- Docente: Marta Galloni
- Credits: 6
- SSD: BIO/06
- Language: Italian
- Moduli: Marta Galloni (Modulo 1) Marco Passamonti (Modulo 2) Marta Galloni (Modulo 3)
- Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures (Modulo 1) Traditional lectures (Modulo 2) Traditional lectures (Modulo 3)
- Campus: Bologna
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Corso:
Second cycle degree programme (LM) in
Teaching and Communication of Natural Sciences (cod. 5704)
Also valid for Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Biodiversity and Evolution (cod. 5824)
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from Oct 02, 2025 to Dec 04, 2025
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from Oct 01, 2025 to Nov 12, 2025
Learning outcomes
The course is aimed at providing knowledge on the origin and historical evolution of museum collections starting from the birth of the great naturalistic museums up to their diffusion in the various countries, thanks to the work of the scientific societies and the role of the scientific expeditions. The students will know the organization of the museum collections of the University of Bologna, their variety (biological-naturalistic, paleontological) that contain the history of the various scientific institutes and disciplines, and their role and functions in the development of science. The students will know the conception and organization of the modern museum institutions, their current role and function (research, teaching, third mission), and the the current legislation in the field of cultural heritage. The students will also know the problems related to the management of the museum scientific collections. In this frame criticalities, perspectives and potentialities will be highlighted to foster a critical and conscious vision of the student on this peculiarity typology of museums underlining the still current value and function of the scientific museums in the context of research, conservation, communication and education. The course offers basic scientific knowledge to understand the concepts of the evolution and biodiversity, and the history of ecosystems changes, dealing also with the relationship between science and museums by deepening the contemporary debate relating to their function and their educational role in today's society. With this approach we intend to develop the theme of evolution and biodiversity and their representation in scientific museums through museum collections. Theoretical and research aspects will be addressed. Exploring the different museums, the students will define an objective and develop a proposal of their own for a project idea or innovate aspects they can identify for museum enhancement and communication. Emphasis will be placed on the valence of scientific vs. historical and artistic asset. Aspects related to the ethics of science, the custody, conservation and display of the sensitive collections, on the basis of current legislation, will be also provided. The course aims to highlight different methods, planning and educational paths of the different collections: the herbarium and of botanical garden of the Bolognese university, the zoological, comparative anatomy, paleontological and anthropological collections. At the end of the course the student is able to (a) understand the historical and historical-scientific value of the collections of scientific museums, (b) to propose and plan actions specific and targeted museum educational paths making the meaning of ""making"" a scientific museum their own, (c) and, by adapting and integrating previous and acquired knowledge, to promote scientific communication to participate in the process of continuous transformation that museums must have to respond to rapid changes in contemporary society. The student also (d) understands and knows nature and nature material characteristics of the finds of scientific museums, (e) is able to collect and catalog the finds by macro-categories and (f) it can propose actions aimed at improving its conservation status.
Course contents
The course aims to explore the relationship between science and museums: both theoretical and practical aspects of the science-museum-society connection will be addressed, in order to understand the different realities of scientific collections, and to delve into the contemporary debate concerning their function and educational role in today’s society. Through zoological and botanical museum collections (Botanic Garden and Herbarium), the course will cover topics such as evolution, biodiversity, and its conservation.
We will explore the limits, challenges, and potential of museum institutions, and students will have the opportunity to identify and define a goal and develop their own project idea to optimize and innovate aspects related to the enhancement and communication of museum heritage.
The course is taught by teachers with specific competences, who will address topics related to the study, enhancement, and management of different museum collections. This year, the course will focus particularly on botanical museums.
Marco Passamonti – Zoological Collections
Practical activities to learn molecular techniques (DNA extraction) and their use for phylogenetic reconstructions using museum specimens from zoological collections.
Marta Galloni – Botanical Collections
Botanic Gardens and Herbaria: History and Functions.
Collections of the Botanic Garden and Herbarium: acquisition, cataloging, management, scientific research. Plant diversity and SDGs. Practical activities to explain plant diversity, evolution, and classification.
The herbarium and the scientific importance of exsiccata.
The botanic garden and the current diversity of vascular plants, with a focus on flowering plants.
Education and communication. Prospects for actively engaging citizens through participatory science projects for the study and management of collections.
Readings/Bibliography
Lecture slides.
Scientific articles and specific literature (which will be made available by the instructor).
Teaching methods
Theoretical and seminar-based activities.
Practical activities in the laboratory and museum spaces.
Assessment methods
To assess the activities carried out, the student will be required to produce a written paper on a topic related to a theoretical/practical museum experience of interest, agreed upon with the professor.
Teaching tools
Video projector and computer. For the practical activities, specimens from the museum collections and laboratory equipment (e.g., stereomicroscopes) will be used.
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.
Office hours
See the website of Marta Galloni
See the website of Marco Passamonti