Learning objectives
The course aims to provide the basics of animal biology with particular regard to ecological, methodological and terminological aspects related to the role and impact of animal biodiversity in agroecosystems. To achieve the objectives, the course will deal with the concepts underlying the mechanisms and processes of the evolution and origin of diversity, animal biodiversity, living communities (ecosystems and agroecosystems) and inefficiencies and ecosystem services, the relationship between agriculture and biodiversity, as well as good practices for the protection of animal biodiversity in agroecosystems and associated services.
Taking into account the Dublin Indicators (DI) for Teaching, the Course will allow the student to:
- Acquire the fundamentals of the methods and purposes of scientific research in general and zoological research in particular applied to agroecosystems (ID: Knowledge and understanding; Making judgments).
- To tackle the study of the bases of animal biology and biodiversity with an ecological-evolutionary-adaptive approach. Acquire the methodological and basic principles that will allow to face more easily some courses of the following years in which there will be references to basic biology and ecology (ID: Knowledge and understanding).
- Identify connections among studied topics and linking them to basic or similar disciplines (DI: Learning skills; Making judgments).
Prerequisites
- - -
Course unit content
The course provides the basics of animal biology with particular regard to ecological, methodological and terminological aspects related to the role and impact of animal biodiversity in agroecosystems.
Full programme
- INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY OF ANIMAL BIOLOGY.
Life and his study. The unifying themes of the Life Sciences.
Zoology as part of Biology. Zoology as a scientific process.
The scientific method
Zoology: from basic science to applications.
Basic elements of animal biology.
- ANIMAL BIODIVERSITY.
What is animal biodiversity: general concepts, origin and diversification, importance, threats, monitoring and conservation.
Basic principles of the mechanisms and processes of evolution and the origin of diversity.
Brief history of life on our planet. Focus on the animals.
Elements of animal classification and taxonomic nomenclature.
- FROM INDIVIDUALS TO COMMUNITIES.
Brief introduction and general principles of animal ecology:
what is an ecosystem; ecology of populations and communities.
- AGRICULTURE AND BIODIVERSITY. Elements of agricultural zoology.
Agroecosystems: general characteristics.
Animals and plants: an inseparable bond.
Animal biodiversity in the agroecosystem: disservices and ecosystem services.
Climate change. animal biodiversity and agriculture.
Good practices for the protection of animal biodiversity in agroecosystems and associated services.
THEMATIC SEMINARS
Bibliography
Slides, specific scientific articles and links to web sites will be available to download by the students on the web platform “Elly”. Instructional materials could be updated during the Course.
CAMPBELL – MECCANISMI DELL’EVOLUZIONE E ORIGINI DELLA DIVERSITÁ, di Reece et al., Pearson (2021)
Manuale di ZOOLOGIA AGRARIA, di AA.VV., Antonio Delfino Editore (ristampa 2020)
BIOLOGIA DELLA CONSERVAZIONE, di Richard Primack, Luigi Boitani., Zanichelli Editore (2013)
Teaching methods
Lectures made using also multimedia tools. Analysis of case studies for a better understanding of the principles and the experimental methods used in the field of animal biology.
Slide used during classes will be weekly available to download on Elly platform. To download the slides, students need to be registered on-line to the Course.
Importantly, the slides are not a substitute for lessons or of the Textbooks but are considered part of the accompanying instructional materials. Students should frequently control instructional materials and other information provided by the Teacher on the Elly web site.
Assessment methods and criteria
The examination consists of a written test (multiple choice test, 11 questions) aimed at verifying the ability of the student to tackle problems of animal biology and diversity using the methodological principles and knowledge acquired during the course; evaluating the student's ability to carry out cross-links between the various topics covered during the Course.
The exam is passed with a score of at least 18. The maximum possible score is 33 (3 points for ech complete answer, fraction of 3 for partial answers evaluated on the basis of the multiple choice available); 30 cum laude is obtained with a score of 31 or more.
Please note that the course of Animal biodiversity is the first module of the integrated course "Animal and plant biodiversity in agroecosystems" (6 CFU) whose overcoming requires a positive score in both modules of 3 credits of which it is composed. The final grade is the average of the ratings given in the two modules.
Other information
Information on the aim and content of the course (see above and below) are associated with the relative "Dublin Indicators" (DI) that characterize their purposes.
Dublin Indicators:
- Knowledge and understanding;
- Applying knowledge and understanding;
- Making judgements;
- Communication skills;
- Learning skills.
