BSDP-572
Communicable disases & infection control

This course will provide the learner with an overview and understanding of the fundamentals of communicable diseases. Students will be presented with information on the microbiology of contagious pathogens, disease transmission, and infection control measures to prevent or stop the spread of communicable diseases. Emphasis will be placed on the pathogens that are likely to be used in a bioterrorism attack and new or re-emerging infectious diseases.

Course Number: BSDP-572
Classification: Required
Credits Earned: 3
Term Available: Summer/Fall
Faculty: Terri Rebmann

Course Description:

This course will provide the learner with an overview and understanding of the fundamentals of communicable diseases. Students will be presented with information on the microbiology of contagious pathogens, disease transmission, and infection control measures to prevent or stop the spread of communicable diseases. Emphasis will be placed on the pathogens that are likely to be used in a bioterrorism attack and new or re-emerging infectious diseases.

Course Objectives:

At the conclusion of this course a student will be able to:

• Name the infectious diseases with the largest global impact and discuss the financial, medical, and social affects of these diseases
• Define infectious diseases and differentiate them from other types of disease processes
• Describe normal immune functioning, compare it with immunosuppressed states, and identify how immune status affects the development of infectious diseases in normal and vulnerable populations
• Summarize methods of disease transmission and apply principles of infection control in describing measures to prevent transmission from occurring
• Identify vaccine preventable diseases and obstacles to compliance with recommended immunization schedules
• Identify infection prevention and control strategies to limit the secondary spread of infections, including assessment of strategies implemented during past outbreaks and disasters
• Describe pharmacological interventions for preventing, treating, and controlling infectious diseases
• List the steps in outbreak investigation
• Compare and contrast naturally occurring to man-made infectious disease disasters

Competencies Covered in Course:

At the conclusion of this course a student will be able to:

• Describe pharmacological interventions for preventing, treating, and controlling infectious diseases
• Name the infectious diseases with the largest global impact and discuss the financial, medical, and social affects of these diseases
• Define infectious diseases and differentiate them from other types of disease processes
• Describe normal immune functioning, compare it with immunosuppressed states, and identify how immune status affects the development of infectious diseases in normal and vulnerable populations
• Summarize methods of disease transmission and apply principles of infection control in describing measures to prevent transmission from occurring
• Identify vaccine preventable diseases and obstacles to compliance with recommended immunization schedules
• Identify infection prevention and control strategies to limit the secondary spread of infections, including assessment of strategies implemented during past outbreaks and disasters
• List the steps in outbreak investigation
• Describe the components of (or how to develop) an evidence-based terrorism attack scenario using a biological agent

Course Format:

Lectures, readings, and seminar discussions