General Parasitology
Course offered :
- Current semester
- Next semester
Course offered by
| Number of credits | 10 |
| Course offered (semester) | Autumn |
| Schedule | Schedule |
| Reading list | Reading list |
Language of Instruction
English
Pre-requirements
None
Learning Outcomes
After completing the course, students will:
- Have a basic understanding of the main concepts and definitions within the dicipline
- Have an overview of the major taxonomic groups of parasites occurring in vertebrates and have access to general biological adaptations that characterize each parasite group.
- Gain insight into the parasites population ecology, including the factors affecting infection pressure and rate of spread of a parasite in a host population.
- Understand how important parasitic properties are influenced by evolutionary processes
- Become familiar with how parasites affect physiological, behavioral and ecological adaptations in the host
- Have an overview of key research questions in parasitology, and be able to present these orally and in writing.
Contact Information
studie@bio.uib.no
Course offered (semester)
Autumn
Language of Instruction
English
Aim and Content
An introduction to general parasitology, including a short overview of morphology, taxonomy, life cycle and transmission of the most important eucaryotic parasite groups infecting vertebrates. The students are given an introduction to elementary epidemiological theory, including distribution patterns, dynamics of transmission, host-parasite population dynamics, threshold level of hosts and control strategies. The course also includes hypothesis in evolutionary effects of parasites on the hosts, and evolution of parasite key characters, host specificity, complexity of life cycle and virulence.
Learning Outcomes
After completing the course, students will:
- Have a basic understanding of the main concepts and definitions within the dicipline
- Have an overview of the major taxonomic groups of parasites occurring in vertebrates and have access to general biological adaptations that characterize each parasite group.
- Gain insight into the parasites population ecology, including the factors affecting infection pressure and rate of spread of a parasite in a host population.
- Understand how important parasitic properties are influenced by evolutionary processes
- Become familiar with how parasites affect physiological, behavioral and ecological adaptations in the host
- Have an overview of key research questions in parasitology, and be able to present these orally and in writing.
Pre-requirements
None
Recommended previous knowledge
Compulsory parts of Bachelor in Biology
Compulsory Requirements
Semester work, seminars and laboratory course
Assessment methods
Midterm exam (40 %) + semester work (60 %). Laboratory course and seminars must be approved in order to take the exam.
Grading Scale
The grading scale used is A to F. Grade A is the highest passing grade in the grading scale, grade F is a fail.
Contact Information
studie@bio.uib.no