Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2021 - BISC 318 D100

Parasitology (3)

Class Number: 2440

Delivery Method: Remote

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 11 – Apr 16, 2021: Mon, 8:30–9:20 a.m.
    Burnaby

    Jan 11 – Apr 16, 2021: Thu, 8:30–10:20 a.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    BISC 101 and 102, and 204 or HSCI 212 with a grade of C- or better and completion of 60 units. Recommended: BISC 300 and 306.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Ecology and phylogeny of animal parasites (from protozoa to helminthes), including those of humans, domestic animals and wildlife. Parasite success, host-parasite interactions, general epidemiological principles of parasitic infections, and reproductive strategies used by parasites to increase the likelihood of transmission as well as host responses and medical options for past and current parasite problems. Students who have taken BISC 418 Parasitology may not take this course for further credit.

COURSE DETAILS:

Parasitology is one biological discipline that encompasses all aspects of biology: taxonomy, morphology, epidemiology, behavioural ecology, immunology, host-parasite interactions, comparative physiology, gene regulation, molecular biology etc. This course is geared to upper level undergraduate students.

This will be a broad-based lecture course covering major aspects of general parasitology. Students will be exposed to the ecology and phylogeny of animal parasites, including those of humans, domestic animals and wildlife. The course will follow taxonomic guidelines: from protozoa to helminths. The success of parasitism will be presented in terms of host-parasite interactions; general epidemiological principles of parasitic infections, and reproductive strategies used by parasites to increase the likelihood of transmission. The host response to parasites will be presented including options such as vaccines and drugs available for some parasites and why this is not available for others. The course will try and look at current problems in the world and will pick current events involving parasites for discussion.

There will be a 3 hour laboratory session/week. In this period students will become more familiar with parasite structure function, how and why parasites cause disease, host-parasite interactions, and why efforts to reduce parasite cause diseases either fail or succeed.

Grading

  • Midterm 1 15%
  • Midterm 2 20%
  • Final Exam 25%
  • Laboratory 25%
  • Term Paper 15%

NOTES:

Grading scheme is tentative.

REQUIREMENTS:

Mode of teaching:
Lecture: Blended: asynchronous (recorded) and synchronous
Laboratory: in-person, synchronous
Midterm(s): synchronous; date: TBA
Final exam: synchronous; date: TBA

Materials

RECOMMENDED READING:

(Optional) Parasitology & Vector Biology (Marquardt, Demaree, and Grieve)

(Optional) Parasitic Diseases (Despommier, Gwadz, Hotez, Knirsch)

(Optional) Foundations of Paasitology (Roberts and Janovy)

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

TEACHING AT SFU IN SPRING 2021

Teaching at SFU in spring 2021 will be conducted primarily through remote methods. There will be in-person course components in a few exceptional cases where this is fundamental to the educational goals of the course. Such course components will be clearly identified at registration, as will course components that will be “live” (synchronous) vs. at your own pace (asynchronous). Enrollment acknowledges that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes. To ensure you can access all course materials, we recommend you have access to a computer with a microphone and camera, and the internet. In some cases your instructor may use Zoom or other means requiring a camera and microphone to invigilate exams. If proctoring software will be used, this will be confirmed in the first week of class.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112).