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 competences 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 resources too.
Individual teachings use the knowledge of the properties of biological systems acquired in the previous three years, improving the skills about issues related to the interaction organism-environment 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 products; 3. determination of biochemical, molecular and genetic markers, including those related to the effects of environmental stress.
Utilitarian as well as ethical-moral reasons resulting from a renewed relationship between man and nature require skills which differ from those of ecologists and naturalists, because aiming at understanding the mechanisms by which genetic heritage is expressed in the adaptation environment. The curriculum includes the study of animal and plant biodiversity, of structural and functional adaptations also associated with development and reproduction, behavioural adaptations, interactions between organisms/populations and the environment
The course has a comparative and integrated approach and includes the knowledge of the most modern analytical methods that are developed and completed by the choice of the experimental dissertation.
The educational process is supported by field or laboratory practice and by internships in qualified research laboratories and is characterized by the acquisition of the skills necessary for accessing research and professional activities.
The advancement of knowledge on biodiversity and of its effect in the world show the potentiality in training specialists in the field of biodiversity capable of providing answers to the issues related to environmental change. For this purpose, students are guided to acquire the skills to draw projects based on the latest technologies, useful to develop an overall organic vision, setting goals, techniques, feasibility of projects and reformulating them in relation to the results.
Among the specific objectives, it's worth mentioning the interventions for environmental management, the finding of innovative biological resources taking into account new products while respecting the principle of preserving the genetic heritage.
The educational programme is also related with the scientific and professional activities carried out at the University,with particular reference to applications in the Mediterranean area, and provides graduates with the skills for working in autonomy also assuming roles of responsibility for projects, facilities and staff management.
In addition, the qualification allows continuation to higher education through various PhD.
This programme includes:
- the completion of the training in zoology and botany under a taxonomic and bio-molecular perspective;
- the completion and advancement of thestudy of the mechanisms of biological evolution with particular reference to the genetic structure and;
- the study of organisms, populations and species responses for the knowledge of bio-indicators;;
- the study of biogeography;
- the knowledge of the most uptated methods of analysis of biodiversity, environment and natural products;
- the acquisition of specific applied quantitative methods for biology.
Learning is counted in credits, according to the provisions of the University's Academic Regulations.
The acquisition of competences in the field of plant biology, applied in the fields of bio-ecology, cyto-diagnostics, and of the conservation and enhancement of plant biodiversity.
The study of the impact of plant species of agri-food, industrial and commercial interest upon the conservation of biological integrity
Each CFU corresponds to a load of activities defined by the academic regulations.
The courses are organized for each year of the course in two coordinated cycles, conventionally called semesters, a minimum of 13 weeks each. The course is structured into lectures, in house and/or field practice activities, an internship at the University laboratories, research institutions or companies, the elaboration of an experimental dissertation and seminars.
The structure and format of each teaching and other educational activities are specified every year in the Course regulations as well as in the Student's Guide.
The type of teachings (single module or integrated course) and of the relevant examination types are described in the course educational regulations. All information about the course may be found in the Course website.
The time reserved for personal study and other individual learning activities is approximately 60% of the overall commitment, with smaller percentages possible for individual learning activities with a high experimental or practical content.
Making judgments:
Graduates in Biodiversity and Environmental Biology acquire conscious independent judgment with respect to responsibility for projects, facilities and personnel, identification of new prospects and strategies, critical review of the relevant scientific literature. To do so, they must be able to integrate knowledge to develop original ideas and proposals and to make assessments enabling them to participate in the international debate, to correctly interpret the information deductible from applied diagnostic methods, to evaluate the effects of environmental risk factors, the degree of alteration of a system and decide the type of intervention.
Graduates, through the preparation of the experimental thesis must acquire the ability to analyze and choose the most effective methodological approaches for optimal resolution of the same in a research context.
Judgement ability is related not only to the ability to evaluate and interpret experimental data, but also to laboratory safety, to the assessment of teaching and to the principles of professional ethics.
The educational methods and tools for assessing the achievement of learning outcomes in terms of judgment entail various occasions for the synchronous and asynchronous interaction among peers and between students and the teacher and the tutor, the simulation of cases and role-playing activities, exercises with semi-structured tests and the preparation of papers aimed at refining and exercise the independent judgment, subject to the joint assessment of tutors and teachers.
Communication skills:
Graduates must be able to clearly and unambiguously communicate to everyone in written and spoken form the most current scientific findings as well as those obtained from their experimental work; they must also be able to sustain a critical discussion on the topics covered by the course communicating in an understandable way the problematic nature of biological research to a non-specialist audience too; they must be able to present a written and spoken communication in a European Union language by using the specific vocabulary.
These capabilities will be developed and verified during the examinations and the preparation and submission of the thesis.
The ability to communicate is also related to computer, data processing and presentation skills, to the ability to work in groups, to transmit and disseminate information, to prepare/present a research project. The assessment of communication skills is carried out through intermediate tests, exams and final exam.
Learning skills:
The Learning skills ascertained during the various types of examination indicated in the academic regulations will be evaluated and interpreted in the light of:
- the access to a further level of education (master, doctorate);
- the development and organization of self-study enabling a life-long learning process.
Ability to learn also covers the consultation of library materials, databases and other information on the net, the basic cognitive tools for the continuous updating of knowledge. The assessment will be carried out in intermediate tests, individual examinations and in the final examination."