FRS 001 — Sec. 005 — (1 unit) — CRN 92596 — R 2:10 - 3:00 pm — 109 Olson
Entering the Hot Zone: Topics in Infectious Disease Epidemiology

Instructor: Lesley Butler, Department of Public Health Sciences, School of Medicine

Description: This course will be structured around the best-selling non-fiction book, The Hot Zone by Richard Preston. This book is a bone-chilling account of a highly infectious, deadly virus from the central African rain forest suddenly appears in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. The virus has since been identified as Ebola Reston. Goals of this course include, raising awareness about the issues surrounding infectious disease outbreaks, how they occur and the process by which are investigated. In addition, students will be introduced to three infectious diseases/viruses that have current relevance: West Nile, SARS and Anthrax. Students will also be introduced to the concept of bioterrorism and to the many careers available in public health through a panel discussion with real public health experts.

Format: The seminar will meet for one hour each week. The time will be divided between student-led discussions of the course text, a group activity, video viewing, a panel discussion with guest speakers, and one formal lecture. Students will be asked to purchase the text, but other reading material will be provided. Written assignments will include answering discussion questions and a final paper on an approved topic. Grading: Students will be given a letter grade on the quality of the following items: student-led discussion (30%), the frequency and quality of their participation in class discussion (30%), written answers to discussion questions (10%), and the final paper – 5-7 pages (30%).

About the Instructor: Professor Butler is a member of the faculty in the Division of Epidemiology in the Department of Public Health Sciences. Her research interests include nutrition, physical activity and genetic susceptibility to cancers of the breast, prostate, colon and stomach. One of her current projects is a study of factors associated with acculturation and stomach cancer among Hispanics living in the California central valley. She currently teaches a course in cancer epidemiology methods for doctoral students in the epidemiology graduate group.