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Focuses on major pandemics in the human population that have occurred in the 20th century and in particular, the 1918 influenza pandemic, the severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (SARS) outbreak of 2002-03 and the emergence of HIV. A discussion of ongoing concerns regarding research into viruses with pandemic potential (Gain of Function experiments) also forms part of the content. For each pandemic, discussion groups cover readings centered around a clinical- or public health-topic and a pathogen-oriented topic in order to give students a broad understanding of the pandemic, as well as to compare and contrast the key aspects of each disease. Compares and contrasts pandemics resulting from acute and chronic diseases, as well as diseases with different routes of transmission and incubation times. Provides a comprehensive overview of how each pandemic emerged, what key factors dictated spread in the population, and how each pathogen induced disease.