3 ECTS credits
78 h study time

Offer 1 with catalog number 4021492FNR for all students in the 2nd semester at a (F) Master - specialised level.

Semester
2nd semester
Enrollment based on exam contract
Impossible
Grading method
Grading (scale from 0 to 20)
Can retake in second session
Yes
Taught in
English
Partnership Agreement
Under interuniversity agreement for degree program
Faculty
Faculty of Sciences and Bioengineering Sciences
Department
Bio-Engineering Sciences
Educational team
Stefan Magez
Yann Sterckx
Carl De Trez (course titular)
Activities and contact hours

26 contact hours Lecture
Course Content

The lecture series on Molecular Parasitology cover the molecular and cellular aspects of host-parasite interactions for three different parasites of medical and societal relevance. These are parasites of the Trypanosoma (Prof. Magez 9h), Plasmodium (Prof Sterckx, UA), and Leishmania (Prof. De Trez) genera. 

The content of each chapter is placed within a broader context: what other challenges besides the scientific ones must be met in order to tackle infectious diseases caused by the above-mentioned parasites.

An additional lecture will cover molecular approaches to the diagnosis of infection

Additional info

Slides available.

Learning Outcomes

General competencies

These are the learning outcomes for the course:

  1. To understand the fundamental biology of the discussed parasites.
  2. To understand the links between a parasite’s life cycle and the onset of pathology in the host.
  3. To understand the molecular and cellular aspects of host-parasite interactions and how these can induce pathology.
  4. To gain insights into how the above-mentioned principles can be employed for the design/improvement of diagnostic tests, drug design, vaccine design and/or other methods that lead to parasite control.
  5. To be able to read a selection of papers on a selected topic and formulate a sound scientific discussion and come up with own research questions and solutions to a problem.

Grading

The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Written Exam determines 100% of the final mark.

Within the Written Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • written exam with a relative weight of 1 which comprises 100% of the final mark.

    Note: The exam will be a written test covering the 3 major course topics

Additional info regarding evaluation

A written exam with multiple questions will cover the knowledge of the three main topics. The three professors involved aal correct the questions releant to their subject. One final exam score is given and the evaluation is not split in 3 partim subjects.

Allowed unsatisfactory mark
The supplementary Teaching and Examination Regulations of your faculty stipulate whether an allowed unsatisfactory mark for this programme unit is permitted.

Academic context

This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of Bioengineering Sciences: Cell and Gene Biotechnology: Molecular Biotechnology (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Bioengineering Sciences: Cell and Gene Biotechnology: Agrobiotechnology (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Bioengineering Sciences: Chemistry and Bioprocess Technology: Food Biotechnology (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Bioengineering Sciences: Chemistry and Bioprocess Technology: Chemical Biotechnology (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Bioengineering Sciences: Chemistry and Bioprocess Technology: Biochemical Biotechnology (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Molecular Biology: Standaard traject