The other two courses in this specialisation require you to perform deterministic modelling - in other words, the epidemic outcome is predictable as all parameters are fully known. However, this course delves into the many cases – especially in the early stages of an epidemic – where chance events can be influential in the future of an epidemic. So, you'll be introduced to some examples of such ‘stochasticity’, as well as simple approaches to modelling these epidemics using R. You will examine how to model infections for which such ‘population structure’ plays an important role in the transmission dynamics, and will learn some of the basic approaches to modelling vector-borne diseases, including the Ross-McDonald Model.
This course is part of the Infectious Disease Modelling Specialization
About this Course
What you will learn
Distinguish between stochastic and deterministic models, explain when either are appropriate, and perform simple simulations of a stochastic model
Identify where it is important to incorporate population structure in a model and design and simulate a transmission model capturing such structure
Evaluate the assumptions behind the Ross MacDonald model, and code such a model using R to simulate the dynamics of a vector-borne disease
Critically evaluate a modelling study and communicate its strengths and weaknesses to a scientifically literate audience
Skills you will gain
- Mathematical Model
- R Programming
- Infectious Diseases
Offered by
Start working towards your Master's degree
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
Building on the SIR Model: Stochasticity
Building on the SIR model: Heterogeneity
Building on the SIR model: Vector-borne Diseases
Assignment: Modelling Study Critique
Reviews
- 5 stars75%
- 4 stars25%
TOP REVIEWS FROM BUILDING ON THE SIR MODEL
a great follow up to the R coding course and a good entree into the world of public health
A great learning opportunity. Advanced content presented in a convincing and understandable manner. Simply amazing.
I have found it useful for increasing my insights into infectious disease modelling.
I thought it was clear, the syntax problems were about the same topic and needed the solution talked about in the videos. The subject was completely covered. I already recommended it to like 5 people.
About the Infectious Disease Modelling Specialization

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