SDSU Zoo 467: 
General Parasitology
The Study of Germ, Worms and Bugs

Spring 2009
Instructor: Mike Hildreth
Office Location: SNP rm 251D
Office Phone: 688-4562
Office Hours: see "Hildeth's Homepage"
Lecture Hours/Location: Wed. & Fri., 11:00-11:50 AM;  SAE rm 216
Lab Hours/Location: Monday 9:00AM-11:50PM or 12:00-2:50PM; SAG rm 243

Course Overview and Objectives
We will try to follow the course syllabus fairly close, however, slight changes may become necessary as the semester progresses. The exam schedule, however, will probably remain the same. Following a couple introductory lectures, the course is subdivided into topic areas based upon the classification of parasitic groups. The lecture exams will be based exclusively on material presented in lecture, included in lecture handouts or worksheets. The textbook should be used as a reference book to help clarify points that you are having problems with. The chapters included in the syllabus are merely recommendations; however, it is always a good idea to read over this material before lecture in order to familiarize yourself with the terminology to be used during lecture.

Labs are arranged to compliment the lectures. Every attempt will be made to provide each group of three students with their own set of slides to study at their leisure. You should be able to use the last part of each lab to study this material, and I will be available to answer your questions during this time. If you do not show up for lab or leave early, please don't expect me to answer your lab questions on my "own" time. The first part of each lab will be used to cover any demonstrations.  Unless I indicate differently, the demonstrations will be dismantled at the end of day, and you won't see them again until the lab exam. Some of the labs will involve living animals and/or fresh "material"; obviously, you will have only one chance to participate in these projects. You will not have any lab write-ups; however, the lab exams will include questions concerning techniques covered in the lab as well as parasite identifications, etc. Therefore, attendance to the lab, while not mandatory, is highly recommended!

Make-up exams will be offered under the following conditions: 1) if the absence is due to factors beyond the control of the student such as injury or illness of the student or a member of his/her family, 2) death of any of the above or a close friend, 3) attendance to a wedding as a member of the wedding-party if permission is given in advance, 4) out-of-town trips for activities scheduled and sponsored by University departments if they are cleared by me in advance. A student who misses an exam without advance notice must contact me as soon as possible. Lecture make-up exams will generally be of the essay type; lab make-up exams will be performed verbally to me. Both types of make-ups will be conducted at my convenience.

Beyond the exams, additional grade points will come from a parasite collection (parasite material will be furnished in class). The collection is due towards the end of the semester. Finally, I have made provisions for bonus points via 1 of 4 projects (see the description of this on the syllabus webpage).

Back to Hildreth's Homepage

Last Update: 17-Jan-09
Published by Department of Biology & Microbiology, South Dakota State University
E-mail: michael.hildreth@sdstate.edu

Dateline Cryptosporidium