Parasitology

This course provides a detailed introduction to eukaryotic parasites (a.k.a. everything but viruses or bacteria). The course starts with overall concepts in parasitology, focusing on the ecology, evolution and systematics of parasites (week 1) and immunology and pathology of parasitic infections (week 2). The remainder of the course covers case studies of parasites across the main parasitic lineages, including important human parasites that cause malaria, elephantitis, schistosomiasis, and hookworm. For each case study, we delve into the life cycle of the parasite, pathology, interactions with the host immune system, environmental impacts, historical significance, and current and future treatments.