Educational objectives 1) "The module of Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology aims to provide basic knowledge on the role played by microorganisms in ecosystems, the impact on biological phenomena, their role in biological and biotechnological processes of water treatment, composting, bioremediation and for the valorization of by-products of the agri-food industry. The knowledge and skills acquired in the module will constitute a reference framework for the understanding and application of biotechnology in the environmental, agricultural and urban sectors.
A - Knowledge and understanding
OF 1) To know the diversity, physiology, and ecological roles of microorganisms in natural and engineered ecosystems.
OF 2) To understand the mechanisms by which microorganisms contribute to biogeochemical cycles and environmental sustainability.
OF 3) To know the principles and applications of microbial processes in water treatment, composting, and bioremediation.
OF 4) To understand microbial interactions and their role in the valorization of agri-food by-products.
OF 5) To understand the basic concepts of environmental biotechnology and how they relate to microbial ecology.
OF 6) To know current strategies and technologies used in environmental and industrial microbiology.
B - Application skills
OF 7) To be able to deduce the most suitable microbial or biotechnological approach for a given environmental problem.
OF 8) To be able to solve problems related to pollution, waste management, or bioresource recovery using microbial-based strategies.
OF 9) To be able to apply microbiological methods and biotechnological techniques for environmental monitoring and treatment.
OF 10) To be able to interpret experimental results and data from microbiological and biotechnological analyses.
C - Autonomy of judgment
OF 11) To be able to evaluate the sustainability and feasibility of microbial or biotechnological processes in environmental applications.
OF 12) To be able to integrate the knowledge acquired in order to formulate appropriate solutions for environmental and agricultural challenges.
OF 13) To be able to critically assess scientific literature and innovations in the field of environmental microbiology.
D - Communication skills
OF 14) To know how to communicate scientific information and project results clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
OF 15) To be able to collaborate and interact in interdisciplinary teams in the context of environmental biotechnology.
E - Ability to learn
OF 16) Have the ability to consult scientific literature and databases to stay updated on microbial and biotechnological advances.
OF 17) Have the ability to evaluate experimental protocols and design new strategies for microbiological or biotechnological applications.
OF 18) Being able to conceive and develop a small-scale project related to microbial applications in environmental management.
2) "The module ""Diagnostic Strategies for the Protection of Agricultural, Forest, and Urban Ecosystems"" aims to provide theoretical and practical knowledge related to the main diagnostic strategies used for the detection and identification of pathogens and contaminants in agricultural, forest, and urban ecosystems.
A. Knowledge and Understanding
OF 1) Acquire theoretical knowledge of diagnostic strategies for detecting pathogens and microorganisms in agricultural, forest, and urban ecosystems.
OF 2) Understand the operating principles, advantages, and limitations of the main traditional, immunological, and molecular diagnostic techniques.
OF 3) Understand the importance of food safety and the detection of contaminants such as mycotoxins and pesticides.
B. Application skills
OF 4) Apply specific sampling protocols for different ecological and environmental contexts.
OF 5) Be able to use classical and advanced microbiological techniques for the identification of pathogens and the analysis of microbial communities.
OF 6) Be able to conduct analyses for the detection of plant pathogens using PCR-based methods (LAMP, qPCR) and microbial community analysis through Nanopore sequencing technology.
C. Autonomy of judgment
OF 7) Be able to critically select the most appropriate diagnostic methodologies according to the type of ecosystem and the phytosanitary or environmental issue to be addressed.
OF 8) Evaluate the quality and reliability of results obtained through different analytical techniques.
D. Communication Skills
OF 9) Be able to effectively communicate diagnostic results to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
OF 10) Be able to draft technical reports and deliver oral presentations using appropriate scientific language.
E. Ability to learn
OF 11) Develop cross-disciplinary skills to autonomously acquire and integrate new knowledge on emerging diagnostic methodologies across agricultural, forest, and urban ecosystems.
OF 12) Integrate multidisciplinary knowledge to address complex issues related to the health of agricultural, forest, and urban ecosystems.
|
Educational objectives The course aims to provide tools for the biodiversity assessment in natural ecosystems, in order to recognize the main management problems with protected areas coming from natural and anthropic constraints.
|
Educational objectives This course has the aim of teaching the basic principles of hydrogeology, to be used for research and quantitative evaluation of renewable groundwater resources. Students will understand and evaluate the hydrological budget, will know groundwater flow mechanisms and will read and understand hydrogeological maps and reports.
Learning outcomes: Knowledge and Understanding: Comprehension of basic concepts of groundwater flow and dynamics, evaluation of water budget components
Skills and Attributes: Reading and interpretation of hydrogeological maps, direct measurements on field of hydrological parameters"
|
Educational objectives "General objective
To develop essential ecological restoration skills based on vegetation and landscape analysis, identification of restoration goals and priorities, definition of reference models, assessment of expected benefits, and monitoring of results; knowledge, learning, and critical analysis of ecological restoration activities and projects developed at different scales and in different spatial contexts, in accordance with strategic objectives and standards at international, national, and local levels
A - Knowledge and understanding
OF 1) To know and understand basic principles, methods, and tools for the structural, functional, and dynamic analysis of vegetation and landscape
OF 2) To know and understand the basic principles of restoration ecology
B - Application skills
OF 3) To be able to identify restoration objectives and priorities and establish baseline models
OF 4) To be able to apply methods/techniques for assessing expected benefits, and monitoring results of ecological restoration interventions
OF5) ) To be able to select, integrate and apply the most appropriate ecological restoration tools and solutions, depending on the scale of investigation and the diversity of relevant spatial contexts, and consistently with current strategic and regulatory goals
C - Autonomy of judgment
OF 6) To be able to make a critical analysis of ecological restoration activities and projects, illustrated in seminar or thorough examination activities
D - Communication skills
OF 7) To know how to critically communicate and argue alternative ecological restoration solutions
E - Ability to learn
OF 8) Have the ability to pursue study independently through knowledge of the basic theoretical models for ecological landscape and vegetation analysis applied to restoration, as well as of the main institutional and scientific sources for retrieving data useful for implementing international, national, and local strategies and regulations"
|
Educational objectives To provide specialist knowledge on biological invasion processes on the example of vascular plants
Students will be able to analyse and describe problems related to the spread of invasive plant species.
Skills to be developed and expected learning outcomes:
To achieve knowledge and understanding of the process of naturalization and invasion of alien species, especially of vascular plants
To be able to apply the knowledge and skills learned on the invasion process and on the ecology of plant species
To be able to evaluate the invasiveness status of plant species and to formulate hypotheses on the biotic, abiotic and anthropogenic factors that influence the invasive process
To be able to effectively communicate the information known through oral presentations.
To be able to use different sources of information including textbooks, scientific bibliography, technical and regulatory documents, online databases in both Italian and English.
|
Educational objectives The course aims to provide knowledge about the unique characteristics of fungi and their organization, including modern experimental approaches in fungal biology and ecology, and the many ways in which fungi respond to environmental changes. The course also includes aspects of the taxonomic, functional and genetic diversity of fungi, with several examples from recent research. The student will acquire knowledge and skills in various fields related to fungal biotechnology, inspired by nature-based solutions, with sustainable applications such as bioremediation.
A - Knowledge and understanding
OF 1) Understand the main biological and ecological characteristics of fungi, with particular reference to the ecological and geological roles played by fungi and the ecosystem goods and services they provide.
OF 2) Understand the importance of fungi as bioresources for environmental sustainability.
OF 3) Understand the impacts of human activities on fungal biodiversity, how fungi can adapt to environmental changes, and the importance of conserving their biodiversity.
OF 4) Understand the mechanisms by which fungi interact with organic pollutants and potentially toxic elements, as well as their potential in bioremediation (mycoremediation), also in relation to other organisms such as bacteria in microbial consortia or plants in assisted phytoremediation.
OF 5) Understand the main culture techniques for the study, isolation, and identification of fungi; tolerance and resistance tests in the presence of potentially toxic substances; biodegradation tests for organic contaminants; and tests for evaluating the production of useful metabolites in the contexts of bioremediation and plant growth promotion.
B - Application skills
OF 7) Be able to identify the various ecological roles played by fungi and their potential applications in various contexts, including bioremediation and biomonitoring (e.g., the use of lichens and saproxylic fungi as environmental bioindicators).
OF 8) Solve problems related to the impacts of human activities with fungi in the context of environmental sustainability, biodiversity conservation, and the circular economy to achieve sustainability goals at the international level (e.g. the United Nations 2030 Agenda) as well as at the European and national levels.
OF 9) Be able to apply cultural techniques/methods and tests for the study of fungi, their application in various fields, including bioremediation and environmental restoration, plant growth promotion, biomonitoring, and the conservation of fungal biodiversity.
C - Autonomy of judgment
OF 10) Be able to assess the ecosystem goods and services that fungi can provide for achieving environmental sustainability goals and for addressing current environmental, social, and economic challenges.
OF 11) Integrate the knowledge acquired to address agricultural, industrial, and environmental challenges with nature-inspired solutions.
OF 12) Be able to independently search for sources and documents in the field of mycology, critically evaluate them from a scientific perspective, and use them to produce works, projects, articles, or other documents useful in various contexts, including scientific research.
D - Communication skills
OF 13) Be able to communicate clearly and using appropriate language (employing the correct technical and scientific terms in the field of mycology) to both specialists and non-specialists regarding what has been learned during the lectures, while linking different concepts and contexts.
OF 14) Be able to communicate through various means of communication, including creating PowerPoint presentations and preparing documents or reports on topics in the field of mycology or related subjects.
E - Ability to learn
OF 15) Be able to consult scientific literature related to the main areas of the discipline, even after the course has ended, to conduct research, experiments, and stay up to date independently.
OF 16) Be able to critically evaluate scientific articles or other scientific or non-scientific documentation, and discuss the topics covered, including the methodologies used and the main results obtained.
OF 17) Be able to design and develop research or science outreach projects on one or more topics in the field of mycology or related fields.
|
