The course offers an introduction to parasites in general, pathophysiology and tropical parasitic diseases such as malaria, trypanosomiasis, filariasis, schistosomiasis and gastrointestinal worm infestations. It also offers the understanding in the biochemistry of the causative agent in parasitic diseases with emphasis on host-parasite interrelationships. The course also discusses the key metabolic pathways of parasites or their host that can be exploited in the design of chemotherapeutic agents.