The university education of a parasitologist should whet the scientific curiosity and knowledge base that was begun in high school. Emphasis should be placed on attainment of a broad-based education in biology and chemistry. Overspecialization in one narrow field of the biological sciences will not lead to the range of knowledge required by most successful parasitologists. A good background in mathematics, computer science, and statistics will provide the computational skills that are required in virtually all areas of parasitology. The development of good writing and speaking skills is fundamental because every scientist must be able to communicate his ideas and results to others. Job opportunities in parasitology exist for people who attain a Bachelor of Science degree. Some possible positions include jobs in the food, agriculture, or pharmaceutical industries. Positions in clinical laboratories, environmental firms, or as research assistants in universities may involve work with parasites.

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A Master of Science in Biology offers the opportunity for research as a graduate student with a parasitologist as a research advisor. Thesis research may involve laboratory or field study of parasites. It should be a goal of the Masters student to conduct a research project that can be published in a scientific journal. Although most parasitologists attaining an M.S. degree continue towards a doctoral degree, job opportunities that utilize the parasitology education and skills attained at the Masters level are available. Examples of vocations would include the fields of wildlife management, fisheries biology, aquaculture, animal husbandry, and human health care.

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Most parasitology researchers hold either a Ph.D. or M.D. degree. Advantages of attaining a doctoral degree are numerous. Most tenure-track university faculty positions require a Ph.D. A doctoral degree greatly enhances opportunities to conduct research and to be successful at attaining funding to support research activities. Because the doctoral degree is the highest university degree that is awarded, the ability of a parasitologist to rise to the highest level in a chosen field whether in an academic institution, industry, or government is limited only by his or her talent and ability.

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Resources

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ASP Course Material Submission Form

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Here is a form to submit Parasitology educational materials to be shared with ASP.   Materials include course syllabi and outlines, course documents and assignments, and lecture and lab materials.

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Open Educational Resources (OERs)

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Repository of freely-available open education resources (OERs). These resources have been gathered from other open resource collections and are either directly related to parasitology or other core biological topics. Each resource is identified by tags that allow users to search by topic, course level, class size, and has information about student-access to answer keys and if the resource is available in other languages. Click here to access the OERs.

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On-line Laboratory Tutorial on Principles of Parasitism

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This web site contains a public version of the on-line laboratory tutorial of the Principles of Parasitism course offered at the University of Alberta. The tutorial has photos, diagrams, life-cycle animations and movies of a variety of parasitic organisms. (Please note that this course is NOT offered for credit to anyone other than registered students at the University of Alberta or the University of Calgary.) Click here for the web site.

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Diploma Course in Clinical Tropical Medicine and Traveler’s Health

Tulane University - School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine

The Diploma Course in Clinical Tropical Medicine and Traveler’s Health is an intensive one-semester on-site training program offered by the Department of Tropical Medicine that is for health care professionals planning on working in the tropics or travel clinic.

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The Department of Tropical Medicine has a long and proud history of contributions to parasitology and tropical medicine. The department's origins are in classical parasitology, and today its courses and research programs span the breadth of public health problems in the developing world.

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Resources for Teachers in K-12 Classrooms

The Wonderwise Women in Science 

Parasite Sleuth kit is designed for teachers in grades 7-9 and provides information on parasites that will really get your kids interested in parasites! Click on "Parasite Sleuth" and follow Judy Sakanari, a parasitologist from UC San Francisco as she delves into parasites and discusses what makes them interesting.

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Funded by the National Science Foundation and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

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Interviews with Parasitologists

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Click here to listen to interviews with some of our prominent members in the Society to learn more about the field of Parasitology.