Principles and Methods in Parasitology
EEB 3898: Principles and Methods in Parasitology
Intensive Summer Session, May 13th - 31st, 2013
Day, Time: Weekdays, 9 am to 12 pm
Place: Storrs campus, Torrey Life Sciences (TLS) Room 313
Credits: 3 (open to majors and non-majors)
Instructor: Dr. Maria Pickering
Email: maria.pickering@uconn.edu
Office: TLS 478
Phone: 860-486-1882
Office hours: variable & flexible (call, email, drop by)
Contents
Course Summary
The importance and wonders of parasitology will be highlighted in this intensive 3-week course. This hands-on course will use field collections, laboratories, and discussions to introduce students to the basic principles of parasitology. Topics covered will include host-parasite interactions, parasite life cycles, methods of transmission, and parasite adaptations. Focusing primarily on local parasites, students will also be familiarized with methods of fixation, preparation, and identification of parasites.
Course Procedures and Policies
Academic Integrity:
Plagiarism and cheating are violations of the student conduct code, and may be punished by failure in the course or, in severe cases, dismissal from the University. For more information, see Appendix A of the Student Conduct Code.
Disabilities:
If you have a disability for which you may be requesting an accommodation, you should contact a course instructor and the Center for Students with Disabilities (Wilbur Cross Building, Room 201) within the first two weeks of the semester.
Evolving Syllabus
Date | Topics | Field/Lab Activity | Assignment Due | Homework |
---|---|---|---|---|
Mon, May 13 | Introduction, collecting methods | Microscope fun! |
Grading
Midterm: 50 points
Final: 50 points
Unannounced quizzes (5 total, lowest quiz dropped): 20 points
Participation: 20 points
In-class exercises: 20 points
Homework: 20 points
Parasites-in-the-news presentations (5 points each): 10 points
Research article summary/presentation: 30 points
Host-parasite of choice presentation: 20 points
Lab notebook check 1: 15 points
Lab notebook check 2: 15 points
Slide preparations: 30 points
TOTAL COURSE GRADE: 300 points
(converted to a % for final grade)
Grading scale: A = 100-90%, B = 89-80%, C = 79-70%, D = 69-60%, F = 59-0%.
Plus/minus system will be used for the final grade.
Supplemental Books
Dictionary of Word Roots and Combining Forms by Donald J. Borror
Resources and/or Links of Interest
Microscope Tutorial
Parasite of the Day Blog
Parasitoid Video