This Parasitology course provides a comprehensive introduction to the study of parasites and their impact on human health. It is part of medical microbiology and focuses on organisms that live on or inside a host, causing a wide range of infectious diseases.

The course begins with the basic principles of parasitology, explaining the classification of parasites into protozoa, helminths, and ectoparasites. It also introduces their life cycles and how they depend on hosts for survival, growth, and reproduction.

A key focus is on medically important parasites that affect humans, including those responsible for diseases such as malaria, amoebiasis, giardiasis, schistosomiasis, and intestinal worm infections. The course explains how these organisms invade the body, spread, and cause disease symptoms.

It also covers the relationship between parasite biology and disease severity, highlighting how different stages of the parasite life cycle contribute to infection. Diagnostic methods are discussed, including microscopic examination, stool analysis, blood tests, and modern molecular techniques.

Treatment strategies are introduced, focusing on antiparasitic drugs and prevention methods such as hygiene, vector control, and public health measures.

The course is associated with clinical teaching perspectives from specialists in medical microbiology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

By the end of the course, learners will understand the fundamentals of parasitology, parasite-host interactions, and how parasitic diseases are