95975 - Swine and Ruminant Farming in a Sustainable and Circular Agriculture

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 understand the key performance indicators and the interconnections between sustainable and circular agriculture, productivity, animal welfare and animal health. They are able to critically evaluate farming methods and management strategies for poultry, fish, ruminants and swine in terms of sustainability, circularity and production efficiency.

Specific contents of the course unit

This course unit explores the interconnections between sustainable and circular agriculture, livestock management and animal production, with a particular focus on pigs, dairy cattle and small ruminants.

THEORETICAL PART

The course addresses three main questions:

1. How are productivity, animal health and welfare, and environmental sustainability interconnected? (8 hours)

• Efficient use of resources
• Environmental emissions
• Waste management
• Life Cycle Assessment.

2. How do farming systems and management practices contribute to circularity and sustainability? (16 hours)

• Sustainable Development Goals
• Organic farming
• Animal-environment interaction
• Innovative technologies
• Precision Livestock Farming.

3. How do farming systems influence actual and perceived product quality? (8 hours)

• Product quality attributes
• Product claims
• Voluntary labelling.

PRACTICAL ACTIVITIES (24 hours)

Throughout the course, students work individually or in groups on case studies selected according to their interests and agreed upon at the beginning of the course. The practical activities lead to the development of different communication outputs, including posters, oral presentations and policy briefs.

Students learn to:

• analyse and critically evaluate farming systems and production contexts;
• propose evidence-based strategies to improve sustainability and circularity;
• retrieve and critically appraise scientific literature;
• prepare communication materials tailored to different target audiences.

Formative assessment is provided throughout the course through interactive polls, guided discussions and feedback on practical activities.

Attendance is strongly recommended, as lectures and practical sessions include interactive polls, guided discussions and collaborative activities that support learning and contribute to the assessment of practical activities. Students who do not attend have access to the teaching materials and reading list through the Virtuale Learning Environment. Lectures are not recorded.

Readings/Bibliography

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

Required study material

• Teaching slides provided during the course and made available on the Virtuale Learning Environment.

Supplementary reading

• Galanakis, C.M. (Ed.). Environmental Impact of Agro-Food Industry and Food Consumption. Elsevier Academic Press, 2021. ISBN 9780128213636. (Available at the Ercolani Library).

As no single textbook comprehensively covers the course topics, additional study material is based on selected scientific papers and online resources.

An updated bibliography is available on the Virtuale Learning Environment.

Teaching methods

The course combines theoretical lectures and practical activities designed to foster critical thinking, collaborative learning and the application of sustainability principles to livestock production systems. Students are encouraged to analyse farming scenarios, interpret scientific evidence and develop evidence-based strategies to improve the sustainability and circularity of animal production.

Teaching methods include:

• In-person lectures and guided discussions.
• Structured individual and group assignments.
• Peer learning through discussions and collaborative activities.
• At least one guided farm visit.

Students with disabilities and/or specific learning disorders (SLD) who require accommodations for teaching activities are encouraged to contact the instructor at the beginning of the course and/or the University Service for Students with Disabilities and SLD to discuss appropriate support measures.

Considering the types of activities and teaching methods adopted, attendance requires the successful completion of Modules 1 and 2 of the University's online health and safety training and Module 3 on health and safety in study environments. Information on the training programme, schedule and registration procedures is available in the Studying → Health and Safety mandatory training section of the Degree Programme website (https://corsi.unibo.it/2cycle/FoodAnimalMetabolismManagement/health-and-safety-mandatory-training).

Participation in farm visits requires appropriate clothing and footwear. Personal protective equipment (PPE), including disposable gloves when required, will be provided.

Assessment methods

The final grade of the course unit is determined as follows.

Written examination (85% of the final grade)

The written examination lasts 45 minutes and primarily assesses students' knowledge and capability to elaborate on the course topics and their ability to critically evaluate different farming systems and management strategies.

The examination consists of:

• 23 multiple-choice questions (1 point each);
• 2 short open-ended question (6 points each).

Incorrect or unanswered questions receive no penalty. No supporting materials or electronic devices (including calculators, books, notes, tablets, smartwatches or computers) are permitted during the examination.

In cases of borderline performance (i.e. where the student's performance is only slightly below the passing threshold), the instructor may offer a brief follow-up discussion to assess specific aspects of the student's answers and verify whether the expected learning outcomes have been achieved.

Practical activities (15% of the final grade)

The evaluation is based on the quality of the outputs produced during the practical activities (e.g. presentations, posters, policy briefs and other assignments), considering their scientific accuracy, critical analysis, effective use of the literature and appropriateness for the intended audience.

A minimum final grade of 18/30 is required to pass the examination.

In accordance with Article 16, paragraph 5, of the University Teaching Regulations, students may refuse a passing grade once by notifying the course coordinator via email within five working days. The course coordinator is Eleonora Nannoni.

Examination sessions are offered in accordance with the Academic Calendar and University regulations, with at least six examination sessions per academic year.

Evaluation criteria

• 18–19: Basic knowledge of the main theoretical concepts and limited ability to analyse farming scenarios.
• 20–24: Sound knowledge of the course topics and ability to analyse farming scenarios using generally appropriate technical language.
• 25–29: Critical evaluation of farming systems supported by appropriate examples and correct use of discipline-specific terminology.
• 30–30 with honours: Comprehensive understanding of the course topics, ability to integrate concepts, critically discuss complex scenarios, justify conclusions using scientific evidence and propose evidence-based strategies to improve sustainability and circularity.

The examination results are published within five working days on AlmaEsami by the designated course contact.

Final grade of the Integrated Course

The final grade of the Integrated Course is calculated as a weighted average of the grades obtained in the three course units, according to their respective credit value. A minimum final grade of 18/30 is required to pass the Integrated Course.

Negative results are not graded numerically but are recorded as "withdrawn" or "failed" in the AlmaEsami electronic transcript and do not affect the student's academic record.

The digital record will be completed by the designated contact  (Eleonora Nannoni). Once all three course units have been successfully completed, students should contact the Chair by email to request the registration of the final grade.

The validity of the grades obtained in each course unit is determined by the Degree Programme Board.

Students can register for examinations through the AlmaEsami platform (http://almaesami.unibo.it/). Examination sessions are scheduled according to the Academic Calendar. Additional sessions are available for students beyond the standard duration of the programme.

Students with disabilities and/or specific learning disorders (SLD) are invited to contact the University Service for Students with Disabilities and SLD (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students) as early as possible so that appropriate accommodations can be proposed. Requests for examination adjustments must be submitted to the instructor at least 15 days before the examination date. The instructor will assess the appropriateness of the requested accommodations in relation to the learning outcomes of the course.

Use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI). During the assessment, the use of generative AI tools is not permitted. Any unauthorised use constitutes a violation of academic integrity.

Teaching tools

Teaching tools include:

• Lecture slides integrated with interactive Wooclap polls to promote active participation and self-assessment.
• Videos, selected online resources and supplementary reading materials.
• Collaborative online platforms (e.g. Whiteboard) to support group work, brainstorming and collaborative learning.
• Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used as optional support for individual study, for example to explore alternative management strategies, compare farming systems, summarise scientific literature and prepare self-assessment questions. Students are expected to critically evaluate AI-generated content and verify it against the course materials and recommended references.

All teaching materials are available on the Virtuale Learning Environment through the link provided on the instructor's webpage.

Students are encouraged to contact the instructor by email to arrange individual meetings for further clarification or discussion of course topics.

Office hours

See the website of Eleonora Nannoni (https://www.unibo.it/sitoweb/eleonora.nannoni2/en)

Office hours

See the website of Eleonora Nannoni