B9349 - FISIOLOGIA DI PESCI, UCCELLI E NUOVI ANIMALI DA COMPAGNIA

Learning outcomes

He/she knows the function of the appatus and the differences compared to domestic mammals.

Course contents

This course is part of the Integrated Course on ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND WELFARE OF SPECIES OF VETERINARY INTEREST - 1.

Upon completion of the integrated course, students will have acquired knowledge regarding the husbandry of livestock (poultry, rabbits, and fish) and companion animals, as well as the economics and physiology of fish, birds, and new companion animals. With regard to livestock species, this knowledge will focus on the profitability of the farming operation itself and its implications for production quality, animal welfare, and environmental protection. For companion animals, students will learn about the main dog and cat breeds and the most significant issues with a genetic basis.


The Integrated Course will be divided into 5 modules:

- Poultry Farming and Welfare (theoretical lectures and practical activities taught by Prof. Federico Sirri)

- Dog and Cat Breeding and Welfare (theoretical lectures and practical activities taught by Prof. Giacomo Biagi)

- Farming and Welfare of Small Species (rabbits, fish, and new companion animals; theoretical lectures and practical activities taught by Prof. Pier Paolo Gatta)

- Economics

- Physiology of fish, birds, and new companion animals (lectures and practical activities taught by Dr. Domenico Ventrella)


At the beginning of the course, detailed information will be provided regarding the internal organization of the schedule for lectures and practical sessions, as well as the examination procedures and grading criteria.

Specifically, the course on the Physiology of Fish, Birds, and New Companion Animals will cover the following topics:

• Comparative physiology of small mammals (2h);
• Comparative physiology of fish (3h);
• Comparative physiology of birds (3h);
• Comparative physiology of reptiles (1h);
• Comparative physiology of amphibians (1h).

Readings/Bibliography

Suggestes books:

Klein G. B. Cunningham's Textbook of Veterinary Physiology, 6th ed. Elsevier (2019)

Richard W. Animal Physiology, 5th ed. Oxford University Press (2022)

O'Malley B. Clinical Anatomy and Physiology of Exotic Species E-Book, 1st ed. Elsevier (2005)

Scanes C.G. & Dridi S. Sturkie's Avian Physiology, 7th ed. Academic Press (2021)

Currie S. & Evans D.H. The Physyology of Fishes. 5th ed. CRC Press (2021)

Teaching methods

The course will only include frontal lessons.

Assessment methods

The exam aims at verifying the achievement of the teaching objectives and the acquisition of the knowledge provided by the course program. The final grade originates from the student's demonstration of having acquired the knowledge and skills required, and the ability to link the various issues.

The exam will consist of an interview. In the presence of a preparation on a very limited number of topics covered in the course and analytical skills that emerge only with the help of the teacher, with the use of an overall correct language, the result will be a grade between 18 and 19. With a preparation on a limited number of topics covered in the course, autonomous analysis skills only on purely executive matters, with the use of a correct language, the grade will be between 20 and 24. With a preparation on a large number of topics addressed in the course, the ability to show critical analysis and the mastery of specific terminology the grade will be between 25 and 29. With exhaustive preparation on the topics addressed in the course, independent choices of critical analysis and connection, full mastery of specific terminology and ability to argumentation and self-reflection, the result will be a grade between 30 and 30 cum laude.

The integrated course of Animal Production I is considered passed when the student has obtained the sufficiency (18/30) in each of the courses that compose it. The final grade will result from the arithmetic average of the marks obtained in the three courses that make up the integrated course. The designated course contact for this course is Prof. Pier Paolo Gatta.

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.

With regard to the learning assessment, the use of AI is prohibited. Any use of AI constitutes a breach of academic integrity.

Teaching tools

Slide sets and other media such as videos and interactive resources will be used during lectures.

Teaching materials are available on the Virtuale platform and could be reached through the link on the teacher webpage.

Office hours

See the website of Domenico Ventrella