Parasitology

Learn to identify and diagnose human parasites, from malaria and intestinal worms to schistosomes, filariae and their vectors.

Parasitology teaches you the protozoa, helminths and arthropods that affect human health, and the laboratory skills needed to find them.

You will start with parasite classification, life cycles and laboratory diagnosis, including stool examination, concentration techniques, blood films, rapid tests and molecular methods. You will then study amoebae, flagellates, coccidia, malaria, Toxoplasma, Leishmania and trypanosomes, followed by intestinal nematodes, filariae, schistosomes and other flukes, and tapeworms.

The course finishes with medical entomology, antiparasitic drugs, special populations and the control and elimination of neglected tropical diseases.