Why study parasites?

Over 80% of all living organisms, from protistants to chordates, are parasites Parasitic life style is the most successful mode of existence on the world Parasites exhibit marvelous strategies for adaptation to their hosts Parasitic diseases are continue to be major threats to health for the world's population Parasites have strong negative impact on animal welfare, modern agriculture, and natural ecosystems Parasites are considered as biological indicators of environmental pollution Parasites rule human and animal behavior, and affect a world history Parasites will give you most cool topics to discuss at your shrimp cocktail and sushi parties

GENERAL PARASITOLOGY (BIOL 596) is a 3 unit course that fulfills the departmental requirement as an organismal course. We will meet twice a week for about one hour of lecture (TTH) and for 2 hours 40 min of laboratory (TH) following.

COURSE PREREQUISITES:

The course is open to undergraduate and graduate students have completed BIOL 201 and BIOL 202.

GOALS	To present a comprehensive course on parasitic organisms from Protozoa to Arthropoda . Parasites of medical and veterinary importance, and parasitic diseases and disorders are the focus of this course. To provide practical experience in diagnostics of human and animal parasites, and in basic parasitological methods and approaches. To give experience in more specialized subfields by means of an Assigned Paper.
LECTURES:	Will give your a basic knowledge in biology, morphology, ecology, systematics, and evolution of the major groups of parasites.
TEXT:	Foundations of Parasitology (7th Ed.). Larry S. Roberts & John Janovy, Jr. 2005. WCB. McGraw. Available at Campus Bookstore.
	Note: Outlines and handouts will be provided before each lecture.
LABORATORY:	Will introduce you to practical parasitology. You will be trained in diagnostics and microscopic identification of the most important human and animal parasites. You will do dissections and parasitological examination of annelids, mollusks, amphibians or mammals, and will collect, preserve, and identify parasite found. One of these dissection sessions will give you a topic for a Laboratory Report (See handout: Lab Report)
TEXT:	Meyer, Olsen & Schmidt's Essential of Parasitology. 6th edition. Murray D. Dailey.1996. Wm.C. Brown Publishers. Available at campus bookstore.
Grading and Examination: The final course grade will be awarded based on the total number of points earned out of the possible 500 points
Midterms (2)  Final exam (cumulative)  150 (30%) 150 (30%)       Lab notebook        Written lab report  40 (8%) 20 (4%)       Practical quizzes       Assigned paper 90 (18%) 50 (10%)

Grading Policy: Letter Grades will be assigned as follows:

A= 90% to 100% ; B= 80% to 89.9%; C= 70% to 79.9%; D= 60% to 69.9% (passing grade); F< 60%.

The final grade will be based on the cumulative points earned. Plus and minus grading will be used on the final classes grades.

Announcement

Syllabus

Lecture Schedule

Lab Schedule

Outlines of lectures and labs (by weeks)

Literature recommended

Our exhibition

Ectoparasites of Fish and Invertebrates

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