Ateneo - UPO

The course includes an introduction to evolution, systematics, and the rules of taxonomy, as well as the mechanisms of speciation. This will be followed by an introduction to unicellular eukaryotes ("Protozoa") and a series of lectures dedicated to the main animal groups (invertebrates and vertebrates). For each animal group, students will receive information on morphological-structural, ecological, and systematic characteristics. The five classes of vertebrates (Fishes, Amphibians, Reptiles, Birds, and Mammals) will be studied in detail, illustrating their diversity at the national level and current conservation issues. In the laboratory, students will examine specimens of arthropods and other invertebrates, learning how to use dichotomous keys and a stereomicroscope. A field trip to a Natural Science museum is also planned.

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.

The student acquires the fundamental principles of animal diversity and the laws that govern 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 analyse animal biodiversity from an evolutionary point of view. The course also provides the fundamentals for other teachings concerning animals, such as 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 the 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, as illustrated in the presentations made available to students and addressed 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 provides an introduction to evolutionary theory and systematics, cladistics and the principles of biological taxonomy, as well as the mechanisms of speciation. It is followed by a brief introduction to key ecological concepts that are essential for understanding the subsequent topics, and a lecture on animal body architecture and body plans (Bauplan). The course then covers the major animal groups. For each group, the following aspects are addressed: body architecture and body plan, morphological and structural characteristics, ecology, and systematics.The taxa covered include: unicellular eukaryotes ("Protozoa"), Porifera, Cnidaria, Ctenophora, Platyhelminthes, Rotifera, Bryozoa, Brachiopoda, Nemertea, Mollusca, Annelida, Nematoda, Tardigrada, Arthropoda (including the main subphyla: Chelicerata, Myriapoda, Crustacea, and Hexapoda), Echinodermata, and Chordata, with particular emphasis on the five major classes of vertebrates: fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.For selected groups, particularly insects and vertebrates, the course also explores the diversity of the Italian fauna and key aspects of biodiversity conservation.The course includes three practical laboratory sessions, during which students will learn how to use dichotomous keys and a stereomicroscope, examine live invertebrate specimens, and gain an appreciation of the scientific value of natural history collections through a field visit to a natural history 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 analyse 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.