Course Topics
The module Entomology covers the following topics: Reasons of insect success; Insect taxonomy and nomenclature; Arthropoda; Insect classification: apterygota, exopterygota, endopterygota; Insect orders and most relevant families; Insect morphology: head, thorax and abdomen; Types of mouthparts: chewing, piercing-sucking, rasping-sucking, sponging, siphoning, etc.; Types of antenna, wings and legs; Male and female genital organs, types of ovipositors; Insect cycles, development and metamorphosis; Cuticle and insect integument; Feeding and digestion; Excretory, circulatory and respiratory; Nervous system, sensory organs; Insect chemical ecology: semiochemicals and pheromones; Insect sampling and insect monitoring; Insect natural enemies; Cultural, mechanical and chemical control of insects; Overview on insecticides; Toxicity, health and economic threshold; Integrated pest management (IPM) in fruit orchards; Sustainable agriculture and biological control; Introduction of key pest insects in European agriculture and forest ecosystems; Exotic pest insects; Case topics selected by the students. The module Phytopathology covers the following topics: Concept of disease in plants; types of plant diseases; Impact of plant diseases; Environmental factors that cause plant diseases; Parasitism and disease development; stages in the development of disease: disease cycles; Plant pathogenic viruses and viroids; Plant pathogenic prokaryotes: bacteria and mollicutes; Plant pathogenic fungi and fungal-like organisms: Zygomycetes; Ascomycetes; Basidiomycetes; Plant pathogenic fungal-like organisms: Oomycetes ; Plant pathogenic nematodes and other parasitic organisms; Genetics of plant disease: genetic variability; genetics of virulence in plant pathogens and resistance in host plants; Mechanisms of pathogen attack and defense of plants against pathogens; Epidemiology of plant diseases and population dynamics of pathogens; Diagnosis techniques for plant pathogens; Strategies for plant disease management and control

Propaedeutic courses
no

Teaching format
The module Entomology is a lecture-lab course in which topics are presented by the lecturer. Practical parts, lab activities and excursions are explained by the lecturer and the teaching assistants. The module Phytopathology is a lecture-lab course with PowerPoint presentations and interactive elements, such as discussions and descriptive case examples. In the practical part, selected contents covered in the lectures, will be examined in greater depth in the field (during a didactic excursion) and in the laboratory. Short presentations on a topic of choice will be prepared by the students and presented to the class.

Educational objectives
Entomology Knowledge and understanding Knowledge of the most important scientific aspects related to insects, with a particular focus on pest insects of agricultural and forestry ecosystems. Applying knowledge and understanding Be able to recognize and identify insect groups, in some cases at species level. Understand the differences in morphological and philological features of insects, there cycles and metamorphosis, in comparison to other animals groups. Be able to identify sign of damages and the impact of insects in agricultural production (e.g. orchards, forests, stored products). Understand the advantages and disadvantages of using insecticides, genetically modified plants in pest control, Integrated Pest Management and Biological Control techniques in order to minimize insect damage and economic agricultural losses. Making judgments Through the critical evaluation of knowledge. Through the critical evaluation of different strategy in pest control. Communication skills Ability to communicate the acquired knowledge by using a correct scientific and technical language. Learning skills Ability to extend the knowledge acquired during the study course by reading and understanding scientific and technical documentation. Ability to develop a critical thinking for the professional skills. Phythopathology: Knowledge and understanding Students will gain fundamental knowledge on the biology of economically important plant pathogens and the etiology of diseases, and understand how plant pathogens and their host plants interact in the environment. Applying knowledge and understanding Students will be able to recognise and identify disease symptoms and signs, and formulate hypotheses about the causes of diseases. Making judgements Students will gain the ability to make informed judgments about the appropriate diagnostic technique and develop a strategy for disease control. Communication skills Students will improve their writing abilities by preparing short laboratory reports. Communication and presentation skills will be enhanced during interactive classes and student presentations. Learning skills Students will learn to retrieve scientific literature and to autonomously extend the knowledge acquired during the course by reading and compiling technical and scientific documents.

Assessment
The overall mark of the course will be calculated as the average of the marks of the two modules. The assessment of the module Entomology consists of three parts: -Written exam with multiple-choice and review questions (if possible) (70%); -Presentation on a given topic (15%); -Insect collection (15%). The assessment of the module Phytopathology consists of two parts: -Written exam with review questions (70%); -Project work consisting of written lab reports, in which the results of the experiments are interpreted, and a presentation on a given topic, all performed in groups (30%). Both assessments, written exam and project work, need to be passed to successfully complete the module Phytopathology.

Evaluation criteria
Criteria for the evaluation of the written exam: correctness of answers; ability to summarize, evaluate, and establish relationships between topics of relevance; develop critical and independent thinking. Criteria for the evaluation of the report on exercises and excursions: ability to work in a team, ability to summarize in own words, skills in critical thinking. Criteria for the evaluation of the project work: correctness of the contents, ability to summarise in own words, quality and clarity of presentation, and the ability to establish a context with other related topics.