Professional epidemiologists are often called on to investigate outbreaks and epidemics. This course serves as an introduction to the essentials of investigation, identifying pathogens, figuring out what's going on, reporting, and responding. You'll learn how to ask precise epidemiologic questions and apply epidemiologic tools to uncover the answers. You'll also learn about basic epidemic dynamics and the terrible law that cause them to grow, as well as the reasons why they recede and eventually go away. The course concludes with deep dives into some real outbreaks from Ebola, in West Africa, to the opioid epidemic in the United States.
Outbreaks and Epidemics
Outbreaks and Epidemics
This course is part of Epidemiology in Public Health Practice Specialization
Instructor: Justin Lessler, PhD, MS
18,501 already enrolled
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
773 reviews
Beginner level
No prior experience required
Flexible schedule
5 hours to complete
Learn at your own pace
98%
Most learners liked this course
What you'll learn
Apply methods to weigh evidence and calculate measures
Discuss outbreaks and the key epidemiologic tools used during investigation
Apply basic epidemic dynamics to the analysis of outbreaks
Skills you'll gain
Details to know
Shareable certificate
Add to your LinkedIn profile
Assessments
4 assignments
Taught in English
See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills
Build your subject-matter expertise
This course is part of the Epidemiology in Public Health Practice Specialization
When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
- Learn new concepts from industry experts
- Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
- Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
- Earn a shareable career certificate
There are 4 modules in this course
In this module we're going to be talking about outbreaks. All the way through identifying the pathogens and figuring out what's going on to reporting and responding to the outbreak. In doing so we're going to learn several important epidemiological concepts.
What's included
8 videos1 reading1 assignment
In this module, we'll be learning about how to ask precise epidemiologic questions and how to investigate these using important tools.
What's included
6 videos1 assignment
In this module, we'll be talking about basic epidemic dynamics and the terrible law that causes epidemics to grow, and the reasons why epidemics recede and eventually go away
What's included
6 videos1 reading1 assignment
In this module, we're going to take a deep dive in some outbreaks from Ebola, in West Africa, to the opioid epidemic in the United States.
What's included
4 videos1 assignment
Earn a career certificate
Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.
Instructor
Instructor ratings
(186 ratings)Offered by
Why people choose Coursera for their career
Felipe M.
Learner since 2018
"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."
Jennifer J.
Learner since 2020
"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."
Larry W.
Learner since 2021
"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."
Chaitanya A.
"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."
Learner reviews
- 5 stars
81.11%
- 4 stars
15.78%
- 3 stars
2.32%
- 2 stars
0.25%
- 1 star
0.51%
Showing 3 of 773
RC
Reviewed on Jun 21, 2020
Great content with applied epidemic studies in Epidemiology. Learnt the ins and outs of crucial reproductive numbers (Ro) on this COVID-19 pandemic and how Ebola spread in West Africa.
KK
Reviewed on Dec 5, 2021
Really great content. Only thing bringing it from 5 to 4 stars - the module exercises during the course gave no answers, so I didn't know if I was on the right track answering the practice questions.
SS
Reviewed on Jan 26, 2021
This interesting course gives me an in-depth understanding for outbreak investigation and facilitator gave examples in detailed for clearing the concepts related to outbreaks and epidemics.
Explore more from Health
Johns Hopkins University
The University of Hong Kong
The Pennsylvania State University
Emory University