240035 Parasitological Methods

Details
Department of Disease Biology
Earliest Possible YearMSc. 1 year
DurationOne block
 
Credits15 (ECTS)
Course LevelMSc
 
ExaminationFinal Examination

written examination and oral examination

Portfolio Examination


All aids allowed

Description of Examination: A group of students choose a practical methodological subject over 3 weeks. They prepare a written report, where the author of the individual section(s) is clearly stated. At the exam, the report will support a PowerPoint presentation followed by discussion. All students shall individually present a part of the oral presentation and the following discussion will be individual. Based on this the student will get an individual score.

Weight: The written report: 50% The oral presentation: 25% The discussion: 25%



7-point scale, internal examiner
 
Requirement For Attending ExamSubmission of a written report. Presence in at least 75 % of the classes (students will be registered)
 
Organisation of TeachingLectures, seminars and practical exercises. Course in practical techniques in parasitology
 
Block PlacementBlock 2
Week Structure: A

Block 2
Week Structure: B
 
Teaching LanguageEnglish
 
No Credit Points WithNone
 
Optional PrerequisitesBachelor degree in natural sciences: adgangsgivende bachelorgrad
 
RestrictionsMax. 20 students
 
Course Contents
A number of basic techniques are included starting with dissection of organisms and examination of blood, tissues and organs. Both qualitative and quantitative methods will be used. Identification of parasites will be based on classical morphological techniques, molecular methods (PCR, RFLP) and immunological tools (ELISA, Western blot). Experimental in vitro and in vivo models will be included. Further, principles of experimental design in parasitological and epidemiological investigations are presented.

The use of the various parasitological methods are also evaluated for their applicability under various socio-economic scenarios.

Special focus will be placed on parasites from fish, pigs, sheep, cattle, and humans
 
Teaching And Learning Methods
Teaching consists of lectures, seminars and practical exercises. In addition, 3 weeks will be devoted to a practical project which should be presented in a written report with focus on the methodological aspects. The author of the individual section(s) in the report should be clearly stated. At the seminars the students will present and discuss papers of relevance.
 
Learning Outcome
Parasitic infections have a profound impact on the human population worldwide, with serious effects on the health and survival of both animals and humans. The course aims at providing tools for identifying and solving parasitological problems. These tools will comprise classical, immunological, and molecular methods in parasitology related to all vertebrate classes from fish to humans.


After completing the course the student should be able to:

Knowledge:
. Describe and characterise parasitological, immunological and molecular methods available in experimental and applied parasitology
. Express how to interpret and compare results obtained by various diagnostic methods
. Describe the application of bioassays
. Design animal experiments and observational field studies
. Express the relevance of experimental models in relation to case studies
. Summarise the basic rules and principles in parasitology


Skills:
. Select the most optimal method(s) for parasitological diagnosis and research
. Combine results obtained by various diagnostic methods
. Transfer methodological principles to new parasitological problems
. Evaluate limitations and possibilities of the techniques in new situations
. Expand the applicability of the methods by including parts from basic science and other research areas
. Communicate knowledge about problem areas within parasitological diagnosis and research in writing


Competences:
. Collaborate with fellow students in carrying out, reporting and orally presenting laboratory experiments
. Evaluate the ethics of solving problems by using models and react/reflect on animal welfare and legislation





 
Course Litterature
Buchmann, K., Bresciani, K. 2001. An introduction to parasitic diseases of freshwater trout. DSR-Publishers, Frederiksberg.

Buchmann, K. 2007. An introduction to fish parasitological methods - classical and molecular techniques. BioFolia.

Roepstorff, A., Nansen, P. 1998. Epidemiology, diagnosis and control of helminth parasites of swine. FAO, Rome.

Hand-outs and papers for discussion at seminars
 
Course Coordinator
Allan Knud Roepstorff, aro@life.ku.dk, Department of Veterinary Pathobiology/Section for Parasitology, Phone: 35332746
Helena Mejer, hem@life.ku.dk, Department of Disease Biology/Section for Parasitology, Phone: 35332789
 
Study Board
Study Committee NSN
 
Course Scope
lectures40
practicals60
preparation131
Colloquia21
project work160

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