Program Overview

---

Program Overview

The program in question is the Ecologia (Ecology) course offered by the University of Genoa. This course is part of the university's curriculum for the academic year 2023/2024.

Course Details

• Code: 52675
• Academic Year: 2023/2024
• CFU (University Formative Credits):
  • 9 CFU for SCIENZE AMBIENTALI E NATURALI 9916 (L-32) - GENOVA in the first year
  • 6 CFU for METODOLOGIE FILOSOFICHE 8465 (LM-78) - GENOVA in the first year
• Scientific Disciplinary Sector: BIO/07
• Language: Italian
• Location: Genova

Propaedeuticity

This course has propaedeuticity for the following courses:

• SCIENZE AMBIENTALI E NATURALI 9916 (coorte 2023/2024)
• ECOLOGIA APPLICATA 66700
• ANALISI DI DATI ECOLOGICI E LABORATORIO 84046
• MONITORAGGIO E GESTIONE DEI DATI AMBIENTALI 84093
• LABORATORIO DI ANALISI DEI DATI 84092
• CAMPAGNA AMBIENTALE 84021

Modules

The course is composed of:

• ESERCIZI DI ECOLOGIA
• PRINCIPI DI ECOLOGIA

Educational Materials

The primary educational material is the personal notes taken during the course and the material available on AulaWeb. For consultation and to integrate the lecture contents, the following textbook is recommended:

• T. M. Smith, R. L. Smith, Elementi di ecologia (edizione italiana a cura di A. Occhipinti Ambrogi, G. Badino e M. Cantonati). Pearson - Benjamin Cummings, 706 pp. ISBN -5

Presentation

Ecology is the science that studies the complex relationships between organisms and their environment, highlighting and analyzing the reciprocal influences of the living and non-living components in ecosystems. The approach is theoretical-practical and includes examples and numerous exercises (which are mandatory), the solutions of which must be presented during the exam.

Educational Objectives

The course provides an overview of the main concepts of ecology. The lessons cover the structure and function of ecosystems, interactions and processes between organisms and the environment, diversity, distribution, dynamics, stability in communities, and biological cycles. Other topics such as ecosystem research will also be considered.

Detailed Educational Objectives and Learning Outcomes

Acquisition of the fundamentals of ecological theory and the principles and methods of ecological investigations. Development of the ability to understand the terminology and language typical of the subject and to elaborate and provide useful information for the study, characterization, and management of ecosystems.

Prerequisites

There are no specific prerequisites, but basic knowledge related to zoology is recommended to effectively tackle the course contents.

Didactic Methods

• Frontal lessons
• Exercises in the classroom

Program/Content

Definition of ecology. Concept of oikos and links with economics. Knowledge, management, conservation. Outline of system theory. The ecosystem. Biotopo and biocenosis. Interactions between components. Ecological factors. Ecological valence. Ecological niche. Strategies. Demoecology. Flows of matter and energy. Chains, networks, and trophic levels. Models in ecology. Dynamics and change. Engineering and economic ecology. Stability, resistance, resilience. Natural capital. Sustainable development. Internal information: diversity. Biogeochemical cycles. Outline of conservation ecology. Measurement of diversity. Inventory diversity. Species-area curve. Indicators and indices. Space occupation. Hierarchical structure. Physical-biological connection. Interactions between ecosystems. Macroecology and biogeography. Zonation. The Gaia hypothesis. Anthropocene. Global environmental change. Outline of the planet's climate system. Ecological principles for environmental compatibility.

Teachers and Commissions

• Teacher: MARIACHIARA CHIANTORE
• Reception: Student reception is agreed directly with the teacher via email.
• Examination Commission:
  • MARIACHIARA CHIANTORE (President)
  • GINA DE LA FUENTE MANCEBO
  • VALENTINA ASNAGHI (Supplementary President)
  • CRISTINA MISIC (Supplementary)

Lessons

Lesson Schedule

• ECOLOGIA

Exams

Examination Method

The exam consists of an oral test related to the topics covered in the course. The exam is passed if the student has obtained a score of 18/30 or higher.

There will be 5 appeals in the summer session (June, July, September) and 2 appeals in the winter session (January-February).

For any updates due to variations in the health and epidemiological situation, please refer to the specific AulaWeb instance of the course.

Verification Method

Details on the examination preparation methods and the degree of in-depth study required for each topic will be provided during the lessons.

The exam will verify the actual acquisition of knowledge, which the student must be able to connect and integrate. The ability to synthesize and recognize the main aspects of the treated argument will be evaluated, and the ability to expose the arguments in a clear and correct terminology will also be considered.

Exam Calendar

Exam Date	Time	Location	Type	Notes	Course
19/02/2024	09:30	GENOVA	Oral		ESERCIZI DI ECOLOGIA
19/06/2024	09:00	GENOVA	Oral		ESERCIZI DI ECOLOGIA
03/07/2024	09:00	GENOVA	Oral		ESERCIZI DI ECOLOGIA
22/07/2024	09:00	GENOVA	Oral		ESERCIZI DI ECOLOGIA
02/09/2024	09:00	GENOVA	Oral		ESERCIZI DI ECOLOGIA
19/02/2024	09:30	GENOVA	Oral		PRINCIPI DI ECOLOGIA
19/06/2024	09:00	GENOVA	Oral		PRINCIPI DI ECOLOGIA
03/07/2024	09:00	GENOVA	Oral		PRINCIPI DI ECOLOGIA
22/07/2024	09:00	GENOVA	Oral		PRINCIPI DI ECOLOGIA
02/09/2024	09:00	GENOVA	Oral		PRINCIPI DI ECOLOGIA

Other Information

• Attendance is not mandatory but is strongly recommended.
• Exercises (material recoverable on AulaWeb) are mandatory.