FUNDAMENTALS OF ECOLOGY
Stampa
Enrollment year
2018/2019
Academic year
2020/2021
Regulations
DM270
Academic discipline
BIO/07 (ECOLOGY)
Department
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE
Course
CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
Curriculum
PERCORSO COMUNE
Year of study
Period
1st semester (28/09/2020 - 22/01/2021)
ECTS
3
Lesson hours
23 lesson hours
Language
Italian
Activity type
ORAL TEST
Teacher
SCONFIETTI RENATO LUIGI (titolare) - 3 ECTS
Prerequisites
There are no specific pre-requirements for this course. However, it is recommended to read the chapters of Ecology in Secondary School Science textbooks.
Learning outcomes
The main objective of the course is to identify the essential components of natural ecosystems and their dynamics; to acknowledge and evaluate the level of human-induced alteration on ecosystems; understand the most effective management tools for the preservation and restoration of aquatic ecosystems and for mitigating impacts.
Course contents
The first part of the course deals with basic elements of Ecology. The Applied Ecology part mainly deals with case-studies of freshwater ecology, with reference to national and international legislation. The course is integrated by training session, both with simulated cases in the classroom and with real cases in the field.

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Part I - Basic definitions. Environmental factors; biogeochemical cycles; species and population; community, ecosystem. Biodiversity. Part II - Main causes of alteration and pollution of the three main environmental compartments: air, water, soil. In-depth analysis of freshwater ecosystems: River Continuum Concept; self-depuration, europhication, anthropogenic impacts, pollution. Phytodepuration. Part III - Bioindicators and their applications. Minimum Vital Flow (MVF) in water courses. Part IV - Elements of naturalistic engineering. Restoration of natural and artifical aquatic ecosystems. Study cases.
Teaching methods
Lectures (hours/year in lecture theatre): 45
Practical class (hours/year in lecture theatre): 0
Practicals / Workshops (hours/year in lecture theatre): 0
Reccomended or required readings
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Assessment methods
The exam is oral. Study cases will be proposed and students will be asked to design solutions or apply appropriate ecological indicators. Students that have attended at least 70% of the course and present themselves at the first exam session after the course, will be allowed to select their own first topic of the exam (among parts I and II of the program).
Further information
The exam is oral. Study cases will be proposed and students will be asked to design solutions or apply appropriate ecological indicators. Students that have attended at least 70% of the course and present themselves at the first exam session after the course, will be allowed to select their own first topic of the exam (among parts I and II of the program).
Sustainable development goals - Agenda 2030