95983 - Nutrition and Feeding to Improve Food Animal Efficiency Within Circular Agricultural System

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student will know the basic principles of animal nutrition and feeding with particular attention to the interactions between nutrients and metabolic response in modulating the productivity and sustainability of animal production as well as the hygiene and safety of derived products.

Course contents

Introduction: farming systems

Animal model. Animal requirements and efficiency. The student is expected to understand the basic concepts beyond major animal requirements as well as the relationships occurring among them; meanwhile, understand he main faces of expected efficiency.

Metabolisms: major metabolisms in ruminants, non-ruminants, fishes. The student is expected to learn the major pathways belonging to different species

Nutrition and feeding: definition and nutritional characterization of feedstuff. Nitrogen sources, energy sources, forages. Feedstuff production and treatments: how to prepare and formulate feedstuff- The student is expected to learn how to recognize and describe each feed involved in animal nutrition, and how to prepare mixed or composite feeds.

Formulation. The student is expected to understand the logical behind ration formulation, to meet animal requirements and optimize production

Circular economy approach in facing concern and issues: meet the requirements and optimize the production within the actual situation. Major issues arisen: i.e. soil pollution, methane emission, nitrogen wasted, water consumption. The student is expected to learn the major impacts and consequences of modern farming systems, especially facing the actual situation

Possibilities and strategies: circular economy system in solving the cited issues. Strategies and novel approaches (novel feeds, microbiomes, waste recycling etc.) to improve animal welfare, production without impacting the environment. The student is expected to apply its know-how to understand, discuss and debate actual strategies and (hopefully) consider new ways to consider circular or environmentally-friendly systems

Teaching methods

1) During the lectures, the students are constantly asked to apply the concepts provided by the Lecturer to practical cases proposed by them or provided by the Lecturer himself.

2) At least once during the course (intermediate or final part), a participative review session is carried out during which the students, guided by the teacher, are asked to recall the topics dealt with, arrange them according to logical criteria, identify the functional links between concepts and analytical schemes.

During the lessons, experts in hte field could be involved to present their respective research and state of the art

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 3 is available in the dedicated section of the Degree Program website.

Participation in practical and laboratory sessions requires wearing a lab coat and appropriate footwear. Suitable personal protective equipment (PPE), such as disposable latex gloves, will be provided as needed.

 

Assessment methods

Registration for the exam takes place exclusively through Alma Esami, upon publication of the examination schedule.

In the case of online examinations these will be held via the platforms made available by UNIBO, with convocation directly from the Almaesami registration list and after sending a connection link via email, generated by the system.

The use of teaching aids is not permitted during examinations unless requested in advance for specific reasons.

As a rule, the examination consists of an oral test.

The final exam score is awarded as weighted average with module 95984 "STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE SAFETY OF FOODS OF ANIMAL ORIGIN WITHIN CIRCULAR AGRICULTURAL SYSTE"

In evaluating the oral exam, the instructor will use the following grading scale:

- Basic understanding of only a few course topics; analysis skills emerge only with the instructor’s help; generally correct language → 18–22

- Limited knowledge of several topics; independent analysis only on procedural issues; correct language use → 23–26

- Broad knowledge of course topics; ability to make autonomous critical judgments; mastery of discipline-specific terminology → 27–29

- Comprehensive understanding of course content; fully independent critical analysis and connections; excellent command of terminology and argumentation skills → 30–30 with honors

 

The result of the oral exam will be communicated at the end of the session. The minimum passing grade is 18/30.

 

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.

Grades for individual parts and the final grade will be published on the Virtuale Learning Environment (https://virtuale.unibo.it/?lang=en ) by the designated course contact within 5 working days of the exam.

Students may reject the final grade ... times (NB: according to University Regulations, at least once), by informing the course examiner via email within 5 working days.

The designated course contact for this course is …

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

• Slideshow;
• Exercises and tests on dedicated platforms and Excel;

Office hours

See the website of Alberto Palmonari