Information about NEM30306
Host parasite interactions
This course aims to teach students about the diversity and refined strategies that nematodes use to survive in a range of environments. Major groups and species feeding on bacteria, algae, fungi, plants and insects will be studied with regard to functional morphology, feeding behaviour, and survival strategies. The focus lies on current topics in the ecology, molecular biology and genetics of nematode feeding, reproduction and life histories in various trophic groups.
The objective of this course is to write a review paper on a specified subject of your choice (see below) or conduct a research practical. The activities in this course involve literature research, debating recent findings and interpretations with an appropriate supervisor from the lab, and doing some relevant experimental work. The outcome of the research will condense in a review paper written in scientific format or in case of the research practical a concise report of the experiments.
A supervisor will be assigned to you based on the subject of your preference. You'll meet the supervisor periodically to discuss the progress and to debate the latest findings.
You'll understand that the course is individually (or with one other student, if you know someone who wants to team up with you) and provides you an opportunity to do in-depth desk-top or lab research. The course is not bound to a specific period. However, some sort of individual agreement on when to finish the paper will be made at the start of the course.Outline:
- formulate research question
- retrieve scientific papers from databases
- analyse papers for relevant information
- discuss relevant information with supervisor
- execute relevant experiments
- write a review paper in scientific format
Teachers:
- Geert Smant
- Aska Goverse
- Jan Kammenga
- Hans Helder
- Arjen Schots
Credits: 6.0 Ects
Exam: Individual judgment based on your review paper or lab report