AQUATIC ENVIRONMENTS: AWARENESS AND COMMUNICATION
- Overview
- Assessment methods
- Learning objectives
- Contents
- Full programme
- Teaching methods
- Contacts/Info
No special prerequisites are necessary but only a propensity towards current environmental issues
The assessment of learning is carried out with a final written test. The written test lasts one hour and includes three open-ended questions, each on one of the main themes of the course program. Everyone is offered a further preliminary question relating to exits on the territory
The final grade is expressed in thirtieths.
The teacher positively evaluates the ability to organize knowledge in a reasoned way, rigor and argumentative originality. For the question related to the exits on the territory positively evaluates the capacity for critical reasoning. Quality of exposure and the use of the appropriate and specialized vocabulary are essential to pass the exam brilliantly. Any praise rewards students who demonstrate particular ability to deepen the topics covered.
This course deals with the priority theme of knowledge, use and communication to outline the correct and rational use of water resources. The concepts, principles and laws of basic ecology are illustrated to evaluate the alterations of natural water cycles in natural ecosystems (lakes in particular) due to human activities. It is therefore intended to provide cognitive tools and correct management of the water resource. The ways to transform water from a risk to a resource with a view to global environmental sustainability are indicated.
EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES
The student at the end of the course will be able to:
1. Understand the main characteristics of aquatic ecosystems;
2. discuss different case studies that exemplify the different forms of pollution that exist such as eutrophication, acidification, micropollutant contamination of soils and bodies of water in anthropized and remote areas.
3. evaluate the role of water in the life of our planet
4. identify actions to promote water resources as a model of sustainable development
Aquatic ecosystems (32 hours)
Characteristics, peculiarities of lake basins and their management
Water as a resource (32 hours)
The cultural value of water
The wars for water
Initiatives for the protection and enhancement of water systems
Aquatic ecosystems (32 hours)
Abiotic and biotic characteristics of lakes
•trophic loads, cultural eutrophication due to excess phosphates, the problem of toxic algae
•recovery of aquatic environments (liming, biomanipulation)
•hydrotransmitted pathogens
•presence of micropollutants in aquatic environments
Water as a resource (32 hours)
•territorial imbalances in water use
•The contests for blue gold
•Solutions for the retrieval of water in a sustainable perspective
The course includes lectures for a total of 64 hours; some lessons will be held outside the classroom for a greater understanding of the phenomena described in class.
The lectures include the use by the teacher of power point slides to better illustrate the topics.
The teacher receives before or at the end of each lesson or in her study on any day of the week by e-mail appointment (roberta.bettinetti@uninsubria.it)