Ateneo - UPO

The course consists of two modules aimed at the knowledge and conservation of the animal and plant biodiversity. The two modules will introduce the notions about taxonomy, evolution of species, mechanisms of speciation and phylogeny and then deal with systematic zoology and botany. The different animal and plant groups will be faced with an evolutionary approach. In addressing the different groups of organisms, the problems of conservation and the main tools for protect the biodiversity will also be reported.

Cleveland P. Hickman, Susan L. Keen, David J. Eisenhour, Allan Larson, Helen Lanson, Olimpia Coppellotti, Laura Guidolin (ed. 18- 2020) Diversità Animale. McGraw Hill, Milano.
Judd et al. (2019), Botanica sistematica – Un approccio filogenetico, Piccin editore.
Pasqua et al. (2019) Botanica Generale e Diversità Vegetale – Quarta edizione-, Piccin editore

The student acquires the fundamental principles for the knowledge of the biodiversity and of the laws that regulate it.
He will develop the ability to recognize animal and plant species through comparative study.
The course aims to enable the student to analyze animal and plant biodiversity from an evolutionary perspective and highlights the fundamental importance of biodiversity conservation in a context of ecological transition and sustainable development.

Cell biology, fundaments of biology

Lessons with presentation of slides, videos and images. Seminars held by experts in the sector. Practical exercises in the laboratory, field visits and museum visits.

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.

Test of ongoing learning: classroom discussions and tests during lessons, filling and correction of forms the species identification through the use of dichotomous keys.
Written exam carried out on the Moodle platform differentiated into two modules, a zoology module and a botany module according to the rules reported in the Syllabus of the two modules.
The overall evaluation will take into account (arithmetic mean) the score of each of the two parts. To pass the exam, the student must have achieved a score equal to or higher than 18/30, a high score will be assigned if the student has demonstrated through the Moodle tests that he has a thorough knowledge of the topics covered during the course and that he interprets the morphological data present in the questions.

EXTENDED PROGRAM OF ZOOLOGY:
The course includes an introduction to systematics, cladistics and taxonomy rules, as well as to the mechanisms of speciation.
We will learn the techniques to construct and visualize the relations between species through phylogenetic trees.
Later, a series of lectures dedicated to the main animal groups will follow. Students will receive information on the morphological-structural and ecological characteristics of Protozoa and the most widespread invertebrate groups (Porifera, Coelenterates, Platyhelminthes, Nematodes, Annelids, Molluscs, Arthropods), as well as some minor groups of importance for evolution.
Students will receive information on the morphological-structural and ecological characteristics of Deutherostomes: Echinoderms (Echinoidea, Asteroidea, Ophiuroidea, Crinoidea, Holoturoidea) and Chordata (the notochord, general characteristics and main groups, Urochordates and Cephalochordates). The five classes of Vertebrates (fishes, amphibians, reptiles, mammals and birds) will be studied in detail, illustrating for each group the species of greatest management or conservation interest, with particular regard to Italian taxa. Special attention will be paid to the phylogenetic and evolutionary aspects of Zoology. In the laboratory will be examined in practice specimens of Italian molluscs, arthropods and birds, learning the use of dichotomous keys.
EXTENDED PROGRAM OF BOTANY:
The course provides an introduction to general botany and systematics, focusing on the rules of nomenclature with reference to the International Code for the nomenclature of algae, fungi and plants. Phylogenetic techniques currently used in the botanical field and identification techniques based on DNA barcoding will be presented. The aim of the course is focused on the study of land plants, but cyanobacteria, algae, and fungi will also be treated. The main morphological and ecological characteristics will be analyzed for each taxonomic group. Focusing on terrestrial plants, the main families and the most representative species within them will be considered. Methods for assessing biodiversity and conservation and protection strategies for endangered species will be discussed. Practical bioinformatics lessons will be conducted (DNA barcoding identification, alignment of sequences and creation of phylogenetic tree), as well as lessons on morphological identification of plants.

Knowledge and understanding: acquisition of knowledge on animal and plant biodiversity and its conservation, knowledge of the most widespread species; enrichment of the appropriate scientific language in the zoological field.
Applied knowledge and understanding: knowing how to build a phylogenetic tree starting from DNA sequences, knowing how to use the stereomicroscope for the observation of organisms or parts of them, knowing how to use the necessary guides for the identification of species in nature or in museum collections; ability to extrapolate the biodiversity present in a habitat.
Autonomy of judgment: ability to critically analyze the impact of human works and actions on biodiversity, independence of judgment in the evaluation of morphological data obtained from the study of species in the laboratory or in the field.
Communication skills: improvement of the disciplinary lexicon in the field of zoology and botany, as well as clear and concise describe phenomena and problems relating to the species. Ability to present the topics covered during the course in appropriate scientific language, in written form.
Learning skills: acquisition of the ability to critically deepen and autonomously update the skills acquired, through the reading of texts and teaching material.
Ability to use the teaching material for a critical and reasoned study.