EPID 5319 Epidemiology of Disasters

Course activities will examine the changing and unique role of public health in disaster response and emergency management, paying special attention to the integration of
epidemiology with traditional emergency services and the need for planning, training, collaboration, cooperation and inter-operability between disciplines. The class will promote
insight into the necessary integration of epidemiology and public health in the development of effective emergency response contingencies specific to natural, accidental and
intentional disaster events through the use of class lectures, class exercises, group and individual presentations, special projects, exercises, a quiz and both a midterm and final
exam . Students will be expected to demonstrate insight into the need for a reinforced and integrated public health system to augment traditional emergency response capabilities
as well as to provide early detection and identification capabilities representative of intentional biological events in order to optimize response and recovery activities. The course is
designed to construct a foundation of coherent epidemiological concepts in the emergency management environment and foster an understanding of how to use well-articulated
epidemiologic principles and methods towards the prevention and resolution of catastrophic events. The course will include certification in the National Integrated Management
System (NIMS) as well as certification in FEMA Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Radiological Awareness.
Prerequisite: EPID 5300
Offered Spring
Letter Grade