BIOL213

Focuses on the biology and social effects of infectious disease epidemics, at a level appropriate for non-majors or as an introduction for biology majors. Covers basics of virus, bacterium and protist biology and of the biology of the human immune system, including vaccines. Uses a small number of case studies of important disease epidemics, which could include smallpox in the Americas in 1782, malaria in Africa and the US, tuberculosis, or contemporary Ebola outbreaks. Examines these disease epidemics in their social context, exploring how the diseases had different impacts on indigenous people, colonizers, wealthy people, and poor people.

Even Years

Fall Semester