| Unit name | Epidemic Data Analysis and Modelling |
|---|---|
| Unit code | BRMSM0070 |
| Credit points | 10 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Professor. Brooks Pollock |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
BRMSM0055 - Introduction to Statistical and Epidemiological Methods |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | Bristol Medical School |
| Faculty | Faculty of Health Sciences |
Why do numbers of cases grow exponentially during an infectious disease epidemic? What is the R number and how do you estimate it from epidemic data? This unit aims to build an intuitive understanding of epidemic data and how to use it. It will cover theory and techniques used during outbreaks, epidemics and pandemics, using COVID-19 data to build a toolkit for epidemic analysis. These skills can be applied to different diseases epidemics, contexts, and settings.
This unit will give you an understanding of epidemic data and theory, and teach you to use analysis tools for estimating epidemic quantities such as the reproduction ‘R’ number.
At the end of the unit a successful student will be able to:
There will be two types of formative assessment. The first type of formative assessment will take the form of questions and quizzes in lectures and practical sessions and the associated feedback obtained from lecturers/tutors and peers. The second formative assessment will take the form of group work, where students will critically evaluate a modelling research paper and present their findings to the class (ILOs 1-4).
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
The summative assessment will consist of one piece of coursework. Students will analyse an epidemic dataset and produce a report containing figures, working and epidemic summary statistics, and also submit their code (ILOs 1-4).
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. BRMSM0070).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
