Unit BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT; ELEMENTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL ECOLOGY WITH LABORATORY

BIOTECHNOLOGIES FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

Code	A004638
CFU	3
Teacher	Daniela Pezzolla
Teachers	Nicolo' Montegiove (Codocenza) Daniela Pezzolla
Hours	11 ore (Codocenza) - Nicolo' Montegiove 10 ore - Daniela Pezzolla
Learning activities	Affine/integrativa
Area	Attività formative affini o integrative
Sector	AGR/13
Type of study-unit	Obbligatorio (Required)
Language of instruction	Italian
Contents	Introduction to environmental biotechnology for the evaluation of energy and product recovery processes. Biotechnology applications in the sustainable treatment of waste, sewage and organic wastes from different sources. Analytical methodologies for the study of production systems and the valorization of organic matter.
Reference texts	Teaching material in electronic format provided by the teacher on the UNISTUDIUM platform.
Educational objectives	The course provides expertise in the field of biotechnological processes through the deepening of methodologies for analysis of organic matrices. The main skills developed will be: - planning and performing chemical and biochemical analyses of organic matrices; - analysing and monitoring possible environmental pollutants; - preparing technical and scientific reports on organic matrices.
Prerequisites	Basic knowledge of chemistry and biology.
Teaching methods	Lectures Seminars Slides are used Laboratory exercises
Other information	Venue: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Via G. Duranti, 93. For information on support services for students with disabilities and/or SLD, visit the page http://www.unipg.it/disabilita-e-dsa
Learning verification modality	The examination consists of a written and an oral test. The written test consists of an assessment of skills acquired in the laboratory, while the oral test consists of a discussion on the topics of the introductory part of the course.
Extended program	The course aims to deepen the study of biotechnology applied to the valorization of organic matrices and the evaluation of sustainable biological processes. With regard to organic matrices, particular attention will be given to waste biomass and its treatment for the recovery of energy and fertilizers through anaerobic digestion and composting techniques. In addition, methodologies for organic matrix analysis, biological process monitoring and pollutant control within production systems will be developed.
Obiettivi Agenda 2030 per lo sviluppo sostenibile	Affordable and clean energy. Responsible consumption and production. Climate action.

ELEMENTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL ECOLOGY

Code	A004629
CFU	2
Teacher	Antonia Concetta Elia
Teachers	Antonia Concetta Elia
Hours	14 ore - Antonia Concetta Elia
Learning activities	Affine/integrativa
Area	Attività formative affini o integrative
Sector	BIO/07
Type of study-unit	Obbligatorio (Required)
Language of instruction	Italian
Contents	The course introduces the fundamental concepts of ecology, with particular attention to the structure and functioning of ecosystems. It analyzes the concepts of environment, ecological niche, and habitat, population dynamics, and growth models. It also explores interactions between species within biological communities, ecosystem energetics, food chains, biogeochemical cycles, and the main terrestrial and aquatic biomes. The course also presents the basic concepts of ecotoxicology, aiming to provide a foundation for understanding and studying the effects of toxic substances at various levels of ecological complexity, including their pathways and behavior in the environment. The course will address ecotoxicological indicators for the protection and assessment of ecosystem health, particularly in aquatic environments, in relation to the impact of both priority and emerging pollutants.
Reference texts	Smith TM, Smith RL. 2017. Elementi di Ecologia. Pearson. Benjamin Cummings. Ediz. economica. IX edizione
Educational objectives	Provide fundamental knowledge of general ecology applied to terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Introduce the basic concepts of ecotoxicology and their relevance in environmental monitoring. Develop awareness of methods for assessing environmental impact and strategies for management and conservation.
Prerequisites	basic knowledge of biology and chemistry
Teaching methods	The course is held with lectures on specific topics. The presented concepts will be integrated, where possible, with examples and/or exercises to facilitate the understanding. Any intermediate tests will be useful tools to evaluate the degree of understanding of the contents developed during the course.
Other information	Attendance to the course: Recommended
Learning verification modality	The final exam is provided by an oral examination. It will be evaluated: level of preparation on the program carried out, level of advanced topics, ability to reason, as well as language and terminology appropriate to ecology.
Extended program	Concept of ecosystem. Environment, niche, habitat. Population and growth models. Positive and negative interactions between species in communities. Concepts of ecosystem energetics. Food chains. Biogeochemical cycles. Biomes. Basic elements of Ecotoxicology. Main classes of environmental contaminants and their sources. General mechanisms of toxicity and bioaccumulation. Introduction to environmental biomarkers and bioindicators. Overview of ecotoxicological tests and monitoring methods. Importance of environmental risk assessment. Applications and case studies in ecological and ecotoxicological contexts.
Obiettivi Agenda 2030 per lo sviluppo sostenibile	13 14 15

ENVIRONMENTAL BIOTECHNOLOGY LABORATORY

Code	A004772
CFU	2
Teacher	Nicolo' Montegiove
Teachers	Nicolo' Montegiove
Hours	24 ore - Nicolo' Montegiove
Learning activities	Altro
Area	Altre conoscenze utili per l'inserimento nel mondo del lavoro
Sector	NN
Type of study-unit	Obbligatorio (Required)
Language of instruction	Italian
Contents	Practical activities focused on the analysis and treatment of organic matrices using biotechnological approaches. Laboratory experiments on chemical, physical, and biological indicators aimed at assessing environmental status and the performance of biological processes. Introduction to methodologies for the recovery of resources from organic waste through aerobic and anaerobic treatments. Use of instrumental techniques for the analysis of environmental parameters, contaminants, and innovative materials.
Reference texts	All teaching materials necessary for laboratory activities will be provided by the lecturer.
Educational objectives	- Gaining operational skills in environmental biotechnology through experimental activities on organic matrices; - Applying analytical methods and instrumental techniques to assess environmental parameters; - Monitoring biological and physicochemical indicators related to environmental processes; - Preparing technical and scientific laboratory reports based on experimental results.
Prerequisites	Basic knowledge of chemistry and biology.
Teaching methods	Laboratory exercises and lectures.
Other information	Office hours: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Via G. Duranti 93, Perugia. For information on support services for students with disabilities and/or learning disorders, visit: https://www.unipg.it/disabilita-e-dsa
Learning verification modality	Written examination.
Extended program	Introduction to the applications of environmental biotechnology. Experimental activities related to the management and valorization of organic matrices. Methodological approaches for the characterization and treatment of biological materials. Analytical techniques for assessing environmental quality and the efficiency of biological processes. Use of operational methods and tools for monitoring physicochemical and biological indicators. Application of instrumental techniques for detecting environmental parameters and contaminants. Data processing and interpretation of experimental results.
Obiettivi Agenda 2030 per lo sviluppo sostenibile	Affordable and clean energy. Responsible consumption and production. Climate action.

ENVIRONMENTAL ECOLOGY LABORATORY

Code	A004773
CFU	2
Teacher	Antonia Concetta Elia
Teachers	Antonia Concetta Elia
Hours	24 ore - Antonia Concetta Elia
Learning activities	Altro
Area	Altre conoscenze utili per l'inserimento nel mondo del lavoro
Sector	NN
Type of study-unit	Obbligatorio (Required)
Language of instruction	Italian
Contents	Criteria for the programming of in situ surveys and measurements of biotic and abiotic variables. Application of ecotoxicological investigations.
Reference texts	it is recommended to contact the teacher and refer to the material provided for the study.
Educational objectives	-Acquire practical skills in the collection and analysis of freshwater samples. -Identify and quantify plankton using a light microscope. -Apply protocols for measuring the physico-chemical parameters of water. -Perform biochemical tests to assess environmental stress in aquatic organisms.
Prerequisites	knowledge of basic chemistry and biology
Teaching methods	Lectures in the classroom and some practical activities and lab.
Other information	recommended attendance
Learning verification modality	oral
Extended program	Introduction to methodologies of in situ measurement, sampling and laboratory analysis for biotic and abiotic variables of aquatic ecosystems: 1)variables of water quality, methods of analysis; 2) planktonic community, biology, taxonomic attribution and abundance estimation; 3)ecotoxicology: biomarkers of stress contamination
Obiettivi Agenda 2030 per lo sviluppo sostenibile	13 14 15