SBIK10200U Human Parasitology

Volume 2015/2016
Education

MSc Programme in Biology
MSc Programme in Biochemistry

Content

Parasites shape the world we live in; from the colour of birds to the regulation of the human immune system. Human parasites come in many different shapes and sizes, from one-celled organisms of 0.01-0.05 mm to multi-celled worms of several meters in length. Some parasites cause few or no symptoms, while others cause severe disease and death. The course contains an introduction to the occurrence and importance of human parasitic diseases with special emphasis on those diseases most prevalent in the tropics.

The aim of the course is to educate in human parasites with main emphasis on protozoans and helminths (worms). The vectors of parasites (snails and arthropods) will also be included. The focus will be on the epidemiology, diagnosis, mapping, control and surveillance of the infections.

Learning Outcome

It is the aim of the course to provide the student with an introduction to the occurrence and importance of human parasitic diseases

Knowledge:

  • Describe the most important groups of human parasites and the general structure of their transmission, epidemiology and control.
  • Understand principles of disease impact estimation of parasites in man.
  • Understand the fundamental principles of host-parasite interactions.
  • Define the impact of geographical and ecological variables on the occurrence of infections.
  • Describe the main risk factors for the infections and describe the basic principles of disease prevention.


Skills:

  • Be capable of critical evaluating studies on human parasitic diseases.
  • Integrate knowledge on transmission and risk factors in writing as well as by oral presentation.
  • Perform overall analysis of transmission and risk factors.


Competences:

  • Collaborate with fellow students during group work.
  • Appreciate the advantage of interdisciplinary work within the area of human parasite control.
  • Put the obtained knowledge into perspective.

Selected parts of Foundations of Parasitology, L. S. Roberts and J. Janovy, 8th edition, 2008 or later.

Scientific papers

The applied teaching methods are a mixture of lectures, small group exercises, laboratory demonstrations and laboratory exercises. Throughout the whole course, discussion of peer-reviewed papers in groups and in plenum will be used.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Colloquia
  • 25
  • Exam
  • 2
  • Guidance
  • 12
  • Lectures
  • 40
  • Practical exercises
  • 25
  • Preparation
  • 68
  • Theory exercises
  • 34
  • Total
  • 206
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written examination, 2 hours under invigilation
Kurset er udtaget til ITX-eksamen på Peter Bangs Vej
Aid
Without aids
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
More than one internal examiner
Criteria for exam assesment

To achieve the maximum grade of 12, the student shall be able to competently discuss and evaluate the given scientific paper showing the following in depth knowledge, skills and competences:

Knowledge:

  • Describe the most important groups of human parasites and the general structure of their transmission, epidemiology and control.
  • Understand principles of disease impact estimation of parasites in man.
  • Understand the fundamental principles of host-parasite interactions.
  • Define the impact of geographical and ecological variables on the occurrence of infections.
  • Describe the main risk factors for the infections and describe the basic principles of disease prevention.


Skills:

  • Be capable of critical evaluating studies on human parasitic diseases.
  • Integrate knowledge on transmission and risk factors in writing as well as by oral presentation.
  • Perform overall analysis of transmission and risk factors.


Competences:

  • Collaborate with fellow students during group work.
  • Appreciate the advantage of interdisciplinary work within the area of human parasite control.
  • Put the obtained knowledge into perspective.