ENTOM 4520 - Introduction to Disease Vectors

Fall. 3 credits. Letter grades only.

L. Harrington.

This course introduces vector taxonomy, evolution, biology, behavior, and the history of vector-borne disease control, with an emphasis on the Northeast USA. Some lectures will be taught by NEVBD collaborators and experts in vector control/public health via video link. Through a series of lectures and active learning projects, students will gain knowledge of the latest surveillance approaches, control methods, and challenges for controlling vector-borne diseases, which they will explore in greater detail through subsequent course offerings. In this course, students will gain an understanding of arthropod biology, body plan, organ systems, behavior and physiology, infection biology and immunity. Students will also gain practical skills with arthropod identification and demonstrate a solid understanding of disease vector evolutionary relationships. In addition, students will learn how to apply knowledge gained from the class in future roles as public health practitioners, or simply as informed citizens.

Outcome 1: Students will be able to explain mosquito and tick biology, body plan, organ systems, behavior and physiology, infection biology and immunity.

Outcome 2: Demonstrate knowledge of arthropod behavior, host finding and sensory systems.

Outcome 3: Demonstrate practical skills in mosquito and tick identification, knowledge of classification and vector diversity.

Outcome 4: Apply what they have learned from class examples to understand new disease outbreaks and challenges of the future aware of the most up-to-date issues and challenges for vector-borne diseases in the Northeast region.

Outcome 5: Students will be able to explain the latest approaches for mosquito and tick control in detail and highlight the pros and cons and efficacy of each approach.

Outcome 6: Demonstrate their understanding of basic approaches to surveillance of mosquitoes and ticks, determining population sizes and insecticide resistance monitoring.

Outcome 7: Students will be able to apply their knowledge to develop a suit a suitable monitoring and intervention strategy aware of how they may encounter the subjects covered in their own future careers and personal lives.

Outcome 8: Communicate important issues related to vector control learned in class to the lay public.