05095 - Biology

Academic Year 2025/2026

  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
  • Campus: Cesena
  • Corso: First cycle degree programme (L) in Aquaculture and Fish Production Hygiene (cod. 6656)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course students will know the principles of Biology with special attention to cell division, zoology and taxonomy of highly valuable species. Students will be able to recognize main aquatic invertebrates and vertebrates of aquaculture and fishery

Course contents

Course contents

The syllabus is structured as follows:

Lectures:

  • GENERAL BIOLOGY (12 hours). Principles of cell biology: prokaryotes vs eukaryotes, autotrophy vs heterotrophy, nucleic acids, DNA replication, cell replication: mitosis and meiosis, spermatogenesis and oogenesis, biological meaning of meiosis. Life on Earth. Characteristics of living things and description of their common characteristics. The cell theory. Key concepts: definition of animal, species and subspecies. Principles of taxonomy: definition of taxon/taxa and their hierarchy, rules of binomial nomenclature. Animal reproduction. Sexual and asexual processes, fecundation, embryogenesis. Alternative reproduction processes: metagenesis, hermaphroditism, parthenogenesis, heterogony.
  • SISTEMATIC ZOOLOGY (37 hours). Animal body plans: symmetry, hierarchical level of organization (cells to tissues, organs, organ systems, organism). Description of general features, classification and evolutionary history of the aquatic groups with particular impact on economy and/or health, and thus of interest for the course of study: Porifera, Cnidaria, Mollusca, Annelida, Arthropoda (with particular emphasis on the Crustacea class), Echinodermata. Chordata: general features and classification. Invertebrate Chordata: Urochordata and Cephalochordata. Introduction to systematic vertebrate zoology with particular focus on species of interest for the Course of Study. Craniata, general features and classification. Cyclostomata, Cartilaginous fish, Bony fish, Amphibians, Reptiles, Birds and Mammals.
  • ALGOLOGY OVERVIEW (3 hours). Diversity and complexity of living things called “algae” and their belonging Kingdoms (Plantae, Protista, Bacteria). Description of general features and classification of main algae groups of particular impact on economy, health or fish farming: Rodophyta, Chlorophyta, Dynophyta, Bacillariophyta, Phaeophyta.

Laboratory/Practical Sessions:

  • LOWER INVERTEBRATES (4 hours): observation of prepared zoological specimens of lower invertebrate species (sponges, jellyfish, sea worms, lower mollusks and arthropods, sea urchins and sea stars, sea squirts) to become familiar with the key features of their respective belonging phyla.
  • MOLLUSKS (2 hours): this lab session aims to make students familiar with the key characteristics of bivalves and cephalopods. They will observe external and internal characteristics of fresh specimens with special emphasis on key features for their taxonomy (es. number of arms/tentacles, number of gills, etc).
  • CRUSTACEANS (2 hours): this lab session aims to make students familiar with the key characteristics of superior crustaceans like decapods and stomatopods. They will observe external and internal characteristics of fresh specimens with special emphasis on key features for their taxonomy (es. position and dimension of abdomen portion, number of thorax appendages, presence of pinces, etc).

Readings/Bibliography

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

Supplementary reading:

  • “Integrated principles of zoology” e “Diversità animale” di C.P. Hickman et al.; 18th Edition or previous –McGraw-Hill Publishing House. ISBN: 978-1266263293
  • “Zoologia” di A. Rigutti, Giunti Publishing House. ISBN: 978-8809899056

Teaching methods

The course includes both theoretical lectures and practical/laboratory sessions. Interactive sessions, self-assessment quizzes will be periodically offered to enhance learning outcomes.

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

Assessment methods

The assessment for the Monodisciplinary Course “05095 - Biology” consists of a single written test made of four parts:

  • 17 multiple choice questions covering all topics of the course. Scoring system: 1 point for each right answer, zero points for wrong/blank ones. No penalty. Passing threshold: 11 out of 17 right answers.
  • 3 identification and classification. Passing threshold: 2 out of 3.
  • 5 multiple choice questions covering the General Biology programme. Scoring system: 20% penalty, that means 1 point for each right answer, -0.2 points for wrong/blank ones. These questions will be identified by a symbol and thus easily recognizable.
  • An open question on General Biology to be fulfilled as a short essay. Scoring system: 0 to 5 points depending on the quality of the essay in terms of language property, knowledge of the subject, connection skills, conciseness (Blank session: 0 points; Basic or limited understanding: 1-2 points; good understanding and correct language use: 3 points; broad knowledge of argument proposed, mastery of discipline-specific terminology: 4 points; Comprehensive understanding of argument proposed; fully independent critical analysis and connections; excellent command of terminology and argumentation skills 5 points).

Students will have 60 minutes to complete the text. The exam is considered passed only if all parts are successfully completed reaching the threshold former specified. A minimum final grade of 18/30 is required.

No supplementary materials or electronic devices (e.g., calculators, tablets, smartwatches, computers) may be used during the exam, except for those explicitly allowed by the instructor.

The results of the written exam will be published within 5 working days on the Virtuale Learning Environment (https://virtuale.unibo.it/?lang=en ) by the designated course contact.

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 one time, by informing the course examiner via email within 5 working days.

The designated course contact for this course is the teacher herself.

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

PowerPoint presentations. Lectures will be supplemented by practical laboratory which purpose is to give the students the opportunity to observe the animals that have been described during the teacher-led lessons. Educational visits are scheduled.

In case of difficulty understanding the course content, the instructor is available for clarification meetings, which must be scheduled via email.

Office hours

See the website of Ilaria Guarniero

SDGs

Oceans Life on land

This teaching activity contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN 2030 Agenda.