1. Provide an understanding of the biology of parasites and
infectious diseases, integrating basic concepts with real-world
examples
2. Increase familiarity with quantitative approaches for 
studying
infectious disease dynamics at the population level
3. Review historical development and current research in the
field of disease ecology
4. Enhance appreciation for the taxonomic and biological
diversity of parasitic organisms and host responses to infection
5. Enhance appreciation for the importance of parasites in
wildlife conservation and management
6. Consider the role of ecology and evolution in predicting
disease emergence and responding to epidemics

PART 1.   THE BASICS: EPIDEMIOLOGY AND PARASITE BIOLOGY
Introduction: Basic terminology and diversity of parasites
Population growth, population regulation and statistical 
epidemiology
Population biology of microparasites
Rinderpest in the Serengeti, dead seals in the North Sea
Measles and childhood diseases: herd immunity and vaccination
Parasitic helminths: T.tenuis and red grouse
Helminths of humans: Ascaris, filariasis and hookworm
Rots, scabs, smut and blight: the biology of plant pathogens
Invertebrate pathology: forest pest cycles and insect mushrooms

PART 2. ECOLOGICAL HETEROGENEITY
Parasites and host behavior
It bit me: vector-borne pathogens, ticks and mosquitoes
Birds, bees and STDs
Complex dynamics and social mixing
Key hosts and superspreaders
Patterns of spatial spread 
Metapopulation biology of disease
Community effects and multi-host pathogens
Keeping the herds healthy: predators and infectious disease

PART 3. HOST IMMUNITY AND PATHOGEN EVOLUTION
Vertebrate immunity: innate and adaptive
Population dynamics of the immune response
Immunity and resistance in plants and invertebrates
Evolution of host resistance: tradeoffs and constraints
Parasites and sexual selection
Evolution of pathogen virulence
Molecular phylogeny of pathogens
Host-parasite coevolution and cospeciation

PART 4. CONSERVATION, CONTROL, AND EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
Influenza, Ebola, BSE; emergent pathogens and disappearing cures
Worms in a warmer world; parasites and global change
Evaluating disease risks to threatened wildlife
Drug treatment and drug resistance
Role of host-pathogen evolution in disease emergence 
Darwinian medicine

All academic work must meet the standards contained in "A 
culture of honesty." Students are responsible for informing
themselves about those standards before performing academic 
work. 
The link to more detailed information about academic honesty can
be found at: http://www.uga.edu/ovpi/honesty/acadhon.htm