Department of Parasitology - Teaching/Learning Activities

Department of Parasitology - Teaching/Learning Activities

Teaching/Learning Activities
  • Lectures
  • Small Group Discussions
  • Practical
  • Tutorials

 

Course content

Semester IV

  • Intestinal nematode infections
  • Zoonotic nematodes causing VLM, CLM & OLM 
  • Tissue nematode infections
  • Intestinal /urogenital protozoa infections

Semester V

  • Blood protozoa infections 
  • Tissue protozoa infections
  • Cestodes (adult worm infections) 
  • Cestodes (larval infections) 
  • Foodborne trematode infections
  • Schistosomes
  • Medical Entamology
  • Snakes in Sri Lanka, snake bites and principles of management
 
Practical Session 

At the end of the practical session conducted by Department of Parasitology, an undergraduate should have the following skills 

  • Be able to use a light microscope to examine a stool smear or a stained blood film.
  • Describe the principles regarding the collection, storage and delivery/transport of faecal and blood specimens to a laboratory for diagnosis of parasitic infections 
  • Be able to prepare wet smears of stools in saline and iodine and examine them for parasites. 
  • Be able to prepare thin and thick blood films and examine them for parasites. 
  • Examine specimen of helminthes or medically important arthropods using a hand-held magnifying glass.
  • Identify the snakes of medical importance by their body markings. 

Practical Topics

  1. Introduction to use of microscopes 
  2. Identification of intestinal nematodes
  3. Identification of tissue nematodes
  4. Identification of intestinal and urogenital protozoa
  5. Identification of tissue protozoa
  6. Identification of trematodes and cestodes
  7. Identification of medically important arthropods
  8. Identification of venomous and non-venomous snakes 
  9. Preparation of stool wet smears in saline and iodine and examination of parasites
  10. Preparation of thin and thick blood smears and examination of parasites

 

Assessment 
End Semester Examination /Continuous Assessment (CA) 
Method of Assessment Number of Questions  Marks Allocated Time Allocated
CA 1
MCQ 15 T/F + 5 SBAs = 20 100% 1 hr
Weightage 10%  
CA 2
OSPE 10 100% 30 min
Weightage 10%  
Final Examination /Third MBBS Part 1 Examination (Main)
MCQ 15 T/F + 3 SBAs + 3 EMQs (4 scenarios each) = 30 25% 1 hr 30 min
SEQ  6 25% 1 hr 30 min
OSPE 20 30% 1 hr
CA   20%  
Total Marks 100%  
Final Examination / Third MBBS Part 1 Examination (Repeat)
MCQ 15 T/F + 3 SBAs + 3 EMQs (4 scenarios each) = 30 25% 1 hr 30 min
SEQ  6 25% 1 hr 30 min
OSPE 20 30% 1 hr
Total Marks 80% - upgrade to 100%

MCQ= Multiple Choice Questions, SBA = Single Best Answer, SEQ = Structured Essay questions, OSPE =Objective Structured Practical Examination, CA = Continous Assessment EMQ = Extended Matching Question

 

Eligibility to appear for the End of Course Assessments (3nd MBBS Part 1 Examination)

  • Minimum of 80% attendance for tutorials, practical and SGDs even with valid medical certificates or approved leave for any absence.
  • Those who do not obtain a minimum of 80% attendance will have to appear for the repeat examination, which would be considered as a second attempt.