Download disease ecology syllabus 2013-11

Syllabus - Minimum Requirements
Disease Ecology
Z495 / 595
3 Credits— 3x50min or 2x75min lecture / discussion per week.
Enforced Prerequisites: BI 211, 212, 213.
Course Content-- This course provides an introduction to the field of disease ecology, an area of
study that has developed rapidly over the past three decades and addresses some of the most
significant challenges to human health and biological conservation. Students will obtain an appreciation
for the incredible diversity of parasitic organisms, arguably the most abundant life forms on the planet,
and examine how parasites invade and spread through host populations. Ecological interactions
between hosts and parasites will be examined from an individual and population-level perspective.
Students will gain a basic understanding of the population biology of micro- and macroparasites,
mechanisms of transmission and causes and consequences of ecological and genetic heterogeneity.
Specific topics include types of pathogens and their ecological properties, epidemiology and impacts on
host populations, strategies used by parasites to exploit hosts, strategies used by hosts to evade
parasites, evolution of resistance and virulence, role of ecology and evolution in the emergence of new
diseases, parasites in the context of ecological communities, within-host dynamics and the ecology of
immunity, population-level consequences of control measures and the role of parasites in biodiversity
and conservation. The main objectives of this course are to increase student awareness and
understanding of (i) the role parasites play in the ecology and evolution of animal populations, including
humans; and (ii) the relevance of ecological and evolutionary considerations in managing infectious
diseases in individual human or animal hosts and populations.
Measurable Student Learning Outcomes— Undergraduate students will be able to:
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Name the major parasite / pathogen groups and give examples of diseases they cause.
Use standard epidemiologic terms to describe the population dynamics of infectious organisms.
Illustrate the diverse mechanisms by which pathogens and parasites exploit their hosts; and hosts
avoid said exploitation.
Understand the basic population biology of micro- and macroparasites, and how environmental,
host and parasite characterisitcs shape infectious disease dynamics.
Relate pathogen traits to invasion risk they pose to host populations.
Understand how parasites and pathogens may affect individual hosts’ fitness, and host population
dynamics.
Outline the opposing roles infectious organisms may play in eroding or maintaining biodiversity; and
vice versa, how biodiversity affects disease.
Integrate ecological and immunological concepts to understand how within-host immunological
processes can affect disease dynamics.
Appreciate the dynamic evolutionary nature of the host-pathogen association, and the necessity to
view human interventions (e.g. antibiotic use, vaccinations) in this context.
Graduate students will additionally be able to:
- Assess the potential role of infectious organisms in their study systems, and their relevance to the
students’ research objectives.
-
Gain an awareness of current research in disease ecology and discover potential links with their area
of research.
Evaluation of Student Performance: Final Exam, midterm exam and / or student presentations
/ papers, and / or quizzes. Graduate student assessment will include leading discussion on current
disease ecology research, and a term paper.
Learning Resources—there is no established textbook in disease ecology. Readings will be
selected by instructor from primary and secondary literature.
Statement Regarding Students with Disabilities
"Accommodations are collaborative efforts between students, faculty and Disability
Access Services (DAS). Students with accommodations approved through DAS are
responsible for contacting the faculty member in charge of the course prior to or during
the first week of the term to discuss accommodations. Students who believe they are
eligible for accommodations but who have not yet obtained approval through DAS
should contact DAS immediately at 737-4098."
-Link to Statement of Expectations for Student Conduct, i.e., cheating policies
http://oregonstate.edu/admin/aa/apaa/academic-programs/curriculum/curricular-policies-andprocedures#116.