ECOLOGY
- Overview
- Assessment methods
- Learning objectives
- Contents
- Bibliography
- Teaching methods
- Contacts/Info
Basic knowledge of zoology, botanic, and organic and inorganic chemistry
There will be a final written exams for evaluating: a) the acquired knowledge and the gained comprehension of key ecological issues (60%), b) ability in applying the acquired knowledge for discussing the environmental thematic (20%) and c) autonomy in interpreting the principal ecological theories (20%).
The course is devoted to deeply analyze the major questions, approaches, applications and tools of modern ecology. This will include consideration of physical, chemical, and biological components of the ecosystems. The many threats facing the natural resources will be also considered in topic lectures.
Learning outcomes: Understand and explain major ecological concepts. Use scientific skills to analyze and solve ecological problems. Effectively communicate ecological problems and solutions.
Formulate logical hypotheses and test them by designing appropriate experiments analyses.
Use scientific knowledge of ecology to analyze present environmental crisis. At the end of the course the student will have gained the following skills: a) knowledge on the principal environmental problematic; b) ability in analyzing the different levels of the life forms organization; c) understanding of the basic mechanisms of interaction between biotic and abiotic components.
Energy fluxes at global level and through the biological compartments and key biogeochemical cycles. Structural and functional properties of the different organization level of the life: individual, population and community. Principal natural terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems of the biosphere. Case studies on ecological management techniques. Ecosystem services.
Elementi di Ecologia T.M. Smith e R.L. Smith, ed. Pearson; Basi di Ecologia E.P. Odum, ed. Piccin.
Slides and the electronic material used in the course will be placed in the e-learning site.
The educational objectives will be achieved during 48 hours of lectures. During the course specific case studies will be presented and discussed in order to promote the student ability of applying the acquired knowledge.
The students can meet the professor upon appointment