95982 - Sustainable Control of Parasitic Diseases in Food Animal Production Systems

Learning outcomes

At the end of the module, students can apply sustainable control of ecto and endoparasites of major concern for food animal production. In particular students acquire updated knowledge on target parasitic diseases with particular attention to their epidemiology, efficient monitoring plans and early diagnosis, rational use of antiparasitic drugs and Integrated Parasite Management (IPM) strategies, and biosecurity practices tailored on different parasites and farm conditions.

Course contents

Introduction to the main concepts linked to:

• Host-parasites relationships.
• Main parasitic diseases of livestock animals (cattle, sheep, goat and pig) with main focus on their life cycle and epidemiology.
• Diagnostic tools.
• Innovative control approaches.

The course also provides the knowledge to identify the specific environmental factors influencing the choices in terms of pest control and integrated management strategies (biosecurity measures).

Readings/Bibliography

Notes of lectures; scientific publications

Teaching methods

Oral lectures, scientific seminaries, laboratory activities

Assessment methods

The assessment of learning is through an oral final exam, which aims at testing the knowledge acquired by the student on the topics covered during the course.

The oral test consists of a first topic chosen by the student and a second question by the teacher, both included among the topics presented during the course.

Preparation on a very limited number of topics covered in the course and analytical skills that emerge only with the help of the teacher, expressed in an overall correct language (18-19).

Preparation on a limited number of topics covered in the course and ability to analyse only on purely executive matters, expression in correct language (20-24).

Preparation on a large number of topics covered in the course, ability to make autonomous choices of critical analysis, mastery of specific terminology (25-29).

Substantially exhaustive preparation on the topics addressed in the course, ability to make autonomous choices of critical analysis and connection, full mastery of specific terminology and capacity for argumentation and self-reflection (30-30L).

Teaching tools

The theoretical lectures take place in a classroom supplied with multimedia equipment (web-connected PC and PC video-projector), with powerpoint presentations

Office hours

See the website of Monica Caffara