Epidemics (UMAP)

A unit that involves calculus with the topic of epidemics. This module describes quantitatively how the course of an epidemic and its control may be modeled mathematically. The model described is criticized, naming some strengths and some weaknesses.

Table of Contents:

1. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

2. THE MODEL
2.1 Basic Assumptions
2.2 Definition of the Variables
2.3 The Spread of the Disease
2.4 A Smooth Approximation
2.5 Removal of Infectives

3. CONTROLLING THE EPIDEMIC
3.1 Definition of Control
3.2 The Threshold Removal Rate

4. A MILD EPIDEMIC
4.1 Extent of the Epidemic
4.2 An Equation for the Extent
4.3 An Approximation for e^-k1W/k2
4.4 The Accuracy of the Approximation
4.5 Estimating the Extent
4.6 The Relative Removal Rate

5. EXERCISES

6. ANSWERS TO EXERCISES

SPECIAL ASSISTANCE SUPPLEMENT