Quantitative Risk Analysis and Disease Modeling in Epidemiology

Course Overview

This course will cover the key principles of quantitative risk analysis in epidemiology and the most important risk modeling principles, methods and techniques available. Unlike other training courses in risk analysis, we dedicate a portion of the course to the modeling of epidemic and endemic diseases, and how resulting outputs can be used in risk assessments.

The course provides participants with hands-on skills to effectively use a risk modeling software environment. For this training, @RISK with Excel and a few examples with the statistical software R are used, but the lessons apply equally well to other modeling environments. Rather than just learning how to use software, the course focuses on how to conduct accurate and effective quantitative risk analyses, including best practices of risk modeling, selecting the appropriate distribution, using data and expert opinion, and avoiding common mistakes. The course will also cover essential probability and statistics theory and various stochastic processes to provide participants with a solid understanding of the foundations of quantitative risk analysis.

Please review the prerequisites section before attending the course. The requirements are very basic, but ensuring that all participants arrive with this basic level, prevents us from spending too much time on familiarization with Excel® rather than learning about risk assessment modeling.

Duration: 5 full days

Delivery Type: in-person

Cost: $2,995.00

Professionals working in risk assessments in animal health, human health, food safety, and plant health, and risk managers who have some basic knowledge of spreadsheets and simulation modeling. The course is also well suited for scientists providing input to a risk assessment.

Participants will be primarily using @RISK (version 7.0 or newer) with Excel to solve the exercises, but participants can also choose to use alternative Monte Carlo simulation software.

It is important that participants have basic to intermediate working knowledge of Excel. However, no prior experience with @RISK or other simulation tools is required. The R software environment for statistical computing and graphics (R) will also be used during some sessions.

  • Trial versions of @RISK can be downloaded from Palisade’s website. As the trial license of @RISK lasts 15 days, participants should install it only a few days before the course.
  • R is free and can be downloaded from the Comprehensive R Archive Network.

In addition to @RISK, Excel and R, participants are required to bring computers with a pdf reader installed, and with a functional USB drive.

Participants very proficient in R can work through the exercises using this software environment. The instructors will help them solve their problems, but the solutions to group problems will be shown in Excel and @RISK.

Course format

The course runs from 09:00 to 17:00 each day. Morning and afternoon coffee, and lunch are provided. Optional evening workshops on the first and second days allow extra time for running through example models and exercises.

Free ModelAssist

ModelAssist is a comprehensive risk analysis training reference and is free of cost. This reference tool provides an in-depth explanation of all of the risk analysis concepts, techniques and methods introduced in this course and greatly complements the course material. ModelAssist can be downloaded or accessed directly from our website.

Teaching Philosophy

All of our courses aim to help the participants understand risk analysis from the bottom-up, which is achieved through a relaxed, informal and interactive environment, using plenty of examples and hands-on exercises where students apply and adapt what they have learned.

Social Events

Our training courses provide an opportunity to develop or extend your professional network. We therefore arrange optional fun, interactive social events which take advantage of local attractions, cuisine, and culture. All social events are included in the course fee.

Lodging and Transportation

Course participants must arrange their own accommodation. However, we will be happy to provide information and alternatives for your travel arrangements. After you complete your registration form, please let us know that you will need our help.

Registration Discounts

Please contact us to obtain a code for the discounts below, or to discuss a special rate when registering 5 or more people. Discounts for groups of 3 or 4 people are applied automatically at registration. Discount rates cannot be combined.

* Early registration – 10% off registration (register and pay 30 days before course start date)
* Government/Academic – 5% off registration (Proof of eligibility requested after registration)
* Student – 25% off registration (Proof of eligibility requested after registration)
Use our contact form if you are interested in a course not currently in our schedule.