This course introduces the principles and practice of antimicrobial stewardship and infection prevention and control (IPC) — the frontline strategies used to slow antimicrobial resistance and reduce the transmission of infections in healthcare and community settings.
The course sketch is shown below.
Sketch / draft syllabus. This is an early scaffold for the concentration. Course number, credit hours, dates, and specific assignments are placeholders and will be finalized before the course is offered.
Course title and instructors
Title: Antimicrobial Stewardship and Infection Prevention
Course Number: TBD
Semester: TBD
Credit Hours: TBD
Meeting Time: TBD
Course Director: Michael E. DeWitt, MS
Email: medewitt@wakehealth.edu or dewime23@wfu.edu
Course description
Antimicrobial resistance is one of the defining public health challenges of our time, and preventing infections before they occur is often the most effective intervention available. This course examines two complementary disciplines: antimicrobial stewardship — using antimicrobials wisely to preserve their effectiveness — and infection prevention and control — reducing the transmission of pathogens in hospitals, clinics, and communities. Students will connect the ecology and evolution of resistance to the practical strategies used to combat it, integrating microbiology, epidemiology, behavior, and health systems. The course emphasizes a One Health perspective, recognizing that antimicrobial use in human medicine, agriculture, and the environment are deeply linked.
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Explain how antimicrobial resistance emerges and spreads through evolutionary and ecological processes
- Describe the core elements of an antimicrobial stewardship program and the principles of appropriate antimicrobial use (right drug, dose, duration, and de-escalation)
- Apply infection prevention and control practices, including hand hygiene, isolation precautions, and sterilization/disinfection
- Interpret surveillance data on healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and resistance patterns (antibiograms)
- Analyze outbreaks in healthcare settings and design appropriate control measures
- Evaluate antimicrobial use through a One Health lens spanning human, animal, and environmental health
Textbook and other resources
There is no single required textbook. Recommended references and resources include:
- CDC, Core Elements of Hospital Antibiotic Stewardship Programs
- WHO, Guidelines on Core Components of Infection Prevention and Control Programmes
- CDC/SHEA infection prevention and control guidelines
- Selected primary literature on antimicrobial resistance and healthcare epidemiology
Additional readings will be assigned throughout the course.
Course structure and schedule
This course meets over 15 weeks and combines lecture, case discussion, and applied exercises. The schedule below is a draft outline of topics.
| Week | Topic |
|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction: the antimicrobial resistance crisis |
| 2 | Microbiology and mechanisms of antimicrobial action |
| 3 | The evolution and ecology of resistance |
| 4 | Principles of appropriate antimicrobial use |
| 5 | Building an antimicrobial stewardship program |
| 6 | Diagnostics, antibiograms, and de-escalation |
| 7 | Measuring stewardship: metrics and outcomes |
| 8 | Foundations of infection prevention and control |
| 9 | Hand hygiene, PPE, and standard precautions |
| 10 | Transmission-based precautions and isolation |
| 11 | Sterilization, disinfection, and the environment |
| 12 | Healthcare-associated infections and surveillance |
| 13 | Outbreak investigation in healthcare settings |
| 14 | One Health: stewardship in agriculture and the environment |
| 15 | Case studies, project presentations, and wrap-up |
Note: Specific dates will be provided at the beginning of the semester. Topics may be adjusted based on class progress and student interests.
Grades and assignments
| Activity | Weight |
|---|---|
| Participation and case discussion | 20% |
| Assignments and applied exercises | 30% |
| Exam(s) | 20% |
| Final project | 30% |
Final project: Students will design a stewardship or infection prevention intervention for a chosen setting, grounding their proposal in surveillance data, the ecology of resistance, and implementation considerations.
Course policies
Attendance: Regular attendance is expected, particularly for case discussions. Please alert the instructor if you are unable to attend for any reason.
Late/Makeup work: Assignments are due on the dates provided. We recognize that extenuating circumstances arise, and assignments may be submitted up to 2 days late without penalty. If you need an extension, contact the instructor as soon as possible and before the due date.
Artificial intelligence: Artificial intelligence tools and large language models such as ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini are now part of the academic and professional landscape and we encourage you to find ways to use them to enhance your learning. However, if you use these tools, you must cite your sources and provide a detailed description of the tools you used to complete the assignment. In no way can these tools take the place of your own work and understanding of the material. They should be used to supplement your learning, not replace it. You are ultimately responsible for your work including content and the use of valid citations and references. Using these tools without proper attribution is plagiarism and will be treated as such.
Department/School/University policies
Academic Integrity: Wake Forest University is committed to a culture of academic integrity. As a part of this community, you share the responsibility for creating a place of honesty, intellectual curiosity, and individual accountability. As you committed to with your honor pledge signature, you agree “not to deceive any member of the community; not to steal, cheat, or plagiarize on academic work; and not to engage in any other form of academic misconduct.” If you have questions about documenting your work, working with external sources, or working with peers on assigned work, consult with me as soon as possible. Instances of academic dishonesty will be referred to the Honor and Ethics Council.
Accessibility: Wake Forest University provides reasonable accommodations to students with disabilities. If you are in need of an accommodation, please contact me privately as early in the term as possible. Retroactive accommodations will not be provided. Students requiring accommodations must also consult the Center for Learning, Access, and Student Success (118 Reynolda Hall, 336-758-5929, class.wfu.edu).
Accommodations for Religious or Spiritual Practices: Wake Forest University benefits from the multitude of faiths and spiritual identities held by members of our learning community. Should you need accommodations this semester, email me as soon as possible to ensure we have time to develop equitable alternatives.
Class recordings: In case any class recordings are provided, they are reserved only for students in this class for educational purposes and are protected under FERPA. The recordings should not be shared outside the class in any form.
Syllabus change notice
This syllabus and the dates herein are subject to change.