Parasitology

Recommended Prerequisites

NA

Teaching Methods

All lectures will be taught intensively, over a period of two weeks, with theoretical, theoretical-practical and visits to parasitology research laboratories. Students will also be organized into groups that will be given a topic of research in parasitology, which will be presented orally and as a writen essay. Discussions will be conducted about scientific papers on proposed themes. Tutorial support will be given to clarify doubts and to help the students to develop the presentation of the research topic as well as issues of both theoretical and practical.

Learning Outcomes

This course aims to provide students with knowledge about the origin of parasitism, ecology and evolution of parasites; to make them understand the mechanisms of host defense and pathogenic effect of infections; to evaluate the diversity of parasites in relation to their biology, life cycles and parasite-host relationships.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

Parasitism. Types of association between organisms . Host specificity and types of parasites. Origin of parasitism and concepts related to evolutionary cycles of parasites. Interaction between parasitology and other sciences . Ecology and evolution of the parasite, the ecological niche of the parasites. Parasite populations; macro and microparasites. Population structure and reproduction. Adjustments to the transmission and epidemiology. Mechanisms of evolution and phylogeny . The importance of systematics and taxonomy in identify parasites. Immunology and pathology, host resistance and susceptibility. Mechanisms of defense. Immunodiagnosis. Effect of pathogenic infections. Cellular and humoral host reactions. Protists, flatworms, acanthocephalans , nematodes and arthropods diversity and types of reproduction. Life cycles, pathogenicity. Diagnosis, symptoms, epidemiology and control methods. Insects as potential biological control agents.

Head Lecturer(s)

Isabel Luci Pisa Mata da Conceição

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Resolution Problems: 10.0%
Synthesis work: 10.0%
Report of a seminar or field trip: 10.0%
Exam: 30.0%
Laboratory work or Field work: 40.0%

Bibliography

Roberts; L.S. & Janovy; Jr.; J. (2005). Foundations of Parasitology. McGraw-Hill Companies Inc.; New York; USA.

Thomas; F.; Renaud; F. & Guégan; J.-F. (2005). Parasitism and Ecosystems. Oxford University Press Inc.; Oxford; UK.

Recent papers in the literature (variable from year to year).