OVERVIEW

Study and understanding of the interaction between living organisms and artistic heritage is a frontier discipline in the diagnostics, conservation and restoration of Cultural Heritage. Plants, animals and micro-organisms have a strong impact on works of art and contribute to their aesthetic - structural degradation. Biological activity is a resource for innovative recovery strategies. The course deals with nature, role and potential use of communities and living organisms in Cultural Heritage.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The objective of the integrated teaching is to provide students with a unified and, as far as possible, detailed vision of various aspects of biology related to the conservation of cultural heritage. The student will acquire the necessary knowledge and advanced knowledge for the recognition and study of the damage of works of art due to biological agents, for the recognition of the main groups of biodeteriogens and the possible implementation of prevention and conservation interventions based on innovative biorestoration approaches. We will also provide the basics of wood anatomy and its main characteristics useful for the recognition of the types of wood most commonly used in manufactured articles.

PREREQUISITES

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

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

Class schedule

BIOLOGY APPLIED TO DIAGNOSTIC AND PRESERVATION OF CULTURAL HERIT

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam, divided into different modules, consists of oral tests in which the basic theoretical knowledge and the skills acquired during seminar activities, laboratory work and field trips will be assessed.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The oral exam will focus on the topics covered during the lectures and theoretical-practical laboratory. The aim is to evaluate the level of learning, autonomy, synthesis and expository skills achieved by the student. The ability to describe, analyze and characterize biological samples with and the ability to analyze the main forms of biodeterioration of cultural heritage, identifying the responsible organisms, and knowledge of the appropriate monitoring, control and prevention measures will also be assessed.