Parasitology and Toxicology

The objective of the integrated course is to provide the student with basic knowledge on parasites, parasitic diseases, classes of drugs and potentially toxic compounds concerning animals of zootechnical interest.
The student will have to acquire the knowledge to evaluate and implement biosecurity plans for parasitic diseases and the basic principles that regulate the kinetic and dynamic behavior of drugs and toxic compounds in the various species of zootechnical interest, as well as know the regulatory bases governing the use of the drug in livestock.
Finally, students will acquire skills in relation to zoonotic parasitic agents and the environmental impact of drug and toxic residues through the use of sewage deriving from food-producing animals.

1. Knowledge and understanding
Parasitology: at the end of the course, the student must demonstrate knowledge of the main parasites that affect animals in intensive and extensive livestock production. He/she must demonstrate understanding of the transmission routes, the effects of parasitic diseases and their impact on animal welfare and food safety.
Toxicology: at the end of the course, the student must demonstrate knowledge of the principles that regulate the kinetics and dynamics of xenobiotics, the evaluation of their safety in livestock, their impact on the environment and the main classes of substances that have toxic activity. He/she must also acquire basic knowledge of the veterinary drug, its potential toxic effects and its management on farms.

2. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
Parasitology: the student must demonstrate knowledge and concepts useful for evaluating and implementing monitoring and control plans aimed at preventing parasitic diseases. Must demonstrate that he/she knows how to monitor the presence of parasitic agents, apply prevention strategies in intensive and extensive farming, thus also contributing to the improvement of animal welfare and food safety.
Toxicology: the student must demonstrate that he/she has acquired knowledge useful in order to understand and manage the possible presence of substances that have toxic activity or reduce the productive efficiency of the farm, including those used for therapeutic purposes, as well as being able to understand the management of the drug on the farm and the pharmacovigilance activity.

3. Critical and judgment skills
Parasitology: the student must demonstrate that he/she knows how to critically argue the information acquired, evaluating the risks and solutions related to parasitic diseases. Specific practical exercises on parasitological analyses are addressed in this sense, completed by discussions of case studies and drafting of control plans for farms with different management methods.
Toxicology: the student must demonstrate the ability to critically argue the information acquired, evaluating the risks and management of potential negative effects related to the presence and use of toxicants and drugs in animal husbandry for food production, including environmental ones, for the consumer and for operators in the sector.

4. Ability to communicate what has been learned
Parasitology: the student must demonstrate the ability to express themselves with scientifically appropriate terminology, in particular with regard to parasitological terminology relevant to the zootechnical field. Practical exercises and oral discussions will be intended to stimulate the ability to express oneself correctly and to discuss scientifically with peers and experts in the sector.
Toxicology: the student must demonstrate the ability to deal with the issues related to the presence of toxicants and veterinary drugs in breeding with the appropriate pharmaco-toxicological terminology, considering danger and safety.

5. Lifelong learning skills
Parasitology: the student must demonstrate the ability to use the knowledge acquired to interpret and address new scenarios relating to the management of parasitic diseases, using up-to-date sources of knowledge and good mental organization. He/she must be able to independently follow scientific and regulatory developments in the field of interest of the course.
Toxicology: the student must demonstrate the ability to use the knowledge acquired to understand and manage the various toxicological and drug management situations by following the constantly evolving scientific and regulatory developments.