Laurea magistrale in Biologia dell'Ambiente

The teaching contributes to the objectives of the Degree Course by providing skills to analyze and monitor environmental microbial communities, evaluate associated risks and design bioremediation interventions, with applications in research, environmental management and consultancy.

The main educational objectives of the course concern the knowledge:
- the evolution and adaptation mechanisms of cellular and viral microorganisms in natural environments;
- the role of microorganisms in nature;
- the mechanisms of interactions between microorganisms and other microorganisms or higher organisms in natural environments (microbiomes and microbiota);
- techniques for monitoring and containing microorganisms in natural environments;
- the principles of using the metabolic capacities of microorganisms in environmental applications.

Upon completion of the course, students are expected to have acquired the following skills:

KNOWLEDGE:
- Describe the evolution and adaptation mechanisms of microorganisms and recognize their role in biogeochemical cycles with real-world examples.

LEARNING SKILLS:
- Consult international scientific literature to update skills on microbiomes and environmental applications.

APPLICATION SKILLS:
- Use monitoring methods (metabarcoding, culture, biotechnology) on case studies and interpret microbiological datasets.

JUDGMENT SKILLS:
- Evaluate articles and experimental data to propose strategies for the containment/exploitation of microorganisms in the environmental context.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS:
- Present an individual or group paper on a scientific article, using graphs and technical vocabulary.

1. Role of microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, viruses) in ecosystems and biogeochemical cycles.

2. Microbial interactions and environmental microbiomes.

3. Methods for analyzing microbial communities.

4. Environmental applications: bioremediation, wastewater treatment, composting.

5. Discussion of articles and case studies.

This course includes lectures and seminars with a strong interactive component, complemented by the presentation of a scientific review, for a total of 36 hours of teaching.

DE (Delivery Teaching): 20 hours of lectures; DI (Interactive Teaching): 16 hours of interactive seminars and presentations of scientific articles.

Activities designed to be constructively aligned with the Expected Learning Outcomes (lectures → knowledge; seminars → application/judgment; presentations → communication).

All lessons will be held in person.

Learning is verified through a written test and an oral interview.

WRITTEN TEST - The written test consists of 10 open-ended questions, with comments on diagrams and images. The questions intended to evaluate the knowledge acquired on the topics covered and the ability to argue answers with properties of specific disciplinary language. The time available is 60 minutes.

ORAL INTERVIEW - The interview consists of a presentation by the student on the deepening of a topic chosen by the student and agreed with the teacher. The presentation and the subsequent interview intend to evaluate the ability to understand and critically evaluate literature and the level of depth of the topics of the program.

The final grade takes into account the evaluation of the written exam and the oral exam.

• Written (60%) – 60 min: correct concepts (40%), ability to summarize (30%), use of technical language (30%).
• Oral (40%) – 20 min: critical evaluation of the article (50%), clarity of exposition (30%), use of sources and graphs (20%).
• Scale: 0–30; threshold 18; binding for all sessions.

Materials available on Moodle; student office hours by appointment (in person/online); tutoring for exercises and the preparation of scientific papers.

• Required: Moodle Slides.
• Recommended:
  ▪ Barbieri P. et al. (2013). Environmental Microbiology and Elements of Microbial Ecology. Ambrosiana, Milan. ISBN 978-8-80-818434-4
  ▪ Pepper I.L., Gerba C.P., Gentry T.J. (2015). Environmental Microbiology. Academic Press. ISBN 978-0-12-394626-3
  ▪ Madigan M.T. et al. (2020). Brock Biology of Microorganisms. Pearson. ISBN 9780135860717

Lecture presentations alone are not sufficient teaching material for preparing for the exam. Integrating the presentations with the recommended books will support and guide students in preparing for the exams.

Students with learning disabilities (LDs) or disabilities that may impact learning (e.g., color blindness, low vision, hearing impairment, dyslexia, or a physical disability) are encouraged to contact their instructors so they can adjust their teaching materials and assessment methods. Students with learning disabilities (LDs) or disabilities are asked to review the University's support (https://www.unito.it/servizi/lo-studio/studenti-con-disabilita) and reception (https://www.unito.it/accoglienza-studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa) procedures, particularly the procedures for exam support (https://www.unito.it/servizi/lo-studio/studenti-con-disabilita/supporto-agli-studenti-con-disabilita-sostenere-gli-esami).