WETS1047 Ecological and evolutionary parasitology (5 cr)

Open the course unit brochure on Sisu
Study level:
Advanced studies
Grading scale:
0-5
Language:
English, Finnish
Responsible organisation:
Department of Biological and Environmental Science
Curriculum periods:
2020-2021, 2021-2022, 2022-2023

Description

  • Ecology and evolution of host-parasite relationships

  • Abundance and diversity of parasites

  • Factors affecting occurrence and abundance of parasites

  • Effects of parasites on host individuals and populations

  • Role of parasites in ecosystems 


Learning outcomes

  • Knows the basic concepts in ecological and evolutionary parasitology.

  • Knows the processes that shape number of parasites within a host individual, working through the interaction between the parasite and the host.

  • Knows the factors affecting the ecological patterns in host-parasite relationships, and the processes influencing the evolution between host and parasite.

  • Understands the mechanisms of host-parasite interaction at individual, population, community and ecosystem level.

  • Is able to explain the changes taken place in host-parasite interaction, and able to predict the short and long term changes to come in the future – in parasite abundance and parasite community structure.

  • Is able to discuss about the current problems, hypotheses and trends in ecological and evolutionary parasitology. 

Literature

  • Schmid-Hempel, Paul (2011): Evolutionary Parasitology (The Integrated Study of Infections, Immunology, Ecology and Genetics). Oxford University Press.; ISBN 978-0-19-922949-9

Completion methods

Method 1

Description:
The course is offered every second year.
Evaluation criteria:
Exam and activity
Time of teaching:
Period 3, Period 4
Select all marked parts
Parts of the completion methods
x

Teaching (5 cr)

Type:
Participation in teaching
Grading scale:
0-5
Language:
English, Finnish
Study methods:

Lectures, Lab work, Data analysis & Presentation

Teaching