BSDP-565
Threat Characterization and Response

This course provides the basic practical tools for analyzing a threat scenario using problem-based learning of standard statistical methods, culminating in application of those methods in decision analysis for informing policy makers of threat prioritization and the means to mitigate those threats as applied specifically to the general category of bioterrorism problems.

Course Number: BSDP-565
Classification: Elective
Credits Earned: 3
Term Available: Fall
Faculty: Al Zelicoff

Course Objectives

1) The student will understand the basic science of a few of the major infectious disease (ID) threats to humans.
2) The student will be able to use statistical tools to characterize ID threats by assigning quantitative or semi-quantitative “risk levels” to those threats
3) In the setting of multiple threats, the student will understand the process for prioritizing threats.

Course format

Readings, lectures, occasional problem sets, occasional essays and threaded discussions