| CODE | BIO3022 | ||||||||||||
| TITLE | Parasitology | ||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 6 | ||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 2 | ||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Biology | ||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit will deal with parasitism in the context of the different types of relationships amongst living organisms. The focus will be on the host-parasite relationship with particular emphasis being placed on the adaptations that secure successful co-existence of the host and the parasite. The main types of plant and animal parasites will be reviewed. This will be followed by a full review of the biology of parasitic species with special reference to the Protoctista, Helminthes, Nematoda, Acanthocephala and Arthropoda. An extremely important role of parasites is in disease processes which is of importance both from a biological and socio-economic aspect. As a consequence, due emphasis will be placed on transmission of parasites and the diseases and pathology caused by parasites. This will be concluded by an overview of the prevention and treatment strategies adopted in order to control parasitic infections. Students are to note that they will be allowed to sit for this study-unit examination and will be awarded a grade only if they have regularly attended lectures and practical classes, if they have submitted any assignments, including practical reports and if they satisfy all other study-unit requirements. Study-unit Aims This study-unit aims at addressing the modern approaches to parasitology and at giving it a more practical approach. It seeks to approach many of the properties of parasites such as infectivity/pathogenicity from a molecular base. It builds as much as is possible on the knowledge of parasitology the students are expected to have acquired so far in the course. It also introduces the concept of applied parasitology in key areas such as human medicine, plant pathology and animal veterinary sciences. This will help to lay the foundation for the Biotechnology credit units that will follow and enable a wider coverage of the latter than is presently possible with the time constraints. Learning Outcomes 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - List and describe the diversity of parasites; - Identify some of the better known parasites; - Collect and culture parasites in the laboratory; - Carry out laboratory techniques normally applied on parasitic organisms in plant, animal (veterinary) and human pathology laboratories; - Describe the complex nature of the range of host-parasite relationships encountered; - Analyze and describe the mechanisms of parasitic infestations in plants, animals and humans; - Demonstrate the potential socio-economic consequences of parasitic infections; - Work out how to prevent or treat parasitic infections; - Identify symptoms caused by parasites on the host plants and animals; - Identify the pathology caused by parasites on the host plants and animals; - Use the information obtained from the above learning outcomes to confirm or corroborate other information (eg morphological) in identification of parasites. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Relate theory with real-life cases studies in parasitology; - Apply knowledge of parasitology to understand how they can be effectively managed; - Use taxonomic keys and laboratory tools for the identification of parasites; - Communicate scientific information in the form of scientific reports. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings - CHANDLER, A.C. & READ, C.P. (Available) Introduction to Parasitology. J. Wiley & Sons Inc. pp. 822. ISBN-10: 0471144878 ISBN-13: 978-0471144878 - CHENG, T.C. The biology of animal parasites. W.B. Saunders Co. Library of Congress QL757 .C48 Open Library OL5911289M - SCHMIDT, G.D. & ROBERTS, L.S. (Available) Foundations of parasitology. - TRAGER, W. (Available) Living together - the biology of animal parasitism. Plenum Press. pp. 467. - MATTHEWS B.E. An introduction to parasitism. Cambridge University Press pp. 192. - BROOKS, F.E. (2001) (Available) Plant disease manual for semi-arid and Mediterranean-type climates Malta University Press. - MOORE-LANDECKER, E. (2002) (Available) Fundamentals of the fungi Prentice Hall. |
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| ADDITIONAL NOTES | Pre-Requisite B.Sc. (Hons) 1st Year and 2nd Year Study-Units or equivalent. Students are to note that they will be allowed to sit for this study-unit examination and will be awarded a grade only if they have regularly attended lectures and practical classes, if they have submitted any assignments, including practical reports and if they satisfy all other study-unit requirements. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture, Independent Study and Practical | ||||||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Sandro Lanfranco David Mifsud (Co-ord.) |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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