Ecobiology

Educational objectives

General objectives
The Course objectives are to provide the basis for knowledge of the diversity of vascular plants, describing the main features and evolutionary trends; assessment of conservation status, flora monitoring and related conservation measures. Will they provide the necessary tools for recognition of the main groups of tracheophytes, especially of the Mediterranean flora.
Specific objectives

A) Knowledge and understanding
-Knowledge of the main families of vascular plants
-Knowledge and understanding of Biodiversity, conservation and monitoring strategies

B) Applying knowledge and understanding
- be able to use the specific terminology
-be able of identifying the main species of the spontaneous flora
- able to assess the Biodiversity and monitor the state of conservation of the flora

C) Making judgements
-acquire critical judgment skills, through the study of the progress of botanical knowledge and conservation biology
- learning by questioning

D) Communication skills
-be able to communicate what has been learned during the oral exam

E) Learning skills
- learning the specific terminology
- be able to make the logical connections between the topics covered
- be able to identify the most relevant topics.

Educational objectives

General objectives
Estimation of primary productivity of terrestrial ecosystems is showed by the use of several models utilised both at national and international levels. Some applications of these models will be examined in the frame of climate change and possible impacts on primary productivity will be assessed. Some programming principles "object-oriented" will be given to students. In this way, students will be able to provide modules for calculation and simulation of a given physiological or environmental parameter. Students are expected to gain skills and ability to cope with climate change issues in their future research work.

Specific objectives
Knowledge and understanding:
The student will be able to understand the importance of climate change for the primary productivity through the presentation and discussion of recent studies on the subject. An overview of the recent literature will provide the student with an understanding of the major impacts observed and expected on the different components of the biological organization and spatial scales.

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding:
The student will be able to think critically about the application of different tools and methodologies necessary to deepen knowledge on key aspects related to climate change. They will be able to discuss the methods of data analysis and models to be applied.

Critical and judgmental capacities:
During practical sessions students will develop critical and judgmental skills by coping with data sets related to primary production. They will discuss how to apply modules for calculation and simulation of physiological or environmental parameters.

Communication skills:
Students, especially during the laboratory practices, are encouraged to interact with each other and with the teachers to implement practical activities .

Learning skills:
The course provides an understanding of climate change issues. Students will gain the necessary knowledge to consider the issue of climate change in their future research activity.

Educational objectives

-General objectives
At the end of the course the student will have acquired the knowledge of the evolutionary mechanisms that originated the Vertebrates. The student will also know the adaptive meaning of the forms, the geographical distribution and the ecological diversification according to the way of life of all the Vertebrate Classes. Moreover the student will learn which are the main causes and the species threatened with extinction.

- Specific objectives
Knowledge and understanding – The student will acquire knowledge of the quantitative patterns of Vertebrate biodiversity. It will also understand how the knowledge about biodiversity patterns (in particular that of Vertebrates) is relevant in the various sectors of ecobiology, and as an evolutionary key to reading is essential in modern biology.

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding - The student will acquire the biodiversity analysis skills of Vertebrates.

Critical and judgmental capacities - During the lessons and excursions the student will develop critical and judgmental skills by comparing them with potentially different types of data (morphological, geographical, ecological).

Communication skills - The students, during the lessons and especially during the excursions, are encouraged to interact with each other and with the teachers in carrying out the activities of observation and identification of the biodiversity of Vertebrates.

Learning skills - The student will acquire the proper language of vertebrate zoology, in terms of taxonomic nomenclature. It will also have the perception of the role that Vertebrates have in ecosystems. These skills will make the student able to face future eco-biological studies.

Educational objectives

General objectives
At the end of the course the students will have acquired knowledge on microbial ecology and on the role of natural microorganisms to degrade and to remove contaminants. The student will be also able to describe classic culture, biochemical and biomolecular methods to study and to detect microorganisms potentially able to recover soil and water from contamination. Finally, the student will be able to assess the most suitable technology (e.g. biostimulation, bioaugmentation, phyto-assisted bioremediation) to apply versus several classes of contaminants.

- Specific objectives
Knowledge and understanding
The student will acquire knowledge on homeostatic capabilities of microorganisms and their main metabolic pathways (metabolism and co-metabolism) for transforming and degrading contaminants. The student will be able to understand and to apply different approaches to assess the potential remediation capabilities of natural microbial communities. Moreover, he/she will be able to suggest the most suitable bioremediation strategy (e.g. biostimulation, bioaugmentation, phyto-assisted bioremediation) in each case-study.

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
The student will acquire the skills to use the most suitable methods for identifying and studying microorganisms with specific degradative capabilities. Furthermore, the student will be able to select the most appropriate bioremediation strategy for each case-study.

Critical and judgmental capacities
The student during the course and, especially during the laboratory practices, will see application of soil or water bioremediation in laboratory or greenhouse microcosms. The student will sample and analyse soil and water samples choosing the most suitable microbiological methods with critical and judgemental skills.

Communication skills
The student can select a contaminant for which searching all the information required to perform a propaedeutic bibliography research, before starting a bioremediation application. The teacher will support and encourage the student to perform an oral presentation on the topic selected to the others students.

Learning skills
The student will acquire the capability to design a site-specific protocol for assessing the potential of natural microorganisms to recover contaminated soil or water. Moreover, the student will be able to suggest the specific bioremediation strategy to be applied using a multidisciplinary and ecological approach.

Educational objectives

General objectives
The student will acquire a deep knowledge in applied entomology, considered not only for the potential agronomic value, but even more for the numerous relationships and applications when arthropods interfere with human activities. Particular emphasis will be given toward causes and effects of accidental and/or intentional introductions of invasive alien species in natural and anthropic environments; moreover, area-wide strategies based upon suppression and/or eradication programs of target invasive species will be described and analyzed according to their implementation in natural or anthropic habitats.

Specific objectives
Knowledge and understanding:
The student will get a wide historical picture of the bidirectional relationships between arthropods and humans; the definition of risk-analysis as the “risk-benefits” conflict, always present into biological and integrated research programs.

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding:
The student will acquire the skills to use methods to organize a research program in Applied Entomology by his direct involvement and attending practical exercises in open field conditions.

Critical and judgmental capacities:
During the laboratory practices, the student will develop critical and judgmental skills to organize the research program according to the biological and physical differences.

Communication skills:
Students, especially during their practical trainings, will be encouraged to work together in groups (Team-concept), with the final goal to develop a small project (one for each team), to present at the end in a graphic (powerpoint) and/or practical (bioassay) mode.

Learning skills:
The student will acquire a better consideration of the background in biology, through the multidisciplinary transfer of his/her theoretical knowledge into a practical approach. This step will give to the student an important skill to use the scientific background in a real context.

Educational objectives

General objectives
The course is aimed to offer a general insight into composition and spatial distribution of freshwater biocoenoses, with special reference to environmental factors affecting both single animal species and community structure. Particularly, the various typologies of biological water assemblages coming from multiple combinations of environmental selective pressure (i.e. surface standing and running waters, phreatic and groundwater habitats, etc.) including human presence and activity, will be analyzed.

Specific objectives

Knowledge and understanding
The student will acquire a wide knowledge of the main freshwater environments, deepening characteristics and adaptive strategies of more representative organisms in various communities. Such knowledge will contribute to increase her/his perception of regulating balances of aquatic biocoenoses and of their more or less evident vulnerability.

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
The acquired knowledge will make the student able to plan basic investigations and routine monitoring of aquatic assemblages, to discriminate and define key aspects of various ecosystems, to deal with the definition of bioindicators and bioindexes aimed at the environmental diagnosis.

Critical and judgmental capacity
By means of case-studies analysis conducted during the course, and field activities specifically aimed at this, the student will refine her/his critical capability and perception of relationships linking organisms and water environment, essential to diagnoses formulation on actual situations.

Communication skills
Interactions among students, and among them and teacher, especially during field experiences and the case-study analyses will stimulate the student to adequate concepts formulation and communication to third persons of ideas and working projects, also by means of outputs for information spreading, in the view of potential future relationships with managing-administrative authorities or companies, needing to be scientifically and technically supported toward appropriate trends and choices in the approaches to freshwater environments.

Learning skills
The variety of information learned on the complexity of the studied ecosystems with their components, on instruments and methods suitable for the investigation, and on the multiple aspects regarding many different disciplines, will constitute an useful training for the development of autonomous capacity of updating personal knowledge and of a proper approach to future work activity regarding water systems.

Educational objectives

General objectives
At the end of the course, the student will have acquired knowledge of the evolutionary processes studied mainly in the context of human interactions with ecological systems and with the biosphere in general. Through the analysis of studies (field surveys, laboratory experiments, mathematical and, computational studies) using concepts, theories and methods of evolutionary biology in fields such as agriculture, aquaculture, forestry, fishing, biotechnology, climate change, invasion biology, conservation biology, the students will be able to acquire an in-depth knowledge and awareness of evolution, no longer only as a fundamental engine of the diversification of life, but also as a fundamental agent of development, well-being and balance of man and of the Earth.

Specific objectives:

Knowledge and understanding:
The student will acquire the knowledge of the principles of evolutionary biology that can be used to study biological systems of practical importance, in the context of human interactions with ecological systems and with the biosphere in general.

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding:
The student will understand the application areas of evolutionary principles in the study of human interactions with biological and ecological systems, and their interpretative potential in the light of evolutionary dynamics, at various time scales.

Critical and judgmental capacities:
Through the classroom discussion of the main themes of evolutionary biology and research conducted with an applicative perspective, the student will understand the reasons that make this discipline the central unifying theme of biology, and its relevance in the applications of Biology in today's society.

Ability to communicate what has been learned:
Students in the classroom will be constantly stimulated to interact with each other and with the teacher in the discussion of the topics presented, also through small group study of research published in important international journals.

Ability to continue the study independently in the life:
The student will acquire the critical vision and language of modern evolutionary biology. These skills will enable the student to face future biological studies, including experimental activities, having also understood the temporal and spatial dimensions of evolutionary dynamics.

Educational objectives

General skills
The course focuses on some of the themes dealt with in the Comparative Anatomy of Vertebrates. The Vertebrates will be treated from the point of view of phylogenetic systematics, with particular regard to the adaptive aspects that have characterized the most important stages of its evolution.
In particular, will be presented the most recent research investigating the evolutionary history of vertebrates based on the discovery of new fossils, on molecular phylogeny, and on the relationship between evolution and development.
The course deals mainly with macro-evolutionary topics, but there are numerous examples of intraspecific evolution (microevolution) that concern modifications of anatomical structures of such entity that they can be compared to those that occur during macroevolution.

Specific skills

A) Knowledge and understanding
- Knowledge and in-depth understanding of the systematics and diversity of vertebrates.
- Knowledge and in-depth understanding of current theories concerning the phylogenetic relationships of current and extinct vertebrates.
- Knowledge and understanding of the interpretation of phylogenetic trees. The use of phylogenetic trees, built on a molecular basis, to understand the evolution of anatomical structures.
- Knowledge of recent paleontological discoveries that have played an important role in understanding the evolution of vertebrates. The genetic bases of morphological changes in macro and micro-evolutionary fields.

B) Applying knowledge and understanding
- know how to use specific terminology.
- knowing how to interpret a phylogenetic tree.
- understand the main results contained in a scientific article concerning specific aspects of vertebrate evolutionary history (in the paleontological, molecular phylogenetic, Evo-Devo).

C) Making judgements

- Through the lectures, set up to stimulate the curiosity and the critical sense, the student will learn to ask the correct questions for the elaboration and the deepening of the subjects object of the course.

D) Communication skills
- Know how to communicate what has been learned in the course. Furthermore, the test includes the presentation of an in-depth topic prepared through the study of some scientific articles. This will highlight the skills of synthesis and the ability to respond to timely and critical questions on specific aspects identified by the teacher.

E) Learning skills
- learning the specific terminology
- be able to make the logical connections between the topics covered
- be able to identify the most relevant topics

Educational objectives

General objectives
The course will provide an updated and comprehensive understanding on the effects of climate change on marine ecosystems with a special focus on biodiversity. At the end of the course the students will have gained knowledge on: i) the main climate-change related processes; ii) the associated direct and indirects impacts on marine populations, communities and ecosystems; iii) the methodological approaches commonly used to study the multiple effects of climate change; iv) the current understanding about the climate change scenarios and their associated ecological effects.
Overall students are expected to gain skills and ability to cope with climate change issues in their future research work.

Specific objectives
Knowledge and understanding
The student will be able to understand the importance of climate change for the structure and functioning of marine ecosystems through the presentation and discussion of recent studies on the subject. An overview of the recent literature will provide the student with an understanding of the major impacts observed and expected on the different components of the biological organization (e.g. organisms, populations, communities and ecosystems). The students can then form their own opinions on the importance of the topic in the various sectors of the ecobiology.

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
The student will be able to think critically about the application of different tools and methodologies necessary to deepen knowledge on key aspects related to climate change.

Critical and judgmental capacities
During practical sessions students will develop critical and judgmental skills by coping with data sets related to environmental and biological parameters. They will discuss how to apply methodologies and design studies in the field and in laboratory.

Communication skills
Students, especially during the laboratory practices, are encouraged to interact with each other and with the teachers to implement practical activities

Learning skills
The course provides an understanding of climate change issues, especially on the impacts of climate change on the marine ecosystems, with a focus on the most common experimental methods and tools applied in the different study fields. Students will gain the necessary knowledge to consider the issue of climate change in their future research activity.

Educational objectives

General objectives
At the end of the course the student will have acquired knowledge on biology and ecology of marine parasites.
The student will be also able to recognize the main parasites of marine organisms such as molluscs, squids, fish, fish-eating birds, reptiles and marine mammals.
He/she will acquire knowledge on the main traditional methodologies, as well as those most innovative ones (based on -omics approach), used for the parasites' identification, and in the study of host-parasite interaction.
The student will be able to study adaptive mechanisms evolved in marine parasites as a response to the hosts, even in relation to their evolutionary history. Knowledge on patterns of the host-parasite co-evolutionary history will be acquired, as well.
The student will also acquire knowledge on the possible use of some parasites as ecological indicators of fish stocks, migration routes of definitive hosts populations, food-webs stability and, finally, of global warming of marine ecosystems, in a multidisciplinary approach.
Finally, he/she will be able to monitoring the epidemiology of some parasite species that, having a pathogenic role could affect the population of their hosts, also in relation to their conservation status, such as in the case of overfished fish species, marine turtles and mammals.

Specific objectives
Knowledge and understanding
The student will acquire knowledge on the life-cycle, biogeography, ecology, and evolutionary adaptive mechanisms of the main taxonomic groups of parasites of fish, molluscs, squids, marine birds, turtles and mammals.
The student will be able to understand and to apply different genetic, genomic, transcriptomic and proteomic approaches actually used to recognise main parasites and to study the host-parasite interaction. Approaches aimed to study co-phylogenetic and co-evolutionary aspects in host -parasite evolutionary history, will be also acquired by the student.
Moreover, he/she will acquire knowledge on some parasites which could have a zoonotic role to humans and on the pathogenic aspects derived from the accidental transmission. In this regard, knowledge on the main biological hazards (parasites) present in wild fisheries and the importance of monitoring them as part of risk assessment.

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
The student will acquire the skills to use the most suitable methods for identifying and studying parasites in the aims of acquire knowledge on ecological and biological aspects. He will be able to apply methodologies for sampling parasites during field work (as in the case of fishing activity and necroscopy of stranded marine animals), as well as for the parasites analysis in laboratory work. He/she will be able to select the most appropriate methodology's strategies (both traditional and innovative, including the eDNA) for each case-study in the monitoring of parasites in a marine ecosystem.

Critical and judgmental capacities
The student, given the knowledge acquired during the course, as well during the field work and laboratory practices, will see application of genetic and epidemiological approaches to carry out monitoring of parasites in marine ecosystem, even in comparative analysis, at both time and space level. These practises will permit the student to choose the most suitable methods with critical and judgemental skills.

Communication skills
The student can select a particular case-study in the frame of the arguments treated during the ex-cathedra lecturing, for which a literature searching will be performed. He/she will then give an oral presentation of that case study, with a critical discussion during the communications to the other students of the course, on the methodologies applied and results achieved, which will be stimulated by the teacher.

Learning skills
The student will acquire the capability to design a specific protocol for a specific case study, in a multidisciplinary approach, to use parasites as ecological indicators in the monitoring of marine ecosystems health.

Educational objectives

General skills

Ecology is closely interconnected with the evolutionary history of organisms. At the end of the course the student will have acquired a knowledge of the genetic mechanisms of evolution and the evolutionary implications on the development of living organisms arising from the Evolutionary Developmental Biology, essential for the Ecobiologist to understand the formation of the species, their diversification, the evolutionary adaptations and the complexity of the environments. The course is structured in such a way that the mechanisms and the evolutionary processes are examined through examples of adaptations of the organisms to the environment in which they live.

Specific skills

Knowledge and understanding
The student will acquire the knowledge of:
- the mechanisms through which the developmental processes originated and evolved and how these influence the phenotypic variation;
- the mechanisms through which the environment interacts with the development processes, influencing the morphological evolution.

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
The student, also through laboratory practices, will be able to:
- apply molecular methods to the study of biodiversity
- evaluate biological phenomena in a broader context: from molecular and cellular level to organism and population level
- evaluate the long-term effects of natural phenomena on individual species and on biodiversity
- identify possible risks of human activities, even for beneficial purposes, such as biological control and the reintroduction of extinct species

Critical and judgmental capacities
The student, both during the lessons and the laboratory practices, will be encouraged to ask questions on topics of interest and to provide answers to explain natural phenomena in genetical terms. In this way, the student will acquire a capacity for critical judgment on some natural processes and human activities with repercussions on the environment.

Communication skills
During the course the student will be encouraged to deepen a topic of the program, according to own interest, and optionally expose it to all students.

Learning skills
The student, having acquired the concepts and methods of molecular genetics and evolutionary evolution biology, will be able to deal with the future ecobiological studies, including experimental activities, since the methodological integration at different levels is increasingly requested by the modern biologist.

Educational objectives

General objectives
The course aims to give an integrated view of some biochemical-physiological aspects of primary and secondary metabolism in the interaction of plants and algae with the environment and in particular in the response to the most common biotic and abiotic stress factors. Knowledge of the processes underlying the adaptation and acclimation to a range of environments and situations will be extended and consolidated by illustrating the main methodological approaches used in the field.

Specific objectives

A. Knowledge and understanding
- Specific language and terminology;
- The sensory systems that allow plants to face environmental changes and challenges;
- Mechanisms of acclimation.
- Carbon, nutrient and water balances;
- Responses of plants to abiotic stress (water; temperature; light; pollutants;
- Beneficial interactions (mycorrhiza, nodulating bacteria);
- Biotic stress (parasitic plants, pests and diseases);
- Host-parasite interactions;
- Basis of the control of biotic interactions (anatomical and chemical barriers, molecular, cellular and systemic responses);
- Stress evaluation and screening for resistance;
- Cross-talk in plant stress responses;
- Plant-plant communication
- Methods in Plant Ecophysiology.

B. Applying knowledge and understanding
- Ability to use specific terminology
- Ability to outline the appropriate conceptual and methodological paths to address problems and questions in the field of plant ecophysiology.
- Ability to use bibliographic resources, software and biological resources available through the Web to address and interpret specific problems related to the aspects object of this course.

C. Making judgements
- Critical judgment skills, through the study of reviews and scientific articles on key aspects and through in-depth collective discussions;
- Ability to evaluate correctness and scientific rigor through analysis and collective discussion of the experimental and methodological part of recent high quality scientific articles.

D. Communication skills
- Acquisition of adequate skills and tools useful for communication, through the use of graphic and formal languages, with particular regard to scientific language, through discussions and seminars that are an integral part of the oral exam.

E. Learning skills
The student will possess:
- the ability to set up an independent and flexible study method, which allows to conduct personal research and analysis and to continue effectively the advancement of knowledge;
- confidence in self-directed learning
- the ability to identify problematic, unresolved and innovative aspects in biological issues
- the ability to find and use cognitive tools for the continuous updating of knowledge
- the ability to compare oneself for the progress, consolidation and improvement of one's own knowledge.

Results
Possession of the fundamental contents of the specific discipline, and the ability to master the procedures and methods in the frame of different professions connected with environment and its protection in the broad sense of view.

Educational objectives

General objectives - Main objective of the course is to allow the student to acquire advanced knowledge of environmental microbiology including the most modern molecular techniques and methodologies, for the study of microbial diversity and its effects in different natural environments.
In particular, in this module we will examine the different components of the microbial cell, and their role in mediating the interactions with the environment also for evolutionary purposes. We will also study the microbial diversity in relation to their environments.

Specific objectives -
Knowledge and understanding:
• To know and understand the role of micro-organisms in the evolution and remodeling of natural and anthropic environments;
• to know and understand the role of microbial structures such as adhesion structures, secretion systems in the evolution of microorganisms and in the colonization of biotic and abiotic environments;
• know and understand the plasticity of microbial genomes
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: The course provides the tools that allow the student to evaluate: the presence of microorganisms in different natural and anthropized environments; microbial activities in different environments; the use of methods for detecting microorganisms and their metabolic activities.
Making judgments: The student, through the study and analysis of experimental data present in public databases, acquires an autonomous ability to interpret experimental data and to place them, critically, within the framework of the knowledge already acquired.
Communication skills: the student acquires the use of appropriate terminology for the communication of environmental microbiology knowledge to both the lay public and experts.
Learning skills: the ability to learn is stimulated by the continuous reference, in all the activities of the course, to the knowledge acquired and to the methodologies used for their progress. At the end of the course the students will be able to evaluate the role of microorganisms in the various environments and identify the most appropriate methods of investigation

Module 2 (Carattoli)
General objectives - Main objective of the course is to allow students to acquire advanced knowledge of environmental microbiology including the most advanced molecular methods, for the study of microorganisms in natural and anthropic environments. In particular, the objective of this module is the analysis of microbial diversity in the environment with particular reference to the differences between natural and anthropic environments.
Specific objectives -
Knowledge and understanding:
• to know and understand the role of microbial genetic elements, in particular the mobile elements such as plasmids and transposons, in the evolution of microorganisms and in the colonization of biotic and abiotic environments;
• understand and understand the molecular mechanisms of horizontal gene transfer that underlie the rapid evolution of microbial genomes and their adaptation to the most extreme environments
• know and understand the different microbial activities in relation to all the ecological aspects including physico-chemical changes, metabolite exchange, signaling, chemotaxis and exchange of genetic material.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: The course provides the tools that allow the student to: identify the most appropriate methodologies for the analysis of microbial genetic elements in different natural and anthropized environments; to evaluate the role of microbial genetic elements in environmental remodeling and microbial evolution, with particular reference to anthropized environments.
Making judgments: The student, through the study and analysis of experimental data present in public databases, acquires an autonomous ability to interpret experimental data and to place them, critically, within the framework of the knowledge already acquired.
Communication skills: the student acquires the use of appropriate terminology for the communication of environmental microbiology knowledge to both the lay public and experts.
Learning skills: the ability to learn is stimulated by the continuous reference, in all the activities of the course, to the knowledge acquired and to the methodologies used for their progress. At the end of the course the students will be able to evaluate the role of microorganisms in the various environments and identify the most appropriate methods of investigation.

Educational objectives

General objectives
At the end of the course the student will have acquired a deep knowledge of the genetic diversity. This course has as its primary target to make students to understand how to conserve the genetic diversity existing in wild populations, in order to preserve biological interactions, biological processes and ecological functions. The course is targeted at all students who want to deepen the theoretical bases and to learn the mathematical models that underlie the evolutionary change and how these models can be used to conserve the biodiversity.

Specific objectives
Knowledge and understanding
The student will acquire the knowledge and understanding of genetic diversity, molecular evolution, population dynamics, how to maintain genetic diversity in natural populations and the main computer methodologies in genomic analyses.

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
The student will learn: to use specific terminology, to identify the right procedures to solve conservation problems, to formalize hypotheses on the evolution of natural populations, to interpret genetic maps and phylogenetic tree, and manage software and browsers used for storing, managing and displaying a large amount of genomic data (big data).

Critical and judgmental capacities
Through theoretical exercises, the student will acquire the capacity for a critical judgment on the issues concerning conservation genetics. Through the study of the evolution and the application of the laws of Mendel to entire populations, the student will learn to ask himself about how to preserve the diversity at molecular level.

Communicative skills
Through interaction among colleagues, students will learn to communicate the genetic concepts acquired during the course with the appropriate terminology.

Learning skills
The student will learn to make predictions about the evolutionary change in natural populations and to act on them in order to conserve their genetic diversity.

Educational objectives

General objectives
The purpose of the course is to provide students with the basic knowledge in the field of optical multispectral remote sensing, allowing us the extraction of environmental information from images and the use this information in Geographic Information Systems. Through lessons and exercises, the course aims to provide students with the skills and techniques necessary for image processing and for the organization and management of georeferenced environmental data. At the end of the course, the students will be able to use multispectral images to extract the information necessary to conduct ecological analysis.

Specific objectives

Knowledge and understanding:
At the end of the course, the students will have acquired the necessary knowledges to understand and interpret the information contained in the multi- and hyper-spectral satellite images. They will have learned how images can be used in the various sectors of ecobiology. They will be informed of the physical principles of remote sensing and of the main image processing procedures. Students will also be able to understand the fundamentals of digital cartography (vector and raster) available on the web and its use in a GIS.

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding:
The student will acquire the skills to apply, in a critical manner, the processing procedures that make possible the transformation of images into thematic cartographic products to be used in ecological territorial analyzes.
On these bases, students will be able to:
• select the appropriate satellite image for environmental application taking in to account their geometric, spectral, radiometric and temporal resolutions;
• create thematic maps using assisted and automatic classifiers and evaluate their accuracy;
• find and select the geographic data available at geoportals
• manage digital cartography within GIS systems.

Making judgments:
Lessons will be coupled with practices on image processing of test areas using the knowledges and skills acquired during the course. As a result, students will have the opportunity to apply by their own what they have learned, conducting a synoptic analysis of the territory at different spatial and temporal scales.
In addition, the analysis of several case studies will be proposed, intended to develop students' critical skills to evaluate the use of satellite data in ecobiological framework. Finally, students will be capable to independently interpret and evaluate cartographic products in a GIS system.

Communication skills:
During practices, with the teacher's guidance, students will have the opportunity to apply what they have learned, processing autonomously different multispectral images. The possibility to discuss with the teacher but also with fellow students, in all the phases of the information extraction process (image selection, processing procedures, and especially evaluation of the results obtained), will allow the learners to obtain the ability to interact in an effective manner both with the academic community and with the technicians in charge of the territorial analysis.

Learning skills:
Students will acquire the basic knowledge of remote sensing necessary to use remote sensor data for ecobiological applications autonomously. Likewise, knowledges acquired on the use of GIS for environmental applications will provide students with a suitable tool for the multidisciplinary analysis that are typical of ecobiology. The knowledge and the skills acquired will also allow students to navigate in a crucial way in the constantly evolving field of earth observation

Educational objectives

General objectives
The course deals with the Environmental Monitoring of Natural and Anthropic Systems at different scales of observation. The course is structured in theoretical lessons, exercises and field experiences. Particular attention will be devoted to the analysis of the relationships between the structure and composition of the environmental systems and the spatial and temporal dynamics of the underlying ecological processes. The development of tools for the assessment of ecological vulnerabilities (e.g. anthropic impact, disturbance, etc.) will be also analyzed.

Specific objectives

Knowledge and understanding:
Knowledge and understanding of environmental monitoring of natural and anthropic systems at different scales.

Applying knowledge and understanding:
Applying knowledge and understanding to landscape the planning of effective monitoring activities.

Making judgements:
During the course, the students will develop the necessary critical skills for a correct environmental monitoring.

Communication skills:
During the course, the students will develop the necessary communication skills to interact with a wide range of practitioners and stakeholders.

Learning skills:
The skills acquired will enable the student to continue a lifelong training and professional path.

Educational objectives

-General objectives
At the end of the course the students will acquire a good knowledge of life cycles of human and zoonotic Protozoa, Helminths and Arthropod parasites, of their interaction with the environment and with the hosts and of their adaptation to parasitism.

- Specific objectives
Dublin 1. Knowledge and understanding - The students are expected to acquire deep knowledge on life-cycles and the ecology of main human and zoonotic parasites and their adaptation to parasitism. Moreover, they are expected to learn basic information on pathogenic mechanisms.

Dublin 2. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding - The students are expected to acquire and manage the concept of “epidemiological risk” on the basis of parasite biology and ecology, and to hypothesize preventive and control strategies.

Dublin 3. Critical and judgmental capacities - The students are expected to develop critical and judgmental skills by interactive discussions with the professor and with the other students purposely stimulated during the course, and will learn to connect the ecology of main human and zoonotic parasites with their epidemiology, prevention and control.

Dublin 4. Ability to communicate what has been learned – Towards the end of the course, students will be requested to prepare short seminars on topics agreed with the professor and to present and discuss it with the fellow students.

Dublin 5. ability to continue the study independently in the life – It is expected that at the end of the course the students are able to locate the newly acquire knowledge on human parasitology in the frame of theoretical aspects of ecology and evolutionary biology, as well as in the frame of preventive and control strategies, coherently with future eco-biological studies.

Educational objectives

General objectives
The course introduces to general knowledge and updated data regarding the variability of human and non-human primates, with reference to ecology and evolution. The student will be able to understand and evaluate the adaptive dynamics of examined taxa in the specific environmental contexts, in relation to the geographical distribution and in a diachronic perspective. Skills in critical analysis and presentation will be developed in presenting one or more case-studies at the level of gender, species or population.

Specific objectives
Knowledge and understanding:
The student will acquire knowledge on the variability of human and non-human primates, with focus on ecological aspects, including adaptive dynamics in relation to geographical distribution and specific environmental contexts, also in a diachronic and evolutionary perspective.

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding:
The student will acquire skills to use methods of analysis and critical evaluation of biodiversity, in relation to geographical distribution, different environmental contexts and evolutionary history of the taxa considered.

Making judgments:
Through the documentation and analysis of one or more case studies, the student will develop critical and judgmental skills by comparing morphological, physiological, genetic, geographic and ecological sources of information.

Communication skills:
The student will acquire skills in synthesis and communication in public, being invited to present in the classroom the results of the analytical and critical study of one or more case-studies, and being stimulated to interact with colleagues and with the teacher.

Learning skills:
The student will acquire the proper language of evolutionary biology and ecological morphology, with reference to the variability of human and non-human primates, being able to deal autonomously with both the manuals and more specialized literature.

Educational objectives

General objectives
At the end of the course the student will have acquired a knowledge of the main threats to the conservation of biodiversity at the level of species, habitats and ecosystems. The knowledge will be acquired of methods and strategies adopted at local, national and international levels to combat the loss of biodiversity through the analysis of case studies. Theoretical principles and practical ways to apply the ecosystem approach to biodiversity conservation will be learnt.

Specific objectives
Knowledge and understanding
The student will acquire the skills to apply the theoretical principles of the ecosystem approach to the conservation of biodiversity at the level of species, habitats and ecosystems, as well as the critical tools for selecting the most appropriate methods for the various case studies.

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
The student will acquire the ability to apply the theoretical principles of the ecosystem approach to the conservation of biodiversity at the level of species, habitats and ecosystems, as well as that for selecting the most appropriate methods for the various case studies.

Critical and judgmental capacities
The student will develop critical and judgmental skills by analyzing case studies and defining appropriate biodiversity conservation strategies. These skills will be developed through interaction with the lecturer during the course and through the preparation of a review.

Communication skills
The student will be asked to interact in the analysis of the case studies and during the excursion in the field for the identification of the causes of loss of biodiversity and the definition of appropriate conservation strategies.

Learning skills
The student will acquire the theoretical and practical ability to apply the ecosystem approach to the conservation of biodiversity so as to be able to replicate it to real case studies and for the formulation of project proposals.

Educational objectives

General goals.
This course is devoted to mathematical modeling of biological phenomena. Starting from discrete models (as logistic map, fractals, cellular automata), passing through the development of simple differential population models (as Malthusian model, predator-prey, evolutionary games) up to stochastic models (genetics), the course will provide mathematical fundamentals to understand the bases of modeling in biology. Moreover, at the same time, students are supposed to learn not only general facts but also to appreciate to what extent correct models of phenomena can give information to laws that govern them.

Specific goals.
The main goal of the course is to acquire, in practice, the "scientific method" (observation and data collection, theoretical description of phenomena main characteristics, predictions). Starting, in particular, from a certain number of biological examples, the course aims to show how to describe mathematically the most relevant aspects of each phenomenon and how to make predictions by using this description. An interesting consequece of this approach is that a deeper analysis of the model can often generate new questions on biological phenomena. By using this method the student undestand, often for the first time, that mathematics (calculus, statistics and probability) can be used for very interesting purposes.
These results can be obtained not only by means of lessons and seminars, but also by reading selected papers that can be discussed in the classroom. These papers, with the slides of lessons and notes, can be downloaded from elearning website. In the final exam students can also submit a short seminar whose subject is not included in the program: this allows the teacher to verify student autonomy and skill.

A) Knowledge and understanding
- knowing and understanding a mathematical model, through its predictive properties
- comprehension of the "scientific method" (observation and data collection, theoretical description of phenomena main characteristics, predictions)
- comprehension of the descriptive and interpretative power of mathematics
- comprehension of the main mathematical methods useful in biological sciences

B) Applying knowledge and understanding
- be able to use the specific terminology
- be able to identify the right methods to comprehend the problem under examination
- be able to extract the information of biological interest from a mathematical

C) Making judgements
- critical thinking through the study of a mathematical model, in order to understand its applicability limits
- learning by questioning

D) Communication skills
-be able to communicate what has been learned during the oral exam

E) Learning skills
- learning the specific terminology
- be able to make the logical connections between the topics covered
- be able to identify the most relevant topics

Educational objectives

General objectives
The Course objectives are to provide the basis for knowledge of the diversity of vascular plants, describing the main features and evolutionary trends; assessment of conservation status, flora monitoring and related conservation measures. Will they provide the necessary tools for recognition of the main groups of tracheophytes, especially of the Mediterranean flora.
Specific objectives

A) Knowledge and understanding
-Knowledge of the main families of vascular plants
-Knowledge and understanding of Biodiversity, conservation and monitoring strategies

B) Applying knowledge and understanding
- be able to use the specific terminology
-be able of identifying the main species of the spontaneous flora
- able to assess the Biodiversity and monitor the state of conservation of the flora

C) Making judgements
-acquire critical judgment skills, through the study of the progress of botanical knowledge and conservation biology
- learning by questioning

D) Communication skills
-be able to communicate what has been learned during the oral exam

E) Learning skills
- learning the specific terminology
- be able to make the logical connections between the topics covered
- be able to identify the most relevant topics.

Educational objectives

-General objectives
At the end of the course the student will have acquired the knowledge of the evolutionary mechanisms that originated the Vertebrates. The student will also know the adaptive meaning of the forms, the geographical distribution and the ecological diversification according to the way of life of all the Vertebrate Classes. Moreover the student will learn which are the main causes and the species threatened with extinction.

- Specific objectives
Knowledge and understanding – The student will acquire knowledge of the quantitative patterns of Vertebrate biodiversity. It will also understand how the knowledge about biodiversity patterns (in particular that of Vertebrates) is relevant in the various sectors of ecobiology, and as an evolutionary key to reading is essential in modern biology.

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding - The student will acquire the biodiversity analysis skills of Vertebrates.

Critical and judgmental capacities - During the lessons and excursions the student will develop critical and judgmental skills by comparing them with potentially different types of data (morphological, geographical, ecological).

Communication skills - The students, during the lessons and especially during the excursions, are encouraged to interact with each other and with the teachers in carrying out the activities of observation and identification of the biodiversity of Vertebrates.

Learning skills - The student will acquire the proper language of vertebrate zoology, in terms of taxonomic nomenclature. It will also have the perception of the role that Vertebrates have in ecosystems. These skills will make the student able to face future eco-biological studies.

Educational objectives

General objectives
Estimation of primary productivity of terrestrial ecosystems is showed by the use of several models utilised both at national and international levels. Some applications of these models will be examined in the frame of climate change and possible impacts on primary productivity will be assessed. Some programming principles "object-oriented" will be given to students. In this way, students will be able to provide modules for calculation and simulation of a given physiological or environmental parameter. Students are expected to gain skills and ability to cope with climate change issues in their future research work.

Specific objectives
Knowledge and understanding:
The student will be able to understand the importance of climate change for the primary productivity through the presentation and discussion of recent studies on the subject. An overview of the recent literature will provide the student with an understanding of the major impacts observed and expected on the different components of the biological organization and spatial scales.

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding:
The student will be able to think critically about the application of different tools and methodologies necessary to deepen knowledge on key aspects related to climate change. They will be able to discuss the methods of data analysis and models to be applied.

Critical and judgmental capacities:
During practical sessions students will develop critical and judgmental skills by coping with data sets related to primary production. They will discuss how to apply modules for calculation and simulation of physiological or environmental parameters.

Communication skills:
Students, especially during the laboratory practices, are encouraged to interact with each other and with the teachers to implement practical activities .

Learning skills:
The course provides an understanding of climate change issues. Students will gain the necessary knowledge to consider the issue of climate change in their future research activity.

Educational objectives

General objectives
At the end of the course the students will have acquired knowledge on microbial ecology and on the role of natural microorganisms to degrade and to remove contaminants. The student will be also able to describe classic culture, biochemical and biomolecular methods to study and to detect microorganisms potentially able to recover soil and water from contamination. Finally, the student will be able to assess the most suitable technology (e.g. biostimulation, bioaugmentation, phyto-assisted bioremediation) to apply versus several classes of contaminants.

- Specific objectives
Knowledge and understanding
The student will acquire knowledge on homeostatic capabilities of microorganisms and their main metabolic pathways (metabolism and co-metabolism) for transforming and degrading contaminants. The student will be able to understand and to apply different approaches to assess the potential remediation capabilities of natural microbial communities. Moreover, he/she will be able to suggest the most suitable bioremediation strategy (e.g. biostimulation, bioaugmentation, phyto-assisted bioremediation) in each case-study.

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
The student will acquire the skills to use the most suitable methods for identifying and studying microorganisms with specific degradative capabilities. Furthermore, the student will be able to select the most appropriate bioremediation strategy for each case-study.

Critical and judgmental capacities
The student during the course and, especially during the laboratory practices, will see application of soil or water bioremediation in laboratory or greenhouse microcosms. The student will sample and analyse soil and water samples choosing the most suitable microbiological methods with critical and judgemental skills.

Communication skills
The student can select a contaminant for which searching all the information required to perform a propaedeutic bibliography research, before starting a bioremediation application. The teacher will support and encourage the student to perform an oral presentation on the topic selected to the others students.

Learning skills
The student will acquire the capability to design a site-specific protocol for assessing the potential of natural microorganisms to recover contaminated soil or water. Moreover, the student will be able to suggest the specific bioremediation strategy to be applied using a multidisciplinary and ecological approach.

Educational objectives

General objectives
The student will acquire a deep knowledge in applied entomology, considered not only for the potential agronomic value, but even more for the numerous relationships and applications when arthropods interfere with human activities. Particular emphasis will be given toward causes and effects of accidental and/or intentional introductions of invasive alien species in natural and anthropic environments; moreover, area-wide strategies based upon suppression and/or eradication programs of target invasive species will be described and analyzed according to their implementation in natural or anthropic habitats.

Specific objectives
Knowledge and understanding:
The student will get a wide historical picture of the bidirectional relationships between arthropods and humans; the definition of risk-analysis as the “risk-benefits” conflict, always present into biological and integrated research programs.

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding:
The student will acquire the skills to use methods to organize a research program in Applied Entomology by his direct involvement and attending practical exercises in open field conditions.

Critical and judgmental capacities:
During the laboratory practices, the student will develop critical and judgmental skills to organize the research program according to the biological and physical differences.

Communication skills:
Students, especially during their practical trainings, will be encouraged to work together in groups (Team-concept), with the final goal to develop a small project (one for each team), to present at the end in a graphic (powerpoint) and/or practical (bioassay) mode.

Learning skills:
The student will acquire a better consideration of the background in biology, through the multidisciplinary transfer of his/her theoretical knowledge into a practical approach. This step will give to the student an important skill to use the scientific background in a real context.

Educational objectives

General objectives
The course is aimed to offer a general insight into composition and spatial distribution of freshwater biocoenoses, with special reference to environmental factors affecting both single animal species and community structure. Particularly, the various typologies of biological water assemblages coming from multiple combinations of environmental selective pressure (i.e. surface standing and running waters, phreatic and groundwater habitats, etc.) including human presence and activity, will be analyzed.

Specific objectives

Knowledge and understanding
The student will acquire a wide knowledge of the main freshwater environments, deepening characteristics and adaptive strategies of more representative organisms in various communities. Such knowledge will contribute to increase her/his perception of regulating balances of aquatic biocoenoses and of their more or less evident vulnerability.

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
The acquired knowledge will make the student able to plan basic investigations and routine monitoring of aquatic assemblages, to discriminate and define key aspects of various ecosystems, to deal with the definition of bioindicators and bioindexes aimed at the environmental diagnosis.

Critical and judgmental capacity
By means of case-studies analysis conducted during the course, and field activities specifically aimed at this, the student will refine her/his critical capability and perception of relationships linking organisms and water environment, essential to diagnoses formulation on actual situations.

Communication skills
Interactions among students, and among them and teacher, especially during field experiences and the case-study analyses will stimulate the student to adequate concepts formulation and communication to third persons of ideas and working projects, also by means of outputs for information spreading, in the view of potential future relationships with managing-administrative authorities or companies, needing to be scientifically and technically supported toward appropriate trends and choices in the approaches to freshwater environments.

Learning skills
The variety of information learned on the complexity of the studied ecosystems with their components, on instruments and methods suitable for the investigation, and on the multiple aspects regarding many different disciplines, will constitute an useful training for the development of autonomous capacity of updating personal knowledge and of a proper approach to future work activity regarding water systems.

Educational objectives

General objectives
At the end of the course, the student will have acquired knowledge of the evolutionary processes studied mainly in the context of human interactions with ecological systems and with the biosphere in general. Through the analysis of studies (field surveys, laboratory experiments, mathematical and, computational studies) using concepts, theories and methods of evolutionary biology in fields such as agriculture, aquaculture, forestry, fishing, biotechnology, climate change, invasion biology, conservation biology, the students will be able to acquire an in-depth knowledge and awareness of evolution, no longer only as a fundamental engine of the diversification of life, but also as a fundamental agent of development, well-being and balance of man and of the Earth.

Specific objectives:

Knowledge and understanding:
The student will acquire the knowledge of the principles of evolutionary biology that can be used to study biological systems of practical importance, in the context of human interactions with ecological systems and with the biosphere in general.

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding:
The student will understand the application areas of evolutionary principles in the study of human interactions with biological and ecological systems, and their interpretative potential in the light of evolutionary dynamics, at various time scales.

Critical and judgmental capacities:
Through the classroom discussion of the main themes of evolutionary biology and research conducted with an applicative perspective, the student will understand the reasons that make this discipline the central unifying theme of biology, and its relevance in the applications of Biology in today's society.

Ability to communicate what has been learned:
Students in the classroom will be constantly stimulated to interact with each other and with the teacher in the discussion of the topics presented, also through small group study of research published in important international journals.

Ability to continue the study independently in the life:
The student will acquire the critical vision and language of modern evolutionary biology. These skills will enable the student to face future biological studies, including experimental activities, having also understood the temporal and spatial dimensions of evolutionary dynamics.

Educational objectives

General skills
The course focuses on some of the themes dealt with in the Comparative Anatomy of Vertebrates. The Vertebrates will be treated from the point of view of phylogenetic systematics, with particular regard to the adaptive aspects that have characterized the most important stages of its evolution.
In particular, will be presented the most recent research investigating the evolutionary history of vertebrates based on the discovery of new fossils, on molecular phylogeny, and on the relationship between evolution and development.
The course deals mainly with macro-evolutionary topics, but there are numerous examples of intraspecific evolution (microevolution) that concern modifications of anatomical structures of such entity that they can be compared to those that occur during macroevolution.

Specific skills

A) Knowledge and understanding
- Knowledge and in-depth understanding of the systematics and diversity of vertebrates.
- Knowledge and in-depth understanding of current theories concerning the phylogenetic relationships of current and extinct vertebrates.
- Knowledge and understanding of the interpretation of phylogenetic trees. The use of phylogenetic trees, built on a molecular basis, to understand the evolution of anatomical structures.
- Knowledge of recent paleontological discoveries that have played an important role in understanding the evolution of vertebrates. The genetic bases of morphological changes in macro and micro-evolutionary fields.

B) Applying knowledge and understanding
- know how to use specific terminology.
- knowing how to interpret a phylogenetic tree.
- understand the main results contained in a scientific article concerning specific aspects of vertebrate evolutionary history (in the paleontological, molecular phylogenetic, Evo-Devo).

C) Making judgements

- Through the lectures, set up to stimulate the curiosity and the critical sense, the student will learn to ask the correct questions for the elaboration and the deepening of the subjects object of the course.

D) Communication skills
- Know how to communicate what has been learned in the course. Furthermore, the test includes the presentation of an in-depth topic prepared through the study of some scientific articles. This will highlight the skills of synthesis and the ability to respond to timely and critical questions on specific aspects identified by the teacher.

E) Learning skills
- learning the specific terminology
- be able to make the logical connections between the topics covered
- be able to identify the most relevant topics

Educational objectives

General objectives
The course aims to provide the basic knowledge of the management of marine resources related to: 1) pressures and threats on the marine environment, 2) dynamics of exploited populations, 3) models of population dynamics, 4) protection of marine environment in Italy and Europe, 5) marine pollution.
The practical part of the course will allow the student to learn the basic methods for studying the marine environment and the dynamics of fish populations and to design experiments for the analysis of problems related to the exploitation of resources.

Specific objectives
Knowledge and understanding
Knowledge and understanding of the environmental conditions and resources (collection and processing of information on the state of the environment and resources, assessment of the state of the environment and resources). Ability to identify sustainability objectives and criteria in the use of marine resources (national and community legislation, resource management tools, planning tools). Ability to recognize the main fish species of the Mediterranean sea.
The student will be able to gain the knowledge and the ability to understand through the theoretical lessons integrated by seminars related to the discipline. The verification of the results achieved will be carried out with the exam.

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
Ability to apply the acquired knowledge, understanding skills and ability to solve problems and to think about the principles of population dynamics. They must also be able to deal with the problems of the marine environment in a broad application context, with attention to the applicative possibilities, such as the choice and use of the tools of governance and protection of the territory. Ability to analyze the relationships that are established between human activities and the territory in coastal areas.
The student can achieve the ability to apply knowledge and understanding through the practical exercises provided and especially through the work of experimental thesis. The verification of the results achieved will be carried out with the course exam and with the final degree examination.

Making judgments
Ability in the evaluation and interpretation of experimental data functional to the application of management policies. Ability to evaluate the most suitable solutions for the eco-compatible and sustainable management of resources. Ability to analyze the production and environmental contexts in the coastal strip. Ability to choose and use tools for land management and marine resources.
The autonomy of judgment can be acquired especially during the activity for the experimental thesis in which the student must, albeit interacting with the speaker, participate in the design of the experimental activity, the critical analysis of the data obtained and will have to elaborate a discussion of the significance and importance of the data obtained in the light of specific bibliography on the subject matter. The verification of the results achieved will be carried out with the degree examination.

Communication skills
Ability to communicate in a clear way the knowledge acquired on the problems of management and conservation of marine resources, reporting in a professional and competent manner with institutional and private structures responsible for the management and protection of the environment. Ability to transmit acquired knowledge in a clear and understandable way to non-expert people.
Communication skills can be achieved through interaction with the teacher and the teaching assistants and during the preparation of the thesis work. The verification of the results achieved will be carried out with the final degree examination.

Learning skills
Acquisition of the ability to deepen and read critically the evolution of problems related to the management and conservation of marine resources through the consultation of texts, scientific publications and information material that allows the student to continue autonomously in the study at an advanced level.
The verification of the results achieved will be carried out with the course exam and with the final degree examination.

Educational objectives

General objectives
The course will provide an updated and comprehensive understanding on the effects of climate change on marine ecosystems with a special focus on biodiversity. At the end of the course the students will have gained knowledge on: i) the main climate-change related processes; ii) the associated direct and indirects impacts on marine populations, communities and ecosystems; iii) the methodological approaches commonly used to study the multiple effects of climate change; iv) the current understanding about the climate change scenarios and their associated ecological effects.
Overall students are expected to gain skills and ability to cope with climate change issues in their future research work.

Specific objectives
Knowledge and understanding
The student will be able to understand the importance of climate change for the structure and functioning of marine ecosystems through the presentation and discussion of recent studies on the subject. An overview of the recent literature will provide the student with an understanding of the major impacts observed and expected on the different components of the biological organization (e.g. organisms, populations, communities and ecosystems). The students can then form their own opinions on the importance of the topic in the various sectors of the ecobiology.

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
The student will be able to think critically about the application of different tools and methodologies necessary to deepen knowledge on key aspects related to climate change.

Critical and judgmental capacities
During practical sessions students will develop critical and judgmental skills by coping with data sets related to environmental and biological parameters. They will discuss how to apply methodologies and design studies in the field and in laboratory.

Communication skills
Students, especially during the laboratory practices, are encouraged to interact with each other and with the teachers to implement practical activities

Learning skills
The course provides an understanding of climate change issues, especially on the impacts of climate change on the marine ecosystems, with a focus on the most common experimental methods and tools applied in the different study fields. Students will gain the necessary knowledge to consider the issue of climate change in their future research activity.

Educational objectives

General objectives
At the end of the course the student will have acquired knowledge on biology and ecology of marine parasites.
The student will be also able to recognize the main parasites of marine organisms such as molluscs, squids, fish, fish-eating birds, reptiles and marine mammals.
He/she will acquire knowledge on the main traditional methodologies, as well as those most innovative ones (based on -omics approach), used for the parasites' identification, and in the study of host-parasite interaction.
The student will be able to study adaptive mechanisms evolved in marine parasites as a response to the hosts, even in relation to their evolutionary history. Knowledge on patterns of the host-parasite co-evolutionary history will be acquired, as well.
The student will also acquire knowledge on the possible use of some parasites as ecological indicators of fish stocks, migration routes of definitive hosts populations, food-webs stability and, finally, of global warming of marine ecosystems, in a multidisciplinary approach.
Finally, he/she will be able to monitoring the epidemiology of some parasite species that, having a pathogenic role could affect the population of their hosts, also in relation to their conservation status, such as in the case of overfished fish species, marine turtles and mammals.

Specific objectives
Knowledge and understanding
The student will acquire knowledge on the life-cycle, biogeography, ecology, and evolutionary adaptive mechanisms of the main taxonomic groups of parasites of fish, molluscs, squids, marine birds, turtles and mammals.
The student will be able to understand and to apply different genetic, genomic, transcriptomic and proteomic approaches actually used to recognise main parasites and to study the host-parasite interaction. Approaches aimed to study co-phylogenetic and co-evolutionary aspects in host -parasite evolutionary history, will be also acquired by the student.
Moreover, he/she will acquire knowledge on some parasites which could have a zoonotic role to humans and on the pathogenic aspects derived from the accidental transmission. In this regard, knowledge on the main biological hazards (parasites) present in wild fisheries and the importance of monitoring them as part of risk assessment.

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
The student will acquire the skills to use the most suitable methods for identifying and studying parasites in the aims of acquire knowledge on ecological and biological aspects. He will be able to apply methodologies for sampling parasites during field work (as in the case of fishing activity and necroscopy of stranded marine animals), as well as for the parasites analysis in laboratory work. He/she will be able to select the most appropriate methodology's strategies (both traditional and innovative, including the eDNA) for each case-study in the monitoring of parasites in a marine ecosystem.

Critical and judgmental capacities
The student, given the knowledge acquired during the course, as well during the field work and laboratory practices, will see application of genetic and epidemiological approaches to carry out monitoring of parasites in marine ecosystem, even in comparative analysis, at both time and space level. These practises will permit the student to choose the most suitable methods with critical and judgemental skills.

Communication skills
The student can select a particular case-study in the frame of the arguments treated during the ex-cathedra lecturing, for which a literature searching will be performed. He/she will then give an oral presentation of that case study, with a critical discussion during the communications to the other students of the course, on the methodologies applied and results achieved, which will be stimulated by the teacher.

Learning skills
The student will acquire the capability to design a specific protocol for a specific case study, in a multidisciplinary approach, to use parasites as ecological indicators in the monitoring of marine ecosystems health.