COVID-19: Pandemics, Modelling, and Policy
Explore how scientists model the spread of pandemics, and what this tells us about the policy options for managing COVID-19.
Duration
2 weeksWeekly study
2 hours
COVID-19: Pandemics, Modelling, and Policy
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Discover the role forecasts and computer models play in understanding pandemics
With the world in the grip of the coronavirus pandemic, there has been a surge of interest in scientific modelling of the outbreak.
On this course, you’ll explore the social, economic, and political factors in the spread of a pandemic such as COVID-19, examining how scientists try to forecast the spread and severity of epidemics, and what we can and can’t know.
You’ll use interactive graphical programs to explore the dynamics of epidemics, learning how to critique the underlying models, and how science and computer models can support policymakers in times of pandemic crisis.
What topics will you cover?
- COVID-19: a brief description, the problem, and what we need to know?
- The nature of prediction – why things can or can’t be predicted
- Modelling – creating and using computational models
- Policy– how is policy made? How does policy interface to science?
- Complex systems science for exploring and planning the future
Learning on this course
On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Explain the currently accepted facts and statistics of COVID-19 such as the incubation period, recovery time and basic reproduction rates.
- Explain what models are and how they are used in policy making
- Model the COVID-19 pandemic using computational methods including time series and implementations of the SIR (Susceptible, Infected, Recovered) model
- Evaluate and critique models and computer modelling in a policy context
- Explain the difference between macro-modelling at the level of a whole population, micro-modelling at the level of the individual, and meso-modelling at the level of organisations and social events.
- Evaluate reports used to guide policy and explain how policy makers must deal with conflicting scientific evidence.
Who is the course for?
This course is for anyone wanting to make sense of the conflicting information around COVID-19. This includes scientists, health professionals, policy planners, or just interested citizens.
Who will you learn with?
I am Professor of Complexity Science and Design at the Open University & Deputy President of the UNESCO UniTwin Complex Systems Digital Campus. I am interested in interdisciplinary science for policy.
Who developed the course?
UNESCO UNITWIN Complex Systems Digital Campus
The Complex Systems Digital Campus is an international network of individuals and institutions working together to promote research and education in complex systems science and in integrative sciences
The Open University
As the UK’s largest university, The Open University (OU) supports thousands of students to achieve their goals and ambitions via supported distance learning, helping to fit learning around professional and personal life commitments.
Established
1969Location
Milton Keynes, UKWorld ranking
Top 510Source: Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2020
Learning on FutureLearn
Your learning, your rules
- Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
- Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
- Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores
Join a global classroom
- Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
- Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
- Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others
Map your progress
- As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
- Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
- Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate
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