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Learner Reviews & Feedback for Epidemics - the Dynamics of Infectious Diseases by The Pennsylvania State University

4.8
stars
1,516 ratings

About the Course

Not so long ago, it was almost guaranteed that you would die of an infectious disease. In fact, had you been born just 150 years ago, your chances of dying of an infectious disease before you've reached the tender age of 5 would have been extremely high. Since then, science has come a long way in understanding infectious diseases - what they are, how they spread, and how they can be prevented. But diseases like HIV/AIDS, Malaria, Tuberculosis, or the flu are still major killers worldwide, and novel emerging diseases are a constant threat to public health. In addition, the bugs are evolving. Antibiotics, our most potent weapon against bacterial infections, are losing their power because the bacteria are becoming resistant. In this course, we'll explore the major themes of infectious diseases dynamics. After we’ve covered the basics, we'll be looking at the dynamics of the flu, and why we're worried about flu pandemics. We'll be looking at the dynamics of childhood diseases such as measles and whooping cough, which were once considered almost eradicated, but are now making a comeback. We'll explore Malaria, and use it as a case study of the evolution of drug resistance. We'll even be looking at social networks - how diseases can spread from you to your friends to your friends' friends, and so on. And of course we’ll be talking about vaccination too. We’ll also be talking about how mobile phones, social media and crowdsourcing are revolutionizing disease surveillance, giving rise to a new field of digital epidemiology. And yes, we will be talking about Zombies - not human zombies, but zombie ants whose brains are hijacked by an infectious fungus. We're looking forward to having you join us for an exciting course!...

Top reviews

DB

Apr 22, 2016

Can't fault this course at all and nor would I want to. Very interesting, brilliantly presented and the range of experts really enhanced it. It was engaging and made me keen to find out more.

SN

Apr 11, 2016

great course and its intensive learning . One might think its just another course . However, one needs to follow all the lectures and notes closely to be able to pass all their assignments .

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51 - 75 of 376 Reviews for Epidemics - the Dynamics of Infectious Diseases

By Zhang X

Oct 28, 2016

This is really an informative and inspiring course. It is a masterpiece of multidisciplinary work. Very precious video records worth spreading. Help us to think more about infectious diseases in the context of mathematics models and modern society. Thank you so much!

By Lucie G

Sep 21, 2022

This course is very interesting and gives a good overview of tzhe topic of infectious disease. It tlaks about a lot of different aspects which is very interesting. I also like the fact that they used a lot of exapmles, which make the topic more understandable.

By Dyllon L

Mar 7, 2016

Very thorough and interactive. I appreciate the expertise from multiple backgrounds, which has allowed me, as someone inexperienced in epidemiology, to have a general understanding of the topic. Thank-you and I look forward to seeing more content from you!

By Shreya B

Jul 7, 2020

A very informative course, which will provide you the details about the epidemics, different diseases, its prevention, vaccination, control measures etc.

Also deals with some part of plant diseases like Irish potato famine, its eradication, elimination.

By Jennifer R

Jan 11, 2023

Really excellent course, the animations and narrative style really made the topics engaging. It was a nice thorough overview that was detailed enough to be relevant and useful, but not too technical for those early in their journey to understand.

By Cássio G d O

Aug 31, 2020

This course shows how complexity is dynamics, and I´m not ironic at all. I loved the interaction with differents subjects, in this course you will see since translation problem throught how a virus interact with a human cell and everything conect

By Mario C

Jul 29, 2022

Recently graduated with a bachelor's degree in Public Health Science, I have greatly enjoyed this course to review and gain a deeper understanding of infectious diseases. There are great real world examples and easy to digest informative videos.

By Ameya T

May 26, 2017

Very innovative teaching methods with very interesting graphics. You don't see such a welcoming teaching method in India. I enjoyed the course thoroughly. Being a future scientist, I hope the diseases we hear of today are completely eradicated.

By Charles B

Sep 16, 2019

I learned much more than I expected and will continue to explore epidemiology because of this course. I am 78 years old and a retired clinical pharmacist but still find things like this subject fascinating. Thanks to the faculty...well done

By Vanessa S

Sep 26, 2020

This course has been very wonderful. It jas really helped me in my future career in Microbiology. I have learned alot abkut how pathogens function and how otber factors such as community, R0 and such come into play. I havr learned alot.

By Ayolola E

Aug 6, 2020

This course was very relevant amidst the COVID-19 pandemic (even though it was produced before) and provided key information in a very accessible way. I also found the course was well-paced and different modules linked together well.

By Ondiegi B M

Aug 19, 2022

The faculty discussion is indepth and more practical, the implication of both behavioural and biological approaches to infectious diseases, i apprecciate the dynamics in decision making on whom to vaccinate( the stochastic dynamics)

By Tarek A e

Aug 8, 2019

very very very useful course

i can not imagine that i can get all those data from one course although epidemiology is my specialitiy

the group discussion in the videos is very interesting

i also read some papers related to the subject

By Enrico P

Apr 7, 2020

Great course, great teachers. Mind opening and complete. Being a researcher and computer scientists I would have appreciated some insight on model equations, but this is something definitely I can easily do by myself now. Thanks!

By Giorgia B

Jan 28, 2019

I loved it. It's complete in every aspect, it explains deeply the whole problem of epidemics but at the same time it's not too difficult from who comes from different fields rather than medicine or biology. Really awesome course.

By Gina B

Oct 19, 2015

Really enjoyed the course format, information presented and the videos were fantastic. The discussions were lively and interesting as well . Had a great time learning about what may be the next big disaster heading our way!

By Kathy T

Oct 23, 2015

Top notch professors, amazing that you can get so much up-to-date relevant scientific information in a single course. Awesome course, recommend it for anyone remotely interested in health, disease, biology, social science.

By Dr. C R

Oct 28, 2019

Great overview of a trending topic with in-depth and insightful information relevant to today’s healthcare challenges. Course is well thought out, and professionally presented by a group of dedicated scholars...well done!

By Monika D

Aug 7, 2015

I really like the way the videos are prepared. It had to take a lot of work, but I love those drawings. It makes it look alive. I like the content as well. It is well structured and well presented. Thank you so much!!!!

By Jordan A

Nov 23, 2016

As a PhD student with knowledge on bacterial infections but little knowledge on viral infections and epidemiology, I found this really interesting. I very much enjoyed the course. Would highly recommend to a colleague.

By Arinze E

Oct 26, 2022

Thank You for this course, it really helped me develop more indepth understanding of the Epidemics of Infectious Diseases. (I was particularly surprised with the "Zombie lecture" - Amazing!)

Thank You Eversomuch!

By Tarik A S

Mar 29, 2016

Epidemics - the Dynamics of Infectious Diseases by The Pennsylvania State University is one best courses on Coursera I have ever taken. It helps in identifying infectious diseases and their subsequent eradication.

By Richard E

Feb 11, 2021

Really fantastic overview of the subject. Lots of resources. Good tests to check on knowledge. The lecturers are interesting and engaging, and also incredibly prescient about our current (pandemic) situation.

By James A M

May 18, 2021

This class was very informational and I learned a lot. The instructors did an amazing job breaking things down. I would definitely recommend this class for anyone wanting a challenging yet rewarding course.

By Robin B

Aug 20, 2015

So much current, usable, high quality education in this course. I will be watching future classes offered by these Professors. Thank you for your dedication to educate us in the subjects of your expertise!