OVERVIEW

The course aims to provide the basic anatomical, taxonomic and ecological knowledge of the main groups of plants necessary to apply the study of these organisms in the management and conservation of cultural heritage. During the course are covered the basics of plant species identification and the basics of wood anatomy and its main characteristics useful for the identification of the species most commonly used in artistic and archeological artefacts.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The aim of module 3-Botany module is to provide basic knowledge of systematics and plant ecology related to the main groups of plant organisms involved as biodeteriogens or to other aspects of the management and conservation of Cultural Heritage. The bases of the wood anatomy and of the main characteristics useful for identifying the species most commonly used in artistic and archaeological artefacts are also provided.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Attendance and active participation in lectures and thematic seminars, together with individual study, will enable the student to:

- recognise and study the anatomical characteristics of the main plant groups and to taxonomically classify them;

- know the biological forms and ecology of the main plant groups;

-  plan a sampling and/or monitoring of the plant component aimed at the conservation of artistic and cultural heritage;

- assess the danger to architectural artefacts through the application of appropriate assessment tools;

- correctly approach the recognition of wood species used in the context of artistic artefacts.

The training activities includes optional participation in the "multidisciplinary teaching program" promoted annually by the master’s degree program. Participation in the planned laboratory and field activities will enable students to acquire the"social skill - advanced level" with particular reference to: 
- management skills in social interactions;
- collaborative attitude;
- expressing and understanding different points of view;
- constructive communication in different environments, including communication to the public during cultural events.

PREREQUISITES

Knowledge of general and applied biology are required to cover the teaching content.

TEACHING METHODS

The course consists of 20 hours of lectures, delivered via multimedia presentations and thematic seminars and 8 hour of lababoratory activities. Attendance at lectures and seminars is strongly recommended.

The thematic seminars and laboratories take place in classrooms equipped with microscopes of DISTAV.

Teaching methods used in the multidisciplinary teaching project promoted by the master’s degree program include: team-based learning; problem-based learning; group-based teaching; project-based teaching. The production of technical reports and presentation/dissemination of achievements at public events is also planned.

Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should speak both with the instructor and with Professor Sara Ferrando (sara.ferrando@unige.it), the Department’s disability liaison.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The course programme includes the presentation and discussion of the following topics:

- anatomical characteristics, taxonomic framework and ecology of the main biodeteriogens with particular reference to plant ones:  Algae, Bryophytes, Pteridophytes, Spermatophytes (Gymnosperms, Angiosperms);

- phenomenology and analysis of biological deterioration processes in cultural heritage. Ecology of biodeterioration;

- potential hazard index of plant species for assessing the biodeterioration of architectural and archaeological heritage. Biodeterioration processes in relation to cultural heritage materials, types of environment, geographical and climatic contexts;

- conservation of cultural heritage. Physical, chemical and biological methods for the control and prevention of biodeterioration by plants;

- wood as a material of archaeological and historical-artistic interest: morphological and anatomical characteristics useful for the identification of the woods most commonly used for artefacts of artistic and archaeological interest in Europe.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

The multimedia teaching material used by the lecturer during the lectures will be available on AulaWeb at the end of the cycle of lectures.

The texts listed below are support texts and can be consulted at the library of the School of Science M.F.N.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

STEFANO VANIN (President)

MIRCA ZOTTI

SIMONE DI PIAZZA (President Substitute)

ELISA TAVIANI (President Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

The lesson will be given on he second semester from April to June.

Consult detailed timetable at the following link: https://easyacademy.unige.it/portalestudenti/

Class schedule

BIOLOGY APPLIED TO DIAGNOSTIC AND PRESERVATION OF CULT. HERIY. MOD. III

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The examination consists of an oral test.

Examinations may be held using the Teams platform if required by the authorities. Please refer to the AulaWeb instance of the teaching for possible updates due to changes in the health and epidemiological situation.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The oral examination will focus on the topics covered during the lectures and thematic seminars. The aim is to assess the degree of learning, autonomy, synthesis and expositive skills achieved by the students.

The ability to analyse the main forms of biodeterioration of cultural heritage, identifying the plant species responsible and knowledge of appropriate monitoring, control and prevention measures will also be assessed.

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

The regular attendance of the lessons and the related laboratory exercises is strongly recommended.

Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University can find information on support services at the web page https://unige.it/disabilita-dsa/studenti-disturbi-specifici-apprendimento-dsa, provided by the "Services for the Inclusion of Students with Disabilities and with Learning Disorders”. They can also contact Professor Sara Ferrando (sara.ferrando@unige.it) the DISTAV’s disability liaison.