Academic year: 2025-26
Course: Foundation Course Science/ Humanities
Credits: 3
Period: First semester
Number of hours: 24
Teacher: Daniele Antichi (daniele.antichi@unipi.it)
Language of instruction: English
Learning outcomes
Knowledge
The student who successfully completes the course will be able to understand the basic information about the structure and the principles
regulating ecosystems and agro-ecosystems. The acquired knowledge will allow the student to understand also the basic interactions between
agriculture and the environment.
Assessment criteria of knowledge
The student knowledge will be assessed on his/her demonstrated ability to discuss the main course contents using the appropriate terminology
during the final oral exam.
Skills
At the end of the course the student will be able to understand the basic theoretical background of ecology. He/she will be also able to
read/interpret textbooks and publications related to the subject, as related to the most important terminology and concepts of ecology applied to
agriculture.
Assessment criteria of skills
The student’s skills shall be evaluated taking into account his/her capacity to explain with proper terms the definition, the structure and the
principles regulating ecosystems and agroecosystems.
Behaviors
At the end of the course the student will be able to identify in a critical perspective the major aspects of ecosystem and agroecosystem
structure, functioning and weaknesses according to the basic theoretical background of agricultural ecology.
Assessment criteria of behaviors
The student’s behavior will be evaluated through the group discussions driven by the teacher during the course.
Prerequisites
For usefully follow the course, the student must previously have assimilated basic knowledge about biology and natural sciences.
Teaching methods
The lessons will be held using PC presentations; the didactic materials will be available at the beginning of each lesson on the Moodle of the
Course. Any communication with the teacher will ordinarily take place by E-mail. Preliminary tests in the form of quiz could be presented to the
students to facilitate the organization of the lectures.
Syllabus
Ecology: definitions and brief history. The basic principles of ecology: general theory of the systems, ecosystems. Ecosystem components:
biotope (soil and climate) and biocenosis. The concept of ecological factors. Ecosystem functions: interactions between the components of the
systems. Ecosystems structure: ecological niche, trophic levels, food chain, ecological pyramids. Ecosystems operating systems: concepts of
autotrophy and heterotrophy, energy fluxes, biogeochemical cycles, resistance and resilience, ecological sequences. The basic principles of
vegetal production: productivity (potential, real and net). Agro-ecosystems: definitions, components, main differences with ecosystems.
Bibliography
-E.P. Odum, 1983. Basic Ecology. CBS College Publishing.
- E.P. Odum, G.W. Barrett, Fundamentals of Ecology, Thomson.
-Didactic material provides by the teacher.
Assessment methods
Individual written test composed of 4-5 short essays