MSc Programme in Parasitology

The programme is organised in accordance with Ministerial Order no. 814 of 29 June 2010 on bachelor and master’s programmes (candidatus) at Danish Universities (the ministerial order of the study programmes). The programme is under the Natural Sciences Study Board.

 

Graduation in the programme confers the Danish degree cand.scient. (candidatus/candidata scientiarum) i parasitologi. In English: Master of Science (MSc) in Parasitology.

 

Chapter 1. The programme’s objective and competence profile

1. 1 The programme’s objective

 

The form of instruction in the compulsory courses is mainly lectures combined with theoretical and practical exercises. During the compulsory courses the student is introduced to numerous methods in theory and practice which will act as the starting point for further specialisation in the subsequent thesis. The corse in Animal Parasitology (second semester) is centred on a group-based thematic project. In addition to lectures, the compulsory courses will offer colloquia and seminars, which will enable students to deepen their theoretical understanding across their respective practical projects based on presentations on specific research projects and selected scientific articles. The compulsory courses will thus prepare students for their more individual degree project.

 

1.2 The programme’s general profile

 

The form of instruction in the compulsory courses is mainly lectures combined with theoretical and practical exercises. During the compulsory courses the student is introduced to numerous methods in theory and practice, which will act as the starting point for further specialisation in methods in the subsequent thematic course and thesis. The thematic course (second semester) is centred on a group-based thematic project. In addition to lectures, the thematic course will offer colloquia and seminars, which will enable students to deepen their theoretical understanding across their respective thematic projects based on presentations on specific research projects and selected scientific articles. The thematic course will thus prepare students for their more individual degree project.

 

The programme has three major thematic profiles:

• Fundamental research on biological phenomena using parasites as models. The aim is to provide the student with a detailed knowledge on experimental biology. This is done by providing students with a thorough knowledge of the general characteristics of parasites, their life cycles and transmission, followed by experimental studies during project work and thesis. This specialisation is intended to develop competence, which can be used in research and development within universities and private industry.
• Infection biology in developing countries: Transmission principles and prevention of veterinary and human parasites. The aim is to provide the student with a broad knowledge of parasitic diseases in animals and man, including the zoonotic parasites, which are transmitted from animals to man, and their prevention and control in general. Through training in the basic concepts of parasitism and transmission principles, and from group projects with relevance to the developing world, the student will be able to conduct thesis work related to a developing country, thus developing competences, which are of primary interest to government institutions and consultancy agencies involved in development aid.
• Food safety, prevention strategies and biotechnology tools for typing and traceability. The aim is provide the student with knowledge on food, water, and environmentally transmitted parasitic diseases, and how these diseases can be traced back to their origins. The studies will focus on disease prevention along the production chain based on epidemiological surveillance, and will introduce the range of tools available for specific and sensitive diagnosis. This direction aims at developing competences, which can be used in the animal production, the food sector and at regulatory agencies.

1.3 The programme’s employment prospects

 

The programme is intended for students who wish to qualify for jobs in experimental laboratories or other research institutions, research administration, production and scientific communication as well as instruction. An international profile is ensured by such measures as having all teaching instruction and the independent experimental and/or analytical thesis project in English.

 

1.4 The programme’s general competence profile

 

Students will acquire scientific and methodological skills leading to a capacity to gather scientific information, work thematically and with a problem-based approach, apply specific knowledge and tools within biology, facilitate transfer of scientific knowledge to administrative institutions, conduct research in biotechnology, veterinary and human parasitology, design and apply disease prevention programmes, and analyse and develop tools for traceability of food-borne pathogens.

 

1.4.1 Knowledge

The student will be able to:

 

• Outline concepts of parasitism in animals and humans and an understanding of biotic and abiotic factors of importance for the survival of parasites within and outside their hosts
• Account for how parasites are transmitted, regulated and controlled in complex ecosystems
• Demonstrate knowledge of the relationship between the nutritional status of hosts and parasitism, and the effects which a parasite has on its host.
• Present principles of impact estimation and the prevention of veterinary and human parasitic diseases. Transfer principles to new parasitological problems
• Evaluate geographically variable impact of diseases caused by parasites, and outline different strategies for prevention and control
• Outline parasitological, immunological and molecular methods within experimental parasitology, and understanding how to interpret various diagnostic methods
• Reflect on limitations and possibilities in the application of the techniques in new situations
• Overview the application of bioassays and the designing of animal experiments

1.4.2 Skills

The student will be able to:

 

• Apply a range of parasitological, immunological and molecular methods available in applied and experimental parasitology, and understand how to apply such tools to identify parasites from different systematic groups
• Understand of the relevance of experimental models in relation to cases
• Apply an understanding of basic rules and principles in parasitology and for their application in new situations and for experimental design
• Design of animal experiments and the application of bioassays
• Identify and analyse biological characteristics of importance for the survival of food pathogens
• Apply the principles of food safety and risk analysis along the food chain

1.4.3 Competences

The student will be able to:

 

• Display awareness of the pathogenic effects of parasites on their hosts and the problems in relation to animal and human welfare
• Carry out analyse and discuss practical research on parasites in experimental or natural settings
• Participate in discussions on how disease control may have complications, which are not primarily related to cost, but to local cultural, religious or dietary habits.
• Participate in discussions on the ethical and scientific problems related to animal experimentation within diseases research
• Apply cost-benefit relations in disease control in less favoured regions of the world

 

Chapter 2. Degree programme content  

 

År 1	Blok 1	Basic Parasitology
	Blok 2	Human Parasitology	Parasite Zoonoses
	Blok 3
	Blok 4	Animal Parasitology

 

År 2	Blok 1
	Blok 2	Thesis (45 point)
	Blok 3
	Blok 4

 

 

 

	Compulsory coursse and thesis
	Elective courses

 

 

2.1 Content

The degree is awarded when the student has obtained at least 120 credits and the compulsory activities have been successfully completed.

Compulsory courses:

 

LBIK10199	Basic Parasitology	15 credits
LBIK10200	Human Parasitology	7.5 credits
LBIK10151	Parasitic Zoonoses	7.5 credits
LBIK10198	Animal Parasitology	15 credits

     

It is advised that the compulsory courses be taken in the above order.

 

The programme concludes with a 45 credits thesis project. The thesis must include both theoretical and practical experimental work.

The compulsory courses (45 credits) and the thesis (45 credits) comprise the core subjects. Elective courses constitute 30 credits.

The programme may include LFKK10387E Project in Practice as elective credits.

 

Chapter 3. Admission requirements and admission

3.1 Admission requirements

 

The BSc Programme in Nature Resources (naturressourcer) with the core module Animal Science (husdyrvidenskab) qualifies graduates directly for admission to the MSc Programme in Parasitology. 

 

Students holding on of the following BSc degrees are admitted provided that their examinatin includes specified courses within:

    BSc in Biology-Biotechnology (biologi-bioteknologi)

    BSc in Nature Resources (naturressourcer) (all core modules)

    BSc in Veterinary Medicine (veterinærmedicin)

    BSc in Natural Sciences (naturvidenskab)

• zoology
• physiology and anatomy
• biochemistry and statistics

Bachelors from other faculties under University of Copenhagen or from other national and international universities must have equivalent qualifications and their admission will be assessed on an individual basis. 

 

 

3.2 Admission

 

Students are admitted to the MSc in Parasitology twice a year (1 September and 1 February).

 

If the number of qualified applicants exceeds the number of places available, the applicants will be evaluated individually by the Study Committee.

 

The selection criteria among qualified applicants will include previous studies, including the composition of subjects studied, studies outside Denmark, relevant work experience and similar.