EDC 201 – Epidemiology & Disease Control

COURSE NAME: EPIDEMIOLOGY & DISEASE CONTROL
COURSE CODE: EDC 201
COURSE CREDIT: 3
MODE OF STUDY: ONLINE

COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course provides in-depth knowledge and practical skills in epidemiology, disease surveillance, outbreak investigation, and public health disease control strategies. It equips learners with analytical tools to study disease distribution, determinants, and interventions across populations. Students will engage with epidemiologic methods, biostatistics, infectious and non communicable disease epidemiology, health systems response, and global health frameworks,
including standards from the World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The course emphasizes real-world applications, field investigation techniques, data analysis, and evidence-based disease prevention strategies suitable for national and global health settings.

WHY THIS COURSE IS IMPORTANT?
This course is essential because today’s interconnected world enables the rapid spread of infectious diseases across borders, while emerging and re-emerging health threats demand highly skilled epidemiology professionals. At the same time, the growing burden of non-communicable diseases requires strong surveillance, monitoring, and prevention systems.
Climate change is altering disease patterns and increasing the risk of vector-borne diseases, underscoring the need for advanced disease control expertise. Public health emergencies require trained outbreak responders who can apply data-driven strategies to protect populations.
Effective health policy and decision-making rely on accurate epidemiological evidence, and strengthening health systems depends on robust disease monitoring and control mechanisms.
Additionally, global frameworks such as the World Health Organization International Health Regulations (IHR) require countries to build technical capacity in epidemiology to ensure global health security.

COURSE OBJECTIVES
1. Apply advanced epidemiological concepts and principles.
2. Design and implement disease surveillance systems.
3. Conduct outbreak investigations.
4. Analyze epidemiological data using statistical tools.
5. Interpret epidemiologic research findings.
6. Develop disease prevention and control strategies.
7. Evaluate public health programs.
8. Integrate global health policies into disease control planning.

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES (CLOs)
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
1. Critically analyzed patterns and determinants of diseases in populations.
2. Design epidemiological studies (cohort, case-control, RCTs).
3. Calculate and interpret epidemiologic measures (RR, OR, incidence, prevalence).
4. Conduct comprehensive outbreak investigations.
5. Develop and manage surveillance systems.
6. Use statistical software for epidemiologic data analysis.
7. Formulate disease control policies aligned with international standards.
8. Prepare epidemiological reports for public health decision-making.