Department of Ecology
35 % Department of Veterinary Pathobiology 55 % Department of Large Animal Sciences 10 % | |||||||||||||||||
Earliest Possible Year | MSc. 1 year to MSc. 2 year | ||||||||||||||||
Duration | Two blocks | ||||||||||||||||
Credits | 22.5 (ECTS) | ||||||||||||||||
Course Level | MSc Thematic course | ||||||||||||||||
Examination | Final Examination written examination and oral examination Some Aid allowed Report Description of Examination: The examination consists of evaluation, presentation and discussion of a written report, combined with oral examination within the compendium. Weight: Report: 40% Presentation: 30% Discussion: 30% 13-point scale, external examiner | ||||||||||||||||
Requirement For Attending Exam | Each student must participate in at least 75% of the theoretical period (block 3), and in the development of a written 30 page report (block 4a). | ||||||||||||||||
Organisation of Teaching | The teaching method is group work in connection with different projects. The group work is supported by lectures, seminars and practicals. | ||||||||||||||||
Block Placement | Block 3 Week Structure: A Block 3 Week Structure: B Block 4a Week Structure: Outside schedule, Flexible project report Practicals in Block 3 in connection with the 14 thematic days | ||||||||||||||||
Teaching Language | English | ||||||||||||||||
Optional Prerequisites | 'Parasite Ecology' naturally follows the courses 'Parasite Systematics', 'Parasitological Methods' and 'Parasitic Zoonosis' | ||||||||||||||||
Restrictions | Max. 20 students | ||||||||||||||||
Areas of Competence the Course Will Address | |||||||||||||||||
Competences obtained within basic science: Knowledge on how parasites are transmitted in a complex ecosystem, and how their populations are regulated. Understanding how biotic and abiotic factors interfere with the life-cycle of the parasites. Knowledge of the relation between nutritional status of hosts and parasitism. Competences obtained within applied science: Knowledge on how to apply ecological principles in planning experiments of parasites. Competences obtained within ethics & values: Understanding the ecological factors that influence the parasite burden of the hosts. Is aware of the ethical problems different management systems has on human and animal welfare in connection with parasitism. | |||||||||||||||||
Course Objectives | |||||||||||||||||
The aim of the course is to educate students theoretically and practically in fundamentals of ecology of parasites. Parasite Ecology aims at providing the student with an understanding of the relationship between two populations, namely host and parasite population. | |||||||||||||||||
Course Contents | |||||||||||||||||
The course studies the distribution, numbers and dynamics of parasites inside and outside the hosts, and the key factors regulating the parasite numbers. The goal is to obtain an overall comprehension of biotic and abiotic key factors, which decisively govern fluctuations in the parasite populations. The consequences of these fluctuations on the host populations are naturally included in the understanding of Parasite Ecology. The course more specifically studies features of biological systems above the level of individuals, i.e. about characteristics of populations, the interactions between different populations, and the study of ecosystems that besides populations include their abiotic surroundings. | |||||||||||||||||
Teaching And Learning Methods | |||||||||||||||||
The teaching method is lectures, seminars and practicals. The seminars will focus on key scientific articles, which are relevant for the theme of the lectures. Last part of the course is group work. Each group prepares a report. | |||||||||||||||||
Course Litterature | |||||||||||||||||
Compendium: Ecological Parasitology. KVL. 2002. Editor: Grønvold, J. | |||||||||||||||||
Course Coordinator | |||||||||||||||||
Jørn Reimer Grønvold, jrg@life.ku.dk, Department of Agriculture and Ecology/Section of Zoology, Phone: 35332676 Allan Knud Roepstorff, aro@life.ku.dk, Department of Veterinary Pathobiology/Section for Parasitology, Phone: 35332746 Niels Chr. Kyvsgaard, nck@life.ku.dk, Department of Veterinary Pathobiology/Section for Microbiology, Phone: 35333752 | |||||||||||||||||
Study Board | |||||||||||||||||
Study Committee NSN | |||||||||||||||||
Course Scope | |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||