Infectious Diseases - Syllabus

**Course Syllabus: Infectious Diseases**

**1. COURSE INFORMATION**

* Course Title: Clinical Infectious Diseases
* Course Code: MED 511
* Credit Hours: 3 credits
* Prerequisites: Internal Medicine Residency or equivalent experience
* Instructor Information:
+ Name: Dr. Emily J. Chen, MD
+ Title: Assistant Professor of Medicine
+ Contact Information: [echen@medicalschool.edu](mailto:echen@medicalschool.edu)

**2. COURSE DESCRIPTION**

Infectious Diseases is a comprehensive course designed to equip medical students and residents with the knowledge and skills necessary to diagnose and manage complex infectious diseases in various patient populations. This course will cover the pathogenesis, epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of common and emerging infectious diseases, including bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic infections.

Throughout the course, we will emphasize the importance of evidence-based medicine, critical thinking, and effective communication in managing infectious diseases. Students will learn to apply their knowledge in real-world scenarios, incorporating recent guidelines and recommendations from reputable organizations such as the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The course is designed for medical students and residents who are interested in pursuing a career in infectious diseases or those who wish to enhance their skills in this area. By the end of this course, students will be able to:

* Understand the pathogenesis and epidemiology of common infectious diseases
* Diagnose and manage complex infections using evidence-based guidelines
* Apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills in managing infectious diseases
* Develop effective communication strategies for patients with infectious diseases

**3. LEARNING OBJECTIVES**

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. **Understand**: Describe the pathogenesis and epidemiology of common bacterial infections (e.g., tuberculosis, pneumonia)
2. **Apply**: Use a step-wise approach to diagnose and manage sepsis in adult patients
3. **Analyze**: Evaluate the effectiveness of different antibiotic regimens for treating complicated urinary tract infections
4. **Evaluate**: Assess the risk-benefit ratio of antiviral therapy for influenza A (H1N1) pandemic
5. **Understand**: Explain the role of the immune system in preventing and managing tuberculosis
6. **Apply**: Develop a plan for administering intravenous antibiotics to a patient with suspected sepsis
7. **Analyze**: Compare the efficacy of different vaccines against seasonal influenza A (H1N1)
8. **Evaluate**: Assess the impact of antibiotic resistance on treatment outcomes for complicated urinary tract infections
9. **Understand**: Describe the pathogenesis and epidemiology of fungal infections (e.g., candidiasis, aspergillosis)
10. **Apply**: Use a systematic approach to diagnose and manage suspected fungal infections in immunocompromised patients

**4. COURSE CONTENT OUTLINE**

Week 1: Introduction to Infectious Diseases

* Overview of infectious diseases
* Epidemiology and pathogenesis of common bacterial and viral infections

Week 2-3: Bacterial Infections

* Tuberculosis
* Pneumonia (community-acquired and hospital-acquired)
* Complicated urinary tract infections

Week 4-5: Viral Infections

* Influenza A (H1N1) pandemic
* Herpes simplex virus type 2
* Hepatitis B and C

Week 6-7: Fungal Infections

* Candidiasis
* Aspergillosis
* Cryptococcal meningitis

Week 8-9: Parasitic Infections

* Malaria
* Leishmaniasis
* Chagas disease

Week 10-11: Emerging Infectious Diseases

* Ebola virus disease
* SARS-CoV-2 pandemic
* Antimicrobial resistance

Week 12: Final Exam and Review

**5. REQUIRED READINGS & RESOURCES**

Textbooks:

* "Infectious Diseases" by Gerald L. Mandell et al.
* "Mantel's Hospital Medicine: A Clinical Approach"

Journal Articles:

* JAMA, NEJM, Lancet Infectious Diseases
* CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report

Online Resources:

* Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
* Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA)

Reference Materials:

* "Infectious Diseases: A Companion to Specialist Practice" by Gerald L. Mandell et al.
* "The Oxford Handbook of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation"

**6. ASSESSMENT & GRADING**

Assessment Breakdown:

* Exams (40%): 3 exams, each covering a different section of the course
* Assignments (20%): Case presentations, problem-solving exercises, and critical thinking quizzes
* Participation (10%): Class participation and engagement
* Final Exam (30%): Comprehensive final exam that covers all material covered in the course

Grading Scale:

A (90-100%), B (80-89%), C (70-79%), D (60-69%), F (< 60%)

**7. COURSE SCHEDULE**

Weekly Topics:

Week 1: Introduction to Infectious Diseases
Week 2-3: Bacterial Infections
Week 4-5: Viral Infections
Week 6-7: Fungal Infections
Week 8-9: Parasitic Infections
Week 10-11: Emerging Infectious Diseases
Week 12: Final Exam and Review

Important Dates:

* Week 3: Midterm exam
* Week 9: Case presentation day
* Week 11: Problem-solving exercise day
* Week 12: Final exam

Exam Dates:

* Exam 1: Week 5
* Exam 2: Week 9
* Exam 3: Week 12
* Final Exam: Week 12