A broad and multi-disciplinary approach to the complex and dynamic relationships between parasites and their hosts. This course offers an overview of the biological and epidemiological bases of important parasitic diseases and an understanding of the impact of parasitic diseases on endemic communities. It covers many disciplines while studying the life-cycles, ecology, physiology, biochemistry, immunology, pathology and molecular biology of the covered parasites. Both protozoan parasites (unicellular parasites) and parasitic helminths (parasitic worms) will be considered with emphasis on the most important parasites of humans. Studies include aspects of the host immune response to parasites; chronicity of infection and its significance; host pathology; evasion of host responses by parasites; diagnosis, vaccination; chemotherapy and drug resistance; genetic resistance to parasitic infection; relevance of parasitic infections to society. In-depth study of malaria and schistosomiasis, with focus on the pathology, immunology and chemotherapy of these most important human parasitic infections will be of particular importance.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
On satisfying the requirements of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:-
Identify, describe and contrast unicellular parasites and parasitic worms
Describe specific human and non-human parasitic diseases
Prepare and observe live parasitic specimens and test students' own seropositivity for a particular parasitic infection
Report on observations of biological specimens such as parasites
Appraise the impacts of parasitic diseases on human societies
Evaluate the complexity of the parasite/host relationship (parasite evasion mechanisms vs host defensive mechanisms)
Assemble a presentation on a current topic in parasitology (literature research, selection of relevant sources of information, evaluation of the information/data, formulation of the research’s results)
Indicative Assessment
- Critical list of references: consisting of recent and relevant references that students will be using to gather information and data for their oral presentation. For each reference, students write a small summary of the data or information they are obtaining from the reference and explain why this particular reference is of interest to their oral presentation (15%; LO 2,5,7)
- 5 minute oral presentation (15%; LO 2,5,7)
- Practical classes, attendance and practical reports (20%; LO 1,3,4)
- Final exam (50%; LO 1,2,5,6)
In response to COVID-19: Please note that Semester 2 Class Summary information (available under the classes tab) is as up to date as possible. Changes to Class Summaries not captured by this publication will be available to enrolled students via Wattle.
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Workload
Two lectures per week and up to twenty six hours of practical or tutorial work.Requisite and Incompatibility
Majors
Specialisations
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are an undergraduate student and have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). You can find your student contribution amount for each course at Fees. Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2020 | $4050 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2020 | $5760 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3958 | 24 Feb 2020 | 02 Mar 2020 | 08 May 2020 | 05 Jun 2020 | In Person | View |