Cairo University
Faculty of Medicine
Department of Medical Parasitology .
Course Specifications
Course title: Medical Parasitology
(Code) PAR-308
Department offering the course: Medical Parasitology
Third academic year of M.B.& B.Ch. program
Date of specification approval: 2010
A) Basic Information:
Allocated marks:
150 marks
Course duration:
30 weeks
Teaching hours: 120
o Theoretical 60 hours
o Practical 60 hours
B) Professional Information:
1- Overall Aim of the Course:
To provide students with knowledge concerning biological, epidemiological
and ecological aspects of parasites causing diseases to humans.
To enable students to understand the pathogenesis, clinical presentations and
complications of parasitic diseases.
To enable students to reach diagnosis and know the general outline of
treatment, prevention and control of parasitic infections
To provide students with adequate knowledge about endemic parasites and
national parasitic problems as well as re-emerging parasitic infection.
2- Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs):
a- Knowledge and understanding:
By the end of the course, students should be able to:
a.1- Describe the world distribution of important parasitic infections and
the epidemiologic principles and the effect of social and demographic
patterns on parasitic disease and vulnerability (Prog ILO a.12)
a.2-Describe the common parasitic diseases and life-threatening
conditions caused by helminthes and protozoa as regards etiology and
life cycle of parasites of medical importance (Prog ILO a.6)
a.3- Describe the common diseases caused by helminthes and protozoa
as regards pathogenesis, clinical features differential diagnosis and
complications (Prog ILO a.6)
a.4- Point out the methods of recovery of parasites and their culture
methods as well as immunological and molecular methods used for
diagnosis of parasitic infections (Prog a ILOa.6)
a.5- Define the principles of management for common parasitic diseases
and life-threatening conditions (Prog ILOa.7)
a.6- Outline methods of disease prevention (Prog ILOa.10)
a.7- Describe the common diseases caused by arthropods of medical
interest as regards etiology, pathogenesis, clinical features and methods
of combat (Prog ILOa.6, a.10)
a.8- Describe molecular, biochemical and cellular mechanisms that occur
in the body of humans infected with parasites (Prog ILOa.2)
a.9- Recognize safety procedures relevant to parasitic diseases during
practical year (Prog ILOa.15)
b- Professional and practical skills:
By the end of the course, students should be able to:
b.1- Perform practical skills relevant to the future practice, as to identify
different parasites in tissue sections and demonstrate their reactions in
such tissues by naked eye (Jars) (Prog ILO b.1).
b.2- Use the microscope to identify diagnostic stages of parasites in
blood, urine, stool or tissue samples (Prog ILO b.1).
c- Attitude and Behavioral skills:
c.1- Respect and follow the institutional code of conduct (Prog ILO c.6).
c.2- Respect the role of staff and co-staff members regardless of degree
or occupations (Prog ILO c.6).
d- Communication Skills:
e- Intellectual skills:
e.1- Analyze the results obtained from history, clinical examination and
investigational data into meaningful diagnostic formulation. (using case
study)( Prog ILO e.3).
e.2- Interpret clinical and investigational data with evidence based
knowledge and skill of deductive reasoning for clinical problem solving.
(using case study) (Prog ILO e.4).
f- General and transferable skills:
By the end of the course, students should be able to:
f.2- Use computers efficiently in reaching biomedical information to
remain current with advances in knowledge and practice (research
assignments) (Prog ILO f.2, f.3 & f.5).
f.3- Present information clearly in written, electronic and verbal forms
(research assignments) (Prog ILO f.3).
f.4- Apply English language as needed for appropriate learning and
communication in relation to medicine (Prog ILO f.8).
3- Course contents:
Subject
1- Introduction to
parasitology
2- Helminthology,
Trematodes and
Cestodes
3- Introduction to
Nematodes,
intestinal and tissue
nematodes
4- Protozology,
Intestinal,
Urogenital, blood
and Tissue protozoa
5- Immunology and
molecular
parasitology
6- Entomology
Lectures
(hrs)
Tutorial /
Small group
discussion
(hrs)
Practical
(hrs)
1
% of
Total
1
11
14
Total
(hrs)
3
4
9
13
18
4
5
-
11
60
4
15 1/2
11
23
32
33
5
11
44 1/2
total
III-A) TOPICS:
1. Helminthology
2. Protozoology
3. Immunology and molecular parasitology
4. Entomology
III-B) Tutorial / Small Group Discussions
1- Data show presentations of parasitic diseases.
26
120
100
2- Brain storming discussions about parasitic infections
III-C) PRACTICAL CLASSES:
1- Identification of different parasitic stages.
2- Presentation of research assignments.
4- Teaching and learning methods:
METHODS USED:
1.
Lectures
2.
Small group discussions
3.
Tutorials
4.
Practical classes
5.
Etc
TEACHING PLAN:
Lectures: Division of students into
2 hours /week.
5
groups
Tutorials: half hour / week within the practical class
Practical classes: one and half hour / week
Time plan:
Item
Lectures
Practical
Tutorial
Total
Time schedule
2 times/week;
one hour each
between 9 to 10 am
1 1/2 hours /
week
1/
2 hour / week
4
Teaching hours
30 hours / term
Total hours
60 hours / year
45
15
120
5- Students Assessment methods:
5-A) ATTENDANCE CRITERIA: Faculty bylaws
5-B) ASSESSMENT TOOLS:
Tool
Written examination
Oral examination
Purpose (ILOs)
To assess knowledge and understanding. Also
intellectual skills (case report) ILOs (a.1-8) &
(e.1-2)
To assess knowledge and understanding &
general and transferable skills ILOs(a.1-8) &
(f.1&4 )
Practical examination To assess of knowledge and understanding and
professional skills ILOs(a.1-8) & (b.1-5)
5-C) TIME SCHEDULE: Faculty bylaws
Exam
1- First half of the academic year
2- Mid-year exam
3- Second half of the academic year
4- Practical exam
5- Final exam
Week
12th week
15th week
25th weeks
29th week
30th week
5-D) GRADING SYSTEM:
Examination
Marks allocated
% of Total Marks
2.5
1- First half (Quiz)
1.7%
2- Mid-year
20
13.33%
2.5
3- Second half (Quiz)
1.7%
4- Final exam:
a- Written
75
50%
b- Practical
30
20%
c- Oral
15
10%
5- Assignments & other
5
3.33%
activities
Total
150
100%
The minimum passing & Passing grades (Faculty bylaws).
SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT:
Student knows his marks after the summative exams.
5-E) Examinations description:
Examination
Description
1- First half (quiz) Identification of 5 projector slides in 10 minutes
2- Mid-year exam One-hour: written paper composed of short essay
type questions –MCQs and case description, give
reason and true & false statements.
3- Second half
Identification of 5 projector slides in 10 minutes
(quiz)
4- Final exam:
a- Written
Two and half hours: written paper composed of
short essay type questions, MCQs, case description,
give reason and True & false statements.
Spotting of 30 specimens including slides, boxes and
b- Practical
jars (OSPE)
Two sessions :
c- Oral
One for helminthology & immunoparasitology
for 10 min.
One for Arthropods & protozoology for 10min.
6- Assignments & Preparing and presenting project assignments on
other activities
some parasitic diseases provided with illustrations
Total
6- List of references:
6.1- Basic materials:
e.g. Department book
6.2- Essential books (text books):
6.4- Web sites:
www.dpd.cdc.org
7- Facilities required for teaching and learning:
Facilities used for teaching this course include:
Lecture halls:
Small group classes
Laboratory
Information technology / AV aids
Head of Department & Course coordinator:
Date:
/
8
/ 2010