C7645 - ZOOTECNIA GENERALE ED ETNOGRAFIA

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student knows the correct terminology for the morpho-functional description and evaluation of livestock animals, and can recognize the main cattle, pig and sheep and goat breeds reared in the national context. The student also acquires basic population genetics concepts

Course contents

This course is part of the Integrated Course “General Animal Husbandry”.

Upon completion of the Integrated Course unit, the student becomes familiar with technical-scientific terminology, recognises the main livestock breeds, and can evaluate morpho-functionally an animal.

The student understands the veterinarian’s role in laboratory animal research, the principles of the 3Rs, alternatives to animal use, and the ethical issues related to experimentation.

The Integrated Course “General Animal Husbandry” contributes to the achievement of the following ESEVT Day One Competences: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.5, 1.6, 1.8, 1.11, 1.12, 1.13, 1.16, 1.17, 1.18, 1.21.

 

SPECIFIC CONTENTS:

The syllabus is structured as follows:

Lectures:

• Introduction and topics related to animal production (4 hours): Animal husbandry and Zoognostics. Definition of domestication and taming. Types of animal domestication. Animal production around the world. Advantages of animal production as a source of food and services to the human community. Sustainability and critical issues of animal production.
• Ethnic characteristics and zoometry (4 hours): Morphological, physiological, and psychological traits. Habitus, temperament, conformation, and morphological types. Zoometry and different body indices in livestock animals. Students should be able to distinguish the various ethnic and morphological types of the main livestock species; they should also know the main zoometric measurements.
• Coat colors and patterns (3 hours): Classification of coats in livestock animals. Students should be able to recognize and distinguish the coat types of the main zootechnical species (cattle, pigs, sheep-goats, and horses).
• Cattle breeds (4 hours): The main dairy, beef, and dual-purpose cattle breeds raised in Italy and abroad. Students should know the morphological, (re)productive, and functional characteristics of the different breeds, as well as their breeding areas.
• Swine breeds (2 hours): The main Eastern, Western, and native swine breeds. Light and heavy pigs and crossbreeding schemes. Students should know the morphological, (re)productive, and functional characteristics of the breeds covered.
• Sheep and goat breeds (2 hours): The main dairy, meat, and dual-purpose sheep and goat breeds raised in Italy and worldwide. Students should know the morphological, (re)productive, and functional characteristics of the different breeds, as well as their breeding areas.
• Zoognostic regions (3 hours): The regions of the head, trunk, and limbs. Characteristics of the udder in species of zootechnical interest. Morphological and functional evaluation. Students should know the anatomical basis of the different zoognostic regions, and be able to recognize possible defects and merits.
• Animal mechanics (2 hours): Stance and movements in place. Animal gaits. Definition and evaluation of front and hind limb conformation (posture). Students should understand how to assess limb posture and gaits, identifying any observable defects.

Practical Sessions:

• Age estimation in cattle (2 hours): Dental formula in cattle. Difference between deciduous and permanent dentition. Dental chronology and examination of the dental table.
• Age estimation in horses (2 hours): Dental formula in horses. Difference between deciduous and permanent dentition. Dental chronology and examination of the dental table.
• Determination of BCS and morpho-functional evaluation (2 hours): Definition of Body Condition Score (BCS) and its importance in dairy cattle. BCS evaluation scale. Morpho-functional evaluation of dairy cows.

Readings/Bibliography

The teaching materials for this course are available on the Virtuale Learning Environment (https://virtuale.unibo.it/?lang=en).

Required readings:

• Veggetti A., Falaschini A. – Anatomia, fisiologia, zoognostica. Edagricole scolastico, 2009
• Bigi D., Zanon A. – Atlante delle razze autoctone. Bovini, equini, ovicaprini, suini allevati in Italia. Edagricole, 2020
• Sandrucci A., Trevisi E. - Produzioni Animali. EdiSES università, 2022

Supplementary reading:

• Bittante G., Andrighetto I., Ramanzin M. - Tecniche di produzione animale. Liviana Ed., 2005
• Additional supporting material is available on the Veterinary Teaching Portal of the Department (http://www.portaledidatticovet.org/ ).

Teaching methods

The course includes both theoretical lectures and practical sessions.

Considering the types of activities and teaching methods adopted, attendance for this course requires the successful completion of Modules 1 and 2 via e-learning, and Module 3 on health and safety training in study environments. Information about the schedule and access to Module 3 is available in the dedicated section of the Degree Program website.

Participation in practical and laboratory sessions requires wearing a lab coat and appropriate footwear. Suitable personal protective equipment (PPE), such as disposable latex gloves, will be provided as needed.

Assessment methods

The assessment for the Integrated Course unit “General Animal Husbandry” consists of a written exam, done in EOL (https://eol.unibo.it/?lang=en) comprising 40 questions, as follows:

• 32 multiple-choice questions (24 on the subject of General Animal Husbandry, 8 on Principles of Laboratory Animal Science and Medicine). Each correct answer is worth 0.8 points; incorrect or unanswered questions receive 0 points.
• 8 short open-ended questions (6 on General Animal Husbandry, 2 on Principles of Laboratory Animal Science and Medicine). Each correct answer is worth 1.8 points; incorrect or unanswered questions receive 0 points.

The exam duration is 60 minutes. The maximum score is 40 points. To pass the exam, students must obtain a minimum of 24 points out of 40, including at least 18 points (rounded) from the General Animal Husbandry section, and at least 6 points from the Principles of Laboratory Animal Science and Medicine section.

No supplementary materials or electronic devices (e.g., calculators, tablets, smartwatches, computers) may be used during the exam, except for those explicitly allowed by the instructor.

The results of the written exam will be published within 5 working days on the Virtuale Learning Environment (https://virtuale.unibo.it/?lang=en) by the designated course contact.

The final grade for the Integrated Course is determined by the score obtained in the written exam, expressed out of thirty (30*written exam score/40). A minimum final grade of 18/30 is required.

Negative results are not graded numerically but recorded as “withdrawn” or “failed” in the electronic transcript on AlmaEsami, and do not affect the student’s academic record.

Students may reject the final grade 1 time, by informing the course examiner via email within 5 working days.

The designated course contact for this course is Prof. Giulio Visentin.

Students can register for exams through the AlmaEsami platform (http://almaesami.unibo.it/). Exams are scheduled during the designated periods in the academic calendar. Additional sessions are available for students beyond the standard program duration.

Students with learning disorders and/or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

Teaching tools

Theoretical lessons are delivered in the classroom using audiovisual systems, including slides, a video projector, and resources available on the Veterinary Teaching Portal. Age estimation exercises are also conducted in the classroom. Practical exercises on Body Condition Score (BCS) determination and morpho-functional evaluation are carried out at the Teaching and Experimental Farm.

In case of difficulty understanding the course content, the instructor is available for clarification meetings, which must be scheduled via email.

Office hours

See the website of Giulio Visentin