Academic year: 2026-27
Course: Foundation Course Science/ Humanities/ Social Science
Credits: 3
Period: First semester
Number of hours: 24
Teacher: Silvia Pampana (silvia.pampana@unipi.it)
Language of instruction: English
Course description
The course presents core ecological principles and shows how they apply to agricultural systems. It explores how ecosystems and agroecosystems are structured and function, focusing on the relationships among agriculture, environment, natural resources, and biodiversity.
The course also introduces agroecology as a framework for addressing the limitations of intensive agriculture and supporting the transition to more sustainable agricultural systems.
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
· define and describe the main components, the structure, components, and functioning of ecosystems and agroecosystems;
· use basic ecological terminology appropriately in written and oral discussions;
· distinguish between natural ecosystems and agroecosystems, identifying their main characteristics and vulnerabilities;
· explain the main ecological processes regulating energy flows, nutrient cycling, productivity, and species interactions;
· explain fundamental ecological processes, including species interactions, trophic relationships, energy flows, biogeochemical cycles, productivity, resilience, and ecological succession;
· apply basic ecological concepts to interpret selected agriculture–environment interactions;
· identify the main environmental challenges associated with intensive agricultural production systems;
· recognise the basic principles of agroecology and explain their relevance to sustainable agricultural systems.
Knowledge: Students will acquire basic knowledge of ecological concepts applied to agriculture, including ecosystem structure and functioning, ecological factors, trophic relationships, energy flows, biogeochemical cycles, productivity, resilience, and succession.
They will also understand the main features of agroecosystems and the interactions between agricultural activities and the environment and acquire the basic concepts of agroecology as an alternative method to the current intensive agriculture.
Assessment criteria of knowledge The students’ knowledge will be assessed on their ability to discuss the main concepts addressed in the course, using the appropriate terminology during the final written exam.
Skills: At the end of the course, the students will be able to interpret ecological interactions of agricultural systems. They will be also able to identify key environmental issues associated with agricultural production and discuss the potential contribution of agroecological approaches.
They will be able to organise concepts into clear and scientifically appropriate written answers and to apply appropriate terminology when reading textbooks, scientific publications, and communication materials related to ecology and agriculture.
Assessment criteria of skills: The students’ skills will be evaluated through short-answer and short-essay questions requiring students to explain with proper terms the definition, the structure and the principles regulating ecosystems and agroecosystems and environmental issues related to agriculture.
Behaviors
Students will develop awareness of the environmental implications of agricultural production systems and of the role of ecological knowledge in supporting more sustainable agricultural practices.
They will be encouraged to approach agricultural and environmental issues with a critical and evidence-based perspective.
Assessment criteria of behaviors: Students’ capacity to adopt a critical and evidence-based perspective will be assessed through the group discussions/problem solving sessions during the course (e.g, requiring them to identify and discuss the environmental implications of selected agricultural practices).
Prerequisites: For usefully follow the course, basic knowledge of biology and natural sciences is recommended. Teaching methods Teaching will be delivered through interactive lectures, supported by digital presentations, practical examples and case studies, and guided classroom discussions.
Teaching materials: will be made available through the course Moodle platform. Short quizzes or other micro-teaching tools may be used during the course to support learning and to assess students’ initial understanding of key topics.
Students may contact the teacher by email and request a meeting.
Course contents Ecology: definitions, scope, and brief historical development;
The basic principles of ecology: systems theory and ecosystem concept;
Ecosystem components: biotope (i.e., climate and soil) and biocenosis; organisms, and communities; Ecological factors: definition and their influence on organisms;
Ecosystem functions: interactions between the components of the systems;
Ecosystems structure: ecological niches, trophic levels, food chain, ecological pyramids;
Ecosystems operating systems: autotrophy and heterotrophy, energy flows, biogeochemical cycles, resistance and resilience, ecological sequences;
The basic principles of vegetal production: primary productivity (potential, real and net productivity).
Agro-ecosystems: definitions, components, and functioning; main differences between natural ecosystems and agroecosystems;
Agriculture–environment interactions and environmental challenges of intensive agriculture;
Introduction to agroecology and sustainable agricultural systems.
Assessment methods and grading criteria
Assessment will consist of a written examination consisting of 4–5 short-answer or short-essay questions. Questions will assess students’ understanding of the main course topic, their ability to use appropriate terminology, and their capacity to discuss ecological principles in relation to agricultural systems.
Participation in class discussions and formative quizzes are intended to support learning and provide feedback and may contribute to ongoing feedback but do not contribute to the final grade.
Recommended bibliography
– Altieri M., 1995. Agroecology: The Science of Sustainable Agriculture. Practical Action Publishing.
– Gliessman S.R., 2015. Agroecology: The Ecology of Sustainable Food Systems. CRC Press.