Degree Course: SCIENZE AMBIENTALI (L-32 Civitavecchia) Syllabus for A.Y. 2017/2018  

The course, which deals with a basic subject in the initial phase of the course of study, aims at forming the skills of critical analysis based on scientific methodology, integrating general and contextual knowledge with those concerning specific technical and methodological tools of the zoological discipline , oriented to environmental studies.
EXPECTED LEARNING RESULTS
1) Knowledge and understanding
The acquired knowledge will concern elements of general biology (cell, reproduction, genetic code, evolution); zoological techniques and methods (nomenclature, taxonomy, methods of data collection and analysis); topics of general zoology (structure and apparatus, species and reproductive isolation, ethology); biodiversity (knowledge and summary identification of the fauna with particular regard to the Italian fauna). Understanding skills will be achieved through the practice of rules and methods specific to the subject (for example, taxonomy and nomenclature rules).
2) Knowledge and comprehension skills applied
The aspects concerning the application of knowledge involve the ability to analyze and interpret scientific contributions in the field of Zoology, and to identify fauna at a summary level for environmental assessment purposes.
3) Autonomy of judgment
The exercise of critical analysis and knowledge, although at a general level, of fundamental methods and concepts will allow the ability to formulate independent assessments.
4) Communication skills
These skills will be developed through the exercise of one's own expression (interventions during the lessons) and with a brief knowledge of the methods of scientific communication.
5) Ability to learn
The notions and the use of the sources and the relative information can allow the application of the learning modalities to contexts different from those treated specifically in the course.

The FISICA course aims to introduce the student to the fundamental principles of PHYSICS in particular: Mechanics, Statics and Dynamics of Fluids, Oscillations, Thermodynamics, Electromagnetism, Optics, and Modern Physics, providing the fundamental knowledge of Physics for a correct application to processes and phenomena of interest to the environmental sciences, both from a theoretical and an experimental point of view.

Expertise in Botany

A) OBJECTIVES

The course introduces the concepts and the experimental approaches of organic chemistry, working on the consolidation of principles acquired in the field of physics and general and inorganic chemistry to advance the knowledge of carbon chemistry. In the first part of the course, the cultural and practical bases for understanding the structure of organic molecules will be provided, paying particular attention to the existing relationships between the chemical structure and the chemical-physical and biological properties associated with them. The different physical hybridization states of the carbon will allow the three-dimensional vision of the molecules, facilitating the understanding of their role in the cell. The second part of the course is dedicated to the application of properties in the context of chemical reactivity. The student will have the opportunity to have answers to some of the key questions in his study: why do molecules react? What are the experimental factors that control the kinetics of the reactions? When is a reaction under thermodynamic control rather than kinetic? How is it possible to synthesize complex molecules from simple reagents? What is the impact of organic chemistry on the environment and how can it be reduced? This knowledge will allow the student to undertake subsequent study courses with strong structural and molecular expertise.

B) EXPECTED LEARNING RESULTS
Knowledge of the principles governing the formation of the chemical bond, using traditional theories (valence bond theory) and advanced theories (theory of molecular orbital and quantum mechanics ). Knowledge of nomenclature and classification (theory of functional groups) of organic molecules, with particular attention to the association between the family of organic molecules and biological and chemical-physical properties. Knowledge of the reactivity of organic molecules and experimental parameters capable of controlling thermodynamics and kinetics of organic transformations. Knowledge of the relationship between organic molecules and the origin of life.

In addition to the knowledge gained through the study of organic chemistry, students will be able to apply the acquired concepts for the resolution of practical exercises related to the identification and classification of substances based on Their activity on the body, the effect of chirality on pharmacological activity, the possibility of separating organic isomers and the general methodologies for their analysis and their recognition.

Making judgments: The course offers links to other disciplines (Physics, General Chemistry, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Computational Chemistry and Genetics) by providing an integrated knowledge. The student's critical judgment will be stimulated by constantly referring to the reading of recent studies published in scientific journals, questioning the current issues related to some of the core concepts of the discipline. Thanks to the multi-disciplinary and interdisciplinary nature of organic chemistry, it will be also possible to link the acquired concepts to other disciplines, allowing the student to form his own autonomy of judgment about the effectiveness of an integrated scientific approach.

Communication skills: At the end of each part of the course, the students will be invited to form working groups to develop solutions and compete with others in solving practical exercises. The educational gain is aimed at increasing the communication skills and the ability to know how to work in a group, all aimed at consolidating the acquired concepts.

Learning Skills: Students' learning abilities will be evaluated during the course of the course by exonerary tests that will allow you to individually monitor the maturation state of the knowledge, highlighting the student's ability to return.

The course will enable students to understand the morphological, physiological and metabolic characteristics of microorganisms (with particular reference to prokaryotes), their role in nature and interactions with other organisms including humans. Furthermore it will allow to learn the basic techniques for the manipulation of microorganisms in the laboratory, for their identification and for the study of microbial communities. The course will provide a framework for understanding current issues related to microorganisms and their potential applications (e.g. the importance of microorganisms for humans and other animals, their potential in biotechnology, the dangers of some microorganisms and the necessary countermeasures to cancel potential damages of these). The course will provide the basis for further specialized studies in the field of microbial ecology, environmental and medical microbiology.

The course aims to provide solid basic knowledge on the structure and functioning of environmental systems, with particular emphasis on the mechanisms that determine both the distribution and abundance of organisms as well as their relations with the environment. The course aims to enhance the hierarchical and interdisciplinary nature of ecology with the aim of encouraging students to deal with complex and multi-scalar disciplines and problems. This objective is reflected in the organization of the program that runs through the hierarchical ladder of ecological organization, from the mechanisms underlying biodiversity (evolutionary ecology), passing through the relationships between organisms and species (population ecology) up to the structure and functioning of communities (community ecology). The course will provide the basis for further specialized studies in ecosystem and applied ecology, biodiversity conservation and sustainable environmental management.

Goals
The goals of this course are to introduce the general concepts and vocabulary to allow discussion of biological systems at the scale of ecosystems and communities and to learn to use those concepts to understand the emergent properties of complex biological systems.

Learning outcomes
The course gives an overview of ongoing ecological research and constitutes a basis for studies for second-cycle studies and work within fields requiring knowledge in ecosystem functioning, community ecology and nutrient cycling.
On completion of the course, the student should be able to:
a) account for theories and models of ecosystem functioning;
b) have a multidisciplinary perspective when approaching ecosystems, communities and nutrient cycles;
c) quantify and interpret diversity patterns;
d) critically review and discuss primary scientific texts in Ecology;
e) demonstrate an ability to identify his/her need of further knowledge.
f) schematically plan, carry out and statistically evaluate an ecological study.

Educational objectives
The objectives of the course are the transmission of the basic notions of applied ecology useful for correctly framing the environmental themes deriving from the interaction between man and natural ecosystems. The course introduces the main characteristics of ecosystems and analyzes the impacts on these ecosystems deriving from human activities, providing for each theme an overview of the management, technical and regulatory tools used to stem environmental degradation.

Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
At the end of the training the student will acquire the knowledge concerning the main anthropic impacts on marine, terrestrial and inland water ecosystems. The student will be able to understand the multiple effects that human activities imply, in terms of the imbalance of the stability of natural ecosystems.
Applied knowledge and understanding
The student will be able to find out about the technical options that can be applied in solving the most pressing environmental issues and will be able to identify the national and supranational regulatory tools through which these issues can be addressed.
Autonomy of judgment
During lectures and exercises, open discussion on the main environmental issues addressed is encouraged, in particular with regard to possible solutions to the most current environmental emergencies. The student will therefore acquire autonomy of judgment based on the knowledge learned and the dialectical comparison with colleagues and the teacher.
Communication skills
The student will acquire an appropriate technical-scientific language during the lessons and exercises, through the knowledge of the definitions and the main basic concepts in ecology and applied ecology. Communication skills will be verified during the exam.
Ability to learn
The student will have to demonstrate to be able to use the concepts learned to hypothesize the possible effects of human activities even in environmental contexts different from those considered as an example, based on the ecological characteristics of the considered environment.