The course aims to provide knowledge regarding the environments of Planet Earth and the processes that take place on its surface. In detail, the course intends to 1) introduce a global vision of the planet and provide the basis for understanding the environments present and the physical phenomena that shape its surface, with particular regard to their geographical and climatic distribution; 2) to provide the knowledge to critically read and use topographic maps as a means of representing the earth's surface and the distribution of natural phenomena at different spatial scales. At the end of the course, the students will have developed basic knowledge on the characteristics of the atmosphere and hydrosphere and on their interaction with the earth's surface. In particular, the students will be able to recognize surface processes with their morphologies and their variation based on the substrate and climatic type. At the end of the course, the students will also have developed the basic skills for the use and interpretation of topographic cartography and will be able to solve simple problems associated with the representation of the earth's surface.

The course aims at providing a basic knowledge of analysis, algebra and statistics. Such tools are the basic know-how for the student to learn how to process and analyse the data and the statistical processes involved in all of the other courses and disciplines and research areas that the student will come in contact with during the 3years degree program. The course aims at providing: 1) basic knowledge of analysis, studies of function, algebra with vectors and matrixes; 2) a basic knowledge of statistics and probability theory. At the end of this course, the student will acquire the skills needed to understand, analyse and process datasets.

The course aims at providing a basic knowledge of analysis, algebra and statistics. Such tools are the basic know-how for the student to learn how to process and analyse the data and the statistical processes involved in all of the other courses and disciplines and research areas that the student will come in contact with during the 3years degree program. The course aims at providing: 1) basic knowledge of analysis, studies of function, algebra with vectors and matrixes; 2) a basic knowledge of statistics and probability theory. At the end of this course, the student will acquire the skills needed to understand, analyse and process datasets.

The course of "Botany and plant conservation" aims to provide basic knowledge on the morpho-functional organization of plant organisms, including fungi and to introduce the student to plant systematics and evolutionary aspects of the Plant Kingdom with particular reference to both prokaryotes and eukaryotes and fungi. The course also aims to provide knowledge about the distribution of plants and the competence for monitoring and conservation of plants. Finally, the course aims to provide a broad overview of the various implications that Botany has in other fields.
The expected results of the course include the acquisition of theoretical and methodological skills, i.e. knowing how to recognize taxa using classical analytical keys and modern digital ones, how to apply sampling and data collection techniques, use of microscope and stereomicroscope.

The course aims to provide knowledge of the fundamental principles of general and inorganic chemistry and the ability to apply this knowledge to the solution of simple general chemistry problems, with particular reference to the environmental sphere. In particular, the teaching objectives are the acquisition of cultural skills, such as the knowledge of chemical terminology in terms of formulas and structures and the familiarity of concepts such as the chemical bond, chemical balance and acidity / basicity. Objectives of the course are also the acquisition of methodological skills, and the ability to perform simple calculations inherent in chemical reactions.

The course aims to provide knowledge of the main phenomena of physics and their connections with other disciplines and research Areas (Chemistry, Biology and Geology) and, in particular, aims to provide 1) a basic knowledge of general physics topics (from Newton's laws to fluids and thermodynamics, and from electrostatics and magnetism to modern physics, including electromagnetic waves, introduction to quantum physics and nuclear physics); 2) the ability to contextualize and solve basic general physics problems; 3) create a critical approach and develop "problem solving" skills with the use of basic physical models (for example, virus spreading models); and therefore to provide 4) the basic scientific and conceptual tools necessary for the study of the physical, chemical and natural sciences. Upon completion of this course the students will have a good knowledge of the basic principles of physics and its practical applications to Sciences. The students will also be able to solve problems related to the material studied and will have developed a critical approach to scientific problems.

The course aims at providing a basic knowledge of analysis, algebra and statistics. Such tools are the basic know-how for the student to learn how to process and analyse the data and the statistical processes involved in all of the other courses and disciplines and research areas that the student will come in contact with during the 3years degree program. The course aims at providing: 1) basic knowledge of analysis, studies of function, algebra with vectors and matrixes; 2) a basic knowledge of statistics and probability theory. At the end of this course, the student will acquire the skills needed to understand, analyse and process datasets.

The course aims at providing a basic knowledge of analysis, algebra and statistics. Such tools are the basic know-how for the student to learn how to process and analyse the data and the statistical processes involved in all of the other courses and disciplines and research areas that the student will come in contact with during the 3years degree program. The course aims at providing: 1) basic knowledge of analysis, studies of function, algebra with vectors and matrixes; 2) a basic knowledge of statistics and probability theory. At the end of this course, the student will acquire the skills needed to understand, analyse and process datasets.

Cultural skills (knowledge of): spatial attributes of ecological processes; space ecology: concepts and applications; GIS: functionality, data model and types of software. Methodological skills (know-how): practical use of GIS software; recovery, analysis and interpretation of spatial data; identification and evaluation of ecological spatial patterns.

The course aims to provide basic knowledge on the morpho-functional organization of animal cells and tissues, with particular attention to mammals. In addition, the students will be provided with the theoretical and practical skills for understanding the fundamental mechanisms of both Mendelian and non-Mendelian inheritance of characters and of environmental mutagenesis. The course also aims to provide students with basic knowledge relating to the development and anatomy of vertebrates from an evolutionary point of view. The basic information for understanding the differentiation and morphogenesis processes will be provided. The students will acquire basic knowledge on animal cells and tissues, on formal genetics and environmental mutagenesis for understanding chromosomal aberrations and, finally, on the general principles of animal development, from gametogenesis to organ formation. The students will also acquire the theoretical and practical skills necessary for the recognition at the macro- and microscopic level of anatomical and embryonic structures of vertebrates.

The first didactic unit (mineralogy and georesources) aims to provide the student with a basic knowledge of geological mineralogy, an introduction to the exploitation of mineral resources with the connected environmental sustainability issues, and the use of geological materials in science, art and technology. The second didactic unit (petrography) aims to provide knowledge of the behavior and properties of metamorphic and sedimentary igneous rocks in the evolution of planet Earth. The expected learning outcomes are the students’ ability to recognize and contextualize rocks and minerals in the territory, to have perception of their meaning in terms of genesis and geological evolution, and to understand their human use in the context of respect for the environment.

The first didactic unit (mineralogy and georesources) aims to provide the student with a basic knowledge of geological mineralogy, an introduction to the exploitation of mineral resources with the connected environmental sustainability issues, and the use of geological materials in science, art and technology. The expected learning outcomes are the students’ ability to recognize and contextualize rocks and minerals in the territory, to have perception of their meaning in terms of genesis and geological evolution, and to understand their human use in the context of respect for the environment.

Palaeontology, the study of the life of the past, represents the link between biological and geological disciplines. Palaeontology and related disciplines (i.e. palaeoecology and palaeobiogeography), are the key to understand present times. The course will illustrate the genesis of fossils (taphonomy), and the importance of fossils as (1) age indicators (biostratigraphy and biochronology), (2) tools for the reconstruction of the past distribution of emerged lands (palaeobiogeography), and (3) proxies to reconstruct environments and climates of the past (palaeoecology s.l.). Particular attention will be dedicated to detect and discuss the main changes in biodiversity through time (adaptive radiations, extinctions). We will illustrate the principles of scientific classification (nomenclature, taxonomy, parataxonomy, taxonomic schools) and the theory of evolution. The theoretical part will be followed by the discussion on the evolution of selected systematic groups. Some of these taxa will be the subject of detailed studies aimed to their recognition in the field.

The course aims to provide students with the knowledge necessary to deeply understand chemical structures, physical properties, preparations, and typical reactivity of organic compounds throughout the study of the most common functional groups. The inherent target is to highlight the role and the effect of Organic Chemistry in Natural Sciences and modern technology with particular attention to biological and naturalistic aspects as well as to problems concerning pollution and environmental sustainability. In this area, the acquired knowledge will play a crucial role in the study of the other disciplines envisaged in the CdS (Biochemistry, Physiology, Genetics). At the end of the course, the students should develop the skill and expertise to (1) recognise and comprehend the structural and physical properties of organic compounds, (2) autonomously understand and analyse the reactivity of the main classes of biomolecules, (3) use a suitable technical-scientific language in order to clearly explain and present the acquired concepts as well as to disseminate ideas, information, and explanations.

The module of General and Environmental Microbiology aims to provide the basic principles of the structure, function and evolution of microbial cells, with particular regard to bacteria. The knowledge and skills acquired in this module will represent a reference framework for understanding the role of microorganisms in natural and anthropic environments and for the study of the biotechnological applications of microorganisms for environmental protection and sustainability. The module aims at the acquisition of Cultural Competences, i.e. basic knowledge, on (i) the structural, functional and metabolic diversity present in the microbial world, (ii) the mechanisms responsible for the structure and the functioning of bacterial cells, (iii) the processes driving the evolution of bacterial species, (iv) the structure, diversity and life cycles of viruses, (v) the methods and approaches for the study of microbial communities, (vi) the role and effects of microorganisms in the environment. The module also aims at the acquisition of Methodological Competences, i.e. the understanding, through both theoretical lessons and practical activities, of the scientific bases and methodological approaches for the study of bacteria in natural environments and in the laboratory, and for the characterization of complex microbial populations by culture and molecular techniques. A further aim is also the acquisition of the ability to interpret microbiological data and analyse the scientific literature to obtain information on the structure and function of microorganisms, with the final goal to understand natural or artificial events involving microorganisms. The second module of the course: Elements of Biochemistry aims to provide the basic notions related to the structure and function of biological macromolecules, enzymatic catalysis and cell metabolism. These notions are necessary for the continuation of studies on the functioning of eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms in the context of the Degree Course. The Educational Objectives are the acquisition of cultural skills, i.e. basic knowledge about the structure and function of biological macromolecules (nucleic acids, proteins, carbohydrates, lipids) and the mechanisms that regulate the synthesis and degradation of biological macromolecules. Furthermore, the module aims to provide basic knowledge on the mechanisms by which genetic information is conserved, transmitted and expressed properties. The Educational Objectives are also the acquisition of Methodological Competences, or the acquisition, through practical laboratory activity, of the scientific and methodological bases of the most important experimental techniques in the field of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and the acquisition, through the elaboration and display of individual papers, of the ability to find in the scientific literature information on the structure and function of biological macromolecules capable of contextualizing, analyzing and critically interpreting natural or artificial events involving biological macromolecules.

The second module of the course: Elements of Biochemistry aims to provide the basic notions related to the structure and function of biological macromolecules, enzymatic catalysis and cell metabolism. These notions are necessary for the continuation of studies on the functioning of eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms in the context of the Degree Course. The Educational Objectives are the acquisition of cultural skills, i.e. basic knowledge about the structure and function of biological macromolecules (nucleic acids, proteins, carbohydrates, lipids) and the mechanisms that regulate the synthesis and degradation of biological macromolecules. Furthermore, the module aims to provide basic knowledge on the mechanisms by which genetic information is conserved, transmitted and expressed properties. The Educational Objectives are also the acquisition of Methodological Competences, or the acquisition, through practical laboratory activity, of the scientific and methodological bases of the most important experimental techniques in the field of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and the acquisition, through the elaboration and display of individual papers, of the ability to find in the scientific literature information on the structure and function of biological macromolecules capable of contextualizing, analyzing and critically interpreting natural or artificial events involving biological macromolecules.

The module of General and Environmental Microbiology aims to provide the basic principles of the structure, function and evolution of microbial cells, with particular regard to bacteria. The knowledge and skills acquired in this module will represent a reference framework for understanding the role of microorganisms in natural and anthropic environments and for the study of the biotechnological applications of microorganisms for environmental protection and sustainability. The module aims at the acquisition of Cultural Competences, i.e. basic knowledge, on (i) the structural, functional and metabolic diversity present in the microbial world, (ii) the mechanisms responsible for the structure and the functioning of bacterial cells, (iii) the processes driving the evolution of bacterial species, (iv) the structure, diversity and life cycles of viruses, (v) the methods and approaches for the study of microbial communities, (vi) the role and effects of microorganisms in the environment. The module also aims at the acquisition of Methodological Competences, i.e. the understanding, through both theoretical lessons and practical activities, of the scientific bases and methodological approaches for the study of bacteria in natural environments and in the laboratory, and for the characterization of complex microbial populations by culture and molecular techniques. A further aim is also the acquisition of the ability to interpret microbiological data and analyse the scientific literature to obtain information on the structure and function of microorganisms, with the final goal to understand natural or artificial events involving microorganisms.

The first didactic unit (mineralogy and georesources) aims to provide the student with a basic knowledge of geological mineralogy, an introduction to the exploitation of mineral resources with the connected environmental sustainability issues, and the use of geological materials in science, art and technology. The second didactic unit (petrography) aims to provide knowledge of the behavior and properties of metamorphic and sedimentary igneous rocks in the evolution of planet Earth. The expected learning outcomes are the students’ ability to recognize and contextualize rocks and minerals in the territory, to have perception of their meaning in terms of genesis and geological evolution, and to understand their human use in the context of respect for the environment.

The second didactic unit (petrography) aims to provide knowledge of the behavior and properties of metamorphic and sedimentary igneous rocks in the evolution of planet Earth. The expected learning outcomes are the students’ ability to recognize and contextualize rocks and minerals in the territory, to have perception of their meaning in terms of genesis and geological evolution, and to understand their human use in the context of respect for the environment.

This course aims to provide basic knowledge about animals and their relationships with the other organisms and the environment using an evolutionary and adaptive approach. Cultural and educational objectives of this course is the acquisition of basic knowledge on: zoological classification and systematics; structural and functional organization of animals; methods of reproduction; development; behavior; phylogeny; distribution. Other objectives are also the acquisition of methodological skills, such as the recognition of the main animal taxa, monitoring techniques, comparative analysis of macro and microscopic anatomy and the preparation of samples to be observed with optical microscopes. The expected learning outcomes concern in-depth knowledge of animal biodiversity, in order to develop an awareness of their fundamental ecological role and the need of monitoring and protection for the sake of the survival of all ecosystems