Syllabus biology for travelers 2019 0417 PDF

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Biology for Travelers! 35756 - INAF 180 - 04

Time and Location Tuesdays and Thursdays 11:00 AM to 12:15 PM in Walsh 397

Instructor Christian Wagner, SJ ICC 490, (202) 687-8143, [email protected]

office hours: upon mutual agreement or T/R 12:30 PM - 1:00 PM!

1/10/19

International Flight Paths! from: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U-yi3Qkgb9c/UabcZBj_BnI/AAAAAAAABBs/4kaDUEDcyo4/s1600/routes2000_moll.png

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Course Objectives Travelers regularly face health issues that are related to exposure to heat, as well as complications resulting from food and water. Additionally, travelers are susceptible to infectious diseases that are associated with diverse environments. This course provides both, an understanding of the biological systems which are involved in coping with these travelers’ issues as well as practical resources to prevent or to address them. Accordingly, this course illustrates relevant sections of immuno-biology, human metabolism, physiology and current diagnostic methods as well as resources such as those which are available on campus, or from the government’s CDC. This in turn will offer the student a better understanding about global health measures that are related to international travel.

Student Learning Outcomes Following this course participants will be able to recognize and understand:

• the diversity of adverse effects on health, related to travel • the scientific approach to analyze these complex questions • the limitations of scientific data and analysis • common travel-related infectious agents

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• routes of infections • the human anatomy that is involved in the immune response • the main components of the human immune system • most dominant health risks associated with travel • the contribution of travel to pandemics • food-related health issues and proper nutrition • importance of clean water to sustain health • resources available for proper travel preparation, for sustaining health over travel duration and for regaining and ensuring health after reentry • preparation of travel with respect to travelers health • health supporting measures in challenging environments • ongoing research in infectious diseases and global health

Intended Audience This course is especially for SFS freshman, who are interested in the nexus of life-sciences with the effects on health as they pertain to international travel. This course is for a scientific-minded practitioner as the course focuses on practical considerations that highlight the underlying scientific background. Accordingly, this course provides scientific resources to the student for personal travel preparation as well as a scientific basis for assessing global health issues as they pertain to increased international movements of people.

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Prerequisites This course does not have scientific prerequisites.

Expectations: Participants are required to work independently, i.e. it is expected that they accomplish the assignments without close supervision. In-class interactions need to take into consideration diverse cultural backgrounds and experiences of the participants and allow for discussion of topics in respecting differing personal perspectives. Recording the class or the use of cell phones or computers need to be cleared with the instructor prior to their use. Without instructor’s consent, food or drink are not allowed during class time except for drinking water from closed containers.

Instructor's Responsibilities (1) to present lectures and to lead discussions that help students better understand the issues related to the diverse aspects of biology as they pertain to human health in a global context of travel; (2) to communicate expectations to students clearly; (3) to provide individual help outside class, during office hours when possible and at other mutually agreeable times; (4) 1/10/19

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to provide constructive feedback to participants and (5) to grade according to the university's guidelines and as indicated in the course rubrics.

Attendance and Class Participation All students should arrive at each session on time and be prepared to contribute to class discussions. With the exception of an attested family or medical emergency, absence will adversely affect a student’s grade. More than two absences will require approval by the advising dean or the dean's office according to the policies of the university.

Teaching Methods The teaching method will correspond to seminar arrangements, i .e. a combination of instructor's presentation, discussion and students' participation.

Expected Workload In addition to bi-weekly seminar sessions of 1.5 hours each, participants should expect that assignments will require an additional 3 to 5 hours per week. 1/10/19

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Grading For assessment, students will show their knowledge in 2 quizzes (each 20 points) and apply the course materials in a case study (20 points) to the preparation of a trip to an international destination of their choice (with instructor’s approval). There will be a final exam (40 points) and 2-minutes mini-quizzes each session (each 1 point, total of 20 mini quizzes, keep 15). Points are cumulative and the final grade is calculated according to the following scale: C-

C

C+

B-

B

B+

A-

A

70-72

73-76

77-79

80-82

83-86

87-89

90-93

94-100

Make-up examinations are available only during the final examination period. Missing more than one examination (quiz, case study, final exam; excluding mini-quizzes) requires an advising dean’s approval.

Case Study rubric The presented case study should have covered the following topics/areas:

Does the country require special health-certificates/immunizations for entry? What are safety recommendations by the State Department for the country?

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What emergency procedures do you put in place (personal-, medical-, employer-related)? What are the health recommendations of the CDC for the country? What are the planned itinerary and anticipated activities (for at least four locations)?

Which medical preparations do you implement (give...