Biology

The main aim of the lessons is the understanding of living organisms, especially plants and animals. The Agricultural Botany teaching module will present plant cell, stems, leaves, roots, reproductive organs, reproductive strategies and systematic botany (with emphasis on certain seed-plant families with agronomic and productive roles). The Animal Biology module aims to provide basic zoological knowledge, illustrating the functions that - despite being common to all animals - are implemented differently by different animals due to varying morphology and environments. The body plans (Bauplan) of the most important Phyla will also be described.

At the end of the course students should have acquired:
· basic knowledge to recognize and describe the main plant structures at the levels of cell, tissue and organ, also offering the possibility to valorize plant diversity and promote its conservation. Understanding of the metabolic processes, growth and survival of plants; understanding of the evolution and phylogenetic relationships between different kinds of plants.
· basic knowledge of animal biology needed to study anatomy and physiology of domestic animals and entomology. In general: the ability to study independently, drawing from various sources of information (lectures, teaching lab., internet, the botanic garden and bibliographic study/library); capacity to summarize and communicate in a concise way a large range of knowledge.