Biological Sciences Preparatory to Veterinary Medicine
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The general objective of the course is to provide students with basic knowledge on organisms belonging to the five kingdoms of living things: bacteria, fungi, algae, plants, animals. It is particularly noted how plant and animal organisms are closely interlinked with each other, with metabolic functions homologous, if not similar. It also demonstrates the morphological and functional characteristics of the various animal tissues and the general principles of embryonic development with special reference to domestic species.
An additional objective is to deepen the knowledge related to the main secondary metabolites of plants and their application in veterinary and agro-zootechnical fields. The main chemical, functional, nutritional, and anti-nutritional characteristics of the major plant species used in animal nutrition will also be explored in an applicative way. The methods and potential use of new plant genetic improvement techniques will be examined, as well as the application of innovative bioengineering processes with a view to sustainability.
An additional objective is to deepen the knowledge related to the main secondary metabolites of plants and their application in veterinary and agro-zootechnical fields. The main chemical, functional, nutritional, and anti-nutritional characteristics of the major plant species used in animal nutrition will also be explored in an applicative way. The methods and potential use of new plant genetic improvement techniques will be examined, as well as the application of innovative bioengineering processes with a view to sustainability.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding:
the student will know the structure and main functions of the animal and plant cell, the main morphological and functional characteristics of invertebrate and vertebrate organisms, the innovative plant-based applications in veterinary medicine, environmental sustainability, and animal nutrition, the morphological and functional characteristics of the different animal and plant tissues and the general principles of gametogenesis, embryonic development and placental structure.
Applying knowledge and understanding:
the student will be able to recognize the different invertebrate and vertebrate organisms, the main plant species used in animals, how to use an optical microscope to recognize the tissues that form the different organs, and will consider the species differences that characterize embryonic development and placenta structure.
Making judgments:
the student will be able to produce biological preparations of vertebrate and invertebrate organisms and to analyze them by selecting and using the most suitable technique for each type of sample, will be trained, in the preparation of histological samples, in the choice of the histological techniques most suitable for the various purposes, in the choice of the type of microscope most suited for diagnostic, clinical or research needs, in the use of an optical microscope. The student will integrate skills for the development of critical thinking based on scientific data.
Communications:
the student will acquire appropriate and updated terminology, consistent with that used in other disciplines, both during lessons and during practical classes.
Lifelong learning skills:
the student will acquire the ability to read, interpret and synthesize a specific text and scientific articles.
the student will know the structure and main functions of the animal and plant cell, the main morphological and functional characteristics of invertebrate and vertebrate organisms, the innovative plant-based applications in veterinary medicine, environmental sustainability, and animal nutrition, the morphological and functional characteristics of the different animal and plant tissues and the general principles of gametogenesis, embryonic development and placental structure.
Applying knowledge and understanding:
the student will be able to recognize the different invertebrate and vertebrate organisms, the main plant species used in animals, how to use an optical microscope to recognize the tissues that form the different organs, and will consider the species differences that characterize embryonic development and placenta structure.
Making judgments:
the student will be able to produce biological preparations of vertebrate and invertebrate organisms and to analyze them by selecting and using the most suitable technique for each type of sample, will be trained, in the preparation of histological samples, in the choice of the histological techniques most suitable for the various purposes, in the choice of the type of microscope most suited for diagnostic, clinical or research needs, in the use of an optical microscope. The student will integrate skills for the development of critical thinking based on scientific data.
Communications:
the student will acquire appropriate and updated terminology, consistent with that used in other disciplines, both during lessons and during practical classes.
Lifelong learning skills:
the student will acquire the ability to read, interpret and synthesize a specific text and scientific articles.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Prerequisites for admission
No previous knowledge is required.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The examination consists of a multiple-choice written exam with equal sections of 1 hour for each module. This will be followed by a practical test of histology.
1) Written test:
Botany preparatory to veterinary medicine: twenty multiple-choice questions (5 answers) with the possibility of choosing only one or more correct answers. In case of no answer or wrong answer, the question is not considered.
Zoology: twenty multiple-choice questions (5 answers) with the possibility of choosing only one or more correct answers. In case of no answer or wrong answer, the question is not considered
Histology and Embryology: twenty multiple-choice questions (5 answers) with the possibility of choosing only one or more correct answers. In case of no answer or wrong answer, the question is not considered.
2) Practical Test of Histology:
Recognition of the tissues present in histological preparations.
The test is considered brilliantly passed when the student recognizes without hesitation the different structures present in the preparation under examination and is able to describe them with adequate language. The test is considered passed when the student is unable to recognize part of the structures present in the preparation and / or is unable to describe some of them with adequate language. The test is not passed when the student is unable to recognize or describe with adequate language most of the structures present in the preparation under examination.
The final mark of the three written tests, expressed in thirtieths, corresponds to the weighted average of the two written tests. The practical test is essential for passing the exam. If passed brilliantly leads to the increase of one point of the final vote.
Exams are in number of 8 in the Academic year and take place in the months of January, February, April, June, July, September, October and December. There are no additional calls for out-of-course. To take the exam, it is essential to register for the exam through the ONLINE SIFA service of the University and must have attended not less than 75% of the hours both theoretical and practices.
1) Written test:
Botany preparatory to veterinary medicine: twenty multiple-choice questions (5 answers) with the possibility of choosing only one or more correct answers. In case of no answer or wrong answer, the question is not considered.
Zoology: twenty multiple-choice questions (5 answers) with the possibility of choosing only one or more correct answers. In case of no answer or wrong answer, the question is not considered
Histology and Embryology: twenty multiple-choice questions (5 answers) with the possibility of choosing only one or more correct answers. In case of no answer or wrong answer, the question is not considered.
2) Practical Test of Histology:
Recognition of the tissues present in histological preparations.
The test is considered brilliantly passed when the student recognizes without hesitation the different structures present in the preparation under examination and is able to describe them with adequate language. The test is considered passed when the student is unable to recognize part of the structures present in the preparation and / or is unable to describe some of them with adequate language. The test is not passed when the student is unable to recognize or describe with adequate language most of the structures present in the preparation under examination.
The final mark of the three written tests, expressed in thirtieths, corresponds to the weighted average of the two written tests. The practical test is essential for passing the exam. If passed brilliantly leads to the increase of one point of the final vote.
Exams are in number of 8 in the Academic year and take place in the months of January, February, April, June, July, September, October and December. There are no additional calls for out-of-course. To take the exam, it is essential to register for the exam through the ONLINE SIFA service of the University and must have attended not less than 75% of the hours both theoretical and practices.
Botany Preparatory to Veterinary Medicine
Course syllabus
Lectures:
- Basis of modern biology: evolution, genetic code, homeostasis and energy. Living classification: prokaryotes and eukaryotes (1 hour).
- The plant cell. General characteristics and in-depth analysis of the plant's own structures. Cell wall, vacuoles and plastids (2 hours).
- Architectural organization of cells in the plant world. Meristems, tegumental tissues, conductive tissues (xylem and phloem), mechanical (collenchyma and sclerenchyma), parenchymal (fundamental, reserve, aeriferous, aquifer), T secretory (2 hours).
- Secondary metabolites of plants. Analysis of metabolite parameters. Compounds with medical interest. Functional foods (1 hours).
- Plants: main morphological characteristics. The leaf as an organ responsible for photosynthesis. Mineral nutrition. Main characteristics of vascular plants: angiosperms and gymnosperms, monocotyledonous and dicotyledons. The seed: structure, role and mode of dispersion (2 hours).
Practical Classes:
- Azotofixer bacteria: symbiosis and role of Rhizobium spp. in legume nodules (2 hours).Algae and cyanobacteria: characteristics and applications (2 hours).
- Open lesson at the Botanical Garden of Città Studi. Knowledge of the main plant varieties. Adaptation to the environments. Plants with different reproductive systems (3 hours).
- Toxic and poisonous plants in veterinary medicine (1 hour).
Application of secondary metabolites in medicine and in functional nutrition (2 hours).
- Genetically modified organisms, Green biotechnology and genetically modified plants. Agrobaterium tumefaciens as a useful method for plant transformation. European legislation on genetically modified plants (marketing-authorization). EFSA's role in monitoring the safety of GM products (3 hours).
- Phytoremediation and eutrophication. Plants as a phytoremedium system for the recovery of heavy metals from the manure of intensive farms (1 hour).
- Plants and nutrition. Crops. Nutritional evaluation of foods. Main chemical analysis of foods of plant origin, dry matter (2 hours).
- Basis of modern biology: evolution, genetic code, homeostasis and energy. Living classification: prokaryotes and eukaryotes (1 hour).
- The plant cell. General characteristics and in-depth analysis of the plant's own structures. Cell wall, vacuoles and plastids (2 hours).
- Architectural organization of cells in the plant world. Meristems, tegumental tissues, conductive tissues (xylem and phloem), mechanical (collenchyma and sclerenchyma), parenchymal (fundamental, reserve, aeriferous, aquifer), T secretory (2 hours).
- Secondary metabolites of plants. Analysis of metabolite parameters. Compounds with medical interest. Functional foods (1 hours).
- Plants: main morphological characteristics. The leaf as an organ responsible for photosynthesis. Mineral nutrition. Main characteristics of vascular plants: angiosperms and gymnosperms, monocotyledonous and dicotyledons. The seed: structure, role and mode of dispersion (2 hours).
Practical Classes:
- Azotofixer bacteria: symbiosis and role of Rhizobium spp. in legume nodules (2 hours).Algae and cyanobacteria: characteristics and applications (2 hours).
- Open lesson at the Botanical Garden of Città Studi. Knowledge of the main plant varieties. Adaptation to the environments. Plants with different reproductive systems (3 hours).
- Toxic and poisonous plants in veterinary medicine (1 hour).
Application of secondary metabolites in medicine and in functional nutrition (2 hours).
- Genetically modified organisms, Green biotechnology and genetically modified plants. Agrobaterium tumefaciens as a useful method for plant transformation. European legislation on genetically modified plants (marketing-authorization). EFSA's role in monitoring the safety of GM products (3 hours).
- Phytoremediation and eutrophication. Plants as a phytoremedium system for the recovery of heavy metals from the manure of intensive farms (1 hour).
- Plants and nutrition. Crops. Nutritional evaluation of foods. Main chemical analysis of foods of plant origin, dry matter (2 hours).
Teaching methods
Teaching Methods
Lectures in the classroom using PowerPoint presentations available to students. Critical analysis in the classroom of scientific documents and reference regulations for the main topics discussed. Educational outings, practical activities in laboratories, in-depth seminars with experts, and classroom discussions.
Lectures
· The plant cell: General characteristics and in-depth study of the structures of the plant cell: cell wall, vacuoles, and plastids (1 hour).
· Algae and cyanobacteria: Architectural organization of cells in the plant world and taxonomic classification. Algal cultivation and applications (1 hour).
· Meristematic tissues and growth of plant cells: Protective tissues, conducting tissues (xylem and phloem), mechanical tissues (collenchyma and sclerenchyma), parenchymal tissues (fundamental, reserve, aeriferous, aquiferous), secretory tissues (1 hour).
· Macro-characteristics of higher plants: Morphological characteristics of leaves. The leaf as the organ responsible for photosynthesis. Mineral nutrition. Main characteristics of vascular plants: angiosperms and gymnosperms, monocotyledons and dicotyledons. The seed: structure, role, and modes of dispersal (1 hour).
· Secondary metabolites of plants: Definition and analysis of the main metabolites. Compounds of medical and nutraceutical interest (1 hour).
· Genetically modified organisms, Green biotechnology, New genomic techniques (NGTs), and new bioengineering approaches for the valorization of plant biomass waste (2 hours).
· Chemical-nutritional composition of the main plants for animal feed (1 hour).
Practical Activities
· Open lesson at the Città Studi Botanical Garden: Main plant species and varieties, adaptation forms, food and water supply for plants. Plants with different reproductive systems. Natural environments, phytoremediation plant, and visit to the water meadows (3 hours).
· Seminar activity with experts: "Nitrogen-fixing bacteria: symbiosis between Rhizobium and legumes" (1 hour).
· Evaluation of the symbiotic nodule of legumes in the laboratory with student participation (1 hour).
· Seminar activity with experts: "Toxic plants in veterinary medicine: characteristics and main causes of ingestion" (1 hour).
· Activity in the laboratory: Evaluation of the functional properties of algae, cyanobacteria, and plants with nutraceutical activity: extraction of active compounds in water and solvents, evaluation of antioxidant and antimicrobial activity (2 hours).
· Phytoremediation and eutrophication: Plants as a phytoremediation system for the recovery of heavy metals from livestock waste (1 hour).
· Activity in the laboratory: Plants as nutrients. Analysis of the main crop varieties of nutritional interest for humans and animals. Nutritional evaluation of food. Main chemical analyses of foods of plant origin. Definition of dry matter. Main grasses and legumes and their characteristics (3 hours).
· Activity in the laboratory: European legislation on genetically modified plants (commercialization-authorization): reading and interpretation of labels (2 hours).
· Activity in the laboratory: Diagnosis of GMOs in animal feed through PCR and RealTime PCR analysis (2 hours).
Lectures in the classroom using PowerPoint presentations available to students. Critical analysis in the classroom of scientific documents and reference regulations for the main topics discussed. Educational outings, practical activities in laboratories, in-depth seminars with experts, and classroom discussions.
Lectures
· The plant cell: General characteristics and in-depth study of the structures of the plant cell: cell wall, vacuoles, and plastids (1 hour).
· Algae and cyanobacteria: Architectural organization of cells in the plant world and taxonomic classification. Algal cultivation and applications (1 hour).
· Meristematic tissues and growth of plant cells: Protective tissues, conducting tissues (xylem and phloem), mechanical tissues (collenchyma and sclerenchyma), parenchymal tissues (fundamental, reserve, aeriferous, aquiferous), secretory tissues (1 hour).
· Macro-characteristics of higher plants: Morphological characteristics of leaves. The leaf as the organ responsible for photosynthesis. Mineral nutrition. Main characteristics of vascular plants: angiosperms and gymnosperms, monocotyledons and dicotyledons. The seed: structure, role, and modes of dispersal (1 hour).
· Secondary metabolites of plants: Definition and analysis of the main metabolites. Compounds of medical and nutraceutical interest (1 hour).
· Genetically modified organisms, Green biotechnology, New genomic techniques (NGTs), and new bioengineering approaches for the valorization of plant biomass waste (2 hours).
· Chemical-nutritional composition of the main plants for animal feed (1 hour).
Practical Activities
· Open lesson at the Città Studi Botanical Garden: Main plant species and varieties, adaptation forms, food and water supply for plants. Plants with different reproductive systems. Natural environments, phytoremediation plant, and visit to the water meadows (3 hours).
· Seminar activity with experts: "Nitrogen-fixing bacteria: symbiosis between Rhizobium and legumes" (1 hour).
· Evaluation of the symbiotic nodule of legumes in the laboratory with student participation (1 hour).
· Seminar activity with experts: "Toxic plants in veterinary medicine: characteristics and main causes of ingestion" (1 hour).
· Activity in the laboratory: Evaluation of the functional properties of algae, cyanobacteria, and plants with nutraceutical activity: extraction of active compounds in water and solvents, evaluation of antioxidant and antimicrobial activity (2 hours).
· Phytoremediation and eutrophication: Plants as a phytoremediation system for the recovery of heavy metals from livestock waste (1 hour).
· Activity in the laboratory: Plants as nutrients. Analysis of the main crop varieties of nutritional interest for humans and animals. Nutritional evaluation of food. Main chemical analyses of foods of plant origin. Definition of dry matter. Main grasses and legumes and their characteristics (3 hours).
· Activity in the laboratory: European legislation on genetically modified plants (commercialization-authorization): reading and interpretation of labels (2 hours).
· Activity in the laboratory: Diagnosis of GMOs in animal feed through PCR and RealTime PCR analysis (2 hours).
Teaching Resources
Lectures and handouts.
Zoology
Course syllabus
Animal biodiversity: theoretical bases about speciation and evolution; animal kingdom classification (2h).
Embryonic development and classification: protostomes, deuterostomes, and embryonic development (2h).
Main features of the internal anatomy of the taxonomic groups of interest (4h).
Main aspects of the protozoa with particular interest in the pathogen's protozoa (1h).
Main aspects of the flatworms with particular attention to trematodes and tapeworms (1h).
Main aspects of the nematodes, with particular attention to filariae (1h).
Main aspects of the mollusks with consideration to the observation of shells and diagnostic characters (1.5h).
Main aspects of the arthropods, with particular attention to insect vectors of diseases and beneficial insects, such as bees (1.5h).
Main aspects of the chordates with particular attention to fish, their classification, and distinction of the main classes (2h).
Embryonic development and classification: protostomes, deuterostomes, and embryonic development (2h).
Main features of the internal anatomy of the taxonomic groups of interest (4h).
Main aspects of the protozoa with particular interest in the pathogen's protozoa (1h).
Main aspects of the flatworms with particular attention to trematodes and tapeworms (1h).
Main aspects of the nematodes, with particular attention to filariae (1h).
Main aspects of the mollusks with consideration to the observation of shells and diagnostic characters (1.5h).
Main aspects of the arthropods, with particular attention to insect vectors of diseases and beneficial insects, such as bees (1.5h).
Main aspects of the chordates with particular attention to fish, their classification, and distinction of the main classes (2h).
Teaching methods
Lectures
Teaching Resources
Slide presentations available on ARIEL
De Bernardi e al., Zoologia - Parte Generale Idelson-Gnocchi ISBN: 8879474294
Candia e al., Zoologia - Parte sistematica. Idelson-Gnocchi ISBN: 9788879476232
De Bernardi e al., Zoologia - Parte Generale Idelson-Gnocchi ISBN: 8879474294
Candia e al., Zoologia - Parte sistematica. Idelson-Gnocchi ISBN: 9788879476232
Histology and Embryology
Course syllabus
Lectures:
Cytology (4 hours)
The lining and glandular epithelial tissue (3 hours)
The connective and adipose tissue (2 hours)
Cartilage, bone and blood tissues (2 hours)
Skeletal, cardiac and smooth muscle tissue (3 hours)
Nerve tissue (2 hours)
Male and female gametogenesis (2 hours)
Fertilization and pre-implantation development (2 hours)
Gastrulation and morphogenetic processes (2 hours)
Placentation (2 hours)
Practical classes:
Principles of cytology and microscopy (4 hours)
Histological methods (4 hours)
Epithelial and glandular tissues (2 hours)
Connective and adipose tissues (2 hours)
Blood, bone and cartilage tissues (2 hours)
Muscle and nervous tissues (2 hours)
Cytology (4 hours)
The lining and glandular epithelial tissue (3 hours)
The connective and adipose tissue (2 hours)
Cartilage, bone and blood tissues (2 hours)
Skeletal, cardiac and smooth muscle tissue (3 hours)
Nerve tissue (2 hours)
Male and female gametogenesis (2 hours)
Fertilization and pre-implantation development (2 hours)
Gastrulation and morphogenetic processes (2 hours)
Placentation (2 hours)
Practical classes:
Principles of cytology and microscopy (4 hours)
Histological methods (4 hours)
Epithelial and glandular tissues (2 hours)
Connective and adipose tissues (2 hours)
Blood, bone and cartilage tissues (2 hours)
Muscle and nervous tissues (2 hours)
Teaching methods
Lectures in the classroom and in the laboratory for 32 hours
Exercises on individual microscopes 8 hours
Exercises on individual microscopes 8 hours
Teaching Resources
Recommended books:
- H.G. Liebich Istologia e Anatomia Microscopica dei Mammiferi e degli uccelli. PICCIN
- Hyttel, Sinowatz, Vejlsted Betteridge, Essentials of Domestic Animal Embryology" Saunders Ltd.; 1 edition (December 6, 2009) 472 pages ISBN-10: 0702028991
Further readings:
- R. Colombo & E Olmo, Biologia: cellule e tessuti. Edi-Ermes Milano;
- D.M. Noden e A. De Lahunta -Embriologia degli animali domestici - Edi-Ermes, Milano.
- H.G. Liebich Istologia e Anatomia Microscopica dei Mammiferi e degli uccelli. PICCIN
- Hyttel, Sinowatz, Vejlsted Betteridge, Essentials of Domestic Animal Embryology" Saunders Ltd.; 1 edition (December 6, 2009) 472 pages ISBN-10: 0702028991
Further readings:
- R. Colombo & E Olmo, Biologia: cellule e tessuti. Edi-Ermes Milano;
- D.M. Noden e A. De Lahunta -Embriologia degli animali domestici - Edi-Ermes, Milano.
Botany Preparatory to Veterinary Medicine
BIO/03 - ENVIRONMENTAL AND APPLIED BOTANY - University credits: 2
Practicals: 16 hours
Lessons: 8 hours
Lessons: 8 hours
Professor:
Rossi Luciana
Shifts:
Turno
Professor:
Rossi Luciana
Histology and Embryology
VET/01 - VETERINARY ANATOMY - University credits: 4
Practicals: 16 hours
Lessons: 24 hours
Lessons: 24 hours
Professor:
Gandolfi Fulvio
Shifts:
Professor:
Gandolfi Fulvio
1 TURNO PER UN GRUPPO DI STUDENTI
Professor:
Gandolfi Fulvio2 TURNO PER UN GRUPPO DI STUDENTI
Professor:
Gandolfi Fulvio3 TURNO PER UN GRUPPO DI STUDENTI
Professor:
Gandolfi FulvioTURNO UNICO PER TUTTI GLI STUDENTI
Professor:
Gandolfi Fulvio
Zoology
BIO/05 - ZOOLOGY - University credits: 2
Lessons: 16 hours
Professor:
Luciano Alberto Maria
Shifts:
Turno
Professor:
Luciano Alberto MariaEducational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
From Monday to Friday upon appointment
Office or after the lectures
Reception:
Monday to Friday, by appointment (email or phone)
Lot 2, Department building - Lodi