is required. |
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Study Course Theme Plan
FULL-TIME
Part 1
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Epidemiological measures in the area of infectious diseases – descriptive statistics; seroepidemiology
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Epidemiological measures in the area of infectious diseases – descriptive statistics; seroepidemiology
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Epidemiological measures and study design in infectious diseases epidemiology
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Epidemiological measures and study design in infectious diseases epidemiology
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Epidemiological measures and study design in infectious diseases epidemiology, part 2
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Epidemiological measures and study design in infectious diseases epidemiology, part 2
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Surveillance of infectious diseases, elimination programs
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Surveillance of infectious diseases, elimination programs
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Most important and emerging infections
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Most important and emerging infections
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Outbreak investigation
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Outbreak investigation
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Antimicrobial Resistance and the Burden of Infectious Diseases: Concepts, Indicators, and their Significance in Public Health
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Antimicrobial Resistance and the Burden of Infectious Diseases: Concepts, Indicators, and their Significance in Public Health
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Epidemic Intelligence
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Epidemic Intelligence
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Vaccine research – experimental studies, vaccination epidemiology, phenomenon of collective immunity.
Student independent work presentation.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Vaccine research – experimental studies, vaccination epidemiology, phenomenon of collective immunity.
Student independent work presentation.
|
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
36 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam (Written)
Bibliography
Required Reading
1.
Giesecke J. Modern infectious disease epidemiology. 3rd edition. CRC Press, 2017.
2.
Infectious Disease Surveillance, edited by Nkuchia M. M'ikanatha, et al., John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated, 2013.
Additional Reading
1.
Nelson K.E., Williams C. Infectious Disease Epidemiology: Theory and Practice 3rd edition. Jones & Bartlett Learning, 2013
2.
Abubakar I., Stagg H.R., Cohen T., Rodrigues L.C. Infectious Disease Epidemiology. Oxford University Press, 2016.
3.
Spina A, Rossetto EV, Batra N. 10. Field epidemiology and outbreak investigation. In: Fisher D, editor. Infectious Disease Emergencies: Preparedness and Response [Internet]. 1st ed. NUS Press; 2025.