Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2023 - BISC 318 D100

Parasitology (3)

Class Number: 1741

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 4 – Apr 11, 2023: Tue, 8:30–10:20 a.m.
    Burnaby

    Jan 4 – Apr 11, 2023: Thu, 8:30–9:20 a.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Apr 19, 2023
    Wed, 7:00–10:00 p.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 discussed, 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 select 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 and 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 15%
  • • Final Exam 20%
  • • Laboratory 35%
  • • Group Project 10% 10%
  • • Participation 5%

Materials

RECOMMENDED READING:

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

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

(Optional) Foundations of Parasitology (Roberts and Janovy) 


REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website 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