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Place of teaching
Campus Bologna
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Language
English, Italian
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Degree Programme Class
LM-60 - Natural sciences
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Type of access
Open access
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International Programmes
With one or more international curricula
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Proposed paths (Curricula)
- GLOBAL CHANGE ECOLOGY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
- SCIENZE E GESTIONE DELLA NATURA
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Years in which it is being held
II
Programme aims
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The Degree Programme aims at training professionals able to analyse, restore and conserve biotic and abiotic components of natural and artificial ecosystems, working for entities, institutions and companies, and operating as experts in educational centres, addressing ecological and environmental issues connected with global changes and the social and technical implications caused by these changes. Additionally, the Degree Programme provides the methodological and cultural foundations for a solid education and the basics of scientific research in natural science sectors. With specific reference to the programme, offered entirely in English, environmental sustainability is the model used to develop an integrated approach to the economic and social use, conservation and valorisation of natural resources in a context characterised by constant global changes.
This Degree Programme aims at providing graduates with adequate knowledge tools to help them address and solve complex issues such as those connected with global changes that affect different disciplinary fields and may have an impact on strictly natural and environmental areas, or carry additional social, economic and technological implications.
Therefore, Natural Environment Management and Conservation Experts do not focus strictly on protecting natural systems, but must also:
1) be able work on systems derived from anthropic activities (for example, agricultural areas), which are intrinsically unstable and, therefore, require constant controlling and monitoring. To meet the needs of this second aspect, the Italian learning path is based on laboratory work that provides up-to-date and immediately spendable knowledge together with activities that strengthen students' culture and allow them to develop an adequate critical attitude. The overall aim of this learning path is, in fact, centred around the combination of the two above-mentioned categories of activities.
2) be able to work on systems modified by phenomena connected with global changes. To this end, the learning programme, offered in English, uses a combination of competencies that blend the typical topics of natural and environment science with those pertinent to the economic and social impact produced by global change, as well as the political actions linked to their effects.
Learning path overview:
In brief, the degree programme aims at training professional figures able to bring together the solid culture of naturalistic studies – which in Italy have a great and successful tradition – with the need for monitoring, protecting and restoring natural and anthropic environments. This learning path also aims at setting the natural and/or anthropic environment in a context that includes the effects connected with global changes, and divides it into two curricula that analyse in depth the management and conservation of nature (in Italian) and the ecological dynamics and social and economic aspects linked to global change (in English).
For the above-mentioned purposes, the learning path is organized in blocks of disciplines with study programmes and laboratory work involving multiple fields: biogeography, bio agriculture and ecology, geoenvironmental studies, and social and economic management. -
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
Graduates will:
- possess a broad and in-depth knowledge of issues related to nature management, protection, and conservation, as well as an understanding of the ecological and social dynamics associated with global change;
- demonstrate a solid understanding of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and of the strategies required to achieve them.
These outcomes are achieved through lectures, practical exercises, laboratory activities, fieldwork, and a significant amount of time dedicated to individual study and in-depth exploration.
Learning outcomes are assessed mainly through written and oral examinations, as well as reports on laboratory and field activities, where applicable.An important role is assigned to the preparation of the final thesis, during which high-level knowledge and skills are acquired, particularly through individual study and participation in research projects within academic or external research groups and laboratories.
APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
Graduates will be able to:
- apply statistical and computational methods to the analysis of environmental data and biodiversity assessment;
- use biological and ecological techniques, including georeferencing, digital cartography, and GIS tools, for both physical and biological components;
- assess environmental and global change impacts using bioindicators;
- interpret environmental legislation relevant to nature conservation;
- design educational materials in the field of environmental and nature education;
- identify integrated solutions to mitigate the effects of global change and promote sustainable practices;
- develop appropriate methodological approaches to achieve specific goals related to global change challenges.
These skills are developed through:
- learning activities with a strong practical component, including exercises and laboratory work requiring independent contributions from students;
- field-based applications carried out during the experimental thesis project, which carries a substantial number of credits and requires a combination of advanced knowledge and practical application.
Such competences are primarily assessed through the activities carried out during the thesis work.
MAKING JUDGEMENTS
Graduates will:
- have an integrated understanding of environmental and territorial systems;
- be able to assess environmental quality;
- understand the causes and consequences of global change in an integrated manner;
- be capable of critically evaluating scientific and technological innovations;
- make informed and ethical judgements, based on the comprehensive analysis of scientific and non-scientific aspects related to environmental issues;
- connect scientific research with environmental education through an interdisciplinary and innovative approach.
Judgement skills are developed particularly through practical activities, laboratory sessions, and fieldwork.
They are especially exercised during the final thesis project, under the supervision of a faculty advisor.
Assessment of these skills is based on the student’s study plan and on the evaluation of the work carried out in preparation for the final examination.COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Graduates will:
- be able to effectively present and communicate their integrated knowledge through written, graphical, and multimedia outputs;
- be proficient in both written and spoken Italian and English;
- demonstrate problem-solving abilities;
- show a strong attitude towards teamwork, and possess good skills in managing and coordinating multidisciplinary project teams;
- work with a high level of autonomy;
- communicate complex information, ideas, issues, and solutions at an advanced level in the field of nature and environmental sciences, in both Italian and English;
- adapt to new and evolving contexts.
These skills are developed and assessed through group work and the preparation of the final thesis, which provides an opportunity to further develop and demonstrate students’ abilities in analysis, synthesis, and communication of the work carried out.
LEARNING SKILLS
Graduates will:
- be able to independently study and interpret new scientific findings published in the literature;
- be capable of consulting bibliographic sources, databases, and other online resources;
- demonstrate the autonomy needed to undertake advanced studies (such as PhD programmes or second-level professional master's degrees) or enter the workforce at a high level of responsibility.
These skills are developed and assessed throughout the programme, during course-specific learning activities and examinations.
Students are encouraged to move beyond textbook-based learning and instead engage with primary scientific literature to support their study and exam preparation.
Professional profiles
PROFESSIONAL PROFILE:
Natural Environment Management and Conservation Expert
ROLE IN A WORK CONTEXT:
A Natural Environment Management and Conservation Expert is a professional figure that registers, analyses and draws plans to conserve and protect natural heritage, operating in a context characterised by anthropic impact on natural systems and by ecological and social factors largely influenced by the ongoing global changes.
The main activities within the working environment are connected with:
- basic and applied natural research;
- environmental, social, technical and technological research;
- analysis of the effects of global changes and development of environment sustainability plans;
- mitigation of global change effects.
These activities may be carried out:
- conducting a census of the natural heritage;
- developing monitoring plans;
- evaluating impact, recovering and managing the natural environment;
- applying environmental planning to a natural context;
- managing wildlife and conserving biodiversity;
- applying those aspects of environment legislation that require naturalistic skills, with particular reference to the studies on environmental impact (flora and fauna sector) and the assessment of their effects;
- compiling biological and abiological valuation maps, with the use of GISs and connected databases;
- organizing and managing scientific museums, aquariums, botanical gardens and natural parks;
- carrying out environment and natural educational activities, such as the creation of teaching material, including multimedia material for schools, universities, natural museums, parks, aquariums, and botanical gardens;
- planning and managing natural itineraries;
- raising awareness on environmental issues and promoting knowledge about nature.
COMPETENCIES ASSOCIATED WITH THE ROLE:
Natural Environment Management and Conservation Experts have competencies connected with:
- the systematic analysis of the natural environment and its interactions, considered also from a historic and evolutionary point of view;
- the use of the scientific method of research and the knowledge required to apply it;
- the knowledge of the modern territory surveying systems and the statistical and computer programming techniques to analyse and store data;
- the ability to confront issues related to the management and conservation of the environment's qualities;
- the ability to communicate and manage natural and environmental information;
- the management of vegetation and wildlife and biodiversity conservation;
- the ability to operate autonomously, taking responsibility for projects and structures.
To carry out the above-mentioned functions and duties, Natural Environment Management and Conservation Experts will collaborate with self-employed professionals and public administration employees.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES:
Main career opportunities include:
- entities, cooperatives and other organisations that operate in the natural and environmental education sector;
- agencies for the protection of the environment;
- companies operating in the environment protection and requalification sector;
- public entities;
- agencies consulting on political and economic issues;
- local entities and consortia that manage parks and protected areas;
- scientific museums and botanical gardens;
- educational institutions;
- agencies that assess and manage European projects;
- international organisations (e.g. ONU, EU, World Bank, FAO, non-governmental organisations).
Access to further study
It gives access to third cycle studies (Dottorato di ricerca/Scuole di specializzazione) and master courses of second degree.
Course units
Admission requirements
Attending successfully the Second Cycle Degree Programme in Sciences and Management of Nature requires excellent knowledge of scientific and experimental methods, having acquired adequate knowledge of mathematics and statistics, physics and chemistry, bioecology and social and economic knowledge, in different proportions, depending on the Degree Programme of origin.
Students' level of English language skills (at least level B1) will be verified. Students whose English language skills are below level B2 may enrol in the Second Cycle Degree Programme only if they include additional language learning activities in their study plan – to make sure they reach level B2 before acquiring their degree – and will not be able to access the English language curriculum before reaching this level.
To access the Second Cycle Degree Programme, students must have a degree in one of the classes listed below in point 1, or a foreign degree recognised as suitable.
1. Degree in one of the following classes or another foreign degree recognised as suitable:
ex D.M. 270:
- Environmental sciences (L-32)
- Biology (L-13)
- Earth sciences (L-34)
- Agriculture and Forestry (L-25)
ex. D.M. 509/99:
- Environmental sciences (Class 27)
- Biology (Class 12)
- Earth sciences (Class 16)
- Agriculture, food industry and forestry (Class 20)
Previously effective four-year system:
- Environmental Sciences
- Biological Sciences
- Geological Sciences
- Natural Sciences
- Agricultural Sciences
- Forestry Sciences
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2. Have acquired at least 36 CFUs distributed in the following discipline subject areas:
- MAT/01-09; INF/01, ING-INF/05, SECS-S/01-02, FIS/01-08, at least 12 CFU
- CHIM/01/02/03/06/12, at least 6 CFU
- BIO/01-19, GEO/01-12, at least 18 CFU
Assessment test
Admission to the degree programme requires candidates to pass an assessment test that will be held according to the methods defined in the Teaching Regulation of the degree programme.
See the degree programme regulations for further details
List of teachers
- Iris Aloisi
- Eugenia Baroncelli
- Marco Boscolo
- Alberto Canarini
- Erik Caroselli
- Roberto Cazzolla Gatti
- Claudia De Luca
- Michele D'Ostuni
- Caterina Drigo
- Elena Fabbri
- Maura Ferri
- Saverio Francini
- Marta Galloni
- Stefano Goffredo
- Stevo Lavrnic
- Giovanni Liguori
- Antonio Navarra
- Luigi Parrotta
- Francesco Pezzo
- Miriam Ruocco
- Francesco Maria Sabatini
- Maria Chiara Valerii
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