ECOLOGY OF SUSTAINABILITY
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- Assessment methods
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- Full programme
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No prerequisites are required
The exam is written and structured in multiple choice questions and open questions; all the required topics will be covered in an expanded way using diagrams, graphs and summary illustrations. The questions will focus on all the topics covered, in order to allow a complete evaluation of the didactic preparation The exam will take place in a 1-hour The exam will be positively evaluated if a score of 18/30 is reached It is not permitted to leave the classroom during the test, nor to keep cell phones or other electronic devices with you. All the sheets handed in at the beginning of the exam must be returned at the end of the same with the name, surname and matriculation number. All the topics covered during the course, uploaded to the E-learning platform, will be the subject of the exam. Only students who are regularly registered online for the exam will be admitted to take the exam: they must show up with their university card. Those caught copying during the exam will have their assignment cancelled. In case of refusal of the final grade, the student must communicate this within 5 days of the publication of the result on the ESSE3 platform.
The course introduces the knowledge of the ecosystem structure based on the analysis of complexity and the General Theory of Systems. This allows to acquire critical knowledge about issues related to the science of sustainability and sustainable development. The integration of these topics provides tools for the analysis of environmental alterations and technical and legislative solutions. In particular, the tools and indicators for the technical analysis of environmental alteration, European legislative and requalification strategies of environmental integrity will be provided. The last objective will be to apply the sustainability approach on altered aquatic environments LEARNING OUTCOMES At the end of the course, the student will be able to: 1. Know the theoretical framework relating to ecology and sustainability science. 2. improve skills necessary to carry out activities of control of environmental integrity and ecological sustainability of environments subject to alterations (e.g. aquatic environments) 3. provide theoretical notions necessary to develop a critical analysis in an interdisciplinary perspective. 4. know the technical language of Ecology useful for understanding the academic approach to sustainability. 5. acquire the notions necessary to develop a critical analysis, presenting the foundations of ecology in an interdisciplinary perspective 6. Know the normative references of the development of sustainability science 7. develop the ability to compare and evaluate environmental alterations, choosing the most suitable tools for restoring ecological integrity according to the principles of sustainability 8. develop the ability to address problems in a transversal manner or be able to collaborate in the environmental monitoring of altered systems 9. improve the ability to extract and synthesize relevant information 10. know how to communicate effectively with experts in the sector
The course topics are selected to provide a comprehensive theoretical framework relating to ecology and sustainability science, useful for refining the knowledge and skills needed to carry out environmental integrity and ecological sustainability monitoring activities. The course is divided into two modules dedicated to Ecology (26 hours) and sustainability science (14 hours). 8 hours will then be dedicated to the technical and legislative analysis of the recovery of altered river environments according to the principle of the Water FrameWork Directive
Ecology: - General Systems Theory (4 hours) - Complexity and chaos theory (4 hours) - Energy and climate: climate models (4 hours) - Energy and complexity of natural systems (4 hours) - Matter and energy: resources and reserves (6 hours) - Population and demography (4 hours) The science of sustainability - Science of sustainability (4 hours) - Sustainable development and schools of sustainability (4 hours) - Ecosystem services (2 hours) - Ecosystem approach (2 hours) - Green new deal (4 hours) - Integrated environmental management (IEM) and environmental indicators (2 hours) Technical and legislative analysis of environmental recovery applied to altered river environments - Water Framework Directive WFD (4 hours) - Indicators and indices of ecological alteration (2 hours) A case study of restoration and renaturalization strategy will be proposed using literature material (2 hours)
The course is based on frontal theoretical lessons.
Students can meet with the professor in her office by previous phone or email appointment (e-mail: serena.zaccara@uninsubria.it phone number: 0332422421).