Few factors have and will shape the destiny of man as much as infectious disease. This course, taught using a Problem Based Learning (PBL) approach, emphasizes the study of both the aetiology of infectious disease and their ramifications. This course places an emphasis on the biological bases of a number of infectious diseases that plague mankind with a special focus on immunology and the immune response to pathogenic agents. Diseases of bacterial, parasitic, and viral aetiology (with a great emphasis on HIV and AIDS) will be addressed, many of which are passed by human contact. It is expected that the student have the maturity to address these topics and their implications. Additionally, aspects of epidemiology, public health policy (including immigration policy), and historical relevance will be addressed for certain diseases. There will be a laboratory component to the course, but no known human pathogens will be used.

The topics addressed will be determined by the class and are usually reflective of current, often ongoing, disease outbreaks monitored using ProMED and other internet based resources. This course is designed student who have been successful in microbiology and who have the drive and intelligence to thoroughly and maturely discuss topics of great historical, global and personal importance.