The aim of the course is to give students the core information needed to handle entomological problems in agricultural and natural environments using a contemporary, digital approach. At the end of the course the student will be able to choose the latest digital tools and biotechnological methodologies for the management of insect pests in both agriculture and forestry to prevent and/or contain their detrimental effects.

The course aims to provide students with the fundamental knowledge for a modern approach to the (eco)sustainable management of phytosanitary issues related to abiotic and biotic stress, the latter with specific reference to fungi, bacteria, and viruses in agricultural and natural ecosystems. At the end of the course the student will be able to choose the latest digital tools and biotechnological methodologies to be used in the different contexts in which plant diseases can occur in both agriculture and forestry to prevent and/or contain their detrimental effects.KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITY TO UNDERSTAND
Acquisition of a comprehensive knowledge of the basics of plant protection in the context of digital agriculture: understanding of the ways of occurrence and spread of plant diseases and how to evaluate them with innovative tools; understanding of the main innovative diagnostic strategies and how to apply them correctly; solid knowledge of the latest technological innovations for preventive and containment defense from phytosanitary adversities.
The course pursues the following educational objectives:
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
Acquisition of a comprehensive knowledge of the basics of plant protection in the context of digital agriculture: understanding of the ways of occurrence and spread of plant diseases and how to evaluate them with innovative tools; understanding of the main innovative diagnostic strategies and how to apply them correctly; solid knowledge of the latest technological innovations for preventive and containment defense from phytosanitary adversities.
APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
Application of the management of phytosanitary problems through digital and innovative approaches; awareness of pre- and post-onset strategies to be implemented to minimize phytopathological damage.
MAKING JUDGMENTS
Ability to face a phytosanitary problem with the methodologies discussed in class or similar to them, and to draw on the knowledge acquired in the course to manage it better.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Use of the correct technical-scientific terminology in the description of the course topics. Synthesis skills and communicative effectiveness in the description of the course topics.
LEARNING SKILLS
Knowledge of the topics of the course and critical ability to fully understand the crucial aspects of a phytosanitary problem and how to deal with it with the latest methods.