- Docente: Eleonora Nannoni
- Credits: 6
- SSD: AGR/19
- Language: English
- Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
- Campus: Bologna
- Corso: Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Food Animal Metabolism and Management in the Circular Economy (cod. 6815)
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from Oct 20, 2025 to Nov 10, 2025
Learning outcomes
At the end of the module, students know the key performance indicators, the main interconnections between sustainable/circular agriculture, productivity and animal welfare. They are able to evaluate and discuss the consequences of different farming methods and animal management techniques on sustainability/circularity, productivity, animal welfare and health. They are able to assess existing farming systems and propose corrective strategies.
Course contents
This course unit is part of the Integrated Course (I.C.) "95957 Intensive and Circular Animal Production".
Learning outcomes of the integrated course: Upon completion of the integrated course, students know the key performance indicators, the main interconnections between sustainable/circular agriculture and productivity, are able to evaluate different farming methods in terms of sustainability/circularity, productivity, animal welfare and health for the considered farmed species (poultry, fish, ruminants and swine).
This course unit will explore the interconnections between circular/sustainable agriculture, animal management and production, focusing mostly on pigs, cows and small ruminants. Three central questions will be addressed:
- What are the relationships between productivity, animal health and welfare, and environmental impact? (main topics: efficient use of resources, emissions, drug use, waste management, Life Cycle Assessment)
- How do different farming methods and management techniques relate to circularity and sustainability? (main topics: sustainable development goals, organic farming, resilient animals, reduced antibiotic use, innovative technologies, precision livestock farming)
- How can different farming systems affect (actual and perceived) product quality? (main topics: product claims and voluntary labelling)
During the practical activities (carried out throughout the course), students will work in groups or individually on selected topics and countries of their interest (to be agreed upon at the beginning of the course) in order to prepare different kinds of outputs: (posters, presentations, policy briefs, etc.). They will learn:
- to analyse and evaluate specific productive contexts/farming systems/practices;
- to propose corrective strategies in terms of the system’s sustainability/circularity;
- to retrieve literature and prepare adequate outputs for the intended audience.
Formative assessment will be provided via interactive polls and guided discussions (at the end of each topic).
Attending lectures (either online or in class) will facilitate individual study/learning and students will benefit from interactive polls, discussions, and group works. Active participation to classes and group works will also be evaluated as part of the final grade. Students choosing not to attend will be able to retrieve the presentations and the reading list in the institutional repository. Classes will not be recorded.
Readings/Bibliography
The teaching materials for this course are available on the Virtuale Learning Environment (https://virtuale.unibo.it/?lang=en).
Compulsory reading/studying materials for the preparation of the exam: class slides provided on the Virtuale platform
Supplementary reading: Environmental impact of agro-food industry and food consumption / edited by Charis M. Galanakis, London; Cambridge (MA) : Elsevier Academic press, 2021, XV, 293 p.; 28 cm, ISBN 9780128213636 (available in the Ercolani library, book details here).
Due to the scarcity of specific textbooks, the reading list/bibliography will be mostly based on scientific papers and online resources. An updated list of bibliographic sources (divided in compulsory, recommended, and in-depth readings) will be made available in the institutional repository.Teaching methods
The course includes both theoretical lectures and practical sessions.
Teaching methods:
- In-person teaching and discussion
- Structured and guided group/individual assignments
- Peer instruction during discussions and group assignments
- At least one practical visit on-farm
Students with disabilities or special needs requiring adaptations, accommodations, and modifications to the teaching materials and methods should express their needs to the teacher at the beginning of the course.
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 2 is available in the dedicated section of the Degree Program website (Studying --> Health and Safety mandatory training) (link).
Participation in farm visits requires wearing a lab coat/scrubs and appropriate footwear. Suitable personal protective equipment (PPE), such as disposable latex gloves, will be provided as needed.
Assessment methods
The final grade of the course unit will be determined as follows:
- Written test and follow-up discussion (85% of the final grade). The written test will last 45min and will assess the theoretical knowledge and the ability to evaluate and discuss different farming methods). It will include 24 multiple choice questions (1 point each) and 1 short essay/open-ended questions (4 points). No points will be subtracted in case of wrong answers. The use of supporting material or devices such as calculators, books, notebooks, class notes, etc. is not authorized during the test. If needed, a follow-up discussion will allow the Candidate to comment on the wrong answers.
- Practical activities (15% of the final grade). Active participation to classes, outcomes of the group and individual assignments will weight for up to 6 points.
A minimum score of 18 is required to pass the exam.
The teacher will guarantee at least 6 exam sessions per year.
Students with disabilities or special needs requiring adaptations, accommodations, and modifications to the examination should express their needs to the teacher at the beginning of the course and/or contact the UNIBO service for students with special needs (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en).
Evaluation scheme:
- 18-19: with some help from the teacher, the student can recall the main theoretical aspects.
- 20-24: the student shows knowledge of the theoretical aspects and can autonomously analyse the scenarios presented (in class or during the written exam), generally using correct language.
- 25-29: the student can express a reasoned judgment on the scenarios proposed, using specifies examples, making use of specific technical language.
- 30-30L: the student can make connections between different topics, can discuss and argument his answers and critically assess the presented scenarios, properly using the terminology and the bibliographic sources. The Candidate is able to propose corrective strategies when necessary.
Final grade of the integrated course and digital record:
- The final grade of the integrated course will be calculated as a weighted mean. The grades obtained in the three course units will be weighted on the corresponding credit points.
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A minimum final grade of 18/30 is required.
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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.
- Digital records, filled in using the AlmaEsami system, will be completed by the Chair of the Examination Board (Eleonora Nannoni). Upon completion of the three final tests/exams, students should send her an e-mail indicating the need for digital recording.
- The evaluations obtained in each course unit have the validity determined by the Degree Course council.
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
- Teaching slides, integrated with online polls (Wooclap)
- Videos, online sources, and reading list (Virtuale platform:https://virtuale.unibo.it/?lang=en)
- Collaborative, freely accessible tools (e.g., Miro boards, Wonder virtual space) for group assignments.
- 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 Eleonora Nannoni (https://www.unibo.it/sitoweb/eleonora.nannoni2)
Office hours
See the website of Eleonora Nannoni
SDGs
This teaching activity contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN 2030 Agenda.