The aim of the course is to provide students with the basis for understanding the great biodiversity and importance of insects, particularly in forest and mountain environments. Morphology, anatomy and physiology of insects as well as methods for the evaluation and control of harmful insect populations, according to current legislation, will be addressed. In addition, methods are provided for the identification of the main groups and the knowledge of insects that infested the plant species typical of the mountain and forest environment is deepened.
The course pursues the following educational objectives:
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
Development of knowledge of the basic principles of general and applied entomology; identification of the most important insects (order level) in agricultural and natural ecosystems in the mountain area and comprehension of the role these organisms play in ecosystems. Learning the main monitoring strategies of insects and how to apply them correctly. Knowledge of pest control strategies. Knowledge of the main forest insects in the Apennine Mountain environment.
APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
Understanding of experimental approaches to entomology in mountain environments discussed in class and their applications to specific cases.
MAKING JUDGMENTS
Interpretation of entomological issues, in analogy with what was discussed in class. Application of the knowledge acquired in the course to manage the various phytosanitary issues and to preserve taxa of interest.
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 understand the crucial aspects of a phytosanitary problem, how to deal with it, and how to carry out the necessary insights.

The course aims to deal with the main plant pathogens (mainly fungi, but with examples concerning also bacteria, viruses and insects) of particular importance in forest and mountain environment. Consequently, the main purposes of the course are the understanding of the biology and the epidemiology of these disease agents, and the containment strategies to be adopted (preferably with low environmental impact). Then, the course aims to bring a knowledge of the main factors that trigger the spread of these pathogens (climate change, pathogen pollution and agricultural changes). Finally, the students are driven to the learning of how to recognize an pathogen and what are the possible measures and strategies to minimize the impact of these pathogens (including Legislative rules).
The course pursues the following educational objectives:
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
Development of knowledge of the basic principles of plant pathology, Understanding of the ways of occurrence and spread of diseases in plant populations.  Recognition and interpretation of plant symptoms. Understanding the main biological aspects of the different categories of biotic causal agents. Learning the main strategies of disease diagnosis and how to apply them correctly. Knowledge of the most important plant diseases in the mountain area and their causative agents.
APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
Understanding of experimental approaches to phytopathology in mountain environments discussed in class and their applications to specific problems
MAKING JUDGMENTS
Interpretation of phytopathological issues, in analogy with what was discussed in class.  Application of the knowledge acquired in the course to manage the various phytosanitary issues.
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 understand the crucial aspects of a phytosanitary problem, how to deal with it, and how to carry out the necessary insights.