This manual describes a range of well-tried practical exercises, drawn largely from the membership of the British Society for Parasitology, and currently used in the teaching of parasitology at undergraduate level. The primary aim is to promote and, hopefully, stimulate practical teaching in parasitology in institutions where levels of experience and resources devoted to the subject vary from substantial to none. For this reason, the exercises selected range from the simple, requiring little in the way of sophisticated equipment, and focusing on locally-available materials, to the more elaborate, in the fields of molecular biology and immunology; it is not intended to provide comprehensive coverage of practical parasitology. Use of the manual outside of the UK may require alternative materials and/or sources of materials.

Although the seven sections presented comprise information and exercises in different aspects of the subject, it is recognised that merging of a number of the exercises cited, or other modifications, may suit the local situation. For example, the species used in Section 1 could be substituted depending on availability; these and other adaptations are to be encouraged and, in many instances, alternative sources of material are suggested by authors. The decision on how best to produce a benchtop handout is a personal one, but readers are welcome to use the text and ideas presented here.

It is important to note that while every consideration to health and safety has been given by the authors, editors and the Society, no responsibility can be accepted if things go wrong.