Parasitology and parasitological diagnostics Field of study: Biotechnology
Programme code: W2-S1BT19.2023

Module name: Parasitology and parasitological diagnostics
Module code: 1BT_23_40
Programme code: W2-S1BT19.2023
Semester:
  • summer semester 2026/2027
  • summer semester 2025/2026
Language of instruction: depending on the choice
Form of verification: course work
ECTS credits: 2
Purpose and description of the content of education:
The course aims to familiarize students with the most important issues related to parasitism in the world of plants and animals, with particular emphasis on human parasites and methods used in laboratory tests for the presence of parasites. During seminar classes and laboratories, students learn the fundamental issues of parasitology, its subject, divisions, definitions and types of parasitism as an ecological phenomenon, and the relationships in the parasitoid-host system. The course's main objective will be to familiarize the student with the species of plant, animal and human parasites belonging to different types and their diagnostic features at various stages of development, which facilitates diagnosis during laboratory tests. Students will have the opportunity to learn the details of the biology of parasites by tracking and analyzing their development cycles with particular emphasis on the morphology of eggs and larval stages and hosts. In addition, students get acquainted with parasitic diseases and ways of infection with a specific focus on food products, including various diagnostics for parasite infection and prevention methods. The subject is particularly attractive for students interested in environmental biotechnology. Detailed substantive content: • Subject and definition of parasitology • History of parasitology research • Parasitism against other interspecies interactions • Parasites, parasitoids, hyperparasitism • Parasite-host system (traits and evolution) • Parasitic disease (parasitosis) • Clinical conditions in parasitic diseases • Epidemiology of parasitic diseases • Notifiable parasitic diseases • Diagnostics of parasitic diseases • Laboratory methods in the study of parasites, including molecular and antigen tests • Image recognition in clinical parasitology • Overview of selected parasitic diseases • Review of parasitological preparations in order to learn the features necessary in parasitological diagnostics
List of modules that must be completed before starting this module (if necessary): not applicable
Learning outcome of the module Codes of the learning outcomes of the programme to which the learning outcome of the module is related [level of competence: scale 1-5]
The student understands the basic principles of ethical conduct during the acquisition of parasitological material for biotechnological research. [K01]
 1BT_K02 [3/5] 1BT_K03 [4/5] 1BT_K05 [4/5]
The student is able to characterize diseases caused by animal and human parasites, the ways of their spread and methods of protection, including factors conducive to human infection, the most important sources of infection, including those from food. The student has the skills of protection against parasites and laboratory diagnostics to identify parasites. [U1]
 1BT_U01 [4/5] 1BT_U02 [4/5] 1BT_U04 [4/5] 1BT_U07 [4/5] 1BT_U09 [4/5] 1BT_U11 [3/5]
Has basic knowledge of the history of research on the phenomenon of parasitism and the evolution of the parasite-host system, knows and characterizes various definitions and types of parasitism and branches of parasitology. [W01]
 1BT_W03 [4/5] 1BT_W11 [2/5]
The student gains knowledge about individual parasites of animals and humans. He knows their morphology and characteristics, development cycles with particular emphasis on entry routes, individual developmental stages and hosts. [W02]
 1BT_W02 [2/5] 1BT_W03 [4/5] 1BT_W04 [5/5]
Form of teaching Number of hours Methods of conducting classes Assessment of the learning outcomes Learning outcomes
discussion classes [01] 10 Description [a03] 
Lecture-discussion [b02] 
Activating methods: a case study [b07] 
Activating method – flipped classroom [b09] 
Working with a computer [d01] 
Working with a programmed textbook [d02] 
Self-education [f01] 
Individual work with a text [f02] 
Conceptual work [f03]  		course work K01 U1 W01 W02
laboratory classes [02] 20 Laboratory exercise / experiment [e01] 
Self-education [f01] 
Individual work with a text [f02]  		course work K01 U1 W01 W02
The student's work, apart from participation in classes, includes in particular:
Name Category Description
Search for materials and review activities necessary for class participation [a01] Preparation for classes
reviewing literature, documentation, tools and materials as well as the specifics of the syllabus and the range of activities indicated in it as required for full participation in classes
Literature reading / analysis of source materials [a02] Preparation for classes
reading the literature indicated in the syllabus; reviewing, organizing, analyzing and selecting source materials to be used in class
Developing practical skills [a03] Preparation for classes
activities involving the repetition, refinement and consolidation of practical skills, including those developed during previous classes or new skills necessary for the implementation of subsequent elements of the curriculum (as preparation for class participation)
Consulting materials complementary to those indicated in the syllabus [a04] Preparation for classes
agreeing on materials complementary to those indicated in the syllabus, supporting the implementation of tasks resulting from or necessary for class participation
Getting acquainted with the syllabus content [b01] Consulting the curriculum and the organization of classes
reading through the syllabus and getting acquainted with its content
Determining the stages of task implementation contributing to the verification of learning outcomes [c01] Preparation for verification of learning outcomes
devising a task implementation strategy embracing the division of content, the range of activities, implementation time and/or the method(s) of obtaining the necessary materials and tools, etc.
Analysis of the corrective feedback provided by the academic teacher on the results of the verification of learning outcomes [d01] Consulting the results of the verification of learning outcomes
reading through the academic teacher’s comments, assessments and opinions on the implementation of the task aimed at checking the level of the achieved learning outcomes
Attachments
Module description (PDF)
Information concerning module syllabuses might be changed during studies.
Syllabuses (USOSweb)
Semester Module Language of instruction
(no information given)