BIOLOGY 314 PARASITOLOGY

TEXTBOOK:  Foundations of Parasitology by Schmidt and Roberts.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:  A combined lecture-laboratory course.  This course is a comprehensive investigation of protozoan, helminth, and arthropod parasites with special emphasis to those of medical and veterinary importance.  The techniques of parasitology are covered, including egg sedimentation, life cycle studies, animal necropsy, and the use of taxonomic keys.  Students are given a comprehensive set of prepared slides for detailed study.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:  The student will:

• Gain understanding of the basic principles, concepts and vocabulary of symbiology, parasitology, and epidemiology.
• Gain knowledge of the major parasitological organisms that cause disease in humans and their domesticated animals.
• Develop an appreciation of life cycles, vectors, and other factors such as culture and socioeconomics that affect the distribution and prevalence of parasites.
• Learn to identify and classify the parasites covered within the course.  She will learn to use dichotomous keys to identify various parasites and will acquire the ability to spot identify those organisms studied.
• Gain knowledge of the techniques of parasitology and its literature.

TOPICS COVERED:

• Amoebas and Ciliates
• Gut Flagellate
• Blood Flagellates
• Apicomplexa
• Trematodes
• Cestodes
• Nematoda
• Acanthocephala
• Arthropods
• Lice and Bugs
• Fleas and Flies