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Course Offerings

Course Details

Spring 2012-2013
EEB 328 (STL)   na, npdf

Ecology and Epidemiology of Parasites and Infectious Diseases

Andrew P. Dobson
Andrea L. Graham

ENROLLMENT BY APPLICATION OR INTERVIEW. DEPARTMENTAL PERMISSION REQUIRED.

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 fig wasps, measles, myxomatosis, and communities of parasitic helminths. The course combines lectures with daily field laboratories to explore the dynamics and abundance of parasite in a variety of host species in the Panama Canal zone.

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:
Grading is based upon participation and performance in field laboratory work. Students are expected to write up lab reports and one final independent project.

Requirements/Grading:
Final Exam - 30%
Lab Reports - 40%
Other (See Instructor) - 30%

Other Requirements:
Open to Juniors Only.

Prerequisites and Restrictions:
EEB 321 and enrollment in the EEB Spring semester in tropical biology taught in Panama..

Schedule/Classroom assignment:

Class numberSectionTimeDaysRoomEnrollmentStatus
41692 L01 TBA        Enrolled:19 Limit:21
41693 B99 TBA        Enrolled:19 Limit:17 Closed