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Academic year 2022/2023
Master's Degree (MSc) on BIODIVERSITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY
BIODIVERSITY AND ENVIROMENTAL BIOLOGY

Coordinator Prof. Cristina Maria Bernardina Salmeri
Class of Master's Degree (MSc) on Biology (LM-6)
2 years
PALERMO
Free access
Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies
Course Code
2196

Course info
The 2nd cycle Degree Course in "Biodiversity and Environmental Biology" completes the training in biological subjects received during the 1st cycle Degree in Biology or other similar degrees, related to natural science and environment topics. The foremost objective is to train expert graduates with advanced and operational skills in the field of biodiversity, seen as an integrated evolving system, from the understanding and defence of which depends the maintenance of the biological and environmental balance, for the sustainable use of biological and environmental resources too. Individual teachings use the knowledge of the properties of biological systems acquired in the previous three-year degree, improving the skills about issues related to the organism-environment interaction and to the evolutionary mechanisms generating biodiversity. Particularly important is the acquisition of methodological, instrumental and analytical skills for the: 1. Knowledge of evolution and taxonomic diversity; 2. Characterisation of environment and natural biological resources; 3. determination of molecular and genetic markers for the taxonomic identification, phylogenesis and adaptive responses: 4. Naturalistic and educational dissemination of biological disciplines. The always more widespread need for a renewed relationship between man and nature, aware of the need to integrate the knowledge and protection of biodiversity and natural systems with anthropic activities, at local and global level, requires professional skills aiming above all at understanding the biological mechanisms by which with which living organisms settle and evolve, adapting or not, in their environment. The educational programme therefore includes the study of animal and plant biodiversity, of the structural and functional adaptations related to development and reproduction, of behavioural adaptations, of the interactions between organisms/populations and the environment. The approach is integrated and comparative and provides for the knowledge of modern methods of analysis, in the field and in the laboratory, which find application and completion in the choice and implementation of the experimental thesis. The educational programme and the development of the thesis are supported by training internships in the field and/or in the laboratory, by attendance in qualified research laboratories and by internships aimed at acquiring technical and relational skills useful for fitting in the field of applied research and in the labour market. Specific objectives, in this regard, are the activities related to environmental management, to the techniques of characterization and enhancement of biological resources, also in terms of innovative products, to naturalistic museology and in general to the knowledge and protection of the natural heritage. The course is also structured in relation to the scientific and professional activities carried out at the site, with particular reference to applications in the Mediterranean area, and enables graduates to work independently, also assuming roles of responsibility for projects, structures and staff management. In addition, the 2nd cycle Degree allows the continuation towards higher education through PhD courses. The programme includes: - the completion of the training in zoology and botany under a taxonomic and bio-molecular perspective; -the completion and deepening of the study of the mechanisms of biological evolution also with reference to the genetic structure; - knowledge of the most modern methods of analysing biodiversity, natural ecosystems and products of biological origin, also as a function of human-environment interactions; - knowledge of methods for environmental monitoring and conservation of biodiversity; - the study of ecophysiological and adaptive responses at the level of organisms, populations, species and communities; - the study of biogeography; - the acquisition of methods to teach biology The learning and acquisition of professional skills is measured in credits, in accordance with the provisions of the University Educational Regulations. Classes are held in two semester cycles and consist of lectures, practical and/or field exercises. Students will have to undergo an internship and attendance period at research institutions or companies affiliated with the University of Palermo, which may also be aimed at the preparation of the thesis. The structure and articulation of each teaching and of the other educational activities are specified annually in the Degree Course Regulations. All information is available on the degree course website.
Profile: Zoologist Functions: Analysis of animal diversity. Implementation of plans of recovery and preservation, eco-sustainable use of biotic resources and identification of the species of interest as new resources for nutrition and of pharmacological interest Skills: 1. Impact Assessment of the products of animal biotechnology on species and of their effects on animal diversity; 2. Study of the animal phylogeny and systematics related to the profession of biologist in public facilities or in self-employment; 3. Evaluation of the sustainable exploitation of zoological resources; 4. Identification of biological models for the development of knowledge transferable to the production of new substances in the food and drug field. 5. Evaluation of the traceability of food of animal origin. 6. Specialisation in the research and in the design, development and evaluation of systems for the control, protection and conservation of the environment by applying procedures to control and collect information on the characteristics and status of natural environments to protect them and keep them in their functionality. Professional opportunities: 1. Public bodies and private companies oriented to the analysis and monitoring of natural environments, and to environmental risk evaluation. 2. Public bodies and private companies interested in the conservation and environmental recovery of the natural biological heritage, in the biological control and taxonomical diagnosis. 3. Laboratories and companies for the research of animal and plant species useful for applications in various production sectors. 4. - teaching in first and second grade secondary education schools, in accordance with regulations in force. 5. science publishing; 6. Graduates in Biodiversity and Evolution can access to more advanced training; in addition, under the current Presidential Decree 328/01, they may access by passing the State examination to the profession of biologist senior (section A of the professional Board). Profile: Botanist Functions: - Professional responsibility of high specialization in project activities in the field of plant biology relating to phytodiagnostic and floristic-vegetational aspects and to the knowledge, use, conservation and enhancement of plant resources in the environmental, agri-food, medicinal, horticultural and industrial fields. - Management of protected areas, ecotourism structures and museums and naturalistic laboratories - Management of plant biobanks - Design and application of knowledge to the analysis, evaluation, recovery and conservation of natural environments also for the improvement of the quality of life. Skills: - Advanced skills in the field of taxonomy of plant organisms and applied botany. - Specific knowledge of terrestrial and aquatic environments and local biodiversity associated with areas of high naturalistic value. - Knowledge of natural resources used for food, medicinal and industrial purposes especially in the Mediterranean area. - Skills in evaluating the impact of plant biotechnology products on species and their effects on plant diversity; - Evaluation of anthropic impacts on plant components of natural environments and of the sustainable use of plant biological resources; - Identification of biological models for the development of knowledge transferable to the production of new substances in the pharmacological and food fields. professional opportunities: - Self-employment or employment in private and public organizations with preferential access to botanical gardens and naturalistic museums, management bodies of parks, reserves, historical gardens and naturalistic tourism and production companies of goods and services (horticultural, agro-industrial, pharmaceutical and tourism). - Research and professional activities in the field and in the laboratory at public and private facilities (Universities, CNR, Regional Agencies for the protection of the environment, in the areas of competence). - Teaching in first and second grade secondary schools in compliance with current legislation. - Publishing for scientific dissemination in the field of plant biology; - Graduates in Biodiversity and Environmental Biology can access further advanced training courses and, according to the current Presidential Decree n.328/01, can access the professions of Senior Biologist, section A of the Register by passing the State exam . Profile: Biologist Functions: High specialization and responsibility functions in project activities in the field of plant and animal biology , namely in the fields of analysis, environmental management and zoo- and phytodiagnostic certification. 1. Implementation of analytical-instrumental procedures connected to biological investigations; 2. Preparation technical-analytical procedures in the biomolecular field and also aimed at research activities; 3. Initiation of technical-analytical procedures in the environmental, chemical and genetic fields; Skills: - Recognition and systematic placement of animal and plant species. - Knowledge of animal and plant genetics and applied molecular biology techniques. - Skills related to phytodiversity, as well as to the response of plant organisms to biotic and abiotic interactions and to conservation biology. - Expertise in the recognition of wild species and related bioactive molecules useful in the food and pharmaceutical sector or phytotoxic ones and in the use of genetic diversity for biotechnological applications - Skills in the vegetable production of plants of commercial and industrial interest. - Skills in the analysis of food substances of plant origin professional opportunities: - professional and planning activities in all areas related to the understanding of biological phenomena at the systemic, molecular level, and to biological and biochemical applications for possible applications in the industrial field; - management, promotion and scientific and technological innovation in the genetic and molecular biological fields, in biology; - Educational-dissemination activity aiming at spreading knowledge on biological phenomena at all levels; - Work in botanical gardens and naturalistic museums, in the management bodies of parks, reserves and historical gardens and in production companies of goods and services, as well as in facilities specialized in plant production and in the quality control of seeds and plant products. - research and professional activities mainly in the laboratory at public and private structures (University, Germplasm bank, CNR, Regional Agencies for the protection of the Environment in the areas of competence). - Graduates in Biodiversity and Environmental Biology can access further advanced training courses; they may also, on the basis of the current Presidential Decree 328/01, they can access the professions of Senior Biologist, sect. A of the Register. Profile: Environmental botanist Functions: High responsibility Functions related to phytoecological aspects and eco-sustainable management of the territory in the context of: -formulation of territorial and landscape management plans with reference to areas of naturalistic interest; - identification of plant species and communities that can be used as bioindicators in biomonitoring interventions; - environmental and landscape planning according to eco-sustainable models; -design of environmental and landscape requalification plans; - management of eco-tourism facilities and protected areas. Skills: -Analysis of the dynamics of plant populations and of the relationships between single individuals or populations and environmental factors, aiming at the protection, management and conservation of plant biodiversity; - recognition of marine and terrestrial cryptogams and phanerogams; - in-depth knowledge in the field of the taxonomy of plant organisms and applied botany. - specialization in research and design, development and evaluation of systems for the control, protection and conservation of the environment by applying procedures to control and detect information on the characteristics and status of natural environments to safeguard and preserve them in their functionality. Professional opportunities: - Self-employment or employment work in private and public organizations (Parks, Reserves, Historical Gardens, Botanical Gardens and Naturalistic Museums) and companies producing goods and services (horticultural, agro-industrial, pharmaceutical and tourism companies). - Research and professional activities in private and public structures (universities, CNR, regional agencies for environmental protection, in the areas of competence). - Graduates in Biodiversity and Environmental Biology can access further advanced training courses, and according to the current Presidential Decree n.328/01, they can access the professions of Senior Biologist, sect. A of the Register.
The final examination consists of the presentation of a thesis, prepared in an original way under the guidance of a supervisor, aiming at ascertaining the level achieved in the technical-scientific and professional preparation and also the ability to discuss the questions possibly placed by committee members. The final work must be original and may have experimental, theoretical and design nature or be an essay on a single or multi-disciplinary issue. To be admitted to the final examination, students have acquired, within the deadlines established by the University Educational Regulations, all the credits required by the educational programme, with the exception of credits assigned to the thesis, which are acquired upon the final examination. The thesis must be linked to the internship work and/or attendance in companies and academic realities and in any case no less than 12 credits will be reserved for the activities relating to the preparation of the final exam.

course outline
Teachings first year
credits Term Val. Area Scientific sector
15273 - PROTECTION AND MANAGEMENT WITH PRACTICE - INTEGRATED COURSE Details SAJEVA (PA) 12.0 1 V
PLANT ECOLOGY SAJEVA (PA) 6.0 B BIO/03
APPLIED ZOOLOGY MAURO (RD) 6.0 B BIO/05
18625 - BIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF ECOSYSTEMS Details NASELLI FLORES (PA) 9.0 1 V
ECO-PHYSIOLOGY OF STRESS TROIA (RD) 3.0 C BIO/04
ECOSYSTEM ANALYSIS NASELLI FLORES (PA) 6.0 C BIO/03
21182 - BIODIVERSITY ANALYSIS Details SPADARO (PA) 12.0 1 V
PLANT BIODIVERSITY ANALYSIS SPADARO (PA) 6.0 B BIO/02
ANIMAL BIODIVERSITY ANALYSIS VIZZINI (PA) 6.0 B BIO/05
14776 - EVOLUTIONARY ZOOLOGY Details MARRONE (PO) 12.0 2 V
ANIMAL SYSTEMATICS AND PHILOGENESIS MARRONE (PO) 6.0 B BIO/05
EVOLUTION OF BEHAVIOUR VECCHIONI (RD) 6.0 C BIO/05
18619 - GENETICS AND GENOMICS - INTEGRATED COURSE Details FEO (PO) 9.0 2 V
MOLECULAR APPLICATIONS AND GMO PALLA (PA) 3.0 C BIO/03
GENETICS APPLICATIONS FEO (PO) 6.0 B BIO/18
22616 - PLANT MONITORING AND CONSERVATION Details SALMERI (PA) 12.0 2 V
EX SITU AND IN SITU CONSERVATION METHODS SALMERI (PA) 6.0 C BIO/02
ENVIRONMENTAL BIO-MONITORING METHODS RAVERA (PA) 6.0 B BIO/03
Teachings second year
credits Term Val. Area Scientific sector
01585 - BIOGEOGRAPHY Details SARA' (PA) 6.0 1 V B BIO/05
02334 - BIOLOGY TEACHING METHODOLOGY Details FARAONE (RD) 6.0 1 V B BIO/05
20653 - TPXICOLOGY OF BIOACTIVE MOLECULES Details VENTURELLA (RU) 6.0 1 V B BIO/14
20691 - ENGLISH LANGUAGE SKILLS - EQUIVALENT TO LEVEL B2 3.0 1 G F
05917 - FINAL EXAMINATION 6.0 2 G E
13121 - PRACTICE 6.0 2 G F
14777 - VERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY Details ARCULEO (PO) 6.0 2 V B BIO/05
18182 - INTERNSHIP AND PRACTICE 6.0 2 G S
Free subjects (suggested) 9.0 D
Elective activities
Free subjects (suggested) credits Term Val. Area Scientific sector
09537 - MEDICINAL AND TOXIC PLANTS Details SPADARO (PA) 6.0 2 V D BIO/02
19788 - BIOLOGICAL AND MOLECULAR ANTHROPOLOGY Details SINEO (PO) 6.0 2 V D BIO/08
22499 - STUDY TECHNIQUES AND APPLICATIONS OF PLANT RESOURCES - INTEGRATED COURSE Details PALLA (PA) 9.0 2 V
PLANT EXTRACTS AND BIO-CONTROL PALLA (PA) 3.0 D BIO/03
MORPHOMETRIC, ANATOMIC AND CYTOGENETIC ANALYSIS SALMERI (PA) 3.0 D BIO/02
APPLIED PHYCOLOGY WITH PRACTICE MANNINO (PA) 3.0 D BIO/02
22504 - CLIMATE CHANGES IMPACT UPON PLANT BIODIVERSITY - INTEGRATED COURSE Details SALMERI (PA) 9.0 2 V
LAND PLANTS SALMERI (PA) 3.0 D BIO/02
ALGAE MANNINO (PA) 3.0 D BIO/02
LICHEN RAVERA (PA) 3.0 D BIO/03
22507 - SICILIAN FAUNA AND STUDY METHODS - INTEGRATED COURSE Details SARA' (PA) 9.0 2 V
INLAND WATER FAUNA MARRONE (PO) 3.0 D BIO/05
TERRESTRIAL FAUNA SARA' (PA) 3.0 D BIO/05
STUDY METHODS SARA' (PA) 3.0 D BIO/05
Explaination
Term Term/Semester
Val. Valutation: V = mark in 30/30, G = note
(*) Teaching attended in english
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