Principles and Methods in Parasitology

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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)


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 Due Dates Homework
Mon, May 13 Introduction and overview; classification system; definitions Getting to know your Microscopes! Field trip form; watch parasitoid video; classification assignment
Tues May 14 Leech Day! (Phylum Annelida) W-Lot Pond Excursion Scientific name of host of your choice


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

Parasite Rex by Carl Zimmer


Resources and/or Links of Interest

Microscope Tutorial
Parasite of the Day Blog
Parasitoid Video