BIO 3320 - PARASITOLOGY

credits: 3.0
This course provides an introduction to the field of parasitology. The course focuses on parasite diversity and life cycles, with a particular emphasis on parasite-host interaction, parasitic diseases, and disease treatment. Emerging topics in parasitology, such as drug resistance and the impact of climate change on parasite distribution will also be addressed.

As parasites alter and expand their typical ranges resulting in an increase in parasite-host interactions, parasitology is becoming an increasingly significant field in the health sciences. This course will provide a broad overview to the key topics of parasitology, with a major emphasis on parasite diversity, parasite life cycles, parasitic diseases, and treatment and prevention of disease. Through a combination of lecture, laboratory, and group discussion, we will explore the role of parasites within an ecosystem and learn how they impact the health of other organisms. Students will learn how to visually identify various parasites and accurately assess parasitic load in an animal. In addition, we will use current scientific research and case studies to explore emerging topics in parasitology, such as the role of climate change on host range and the increasing development of drug resistance in parasite populations. Objectives: A) Explain the role of parasites in an ecosystem; B) Identify the three major types of parasites; C) Describe parasite/host interactions; D) Diagram parasite life cycles; E) Determine the appropriate prevention and treatment of parasitic diseases; F) Analyze biological samples to determine parasitic load.
Method of Instruction: A combination of lecture, lab activities, small group discussion, case studies, and student presentations. Method of Evaluation: Quizzes 60 points, Tests 300 points, Lab activities 200 points, Parasite Project 50 points, Group activities 40 points, Final exam 150 points, Total 800 points.

Prerequisite(s): BIO 1020 and BIO 1022.