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Course Offerings

Course Details

Spring 2010-2011
EEB 328 / WWS 490   na, npdf

Ecology and Epidemiology of Parasites and Infectious Diseases

Andrew P. Dobson
Bryan T. Grenfell

An introduction to the biology of viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, worms, arthropods, and parasitic plants. The major emphasis will be on the parasites of animals and plants, with further study of the epidemiology of infectious diseases in human populations. Studies of AIDS, anthrax, and worms, and their role in human history will be complemented by ecological and evolutionary studies of mistletoe, measles, myxomatosis, and communities of parasitic helminths. The course focuses strongly on policy implications, particularly for the dynamics and control of emerging infectious diseases of humans and animals.

Sample reading list:
Grenfell & Dobson, Infectious Diseases in Natural Populations (Cambridge Press)
Hudson et al., Ecology of Wildlife Diseases (Oxford Univ. Press)
Coombes, Claude, The Art of Being a Parasite (U. of Chicago)

Reading/Writing assignments:
One twelve to twenty page paper. Reading: one book and about thirty scientific papers (to be provided on web).

Requirements/Grading:
Mid Term Exam - 25%
Take Home Final Exam - 25%
Term Paper(s) - 40%
Class/Precept Participation - 10%

Other Requirements:
Not Open to Freshmen.

Prerequisites and Restrictions:
Prerequisite: 210 or 211; one year of calculus; 321.

Schedule/Classroom assignment:

Class numberSectionTimeDaysRoomEnrollmentStatus
41145 L01 11:00 am - 12:20 pm T Th   Carl C Icahn Laboratory   101   Enrolled:10 Limit:60
P01 10:00 am - 10:50 am Th   Lewis Library   117   Enrolled:0 Limit:15
P03 1:30 pm - 2:20 pm T   Lewis Library   122   Enrolled:0 Limit:15