Delgado Community College
Medical Laboratory Technician Program
Parasitology – MLTS 264
Course Syllabus – Summer 2004
Letter to the Student:
Welcome back! Hope you had a wonderful break! It’s time to start again. Remember you only have one
more semester after this one till graduation. So hang on tight. During this course, I will introduce you to
some of the most interesting animals on earth. At first, you may find discussing worms, flukes, and blood
parasites repulsive. However, I hope with time you will learn to marvel at the parasites’ ability to adapt,
survive, and even multiple in adverse conditions.
I also hope to instill in you the recognition for the need to learn this information. The medical laboratory
is often the first place to diagnose parasitic conditions. Very often symptoms are ambiguous and the
physician will need the correct identification of a parasitic infection to relieve patient suffering and
sometimes even death. The incidence of parasitic diseases in North America has increased due to
increased travel, sexual behaviors, AIDS, and new food fads. Around the world, parasites cause serious
diseases and death, which significantly impact on population growth, economic development and basic
quality of life.
This course contains lots of detailed material. Very often, these parasites have scientific names that are
difficult to spell and pronounce. You will also spend many hours in the laboratory looking at specimens
under the microscope learning how to identify and distinguish one parasite from another. To help you
obtain this knowledge, I have made some changes in the course and your role as student. I want to
introduce you to the world of active learning. This means that you will be required to participate in class
through group activities, projects, and assignments. I want you to come to class prepared to discuss and
learn from each other as well as from me. The goal is to make this course learning centered and increase
your knowledge and retention of material.
I will constantly be asking for your ideas and feedback on activities. Please feel free to contact me and
let me know your thoughts. I am here to help you. Good luck!
Sincerely,
Sheila Hickman
MLTS 264 – Parasitology
Course Syllabus
1.
Course Name/Section:
MLTS 264 – 101 Parasitology (1-2-2)
2.
Course Location
Bldg. 22 Rm. 133 – Telephone #483-1859
3.
Course Time
Monday & Wednesday 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
4.
Instructor
Sheila M. Hickman, M.Ed., MT(ASCP)SBB
5.
Instructor’s Office
Bldg. 4, Room 304 - Telephone # 483-4198
6.
Instructor’s E-mail
shickm@dcc.edu
7.
Instructor’s Office Hours
M 9:00 am - Noon
TR 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
8.
Course Description
This course begins with an overview of human parasitology and explains its significance and
relevancy in today’s world. Specific parasites of medical importance are discussed. These
parasites are divided into two main groups: helminthes (worms) and protozoa (unicellular
microorganisms). Each parasite’s scientific and common name, life cycle, disease symptoms, and
method of transmission and identification are presented. Specimen collection, preparation and
identification techniques are explained.
The course contains lectures, group discussion, assignments and microscopic identification
exercises. Students have numerous learning tools for their use including a CD tutorial,
kodachrome slides, line drawings, stained microscopic slides, and textbook color photographs.
Each lecture begins with objectives, which students should use as a study guide. Students are
given assigned readings in the textbook and should come prepared to class.
Safety Issues & Rules: When working in the laboratory, students must adhere to all chemical &
bloodborne pathogen safety rules which include wearing protective apparel, proper waste disposal,
and no eating or drinking in the laboratory area.
9.
Course Prerequisite: Biol 210, 212
10.
Course Goal: The goal of this course is to teach the student basic entry level
parasitology didactic and identification skills used in the clinical laboratory.
11.
Course Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
A.
State and spell the scientific and common name for each parasite.
B.
Describe the general life cycle of the Protozoans, Nematodes, Trematodes and Cestodes
covered in the course .
C.
Identify the infective stage and its location in the body.
D.
Identify and draw the diagnostic stage of each parasite.
E.
Identify body specimen and preparation technique for proper identification
of each parasite.
F.
List pertinent identifying characteristics for all parasites studied.
G.
Explain any special sample preparation or processing techniques necessary for parasite
identification.
H.
Name disease produced by parasite and its most common symptoms
I.
Describe the physical, chemical and microscopic procedures used to analyze feces or other
specimens in the parasitology lab.
J.
Identify parasites microscopically from body specimens, prepared slides or kodachromes.
12.
Course Content:
A. Lecture Outline Order of
Topic
Presentation
1
Overview of Parasitology & Fecal Analysis
2
Nematodes
3
Cestodes & Trematodes
4
Protozoa - Ameba, Flagellates, Ciliates,
& Apicomplexa
B. LAB OUTLINE Microscopic examination of Permanent Stained Mounts
13.
Course Text: Textbook of Diagnostic Microbiology, C.R. Mahon & G. Manuselis, Jr,
Saunders, 2nd ed., 2000.
14.
Course Assessment – Numerous quizzes, assignments, two written tests, two practicals, and a
comprehensive final written exam and practical will be given during the semester. Tests will be
based on lectures, handouts, classroom discussions, text reading, and laboratory activities.
Projects or homework will not be accepted if turned in late and will receive a grade of zero.
Homework, quizzes and lab activities = 25%
Lecture tests & lab practicals = 50%
Final exam = 25%
W.B.
Makeup tests or quizzes will be given with the instructor's permission only. If a student has
missed a quiz or test, he/she must contact the instructor immediately. A student will be allowed to
take a makeup quiz or test only ONCE during this course. The highest grade assigned to a makeup
quiz or test will be 92 = B. If a student misses any additional quizzes or tests he/she will receive a
grade of zero. Students will not be allowed to makeup any laboratory activities or homework.
Grading Scale:
A = 93 - 100
B = 85 - 92
C = 77 - 84
D = 65 - 76
F = 64 and Below
15.
Absences and Tardiness/Class Participation Grade
Students are expected to be on time and attend each class period. If a student arrives after the start
of class, he/she is considered tardy. Each student will begin the semester with a participation
grade of 100 which is considered a quiz grade. If a student is absent, 5 points will be deducted (no
matter what the reason might be). If a student is tardy 2½ points will be deducted (no matter
what the reason might be). Points may be added to a student’s class participation grade based on
involvement and participation in class.
A three point bonus will be given to any student with perfect attendance from one test to the other.
This will apply for tests only not quizzes or final exam.
16.
Homework Assignment Grade
Assignments are important learning tools. They are designed to allow the students to review and
clarify important class information. Assignments may be used in class discussion. If a student
does not have an assignment, he/she will not be allowed to participate in the class activity.
Students are required to complete all assignments on time. If an assignment is not completed on
time the student will receive a grade of zero. All assignments will be averaged and will be
considered one quiz grade.
Persons with Disabilities:
If you have a disability and need special accommodations, please arrange to discuss your
particular needs with the instructor as soon as possible. It is the general policy of Delgado
Community College to assure equal opportunity for all qualified persons. Reasonable
accommodation for qualified persons with disabilities will be made provided the students have
self-identified with the Office of Disability Services (CPO1, 115E, 483-4890) and have provided
the required documentation. Individual instructors will modify the methods, requirements, and
procedures of courses and examinations appropriately to accommodate the special needs of
students with disabilities, provided that the academic integrity of the course or examination is not
violated, and the health and welfare of all students are safeguarded.
NOTE: This syllabus is subject to change by the instructor with proper notification to the
students.