M.Sc. Veterinary Parasitology

Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology

Master of Science in Veterinary Parasitology

M.Sc. Veterinary Parasitology

List of Academic Staff

Names	Status and Qualification	Research interest (s)
S.D.Ola-Fadunsin	Senior Lecturer & Ag. Head of Department DVM(ABU,Zaria);M.Sc.(Ibadan);Ph.D. (Serdang);FCVSN(Abuja)	Protozoology, Entomology, Immunology
KarimatHussain	Lecturer I DVM, M.Sc.(ABU, Zaria)	Protozoology
M. Rabiu	Lecturer I DVM,M.Sc.(ABU, Zaria)	Entomology
*K.T. Biobaku	Professor DVM,M.Sc.,Ph.D. (UDU,Sokoto); FCVSN (Abuja)	Pharmacology
*NusiratElelu	Reader DVM,(Maiduguri);Ph.D.(Bristol);FCVSN (Abuja)	Parasitic Zoonoses
*DeborahA.Adah	Senior Lecturer DVM,M.Sc.,Ph.D.(ABU, Zaria)	Aquatic Parasitology
*L.D.Edungbola	Professor B.Sc.(OAU, Ile-Ife);Ph.D.(JH,Maryland)	Helminthology
*U.S. Ugbomoiko	Professor B.Sc.(AAU,Ekpoma);M.Sc.(Benin);Ph.D. (AAU, Ekpoma)	Protozoology

Introduction

The M.Sc. Veterinary Parasitology programme is to provide training for individuals who wish to pursue a career in research and/or teaching. The programme which comprises theory and practical components is structured to adequately expose students to modern trends in various areas with options in Veterinary Entomology, Veterinary Helminthology and Veterinary Protozoology.

Philosophy

The programme provides the advanced professional training for upgrading the knowledge and skills of first-degree holders employed in academic institutions and research institutes, industry, the public sector or self-employed.

Aim and Objectives

The programme is aimed at providing in-depth knowledge in the field of Veterinary Parasitology.

The objectives of the programme are to:

Expose students to advanced courses in relevant areas of Veterinary Parasitology, and Equip students with research skills through the conduct of supervised research, seminar presentations and thesis preparation.

Admission Requirements

The admission requirements into the programme will be as follows:

O‘ level Credits in five subjects including Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics and English language Graduates with a DVM from a recognised institution or a minimum of a second-class upper degree in related fields.

Duration of Programme

The Full-time programme shall run for a minimum of 18 calendar months and a maximum of 24 calendar months.

The part-time programme shall run for a minimum of 24 calendar months and a maximum of 36 calendar months.

Detailed Course Description

VTC 813 Biomedical Research Methodology and Communication2 Credits History and legal basis of research ethic. Ethical requirements. Ethical review procedure. Ethical issues and requirements: data protection, privacy, informed consent, research on animals and humans, dual use. Identifying research fields. Identifying funding resources. Developing a grant proposal: basic components of a grant proposal, budget and budgeting, research planning and design. Writing research protocol. Submitting a research proposal. Implementing the research project. Describing and analysing research results. Interpreting research results. Report writing. Management control in biomedical research. Challenges and opportunities in collaborative scientific research. Research communication: communicating to scientists, funding agencies, health professionals, policymakers, patients/clients, community, and public media. Writing scientific papers. Publishing scientific papers. Making scientific presentations. 30h(T);C

VPH815 Biostatistics    2Credits Statistics. Study designs. Scales of measurement. Quality of measurement, statistical variable/data. Qualitative and quantitative data sources. Sampling and sample size determination. Data organization: Statistics Charts, Tables, Graphs, Frequency Tables, Frequency distribution, Histogram, Stem and leaf plot, box plot. Summary indices: Mean, Median, Modes Variance, Standard Deviation. Probability distributions: Normal, Binomial, Poisson distribution, Descriptive statistics, frequency table, tables for qualitative and quantitative data, diagrams, types of diagrams. Data summarisation: summary indices, measuresofcentraltendencyanddispersion.Testofstatisticalhypothesis. Confidence intervals. Parametric and non-parametric tests. Z-test for proportions. Chi-square test. Fischer‘s exact test and t-test. Analysis of variance. Regression and correlation. Spearman rank and Kendal correlation.15h(T);45h(P);C

VPH817 Bioinformatics  2Credits

Bioinformatics: Introduction, principles and application in Veterinary Medicine. Software and data manipulation. GenBank. Nucleic acid amplification and sequencing. Use of Gene Sequences Analysis software (Bio Edit®, MEGA, CLC). Phylogenetic tree construction and analysis.15h(T);45h (P);C

VPE800 Advanced Veterinary Entomology and Pesticides Application 3Credits General

Biology, classification, anatomy, physiology and identification of the more important orders of Insects and Arachnids. An introduction to entomological techniques used in research. Chemical and biological control of arthropods parasites and arthropods vectors of pathogens. Insecticides, acaricides, their formulations and applications in control measures. Prospects for the management of arthropod resistance to pesticides.30h(T);45h(P); C

VPE 801 Advanced Veterinary Helminthology and related Infections 3 Credits

Taxonomy, biology and life cycles of helminths of veterinary importance. Control of helminth infections using grazing management and anthelmintics’ current status regarding resistance to anthelmintics. Factors influencing worm population in animals. Pharmacokinetics and modes of action of major modern anthelminths. Suppressive anthelmintic treatment, strategic anthelminthic treatment, integrated control.30h(T);45h(P); C

VPE 802 Advanced Veterinary Protozoology and related infections 3 Credits

Structure, life-cycle, physiology, host-parasite relationships, methods of diagnosis of specific protozoan parasites of domestic animals. Current taxonomy and control strategies of major protozoan parasites of domestic and companion animals. Major diseases caused by protozoan and rickettsial organisms with special emphasis on factors influencing acquisition & burdens in the host. Integrated control methods. 30h (T); 45h (P); C

VPE 803 Wildlife Parasitology and Ecology  2 Credits

Biology and economic importance of parasites of captive (zoo), game and laboratory animals. Wildlife and game animals as reservoirs of parasites of veterinary and medical importance. Parasites of fish and shrimps. Control of these parasites.15h(T);45h(P);C

VPE804   Emerging Problems in Veterinary Parasitology  1Credit

Discussion on general parasitological problems.45h(P);C

VPE 805 Advanced Parasitological Diagnosis  3 Credits

Objectives of diagnosis. Sample collection, preservation and examination of feces, blood, urine, tissue smears, cerebrospinal fluid, and skin scrapings for parasites. Knowledge of such techniques as the use of identification keys, flotation and sedimentation techniques, culture and staining methods. Current and future trends in serodiagnosis. The use of the Polymerase Chain Reaction Technique (PCR) and other DNA amplification methods for diagnosing parasitic infections.30h(T);45h(P);C

VPE 806 Immunity to Parasitic Infections    2 Credits

General aspects of immunity. Non-specific defence mechanisms; specific immune mechanisms; humoral and cell-mediated immunity mechanisms. Immune reactions to protozoans, helminth and arthropod parasites. Vaccination.30h (T);C

VPE 809 Experimental Techniques in Veterinary Parasitology   2 Credits Management of parasite-free animals. Preparation of animals for infection by immuno suppressing followings plenectomy; invitro and invivo cultivation of parasites; animal inoculation and subsequent isolation of parasites; breeding vectors, intermediate hosts(e.g. tsetse flies, snails), sterilization techniques for insects; drug trials (tactical and controlled methods). Extraction methods of active ingredients against parasites; tracer studies. 15h(T);45h(P);C

VPE 810   Advanced Parasitic Zoonoses   2 Credits Public health significance of protozoan, helminth and arthropod induced zoonoses. Diagnosis, epidemiology and control of major parasitic zoonoses, emerging parasitic zoonoses and factors responsible for emergence. 30h (T);C

VPE811   Seminar I   1Credit Oral presentation of proposal and literature survey to be assessed by a panel of examiners. 45h(P);C

VPE812   Seminar II   1Credit Oral presentation of research findings to be assessed by a panel of examiners during the oral defence. 45h(P);C

VPE899  Dissertation   6Credits Original investigation in to an approved topic in Veterinary Parasitology under the supervision of an approved academic supervisor. 270h(P);C

Graduation Requirements

A candidate must pass a minimum of 35 Credits made up of the following to be awarded the Master of Veterinary Parasitology degree:

Core                                                                            29 Credits

Dissertation                                                                6 Credits

Total                                                                           35Credits

Summary

Core courses:VTC813(2),VPH815(2),VPH817(2),VPE800(3),VPE801(3),VPE802(3),VPE803(2),VPE804(1),VPE805(3),VPE806(2),VPE809(2),VPE810(2), VPE811 (1),VPE 812(1), VPE899 (6)

Electives courses:(0).