ZOOLOGY AND BOTANICS

Integrated educational activity

Course Sheet

Academic Year of enrolment:

2020/2021

Optional/Mandatory:

Compulsory

Degree:

5-year Single Cycle Master's Degree Programme in VETERINARY MEDICINE

Language:

Italian

Moduls:

ZOOLOGY

3 credits
BOTANY

2 credits

Credits:

Programme Year:

Hours of classroom activity:

Prerequisites:

Basic knowledge of chemistry and biology

AF code:

A000973

Assessment Methods

Verification of learning:

The exam consists of a written test followed by an oral exam.
The written test includes 30 multiple choice questions, which they are focused on the program of the Zoology module. The time given to take the written test is 30 minutes. During the oral exam, the student will have to answer 2/3 questions for each of the two modules.
Evaluation criteria for the evaluation of the written test:
The student acquires 2 points for each correct answer, loses one point for each incorrect answer. The lack of an answer is worth 0 points. The evaluation of the written test is given by the sum of the points divided by 2. The written test in total corresponds to 30 points, the written test is considered passed with at least 18 points.
The grade proposed by the commission will take into account the assessment of the written and oral tests.

In the event of an emergency situation, the exam will take place online by using the Microsoft Teams platform and the written test will not be performed.

The exam will focus on evaluating the following parameters:
1. Knowledge and understanding: the student must demonstrate adequate knowledge of the main taxa of invertebrates and vertebrates and of plant species of veterinary interest, being able to describe their characteristics with appropriate scientific terminology, demonstrating that they have understood the role of such taxa for the veterinary profession, but also the role of ecological conditions in the evolution of the species studied.
2. Skills to apply knowledge and understanding: the scientific approach and the correct scientific terminology used during the course must be used by the student during the exam (Day one competences: 1.4), demonstrating that they have understood the importance of basic knowledge in the zoological and botanical fields. The student must demonstrate to have an overall vision of the environmental characteristics that influence these species (1.15). Finally, the student must demonstrate the understanding of the importance of different scientific skill synergy, in order to allow the veterinarian to implement a correct scientific approach to research and knowledge, as well as to be able to interact with colleagues of different scientific training.
3. Critical and judgment skills: the student will have to demonstrate that he is able to independently recognize and describe the most common and important taxa, critically arguing the information acquired on the evolution of the characteristics of the same and the repercussions for the veterinary profession, putting in place the scientific approach used during lectures and exercises.
4. Ability to communicate what has been learned: the student must demonstrate the ability to express himself with scientifically appropriate terminology, but also to adapt the linguistic register used, so as to be able to interact with heterogeneous audiences.
5. Skill to continue the study autonomously throughout life: the student will have to demonstrate the ability to use the available sources of knowledge, as well as a solid mental organization in order to recognize the taxa studied, to relate them to the different environmental contexts. Finally, the student will have to demonstrate an increase in their problem-solving skills on these issues.

Teaching period

Second semester

Objectives

The general objective of the integrated course of Zoology and Botany is to provide the student with the essential notions of Zoology and Botany, systematic and general. Students will acquire the ability to recognize the main invertebrates, vertebrates and plant species of veterinary interest, identifying the fundamental differences in the organization and functioning of the taxa analyzed. The course aims to stimulate learning, with clear and precise use of the appropriate terminologies (Day one competences: 1.4), to allow students consulting the appropriate sources of scientific information and interacting with other professionals. At the end of the course, the student will have skills for the recognition of taxa, to understand their evolution and to understand how ecological factors can influence these species (1.15). The course will highlight the importance of the synergy to different scientific skills about Zoology and Botany, in order to prepare the student in the implementation of a correct scientific approach in the field of research and work, as well as knowing how to interact with colleagues with other biological formation.

Contents

Zoology
Theories on natural evolution
Concepts of general zoology (sexual and asexual reproduction), vital rates, individual and inclusive fitness concept, anisogamy, hermaphroditism
Fundamentals of taxonomy, eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells, definition of animal.
Main characteristics of the most important orders of invertebrates (arthropods and molluscs) and vertebrates (chondrichthyes, osteitis, amphibians, sauropsids, birds and mammals) of veterinary interest.

Botany
Systematics of the plant kingdom, characteristics of the plant cell, stem, root, leaf morphology, types of flower and classification, reproduction, differences between dicotyledons and monocotyledons, general and systematic characteristics of some families of Angiosperms used in livestock feeding, or potentially toxic to animals. Laboratory: observation, recognition and classification of the species studied in class.

Recommended Bibliography

Casiraghi M., De Eguileor M., Cerrano C., Puce S. 2018 – Zoologia, UTET Università, Torino.
Hickman CP., Roberts L.S., Larson A. - Zoologia, 2000, EdiSES, Napoli
Westheide W., and Rieger R. - Zoologia sistematica. Filogenesi e diversità degli animali, 2011 Zanichelli, Bologna.
Mucciarelli M., Maffei M. - Piante Foraggere e Medicinali. Atlante Iconografico. Levrotto & Bella – TORINO
Gerola F.M., Gerola P.D. - BOTANICA per i corsi di Medicina Veterinaria e di Scienze della produzione animale. UTET – TORINO
JUDD W.S., et al., - 2007 – Botanica sistematica, un approccio filogenetico. Piccin Editore

Teaching Methods

Lectures and laboratory exercises in which students apply the theoretical knowledge acquired.
During the lessons, we will propose questions to stimulate the students to develop a critical judgment, to seek information using scientific sources, and to increase their problem-solving skills. During the lectures, we will use power-point presentations, videos, internet sites to highlight the main characteristics of the taxa studied, their evolution and responses to ecological pressures. We will suggest scientific papers and books which stimulate the acquisition of general knowledge and specific skills, in order to make the students able to interact with an audience with heterogeneous training.

In the event of an emergency situation, teaching will be reformulated according to this scheme:
- if it is impossible to carry out the activity in person, the lectures will take place online in synchronous mode, using the Microsoft Teams platform during the hours set by the class timetable;
- in the case of a limitation of the number of places available in the classrooms for carrying out the activity in person, the lessons will be held in the classroom in the presence of a ratio of students/classroom capacity to guarantee personal distancing, in accordance with the actual regulations.
The exercises will be reformulated in accordance with the provisions of the regulations in order to respect a ratio of students/classroom capacity to guarantee personal distancing.

ZOOLOGY AND BOTANICS

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