07943 - Elements of Ecology

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, students will:

• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the fundamental principles and concepts of ecology.;
• apply the knowledge acquired to interpret interactions between organisms and their environment, identifying cause-and-effect relationships in everyday contexts and using them to explain basic natural phenomena;
• analyze ecosystems as dynamic systems, recognizing the main biotic and abiotic factors and the interactions that influence their equilibrium and development over time and across space;
• critically reflect on the principles of ecology and environmental sustainability, appreciating their role in biodiversity conservation and the responsible management of natural resources;
• apply the knowledge and skills acquired to design teaching activities aimed at promoting, among nursery and primary school pupils, a scientifically sound understanding of the relationships between organisms and their environment, as well as of the main ecological processes.

Course contents

The course covers the following topics:

• the biosphere and the levels of ecological organization;
• environmental factors and organisms' responses to environmental variation;
• ecosystem structure and functioning, including energy flow, food webs and biogeochemical cycles;
• interactions among organisms;
• biodiversity and the principles of biodiversity conservation;
• environmental sustainability and the relationship between human activities and the environment;
• teaching applications of ecological concepts in nursery and primary education.

In addition, for each topic covered, particular attention will be given to the teaching applications of key ecological concepts, with a specific focus on designing teaching activities suitable for nursery and primary schools.

Readings/Bibliography

Required reading

Students are required to study some of the following textbooks. Textbooks to be adopted will be specified at the beginning of the course.

• Cain, M. L., Bowman, W. D., & Hacker, S. D. (2017). Ecologia. Piccin Nuova Libraria S.p.A.
  
  
• Pusceddu, A., Sarà, G., & Viaroli, P. (2020). Ecologia. UTET Università.

• Smith, T. M., & Smith, R. L. (2017). Elementi di ecologia. Pearson.

• Santovito, G. (2015) Insegnare la biologia ai bambini. Dalla scuola dell’infanzia al primo ciclo d’istruzione. Carocci.

• Caon, F., Brichese, A., Rutka, S., Spadon, T. (2026) Scienze con l’apprendimento cooperativo alla primaria. Erickson.

Additional reading materials may be recommended during the course. Any updates to the reading list will be communicated during lectures and made available on the University's Virtuale platform.

Teaching methods

Teaching will consist of lectures supported by PowerPoint presentations, combined with class discussions on the main topics covered in the course.

Students will also participate in small-group activities aimed at collaboratively designing teaching units related to the topics addressed during the lectures.

Assessment methods

Students must register for the examination through the AlmaEsami online system by the relevant registration deadline.

Prerequisite for taking the examination

To sit the examination for the integrated course Elements of Chemistry and Ecology (course code 68010), students must have attended and successfully completed the laboratory Workshop on Transversal Nature Science.

The laboratory is worth 1 ECTS credit and attendance is compulsory. No absences are permitted, in accordance with the relevant course regulations.

Structure of the final examination

Assessment of the learning outcomes for the two modules of the integrated course consists of a single written examination lasting two hours, to be taken in a computer laboratory.

The examination is divided into two sections:

• Elements of Chemistry and Chemistry Teaching;
• Elements of Ecology.

The Elements of Ecology section lasts 60 minutes and is worth a maximum of 15 points.

The examination is designed to assess whether students have achieved the intended learning outcomes of the course and consists of:

• multiple-choice questions;
• one or more open-ended questions aimed at assessing students' understanding of the topics covered during the course, their ability to critically evaluate the content, and their capacity to apply it within a teaching context.

Open-ended questions will be evaluated on the basis of:

• scientific accuracy and understanding of the subject matter;
• appropriate use of scientific terminology;
• ability to critically analyze and contextualize the course content within teaching settings, where required;
• clarity, coherence and logical organization of the answers.

The Elements of Ecology section is passed with a minimum score of 8/15.

Final mark

The final grade for the integrated course Elements of Chemistry and Ecology is expressed on a 30-point scale, with 18/30 being the minimum passing score.

The final grade is calculated as follows:

• up to 15 points for Elements of Chemistry and Chemistry Teaching;
• up to 15 points for Elements of Ecology;
• the mark awarded for the final assignment of the Workshop on Transversal Nature Science (−1, 0 or +1 mark).

Honours (30 cum laude) may be awarded to students obtaining the maximum overall score (31/30) and demonstrating outstanding scientific knowledge, the ability to contextualize course content within teaching settings, strong critical thinking skills, and a high degree of independent judgement.

The final grade will be awarded according to the following criteria:

• 30 cum laude: outstanding and comprehensive knowledge of the subject; excellent ability to analyze, integrate and critically evaluate ecological concepts; excellent use of scientific terminology and independent application of the knowledge acquired.
• 30: comprehensive and thorough knowledge; excellent ability to apply ecological concepts correctly and establish links between the topics covered; full use of scientific terminology and strong analytical skills.
• 27–29: extensive and accurate knowledge; good understanding of ecological concepts and ability to apply and relate them; appropriate scientific language and good critical and argumentative skills.
• 24–26: sound knowledge of the main topics, although some aspects may not be fully developed; ability to apply concepts in familiar contexts and establish essential connections.
• 21–23: satisfactory but not in-depth knowledge; understanding of the fundamental concepts and partial ability to apply them; generally clear presentation, despite some inaccuracies.
• 18–20: basic knowledge limited to the essential concepts; partial understanding and mainly guided application of the knowledge acquired; some inaccuracies in both terminology and presentation.
• Fail: fragmented or seriously inadequate knowledge; inability to understand and apply the fundamental concepts; failure to achieve the intended learning outcomes of the course.

Examination regulations

During the examination, students are not permitted to consult textbooks, notes, handouts, teaching materials or online resources.

The use of mobile phones, smartwatches, tablets, calculators or any other personal electronic devices is strictly prohibited.

Any materials required for the examination will be provided by the lecturer.

With regard to all assessment activities, including the final assignment for the Workshop on Transversal Nature Science, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools is not permitted. Any such use will be regarded as a breach of academic integrity.

Non-attending students and students enrolled in previous cohorts

For non-attending students and students enrolled in previous cohorts, the examination format is the same as that described above, unless otherwise specified through transitional provisions communicated by the lecturer.

Students are expected to prepare for the examination on the basis of the course syllabus and the learning materials made available on the Virtuale platform.

Students with disabilities or specific learning disorders (SLD)

Students with temporary or permanent disabilities or specific learning disorders (SLD) are encouraged to contact the University's Service for students with disabilities and SLD [https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en] (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en ) well in advance.

The Service will propose any appropriate adjustment, which must be submitted to the lecturer for approval at least 10 days before the examination. Approval will be granted in accordance with the intended learning outcomes of the course.

Erasmus and international exchange students

For Erasmus and other international exchange students, the examination programme and assessment methods are the same as those described for all other students.

However, Erasmus and international students taking the Elements of Ecology course are not required to attend the Workshop on Transversal Nature Science. Instead, they are required to prepare a written assignment, replacing laboratory attendance, consisting of an experimental educational pathway on the topic of water.

The assignment should describe a sequence of experimental activities designed for nursery or primary school pupils, aimed at exploring the different properties of water from a variety of scientific perspectives.

The proposed activities should include:

• a description of the required materials;
• the expected duration of each activity;
• the experimental procedures to be followed;
• a brief discussion of the educational objectives of the proposed pathway.

The assignment must be submitted at least 10 days before the examination and will be assessed by the lecturer responsible for the Elements of Ecology course. The assignment will receive a mark of −1, 0 or +1, which will be added to (or deducted from) the examination score.

The final examination will cover only the Elements of Ecology module and will follow the same format described for non-Erasmus students. The examination mark, initially awarded on a 15-point scale, will be doubled to obtain the final mark out of 30. The examination is considered passed with a minimum score of 9/15, corresponding to 18/30.

Failure to submit the assignment will result in the deduction of one point from the final examination score.

Teaching tools

Teaching activities are supported by: personal computers; multimedia projector; PowerPoint presentations; white board.

Teaching consists of lectures integrated with interactive activities, small-group work and collaborative lesson planning.

The following materials will be made available through the Virtuale platform:

• PowerPoint presentations used during lectures;
• additional reading materials and supporting literature.

Office hours

See the website of Barbara Mikac