OVERVIEW

The teaching aims to provide theoretical and practical knowledge useful for the training of expert figures in the field of Marine Biology and Ecology, both in research and in the applied field. The complex relationships between marine organisms and the environment in which they live will be studied, through rigorous statistical techniques, analysing the mutual influences of the living and non-living components in marine ecosystems. The multidisciplinary approach of both modules, in line with European directives, will allow addressing the main issues related to the study, characterization, analysis and management of the marine environment, thus allowing an integrated evaluation of the biotic and abiotic components that govern natural systems.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The teaching aims to provide the knowledge necessary to describe, analyse and therefore understand the marine environment, with a specific focus on the biological component described in relation to the characteristics of the abiotic components. The training involves the application of the principles and methods of seascape ecology to describe ecological processes and spatial organization. In addition, tools will be provided for the structuring of experimental designs in ecology and for a correct organisation and analysis of ecological data. This knowledge will allow the understanding of the natural mechanisms that condition and control the distribution and state of marine biocenoses. Particular emphasis will be placed on the characterization of the coastal marine environment and priority habitats. The teaching is divided into two modules: Seascape Ecology, Quantitative Ecology.

PREREQUISITES

No specific requirements are needed.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

MONICA MONTEFALCONE (President)

VALENTINA ASNAGHI (President Substitute)

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exams are carried out separately for the two modules. The exams consist of two oral tests. For both modules, the oral exam requires the answer to questions posed by the teacher on topics covered during the teaching and reported in detail in the program of the respective teachings. The exam is passed if the student has obtained a score greater than or equal to 18 in both modules. The final score will be the average of the scores obtained in each module.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Details on how to prepare for the exam and the learning level required for each topic will be provided at the beginning of both teachings and confirmed during classes and exercises.

Seascape Ecology module: the oral exam will mainly focus on the topics covered during the lectures and will aim to evaluate the achievement of the adequate level of knowledge. The ability to present the topics clearly and with correct terminology will also be assessed. The oral exam starts from the critical report of a scientific article (among those provided by the teacher and available on Aulaweb) presented in the form of a Power Point presentation, to evaluate the ability to understand a scientific text dealing with topics of seascape ecology and develop seascape information on the basis of knowledge of the fundamentals of the subject, the propensity to connect the various topics, and the mastery of the application aspects. The completeness and correctness of the exercises proposed in class will also be positively evaluated by those who bring them to view during the exam.

Quantitative Ecology module: the oral exam will mainly focus on the topics covered during the lectures and will aim to evaluate the achievement of the adequate level of knowledge. The ability to present the topics clearly and with correct terminology will also be assessed. The oral exam starts from the critical report of a scientific article (among those provided by the teacher and available on Aulaweb or of choice of the student, after discussion with the teacher; it will be also possible to discuss a case study) presented in the form of a Power Point presentation. The ability to understand a scientific text, identify the hypothesis at the basis of the experiment, depict the experimental design, understand and discuss the reported results, will be evaluated. Questions about the main topics covered during the teaching will follow.

Exam schedule