94195 - Basics and Teaching Tools of Animal Biology

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student has: (a) basic knowledge to master specialist terminology and understand a medium complexity non-popular scientific text; (b) basic knowledge in the field of animal biology at a cellular, organismic and population level from an evolutionary perspective, useful for implementing knowledge in further fields of biology; also knows how to: (c) critically discuss, through formally correct exposures, biological issues related to animal biology and evolutionary aspects derived from different sources; (d) provide suggestions for teaching didactically the various aspects of animal biology in secondary school classes.

Course contents

The program aims to acquire basic scientific concepts in the field of Biology, selected on the basis of their relevance and accessibility in the context of secondary school. The program will also stimulate the awareness of the existence of a complex and ecosystemic nature, highlighted by the interdependence relationships between living and environment physico-chemical factors. Furthermore, teaching knowledge and skills relating to the various interconnected scientific disciplines will be acquired (learning to identify the structuring scientific concepts and their connections, to develop possible integrated teaching activities and courses and to develop a systemic vision).

In detail, the integrated program of the plant and animal part will deal with the following topics:

• The cell: levels of organization of biological macromolecules, origin, types, structure, functions (prokaryotic, animal, plant and fungal eukaryotic cell)

• Principles of biochemistry: matter and energy flux in living things: photosynthesis, cellular respiration, exchange relationships with the outside, carbon cycle.

• The cell cycle: mitotic and meiotic cell division (animal, plant and fungal cell)

• Animal organismic reproduction. Plant organismic reproduction

• Biological diversity and its bases: the biological concept of species, notes on the classification of living things, principles of genetics, mutations.

• Evolution: biological evolution (historical outline and evolutionary mechanisms). From spontaneous generation to the theory of evolution by natural selection.

For both modules the different topics will be discussed for the didactic aspects needed in secondary school classes.

Prerequisites: knowledge of the topics covered in the chemistry and biology courses of the secondary school.

Readings/Bibliography

The teaching material used for the lessons, as well as articles, book chapters and other materials from the specialist literature will be provided during the course by the teacher and / or deposited in Virtuale.

Suggested reference texts:

1. Longo C. Didactics of Biology. Ledizioni, 2014.

2. E. Padoa Schioppa. Methods and tools for teaching and learning biology. Ed. Edises.

3. Sadava et al. Principi di Biologia. Zanichelli (5° edizione italiana su 11° edizione americana)

Any further references will be discussed with the students.

Teaching methods

From the methodological point of view, the presentation of the different concepts will be accompanied by their evolutionary contextualization, taking care to highlight the experimental nature of biology. Frontal and dialogue lessons supported by presentations (ppt) with diagrams and graphic illustrations. Practical activities. Some topics will be completed or corroborated through individual activities.

Assessment methods

Assessment takes place through the evaluation and discussion of a paper presenting the didactic development of a topic chosen independently by the student (max 3 pages/2000 characters each). The reflexive and integration skills of knowledge themselves, the ability to organize and transmit knowledge will be assessed as well as critical reasoning skills. Questions will follow to ascertain basic knowledge related to the paper and to the program. Also practical activities will contribute to the final evaluation. The animal and plant modules must be given together.

Teaching tools

Classrooms equipped for teaching with: personal computer, projector, touch-screen with the role of a digital whiteboard, document camera for shooting texts, drawing objects, video cameras for shooting the teacher. Classrooms / laboratories (1 CFU / module) are connected to the teaching, equipped for carrying out practical activities.

Office hours

See the website of Barbara Mantovani