Biology for Travelers

3 Credits · Level: Undergraduate

Overall: the course is intended to trigger the interest of students in science, especially life-science. A good number will take later regular biology courses as they continue studies in STIA. So, the course highlights main principles and concepts but is not a regular pre-med or bio course. It is especially meant to help policy makers to connect to scientists and to use scientific information in politics, strategy, diplomacy. The course is focused on the practical consideration of living abroad for an extended period of time. Course description: This course prepares students to understand and contribute to the current discussion on COVID. It uses the example of international traveling to present the corresponding scientific concepts: 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, which are crucial for understanding the ongoing international concerns of the COVID pandemic.