Infectious Diseases

This course addresses the historical and presentyday effects of infectious disease on humanysociety, agriculture, and medical care. Issues ofyevolution of virulence mechanisms, biologicalyorganisms as terrorism weapons and bioterrorismypreparedness, public health and disease,yantibiotic use and overuse, common andynot-so-common plague-causing organisms,yvaccination, and more will be considered. Diseaseyagents include bacteria, viruses, and selectedyeukaryotic pathogens. Students will achieve aysolid understanding of the spread, control andycost of disease in the world today.