| Responsible Department | Department of Veterinary Disease Biology
90 % Department of Agriculture and Ecology 10 % | ||||||||||||||||
| Earliest Possible Year | MSc. 1 year | ||||||||||||||||
| Duration | One block | ||||||||||||||||
| Credits | 15 (ECTS) | ||||||||||||||||
| Level of Course | MSc | ||||||||||||||||
| Examination | Final Examination written examination and oral examination No aid allowed Description of Examination: The examination consists of an evaluation, and oral presentation and discussion of an individual part of a written report (group work), combined with an individual oral examination within the compendium. Based on these elements the student will get an individual score. Weight: Report (individual part of group work): 60% Oral examination within the textbooks: 40% 7-point scale, external examiner | ||||||||||||||||
| Requirement for Attending Exam | Each student must participate in at least 75% of the theoretical period, and in the development of a written 30 page report. | ||||||||||||||||
| Organisation of Teaching | The teaching takes place as lectures, colloquia and practical exercises. A group of students are working practically on a particular subject which is terminated by a written report | ||||||||||||||||
| Block Placement | Block 4 Week Structure: A Block 4 Week Structure: B | ||||||||||||||||
| Language of Instruction | English | ||||||||||||||||
| Optional Prerequisites | MSc course: Basic Parasitology | ||||||||||||||||
| Restrictions | 30 | ||||||||||||||||
| Course Content | |||||||||||||||||
| The course studies the distribution, numbers and dynamics of parasites inside and outside the hosts, and the key factors regulating the parasite numbers. The goal is to obtain an overall comprehension of biotic and a-biotic key factors, which decisively govern fluctuations in the parasite populations. The consequences of these fluctuations on the host populations are naturally included in the understanding of Parasite Ecology. The course more specifically studies features of biological systems above the level of individuals, i.e. about characteristics of populations, the interactions between different populations, and the study of ecosystems that besides populations include their a-biotic surroundings. | |||||||||||||||||
| Teaching and learning Methods | |||||||||||||||||
| The teaching method is lectures, seminars and laboratory exercises. The seminars will focus on key scientific articles, which are relevant for the theme of the lectures. Last part of the course is group work. Each group prepares a report in which the author of the individual section(s) is clearly stated. | |||||||||||||||||
| Learning Outcome | |||||||||||||||||
| The aim of the course is to educate students theoretically and practically in fundamentals of ecology of parasites. Competences obtained are primarily knowledge on how to apply ecological principles in planning and performing experiments of parasites. Learning outcome An understanding how biotic and a-biotic factors interfere with parasite populations. Parasite ecology aims at providing the student with an understanding of the relationship between two populations, namely host and parasite populations. During the course main factors that regulate host-parasite systems will be described as well as key factors that govern fluctuations in the parasite population. Knowledge Comprehend how parasites are transmitted in a complex ecosystem, and how their populations are regulated. Knowledge of the relation between nutritional status of hosts and parasitism. Knowledge on how parasites are transmitted in a complex ecosystem, and how their populations are regulated. Understanding how biotic and a-biotic factors interfere with the lifecycle of the parasites. Knowledge of the relation between nutritional status of hosts and parasitism. Skills The aim of the course is to educate students theoretically and practically in fundamentals of ecology of parasites in such a way that they are able to understand ecological principles. Knowledge on how to apply ecological principles in planning experiments of parasites. Understanding the ecological factors that influence the parasite burden of the hosts. Is aware of the ethical problems different management systems has on human and animal | |||||||||||||||||
| Course Literature | |||||||||||||||||
| Text Book: to be defined Compendium (case stories): Ecological Parasitology. KVL. 2002. Editor: Grønvold, J. | |||||||||||||||||
| Course Coordinator | |||||||||||||||||
| Allan Knud Roepstorff, aro@life.ku.dk, Department of Veterinary Disease Biology/PSU - Parasitology, Health and Development, Phone: 353-32746 Stig Milan Thamsborg, smt@life.ku.dk, Department of Veterinary Disease Biology, Phone: 353-33778 Niels Christian Kyvsgaard, nck@life.ku.dk, Department of Veterinary Disease Biology/Section for Microbiology, Phone: 353-33752 Maria Vang Johansen, mvj@life.ku.dk, Department of Veterinary Disease Biology, Phone: 353-31438 Jørn Grønvold, jrg@life.ku.dk, Department of Ecology/Section of Zoology, Phone: | |||||||||||||||||
| Study Board | |||||||||||||||||
| Study Committee V | |||||||||||||||||
| Work Load | |||||||||||||||||
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