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Courses

Course description

Biology of parasitic eukaryotes. Biological diversity of parasites shaped by phylogenetic relationships and environmental factors at the molecular, organismal, and population levels. Systematics, morphology, life cycles, and physiology of parasites. Pathogenicity of parasitic infections and the epidemiology of parasitic diseases. Diversity and evolution of host–parasite interactions.

Language of instruction: Polish

USOS course page (lectures and laboratory classes) [link]

Available for:

  • Elective course (open to all students)
  • Core course for the BSc programme in Biology
  • Elective course for the MSc programme in Bioinformatics

Course coordinator:
Małgorzata Bednarska (mabed@biol.uw.edu.pl)

USOS course page (lectures only) [link]

Language of instruction: Polish

Available for:

  • Elective course (open to all students)
  • Elective course for the MSc programme in Bioinformatics

Course description

The course covers the biology, morphology, and physiology of medically important parasites inhabiting human tissues, organs, and body systems. Topics include current issues in medical parasitology, environmental factors influencing parasite transmission and dissemination, opportunistic parasites affecting immunocompromised individuals, the pathogenesis and clinical course of parasitic diseases in both immunocompetent and immunosuppressed patients, and the epidemiology of parasitic infections in Poland and worldwide, with particular emphasis on their geographical distribution. The course also introduces the principles of laboratory diagnosis of parasitic diseases and the interpretation of diagnostic test results in accordance with current Polish recommendations.

Language of instruction: Polish

USOS course page: [link]

Available for:

  • Faculty of Medicine

Course coordinators:

Course description

This course introduces parasitic organisms, their biology and life cycles, and the pathology of parasitic infections from the perspective of forensic science. Students learn how parasitological evidence can support criminal investigations, the detection of environmental crimes, wildlife protection cases, and the investigation of food fraud. The course also covers the geographical distribution of medically and forensically important parasites, as well as the immunological and social aspects of human parasitic infections.

During the practical classes, students gain hands-on experience in the collection, preservation, and processing of parasitological samples. The course also covers parasitological traces found at crime scenes, methods used for parasite detection and identification (microscopic, immunochemical, molecular, and immunological), techniques for culturing parasites isolated from biological material, and the application of genetic markers for parasite identification.

USOS course page: [link]

Available for:

  • Elective course

Course coordinator:

Course description (lecture)

The course explores the mechanisms underlying the development of parasitic diseases, from the initial establishment of infection to disease progression. Topics include host–parasite interactions at the molecular, organismal, and population levels; molecular determinants of pathogenicity in parasitic protozoa and helminths; molecular mechanisms of vector-borne parasite transmission; genetic factors influencing host susceptibility and immune responses; and strategies for the prevention and control of parasitic diseases.

Representative parasitic diseases discussed during the course include:

  • Tropical diseases: malaria, trypanosomiasis, schistosomiasis, and filariasis.
  • Soil-transmitted helminthiases: ascariasis, hookworm infection, and trichuriasis.
  • Protozoan infections: Cryptosporidium parvum, Giardia intestinalis, Entamoeba spp., Naegleria spp., and Acanthamoeba spp.
  • Zoonotic parasitic diseases: toxoplasmosis, taeniasis, echinococcosis, trichinellosis, and toxocariasis.

Course description (elective)

The elective course provides a multidisciplinary approach to the diagnosis of parasitic and zoonotic diseases, fostering analytical thinking and equipping students with the skills needed to apply innovative diagnostic approaches in their future professional careers.

During practical classes, students solve diagnostic case studies using a range of laboratory and analytical techniques, including modern diagnostic technologies. They also evaluate the applicability of different methods while considering population, environmental, and economic factors that influence the diagnosis and control of parasitic diseases. The acquired knowledge and practical skills are applicable across a wide range of biological, biomedical, and health-related disciplines.

Language of instruction: Polish

USOS course page (lecture): [link]

USOS course page (elective): [link]

Available for:

  • Elective course (lecture and elective)
  • Elective course for the MSc programme in Bioinformatics (lecture)
  • Specialization course for the MSc programmes in Biotechnology and Medical Biotechnology (lecture and elective)

Course coordinators: