Veterinary Parasitology A

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2011:

Prospective students are advised to familiarise themselves with the Faculty's Academic Requirements Statement http://www.vet.unimelb.edu.au/docs/CoreParticipationReqs.pdf

Topics include: Arthropods and strongylid nematodes.

At the end of the sequence Veterinary Parasitology A and Veterinary Parasitology B students completing these subjects should:

• possess a detailed understanding of the biology of various groups of parasites of domestic animals; possess the essential information on life-cycle of parasites of domestic animals, methods of transmission, epidemiology, mechanisms by which they cause disease, and the immunological response of the host;
• possess skills in the techniques by which parasites are recovered from infected hosts;
• be able to identify the principal parasites of animals on the basis of morphology and location in the host and assign them to genera or species;
• be familiar with the concepts of symbiosis and parasitism and principles of pathogenicity of parasitic infections;
• be familiar with the mode of action of anti-parasitic drugs, their spectrum of activity and their use in control of parasitic infections;
• be aware of the public health significance of parasitic zoonoses;
• understand how detailed knowledge of biology of parasites identifies options for programs of prevention and control of parasitic infections; and develop further skills in microscopy.

One 2-hour practical examination at the end of semester (85%), one half-hour mid-semester quiz (15%) and indicated in the teaching timetable available at the commencement of the semester.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

At the end of the sequence Veterinary Parasitology A and Veterinary Parasitology B students completing these subjects should have:

• skills in observation and the critical analysis of data; and

• skills to apply technology to the analysis of biological problems.