About the Course
When the threat of pandemic looms, all eyes turn to the experts. Each outbreak is unique and raises different concerns; in providing answers, infectious diseases specialists rely on data and accurate modeling to predict the growth, spread, and control of disease. In this course, we will draw from science, math, and statistics to examine disease modeling techniques. Through individual and group work, we'll explore how models go through iterations to achieve degrees of confidence, how those models are practically applied in a crisis, and what happens when the models are wrong. We'll step into the shoes of decision-makers to analyze sets of data through different modeling approaches and recommend courses of action. By tracing the possible impacts of different choices, you'll experience the benefits and drawbacks of various models and appreciate what can and cannot be soundly concluded. Time commitment: 2.5-3.5 hours per week (1.5 hours of class time, 1-2 hours of independent work). Course will include 6 sessions over 6 weeks.
Learning Objectives
- Create mathematical models showing how infections spread
- Compute the average number of secondary infections generated by one typically infected species through the lifetime of the infection in a fully susceptible population
- Explain how vaccinations and treatment protocols aid global populations
- Distinguish between models that determine the long-term behavior of a disease vs. models that seek to stop the disease immediately
- Work with real data sets to compute threshold values, determine statistical significance, and form an unbiased conclusion
- Analyze data by utilizing the platform R and R-studio to code, plot, and fit the data to a curve
About Advanced Enrichment courses
These courses offer above-grade-level material that is presented in a novel context, explored with other advanced learners, and guided by a CTY educator to help prepare students for higher-order thinking and college-style academic challenges.
Requirements
CTY courses have grade-level requirements and most require minimum test scores. Some courses may also have prerequisites.
Identification DetailsDates and Tuition
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Registration Fee and Financial Aid
Tuition and fees will be waived or reduced for students who qualify for financial aid.
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