Ectoparasitology

3 credits · Undergraduate

(3 hrs Lecture) This course provides a synopsis of the major taxa of parasites and blood-feeding arthropods that live on other metazoan animals and a detailed consideration of the ways in which these organisms act directly as parasites and as vectors of other parasitic organisms. Emphasis is placed on ecological associations between host organisms and parasites as a means of understanding the epidemiology of vector-borne, parasitic diseases. Most of the course deals with the biology of parasitic arthropods as well as the use of biological information about life cycles to consider effective means of control and intervention. The synopsis of major taxa is structured to emphasize diversity of ectoparasitic organisms as a means of demonstrating the significant evolutionary success of the blood-feeding habit. Requisite Courses: BIOL-2115 or permission of the instructor [prerequisite(s)].