MEDFL5120 – Introduction to infectious disease modelling

Course content

The course is intended to give a conceptual understanding of the basic techniques available for analysing and interpreting epidemiological data on infectious diseases. The course should provide the participants the background for reading and interpreting modelling papers.

Learning outcome

The course covers the following areas: An introduction to compartmental models, exemplified by the Susceptible-Exposed-Infected-Recovered (SEIR) model; presentation of fundamental epidemiological concepts such as the basic reproductive rate (R_0), endemic infections and vaccination policies; impact of population structure and human contact patterns on the transmission dynamics of infections; stochastic models; emerging infections with focus on design of intervention programmes.

Admission

The course is restricted to students at the Medical Student Research Programme at the Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Dentistry, UiO.

Course registration:

  • Students apply in StudentWeb
  • Enrollment to this course is automatically registered in StudentWeb. Applicants will be notified immediately if their application to the course is granted

The courses MEDFL5120 and MF9120 have common admission.

Prerequisites

Recommended previous knowledge

The target group for the course are Ph.D. students in medicine or biology, or medical and public health care professionals, veterinary scientists, medical statisticians, and others with interest in infectious disease modelling. Specialist mathematical training is not a prerequisite.

Overlapping courses

3 credits overlap with MF9120 – Introduction to infectious disease modelling

Teaching

The course will be divided between lectures and group sessions. In the group sessions emphasis will be on reading and discussion of relevant modelling papers, including calculation of simple epidemiological parameters.

You have to participate in at least 80 % of the teaching to be allowed to take the exam. Attendance at lectures will be registered.

Examination

A take-home exam will be given at the end of the course.

Submit assignments in Inspera

You submit your assignment in the digital examination system Inspera. Read about how to submit your assignment.

Use of sources and citation

You should familiarize yourself with the rules that apply to the use of sources and citations. If you violate the rules, you may be suspected of cheating/attempted cheating.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a pass/fail scale. Read more about the grading system.

Explanations and appeals

Resit an examination

Withdrawal from an examination

It is possible to take the exam up to 3 times. If you withdraw from the exam after the deadline or during the exam, this will be counted as an examination attempt.

Special examination arrangements

Application form, deadline and requirements for special examination arrangements.

Evaluation

The course is subject to continuous evaluation. At regular intervals we also ask students to participate in a more comprehensive evaluation.

Facts about this course

Credits
3
Level
Master
Teaching
Every autumn

Teaching autumn 2024:  Dates to be announced in May.  Application period: 1.6.2024 - 1.10.2024.

Course registration:  See information on how to apply in the section "Admission" in the course description below.

Examination
Every autumn
Teaching language
English