Ateneo - UPO

The course includes an introduction to evolution, systematics, cladistics, the rules of taxonomy, and the mechanisms of speciation. There will be a series of lessons dedicated to the main animal groups. Students will receive information on the morphological-structural, ecological, and systematic characteristics of the "Protozoa" and the most widespread invertebrate groups, along with some minor groups of importance for evolution. The five classes of Vertebrates (Fish, Amphibians, Reptiles, Birds, and Mammals) will be studied in detail, with a focus on the diversity of the Italian species and their conservation. Specimens of arthropods and other invertebrates will be examined in the lab, learning the use of dichotomous keys and stereomicroscope. An educational excursion to a natural science museum is programmed.

Hickman R., Keen S., Eisenhour D., Larson A. & I'Anson L. (2020) Diversità Animale. McGraw Hill, Milano.
Or, of the same authors, the textbook "Zoologia" has the same contents plus several introductive chapters.

Other textbook:
Casiraghi R., De Eguileor M., Cerrano C. (2023) Zoologia. Seconda Edizione. UTET Università
Ballarin L. (2023). Manuale di Zoologia. Piccin Editore

The student acquires the fundamental principles for the knowledge of animal diversity and the laws that regulate it. The ability to examine the huge number of animal species with the typical approach of comparative studies will be developed, with a line of reasoning regarding form and function. The course aims to give the student the ability to analyze animal biodiversity from an evolutionary point of view. The course also provides the fundamentals for other teachings concerning animals, such as ethology, applied zoology, and animal ecology.

Fundamentals of cytology, histology, embryology and anatomy.

In the classroom: theoretical lectures with slide presentations and multimedia material about animals. In the laboratory: practical exercises on arthropods and other invertebrates. Educational excursion in a natural science museum.

The control of learning in progress will be carried out with classroom discussions during the lessons and with the correction in the laboratory of cards for identifying animal species through dichotomous keys.
Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request specific services and tools via the Staff Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse e agli Studenti, consulting the University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/services-
students-physical-or-learning-disabilities. Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted
the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination
modalities, concerning academic aspects.

Written exam implemented on Moodle platform with multiple choice and open questions. The difficulty level of the exercises corresponds to the program. The questions concern the topics covered during the course, illustrated in the presentations made available to students and dealt with in the recommended manuals. To pass the exam, the student must have completed an assessment equal to or greater than 18/30.

The ZOOLOGY course includes an introduction to evolution and systematics, cladistics, the rules of taxonomy, and the mechanisms of speciation. A series of lessons dedicated to the main animal groups follow, including "Protozoa". Students will receive information on the architecture of the animals and the bauplan and on the morphological-structural, ecological, and systematic characteristics of the following taxa: "Protozoa", Porifera, Cnidaria, Ctenofora, Platelmintes, Rotifera, Briozoa, Brachiopoda, Nemertinea, Mollusca, Annelida, Nematoda, Tardigrada, Arthropoda (including the main subphyla: Chelicerata, Myriapoda, Crustacea, Hexapoda), Echinodermata, Cordata (with particular details about the 5 Vertebrata classes: Fish, Amphibians, Reptiles, Birds, and Mammals).
The lessons include a morphophysiological, paleontological, ecological, and phylogenetic approach to all animal taxa. A particular focus will be on the species of Italian fauna and conservation issues related to biodiversity. In the lab, specimens of arthropods and other invertebrates will be studied. There will be an educational excursion to a natural science museum.

Knowledge and understanding: acquisition of knowledge about the animal kingdom and knowledge of the most common species of invertebrates, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals; enrichment of the appropriate scientific language in the zoological field.
Applied knowledge and understanding: to know how to use the stereomicroscope to observe small invertebrates, and the ability to interpret the morphological data collected directly for the purposes of zoological classification.
Judgment: the ability to critically analyze the anatomical differences related to the shape or function in the various taxonomic animal groups, the autonomy of judgment in evaluating morphological data derived from the study of species in the laboratory.
Communication skills: improvement of the disciplinary vocabulary in zoology, as well as to describe clearly and concisely phenomena and problems related to animals. The ability to report on the topics presented during the course with appropriate scientific language, in written form.
Learning skills: acquisition of the ability to critically deepen and update independently acquired skills, through reading texts and teaching materials.
Ability to use teaching material for critical and reasoned study.