Supplies needed for labs

Source Number per student Total number for FISH 406 Item
general teaching supplies 1 24 stereomicroscope + illumination
general teaching supplies 0.5 12 compound microscope
general teaching supplies 1 pair per class several boxes of each size nitrile gloves
general teaching supplies 1 24 dissecting trays with wax
general teaching supplies many several boxes dissecting pins
general teaching supplies many several boxes microscope slides
general teaching supplies many several boxes cover slips
general teaching supplies 1 24 scalpel handles
general teaching supplies 1 several boxes #10 scalpel blades
general teaching supplies 1 24 coarse dissecting scissors
general teaching supplies 1 24 fine dissecting scissors
general teaching supplies 2 48 forceps
general teaching supplies 1 24 probes
general teaching supplies 1 1 box plastic pipettes
general teaching supplies 1 1 box glass pipettes
general teaching supplies 1 24 pipette bulbs
general teaching supplies 1 24 small glass beakers
general teaching supplies 2 48 Syracuse dishes (heavy-bottomed, shallow glass dishes)
general teaching supplies 2 48 watch glasses
general teaching supplies 0.5 12 glass dishes with divots for holding small specimens in fluid
general teaching supplies 1 24 plastic calipers
general teaching supplies 1 24 12” rulers
general teaching supplies 1 24 6” rulers
general teaching supplies 0.5 12 squeeze bottles
general teaching supplies shared 1 for each lab table spray bottle of bleach
general teaching supplies shared 1 for each lab table spray bottle of cleaning solution
general teaching supplies shared 1 for each sink hand soap
general teaching supplies shared a bunch paper towels
general teaching supplies shared 4 red biohazard bags
obtained new each year 1 as many as requested empty three-ring binders
obtained new each year shared 1 ream white printer paper
obtained new each year 0.5 24 schistosome-infected mice from BRI Resources / NIH
obtained new each year shared a bucket seawater
obtained new each year 0.5 24 whole, ungutted, wild fish from the seafood market
obtained new each year 0.5 24 1 small can of wild salmon
obtained new each year 1 48 Hemigrapsus oregonensis and H. nudus collected from Tacoma Narrows, WA
obtained new each year shared 2 batch of 100 living termites from Carolina Biological Supply
obtained new each year shared several poop samples from several dog individuals (with metadata on dogs)
obtained new each year shared several poop samples from several elk/deer/cougar/otter individuals (with metadata on hosts)
parasitology teaching supplies shared shared three-hole punch
parasitology teaching supplies shared a few boxes colored pencils
parasitology teaching supplies shared 500 mL mammal Ringer’s solution
parasitology teaching supplies shared 500 mL insect Ringer’s solution
parasitology teaching supplies 1 24 lunch trays
parasitology teaching supplies 2 48 glass squash plates
parasitology teaching supplies 1 48 preserved Ascaris spp. nematodes
parasitology teaching supplies 1 48 fecalyzers
parasitology teaching supplies shared 1 gallon zinc sulfate solution for fecalyzers
parasitology teaching supplies shared 1 container mineral oil
parasitology teaching supplies shared 4 immersion oil
parasitology teaching supplies shared 4 hammer


Class agendas

Class 1

Agenda:

  • instructor introduces herself and any TAs
  • reminder about class meetings (labs, holidays) coming up this week
  • reminder to turn on Canvas notifications
  • instructor relays the story of how she got interested in parasites
  • instructor invites students to introduce themselves
  • instructor reviews course website
  • instructor reviews Canvas page
  • instructor reviews class norms
  • PollEverywhere questions
  • in-class activities shown in class_1.ppt


Class 2

Agenda:

  • summarize Lab 1
  • remind students to take Qualtrics survey
  • remind students about weekly quizzes via Canvas
  • in-class activities shown in class_2.ppt


Class 3

Agenda:

  • remind students to take week 1 quiz
  • contextualize Parasites Without Borders videos - students are responsible for the ecology parts, not the medicine (don’t worry about drug dosages!)
  • they just watched videos with me playing the flute - mention that!
  • introduce variationson theme, relate from music to parasites
  • in-class activities shown in class_3.ppt


Class 4

Agenda:

  • introduce term project, encourage students to start thinking about what ecological question they might like to answer, remind them to do the How to Do Ecology readings
  • remind students about weekly quizzes
  • context for today’s activities on schistosomes: parasites are cool but they also do terrible things to real people
  • schistosomiasis is a disease where aquatic ecology and public health meet
  • in-class activities shown in class_4.ppt


Class 5

Agenda:

  • remind students to use nametags so that instructor can learn everyone’s name
  • recap yesterday’s lab, ask students which parasites they saw
  • remind students about weekly quizzes
  • remind students where to find information about term project on the course website
  • remind students that the How to Do Ecology readings will help them with the term project
  • take a survey of students’ preferred podcasts and recommend This Week in Parasitism for review
  • introduce Chelsea’s work on schistosomiasis in Senegal, explain the motivation (aquatic ecology in service of public health)
  • in-class activities shown in class_5.ppt


Class 6

Agenda:

  • show students the PLOT OF FEAR: fear_of_parasites ~ knowledge_of_parasites
  • remind students about week 2 quiz, due today at 11:59pm
  • review readings from last class: query students about historical ecology of parasitism (Wood et al. 2023) and parasite conservation (Carlson et al. 2020)
  • remind students that many of the datasets available for their term project pertain to long-term change in parasite populations
  • today’s parasite taxa are a grab bag: flatworms (Turbellaria, Fecampiida, and Monogenea) and cnidarians (Myxozoa)
  • in-class activities shown in class_6.ppt
  • Google Doc link for Q3 is here


Class 7

Agenda:

  • today we transition into the Class Cestoda
  • remind students about tomorrow’s lab, which will focus on cestodes
  • remind students that they should be ready to present a research question in next week’s lab (21 Oct)
  • finish up in-class activities shown in class_6.ppt
  • in-class activities shown in class_7.ppt


Class 8

Agenda:

  • ask students to recap yesterday’s lab
  • address William’s question: why is Kronborgia pugettensis pink?
  • remind students that they should be ready to present a research question in next week’s lab (21 Oct)
  • finish up in-class activities shown in class_7.ppt
  • in-class activities shown in class_8.ppt


Class 9

Agenda:

  • remind students about week 3 quiz, due today at 11:59pm
  • remind students that they should be ready to present a research question in next week’s lab (21 Oct)
  • today we make the transition to the nematodes
  • there are a lot of videos assigned for today, so make sure you’re caught up!
  • finish up in-class activities shown in class_8.ppt
  • in-class activities shown in class_9.ppt


Class 10

Agenda:

  • notify students of Canvas outage and remind them that they can access info about the course on this website, anytime
  • remind students that lab will be held in FISH 106 tomorrow
  • remind students that they should be ready to present a research question in TOMORROW’S lab (21 Oct)
  • today we continue into the Phylum Nematoda
  • define schmutzdecke (from Dickson’s videos)
  • finish up in-class activities shown in class_9.ppt
  • in-class activities shown in class_10.ppt


Class 11

Agenda:

  • review yesterday’s lab sections, in which students presented their research questions
  • if you presented in lab, you will receive 1 point toward that assignment
  • review next week’s lab assignment: preliminary analysis, due Tuesday, 28 Oct
  • remind students of late policy
  • remind students that the midterm is next week, Friday, 31 Oct
  • practice midterm will be posted this week
  • in-class activities shown in class_11.ppt


Class 12

Agenda:

  • remind students about week 4 quiz, due today at 11:59pm
  • remind students about next week’s lab assignment: preliminary analysis, due Tuesday, 28 Oct at 11:59pm
  • remind students that the midterm is next week, Friday, 31 Oct
  • practice midterm is posted
  • remind students that Wednesday’s class will be a conversation with a real-life rat lungworm patient
  • in-class activities shown in class_12.ppt


Class 13

Agenda:

  • remind students about the preliminary analysis assignment due tomorrow, 28 Oct at 11:59pm
  • remind students that the midterm is this week, Friday, 31 Oct
  • clarify that there are no readings due on the day of the midterm (check the Schedule tab to see which class number is assigned to which day)
  • practice midterm is posted
  • remind students that Wednesday’s class will be a conversation with a real-life rat lungworm patient and you must watch the video ahead of time - to access the video, you will need to either be on campus or use a VPN!
  • distribute nasal strips + microscope slides for tomorrow’s arthropod lab!
  • in-class activities shown in class_13.ppt


Class 14

Agenda:

  • thank students for submitting preliminary analysis and remind them of late policy
  • remind students that the midterm is this week, Friday, 31 Oct
  • remind students of TA office hours posted here
  • live discussion with a real-life rat lungworm patient!


Class 15

Agenda:

  • exams are being graded and will be returned to you soon
  • preliminary analysis assignments are in progress - you should already have received some feedback and you will soon receive more
  • review findings of face mites and Portunion conformis in last week’s lab
  • ask that students send photos of lab findings - the best will be included on the course website (with attribution)
  • remind students about the introduction section assignment due tomorrow, Tueday, 4 Nov
  • remind students of the late policy
  • remind students that TA office hours are cancelled this week, but Chelsea is here and happy to meet with you!
  • in-class activities shown in class_15.ppt


Class 16

Agenda:

  • exams grades will be released today, graded exam returned in Friday’s class
  • check out the feedback on your preliminary analysis assignment in Canvas
  • review of Introduction sections is happening, feedback done by next week
  • remind students about the first draft assignment due Tuesday, 11 Nov
  • remind students that TA office hours are cancelled this week, but Chelsea is here and happy to meet with you!
  • in-class activities shown in class_16.ppt


Class 17

Agenda:

  • graded exams will be returned at the end of class
  • review of Introduction sections is happening, feedback done by next week
  • remind students about the first draft assignment due Tuesday, 11 Nov
  • remind students of Chelsea’s office hours at 1:30pm this afternoon
  • remind students that there is no class on Monday, 10 Nov and no lab on Tuesday, 11 Nov (Veterans Day) - please use this time to work on your first drafts!
  • in-class activities shown in class_17.ppt


Class 18

Agenda:

  • if you have not yet picked up your graded exam, please see Chelsea
  • review of Introduction sections is done, see Canvas for comments
  • remind students about the peer-review assignment due Tuesday, 18 Nov
  • review upcoming deadlines as shown in course schedule
  • Gabby will be leading class this Friday, 14 Nov!
  • in-class activities shown in class_18.ppt


Class 19

Agenda:

  • remind students about the peer-review assignment due Tuesday, 18 Nov
  • review upcoming deadlines as shown in course schedule: note final exam review is Tuesday, 25 Nov and poster presentations are Tuesday, 2 December
  • bring dog poop to lab on Tuesday, 18 Nov!! (if you want; ABSOLUTELY no cat or raccoon poop)
  • in-class activities shown in class_19.ppt


Class 20

Agenda:

  • remind students that ALL course content is found in the videos; if you are not watching and taking notes on the videos, you are missing the most important part of the course!
  • remind students about the peer-review assignment due tomorrow, Tuesday, 18 Nov
  • review upcoming deadlines as shown in course schedule: note final exam review is Tuesday, 25 Nov and poster presentations are Tuesday, 2 December
  • bring dog poop to lab on Tuesday, 18 Nov!! (if you want; ABSOLUTELY no cat or raccoon poop)
  • in-class activities shown in class_20.ppt


Class 21

Agenda:

  • remind students that ALL course content is found in the videos; if you are not watching and taking notes on the videos, you are missing the most important part of the course!
  • remind students about the second-draft assignment due Tuesday, 25 Nov
  • review this week’s protozoa/poop lab
  • remind students of the two assigned readings for this class
  • in-class activities shown in class_21.ppt


Class 22

Agenda:

  • remind students that ALL course content is found in the videos; if you are not watching and taking notes on the videos, you are missing the most important part of the course!
  • don’t forget: you need to watch a whole movie (Contagion) for our next class session!
  • remind students about the second-draft assignment due Tuesday, 25 Nov
  • big active day! We are going over the malaria life cycle, so make sure to take a look at it before class / if you miss class today!
  • use feedback you recieved on your drafts from classmates and/or Chelsea to improve your drafts for next Tuesday!
  • in-class activities shown in class_22.ppt


Class 23

Agenda:

  • remind students that ALL course content is found in the videos; if you are not watching and taking notes on the videos, you are missing the most important part of the course!
  • remind students about the second-draft assignment due tomorrow, Tuesday, 25 Nov
  • tomorrow’s exam review lab will be held in FISH 106 - please come with questions, especially ones about the practice exam
  • next week: you will present your term project in the form of a poster, which is due Monday (NOT TUESDAY), 1 Dec at 11:59pm
  • next week: our final exam will be held Friday, 5 Dec during class time
  • in-class activities shown in class_23.ppt


Class 24

Agenda:

  • no class this Friday, 28 Dec (see course schedule), but don’t forget that the week 9 quiz is due on Friday, 28 Dec
  • next week: you will present your term project in the form of a poster, which is due Monday (NOT TUESDAY), 1 Dec at 11:59pm
  • see the course website for details on how to prepare your poster
  • second-draft assignments will be returned with instructors’ comments by Tuesday, 2 Dec
  • next week: our final exam will be held Friday, 5 Dec during class time
  • in-class activities shown in class_24.ppt


Class 25

Agenda:

  • tomorrow: you will present your term project in the form of a poster, which is due today, Monday (NOT TUESDAY), 1 Dec at 11:59pm
  • see the course website for details on how to prepare your poster
  • second-draft assignments will be returned with instructors’ comments by Tuesday, 2 Dec
  • our final exam will be held Friday, 5 Dec during class time
  • if 90% of enrolled students complete these our two course evaluations, I will add a 5-point bonus question to the final! links are in Canvas announcements
  • if you’re taking the exam in DRS Center, drop off your lab notebook after you’re done, in Chelsea’s office (318B)
  • in-class activities shown in class_25.ppt


Class 26

Agenda:

  • nice job on your posters!
  • use comments on your second-draft assignments to improve your draft ahead of the final draft submission deadline of Thursday, 11 Dec
  • our final exam will be held Friday, 5 Dec during class time
  • if you’re taking the exam in DRS Center, drop off your lab notebook after you’re done, in Chelsea’s office (318B)
  • if 90% of enrolled students complete these our two course evaluations, I will add a 5-point bonus question to the final! links are in Canvas announcements
  • in-class activities shown in class_26.ppt


Rules for TAs


Preparing for the quarter

In preparation to TA FISH 406, TAs should do the following:

  • take the appropriate training to obtain access the UW vivarium (talk to Chelsea about how to get this started)
  • familiarize yourself with all course content, including readings and videos
  • read Combes’ Parasitism: The Ecology and Evolution of Intimate Interactions
  • read Karban, Huntzinger, and Pearse’s How to Do Ecology: A Concise Handbook
  • read Roberts and Janovy’s Foundations of Parasitology
  • work with the SAFS Facilities Manager to move all equipment and supplies into the teaching lab
  • check over the stockpile of teaching supplies and let Chelsea know if we are running low on anything
  • prepare living materials for the first few labs (especially the living schistosome-infected mice that are used in Lab 1)
  • set up the lab so that it is ready for students (e.g., arrange benches, microscopes, dissection tools, slides)
  • tune up the microscopes so that they are ready for students (e.g., clean optics, tighten screws)
  • check the agreement between the course website and Canvas site, especially screening for date discrepancies
  • consider whether and which class sessions you would like to lead, and let Chelsea know


Office hours

Each TA is required to hold one regularly scheduled 60-minute office hour per week. Before the quarter starts, please tell Chelsea when you’d like to hold your office hour, and she will update the course website accordingly. If you must cancel your office hour (e.g., due to illness), you are required to hold a make-up office hour as soon as possible thereafter. When students are not available during regularly scheduled office hours, TAs are required to make themselves available for meetings by appointment.


Instructional personnel meetings

FISH 406 TAs are required to make themselves available for weekly 30-minute instructional personnel meetings, where we prepare for the coming week’s labs, events, and assignments. Usually, these meetings are held in the 30 minutes following class every Friday (1:30-2pm).


Travel

TAing FISH 406 is a commitment and we take our responsibility to students very seriously. FISH 406 TAs are therefore not permitted to engage, during the quarter of their TAship, in any travel that would interfere with their ability to attend lecture, lab sessions, or regularly scheduled office hours. This includes field work and conference travel in addition to personal travel. No vacation or holiday time may be taken when classes are in session during the quarter of a FISH 406 TAship. Outside of the weeks when classes are in session, vacation and holiday time requests will be approved only if these requests do not interfere with FISH 406 commitments (e.g., preparing laboratory space for the quarter, grading final exams). This allows the instructional staff of the course to dedicate the time and attention that our students deserve.


Grading

In FISH 406, TAs are empowered to contribute to grading (e.g., lab notebooks, exams), but final decision-making authority rests with the instructor of record (Chelsea). TAs are expected:

  • to be familiar with all course policies, especially those that pertain to grading,
  • to avoid misinforming students about these policies, and
  • to point students to these policies when needed.

TAs are strictly forbidden from changing student grades without first consulting Chelsea; if it is discovered that a TA has changed a grade without first consulting Chelsea, Canvas gradebook privileges will be removed from all TAs and the TA who broke the rule will become ineligible for future FISH 406 TAships.


Norming

One of the most important duties of a FISH 406 TA is to provide feedback to students on their work: on exams, independent research projects, and presentations. To make sure that we are providing equal levels of support across students and grading by the same standards, the FISH 406 instructional team will periodically engage in “norming” exercises. When we “norm” our feedback for a given assignment, we will all get together to evaluate the same few assignments, compare our feedback, and discuss how to bring our feedback into alignment. We continue doing this until the instructor of record (Chelsea) is satisfied that every member of the instructional team is on the same page. This may be repeated for each exam/assignment.


This site was last updated at 08:37 on 07 Jan 2026