76429 - Transmissible Diseases of Marine Mammals

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student acquires knowledge on the main transmissible diseases of marine mammals, with particular reference to etiopathogenesis and epidemiology. The student acquires also knowledge to support the management of stranded marine mammals and the tools for the diagnosis of the main transmissible diseases of marine mammals.

Course contents

Worldwide state of the art of the presence and diffusion of the main transmissible diseases of marine mammals from the wild and confined environment - Biotic and abiotic factors influencing the occurrence of marine mammals diseases - main viral, bacterial, parasitic and mycotic diseases of marine mammals and other large marine vertebrates - Marine mammals diseases and Public Health - Mangement of the strandings and diagnostic tools application - Regulatory framework on health and welfare of marine mammals in the wild and in confined environment.

Readings/Bibliography

Didactic material provided by the teacher

CRC Handbook of Marine Mammal Medicine (2018), Eds. F.M.D. Gulland, L.A. Dierauf & Whitman K.L., CRC Press, Boca Raton, USA

Specific literature on the main topics provided by the teacher

Teaching methods

The course is composed of 21 hours of theory lessons. The lectures take place in a classroom equipped with PC and PC video projector, with power-point slides.

Assessment methods

The final examination is written and consists in several questions aimed at verifying the student's knowledge about the topics covered during the course. The test is structured in 27 multiple choice questions (earning one point each) and one open-ended question (earning a maximum of 3 points, plus possible laude given that all the questions are answered correctly). The test lasts 1 hour.

Teaching tools

PC, PC video projector.

Office hours

See the website of Perla Tedesco