Course Offerings in the CTEGD

PARA (CBIO) 3100/3100H: People, Parasites and Plagues
CBIO 4500/6500, CBIO 4500L/6500L: Medical Parasitology
PARA 8080L: Advanced Techniques in Molecular Parasitology
CBIO 8500: Biology of Parasitism

PARA (CBIO) 3100/3100H: People, Parasites, and Plagues

This course, offered each spring semester, takes a multi-disciplinary approach to examining the impact of infectious diseases on human populations. Epidemics (both past and present) and emerging diseases, and how they are identified, studied and combated, are discussed. Topics also include the sociological, psychological, historical, legal, ecological and economic implications of infectious diseases. Students' grasp of the concepts of disease, how scientific investigation is done, and the various mechanisms by which infectious diseases impact individuals and the societies in which they live are evaluated in three short answer/multiple choice/essay examinations and a short paper.

The course is intended primarily for non-bioscience majors and enrollment preference will be given to these students, however, science majors may also enroll. It is not expected to meet major requirements in the biological sciences (e.g. Cellular Biology, Biology, Genetics, Microbiology, etc.), but should appeal to students having difficulty identifying interesting upper division courses outside of their major (to satisfy the "39 hour rule"). Note that an honors option is also available. The Honors option requires that students attend a one-hour discussion group in addition to the regularly scheduled lectures.

Offered: Spring (annually)

Course Coordinators:
Drs. Julie Moore and David Peterson, Medical Microbiology and Parasitology

For more information, please contact Julie Moore at 706-542-5789 or julmoore@vet.uga.edu.

CBIO 4500/6500, CBIO 4500L/6500L: Medical Parasitology

The parasites covered in this course are responsible for classical tropical diseases and emerging opportunistic infections here in the US. You will be introduced to many principles of parasitology, in most cases illustrated with medically important species. We will discuss the biology of parasites, their vectors and hosts, and the pathogenesis of parasitic diseases with special emphasis on moder molecular concepts. The class will also provide information on epidemiology, control, prevention, and treatment of important human diseases caused by parasites.

See Also: Medical Parasitology Web Page

For more information please contact Boris Striepen at 706-583-0588 or striepen@cb.uga.edu

PARA 8080L: Advanced Techniques in Molecular Parasitology

It's not just for parasitologists! This course is taught in the first summer short session. The course stresses "hands on" rather than lecture, with 1-2 hours of lecture per day, and 6 hours of lab work each week. There will be two quizzes and a final exam. Students will also prepare a paper outlining application of the methods learned to a real or hypothetical problem, and present it to the class. Lab notebooks will also be graded for organization and completeness.

Topics:

Transfection
Gene Isolation/Characterization
Mutation Detection
Sequence Analysis/Bioinformatics
Heterologous Expression of Parasite Proteins
RT-PCR
Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis

Offered: First Summer short session in odd numbered years (last offered Summer 2003)

For further information contact David Peterson at 706-542-5242 or by e-mail at peterson@vet.uga.edu

CBIO 8500: Biology of Parasitism

Diseases caused by eukaryotic parasites like malaria still are a major threat to human health in large parts of the world. Parasites are also fascinating scientific models, and we will discuss parasitism on the cell and molecular level. Parasites have proven to be formidable challenges to drug and vaccine development. Why is this, and how might recent advances in parasite cell biology, biochemistry and genomics help to overcome these challenges? The class will meet every week for two lectures and a seminar focusing on recent original literature. Lecturers will include faculty from UGA's Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Emory University and additional speakers. There are no pre-requisites and students with interest in the molecular biology of infectious diseases without prior training in parasitology are welcome.

Offered: Biannually (last offered Spring 2003)

For further information contact Boris Striepen at 583-0588 or e-mail to striepen@cb.uga.edu.