Mathematical Models for Infectious Disease Dynamics

Over the last two decades, mathematical models have seen a huge
development in all aspects of infectious diseases, from microbiology to
epidemiology and evolution. Professionals in these fields are now exposed
to a wide range of models, often without receiving appropriate training.

This intensive, two-week course combines lectures, discussions and
hands-on computational practicals and is aimed at any life scientist,
public health officer, or medical or veterinary professional with an
interest in quantitative approaches to infectious disease dynamics and
control in humans or animals.

The basic concepts of the course are applied largely to human infectious
disease systems, with reference to more general applications in wildlife,
livestock and plant systems. The course has a strong emphasis on building
practical skills using the programming software R and RStudio.

The course starts with an introduction to computer programming from first
principles, but participants who are not familiar with R are encouraged
to learn the language basics (data analysis, vector manipulation and
graphics) before attending. Please note: The course is
not aimed at scientists with extensive experience in modelling or with a
strongly theoretical background. Applicants whose research project
involves the use of models or interactions with modellers will be
selected in priority.

Learning outcomes:
After attending this course, participants will be able to:

• design, implement and estimate simple epidemic models
• better appreciate the value and limits of mathematical models in their own field
• more fully understand and apply knowledge from scientific articles that include mathematical models
• explore the behaviour of simple models
• engage more effectively in collaborations with mathematical modellers

Feedback from the 2017 course

• “This is a fantastic course, there are no others like it of this quality, duration or intensity. The tutors invested significant effort with course participants beyond anything I have experienced prior and I would highly recommend this course to anyone interested in designing mathematical models for infectious diseases.”
• “I want to say a big thank you too all the lecturers and organisor. This was one of the best couses I have ever attended.”
• “I would like to thank all the instructors for this opportunity. I am feeling really confident to keep studying and improving my skills in this area. All this content seemed unreachable before this course, and today I believe that I am a much better researcher than I was before.”
• “Course Tutors were great and took every opportunity to spend time with participants to cover material.”
• “I was very impressed with the dedication and wealth of material in this course.”
• “I felt that the course was very well delivered by all involved and has provided me with the needed knowledge for my
• project.”
• “Thank you for the opportunity to attend this course. It has given me a deeper understanding of wide applications of mathematical models, much needed training in programming with R and boost up my enthusiasm for my work.”

The programme will cover introductory and advanced concepts in
mathematical modelling of infectious diseases, including:

• Mathematical review (calculus, probability…)
• Population dynamics
• Deterministic and stochastic models
• Modelling structured populations: Age-structured, Spatial and Network models
• Applied programming with R
• Statistical estimation of models
• Computer-based simulations

Learning outcomes:
After attending this course, participants will be able to:

• design, implement and estimate simple epidemic models
• better appreciate the value and limits of mathematical models in their own field
• more fully understand and apply knowledge from scientific articles that include mathematical models
• explore the behaviour of simple models
• engage more effectively in collaborations with mathematical modeller

Course instructors
Andrew
Conlan University of Cambridge, Department of Veterinary
Medicine, UK
Cerian
Webb University of Cambridge, Department of Plant Sciences,
UK
TJ McKinley College of Engineering,
Mathematics and Physical Sciences, University of Exeter, UK
Nik Cunniffe University of Cambridge,
Department of Plant Sciences, UK
Matt
Castle University of Cambridge, Department of Plant
Sciences, UK
Leon
Danon School of Social and Community Medicine, University of
Bristol, UK
David Price Department of Veterinary
Medicine, University of Cambridge, UK
Katy Gaythorpe Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of
Cambridge, UK

Guest speakers
Tini Garske
Imperial College London, UK
Rowland Kao University of Edinburgh, UK
Caroline
Trotter University of Cambridge, UK

Prerequisites
The
course is aimed at life scientists, public health officers and
medical
or veterinary professionals with an interest in quantitative
approaches
to infectious disease dynamics and control in humans or
animals.
Applicants
are typically educated to a minimum of A or AS level in
mathematics and
should include details of their maths education, as well
as any
previous experience using R or other scientific software, in the
application.

Cost
The
course is subsidised by the Wellcome Genome Campus Advanced Courses
and Scientific Conferences Programme. This is a residential
course and
there is a fee of £1090 towards board and lodging for
non-commercial applicants. Please contact us for the commercial fee.

Additional limited bursaries are available (up to 50%
of the course fee)
and are awarded on merit. Please see the “Bursaries”
tab for details.

Applications
Applications for this course can be completed online. Places are limited
and will be awarded on merit. If you have any problems with the online
application process, please contact us.

Please note: Applications
must be supported by a
recommendation from a scientific or clinical sponsor (e.g. supervisor or
head of department). A request for a supporting
statement will be sent
to your nominated sponsor automatically during
the application process.
Applicants must ensure that their sponsor
provides this supporting
statement by the application deadline. Applications without a supporting
statement cannot be considered.

Deadlines
Deadline for Applications: Closed

Travel visas
Please contact the
event organiser if you require a letter to support a travel visa
application. Note that letters will be provided to confirmed attendees.

Non-European Economic Area or Swiss nationals may be required to have a
visa to enter the UK.
Early application is strongly advised, as this process can take 6-8 weeks
or longer.

Please visit the following websites for further information:
UK Border Agency website and information for general visitors and business
visitors.

Cost
The
course is subsidised by the Wellcome Genome Campus Advanced Courses
and
Scientific Conferences Programme. This is a residential
course and
there is a fee of £1090 towards board and lodging for
non-commercial applicants. Please contact us for the commercial fee.

Bursaries
Advanced Courses are subsidised for non-commercial applicants from
anywhere in the world. Additional, limited bursaries are
available (up
to 50% of the course fee) and are awarded on merit. If you would like to
apply for a
bursary, please complete the bursary section of the online
application
form.

Please note that both the applicant
and sponsor are required to provide
a justification for the
bursary as part of the application.

Bursary terms and conditions

UK Courses (held at the Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton,
Cambridge)
A
limited number of bursaries are available for each course. These are
awarded by the selection committee according to merit. The bursary
covers a maximum of 50% of the course fee, though in exceptional
circumstances an application for the total course fee may be considered.
Where there are many bursary applications, the selection committee may
issue smaller amounts. We cannot assist with travel costs to attend UK
courses.

Overseas Courses (held outside of the UK)
A
limited number of bursaries are available for each course. These are
awarded on merit to cover travel, accommodation and sustenance. The
maximum award for travel (economy class) will be £750.

Bursaries can be applied for as part of the course application form.
Applicants
will be notified of a bursary award along with their place on
the
course, usually within one month of the application deadline. The
decision of the selection committee is
final.