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Free University of Bozen-Bolzano

Fundamentals of Agricultural and Forest Engineering

Semester 2 · 40235 · Bachelor in Sustainable Agriculture and Forestry in Mountain Environments · 9CP · IT


Fundamentals of Physics and Agricultural Engineering:
Kinematics, dynamics, Newton laws, equilibrium, work
Mechanical energy, power, linear and angular momentum
Fluid statics and dynamics
Equation of state, ideal and real gases, 1st and 2nd law of thermodynamics
Electromagnetism

Topography and Digital Cartography:
GIS (Geographic Information Systems)
Vectors and platforms for remote sensing
Global positioning systems
Optical data for environmental analysis
LiDAR for 3D terrain modeling
Photogrammetry for estimating ecological variables

Lecturers: Pasqualina Gloria Sacco, Riccardo Zamboni, Luigi Piemontese

Teaching Hours: 54
Lab Hours: 36
Mandatory Attendance: No

Course Topics
The course, dedicated to the fundamentals of agricultural and forestry engineering, is structured into two modules: i) Fundamentals of Physics and Engineering; ii) Topography and Digital Cartography. The first module introduces basic concepts of physics and engineering, which are essential for understanding and managing technical applications in the agricultural and forestry sectors. The second module presents basic concepts of topography and digital cartography—including an introduction to photogrammetry and remote sensing—providing the foundation for understanding and using geospatial data.

Propaedeutic courses
No

Teaching format
Lectures, exercises, workshops, projects.

Educational objectives
Knowledge and understanding: The degree course provides advanced knowledge for the training of professionals capable of carrying out management and coordination activities in mountain and forestry agriculture, as well as effectively preparing students for possible further studies. The knowledge and skills acquired provide graduates with planning, management, control, coordination and training skills in agriculture and forestry. All these skills will be transmitted to the graduates by means of face-to-face lecturing, technical and practical laboratory exercises, field exercises and educational-scientific excursions. The elaboration of the experimental thesis may be carried out both in the faculty's laboratories and in companies and local authorities At the end of their studies, the three-year graduate at Sustainable agriculture and forest management in mountain environment possesses basic knowledge of mathematics, physics, chemistry, statistics, and the biology of plant and animal organisms and microorganisms. The expected learning outcomes can therefore be summarised as: - understanding of the principles and laws of physics with particular reference to the statics and movement of fluids and gases - being able to read and understand advanced texts relating to the various aspects characterising the agrarian and agro-forestry environment in mountainous areas - being able to communicate and discuss issues relating to the training course in an appropriate manner in the three languages (Italian, English, German). The knowledge and comprehension skills listed above are achieved through participation in lectures, practical exercises, seminars, and through guided personal and individual study as envisaged by the training activities offered. Some courses in the syllabus may be offered in a dual mode (lectures face-to-face and in video-recorded form and made available on the university intranet platform) The assessment of the achievement of learning outcomes takes place mainly by means of exams and possible in -progress tests. The tests may be written and/or oral, and may also consist of reports and oral presentations of projects or seminars. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: The ability to apply knowledge is achieved through critical reflection on the texts proposed for individual study stimulated by classroom activities, the study of research and application cases shown by the lecturers, the performance of practical laboratory and field exercises, bibliographical research, individual and/or group projects as part of the fundamental and optional courses included in the teaching plan, as well as during the internship and preparation for the final examination. The tests carried out by means of written and/or oral examinations, reports and exercises include the performance of specific tasks in which the student demonstrates mastery of tools, methodologies and critical autonomy. In the internship activities, the verification takes place through the presentation of a report by the student to the teacher of reference. Making judgements: Autonomy of judgement is developed and verified through the exercise activities, the organised seminars, the preparation of papers as part of the teaching, as well as during the internship activity and the activity assigned by the lecturer for the preparation of the final examination. Communication skills: The graduate has the ability to use the most modern and effective means of communication to disseminate the research carried out and the analyses relating to the problems of agro-forestry and forest management; he/she is able to deal with the production realities in the agro-forestry sector and to interact with figures from the sector and related sectors. Communication skills are particularly developed during exercises, the organised seminars, as well as during training activities that also involve the preparation of reports and written documents and the oral presentation of the same. Since the course is trilingual, graduates are able to communicate correctly, in written and oral form, in Italian and in two other languages (German and English). In tutorial activities and seminars, students are encouraged to speak publicly in order to improve their ability to describe clearly and comprehensibly any doubts and/or requests for clarification on specific topics. The acquisition and evaluation/verification of the achievement of communication skills are also provided for during the internship and the final report, as well as when writing and discussing the final paper. Learning skills: The degree course provides the basic cognitive tools indispensable for the continuous updating of knowledge, also with tools that make use of new communication and information technologies. The graduate is able to apply the developed learning methods and tools to update and deepen the studied contents, also in professional contexts and to undertake further studies.

Additional educational objectives and learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding: Knowledge and understanding of physical laws and engineering applications regarding: Mechanics Thermodynamics Electrodynamics Engineering fundamentals Knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of geomatics: topography and land surveying, positioning systems, and digital cartography. Applying knowledge and understanding: Ability to analyze and solve problems related to the topics listed above. Making judgments: Students are expected to develop the ability to evaluate the plausibility of results. Communication skills: Further development of quantitative, technical, and scientific terminology to express ideas and opinions regarding the topics covered. Learning ability: Development of an analytical mindset enabling the student to break down a problem into sub-tasks that can be solved using previously acquired knowledge.

Assessment
The exam will be conducted separately for the two modules, but a single final grade will be awarded. For the first module, Fundamentals of Physics and Engineering, student assessment will be based on a written exam consisting of two parts: a first part (Problem 1) featuring qualitative questions testing the understanding of the topics covered, and a second part (Problems 2–6) comprising several numerical problems to be solved, covering various aspects of the subject matter. Students may bring a pen, pencil, dictionary, and non-programmable calculator to the exam. Necessary constants and equations will be provided along with the exam paper. All students are also permitted to bring one double-sided A4 sheet of handwritten notes. For the second module, Topography and Digital Cartography, the assessment consists of a written test featuring multiple-choice questions, designed to verify the acquisition of knowledge and the ability to apply the concepts and methods covered during the course.

Evaluation criteria
The assessment criteria will be independent for the two modules. For the first module, Fundamentals of Physics and Engineering, the following assessment criteria will be applied: correctness of the approach and mathematical steps in the solution, calculation of numerical results, and correct use of physical quantities and units of measurement; correctness of the answers provided and their presentation, as well as the terminology used. The final score is the sum of the scores assigned to each exercise, with a maximum total of 33 points. To pass the exam, the final score must be 18 or higher. For scores exceeding 30, the distinction "with honors" is awarded. For the second module, Topography and Digital Cartography, the structured written test consists of 31 questions; 1 point is awarded for each correct answer and 0 for each incorrect answer; a score of 18 or higher is required to pass the exam, while a score of 31 earns the distinction "with honors."

Required readings

Teaching resources and supplementary materials will be made available by the instructor via Microsoft Teams.



Supplementary readings

Recommended books:

  • Elementi di fisica 1. Meccanica, termodinamica, Mazzoldi, Paolo; Nigro, Massimo; Voci, Cesare 
  • Physics for scientist and Engineers with Modern Physics,  Douglas C. Giancoli, Pearson, 4th edition, 2008
  • Corso di Genio rurale. Topografia e territorio agrorurale. Volume base A. Lazzari M., Milani W., 1 edizione, 2024. Ed. REDA 



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Sustainable Development Goals
This teaching activity contributes to the achievement of the following Sustainable Development Goals.

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Modules

Semester 2 · 40235A · Bachelor in Sustainable Agriculture and Forestry in Mountain Environments · 6CP · IT

Module A — Fundamentals of Physics and Agricultural Engineering

Fundamentals of Physics and Agricultural Engineering:
Kinematics, dynamics, Newton laws, equilibrium, work
Mechanical energy, power, linear and angular momentum
Fluid statics and dynamics
Equation of state, ideal and real gases, 1st and 2nd law of thermodynamics
Electromagnetism

Lecturers: Riccardo Zamboni, Luigi Piemontese

Teaching Hours: 36
Lab Hours: 24

Course Topics
The module introduces fundamental concepts of physics and engineering essential for understanding and managing technical applications in the agricultural and forestry sectors: Kinematics, dynamics, Newton's laws, equilibrium, work Mechanical energy, power, linear and angular momentum; fluid statics and dynamics Equation of state, ideal and real gases, first and second laws of thermodynamics Basic concepts of electromagnetism, electromagnetic radiation, and optics

Teaching format
In person classes and exercises.

Required readings

Teaching resources and supplementary materials will be made available by the instructor via Microsoft Teams.



Supplementary readings

Books:

  • Elementi di fisica 1. Meccanica, termodinamica, Mazzoldi, Paolo; Nigro, Massimo; Voci, Cesare  
  • Physics for scientist and Engineers with Modern Physics,  Douglas C. Giancoli, Pearson, 4th edition, 2008


Semester 2 · 40235B · Bachelor in Sustainable Agriculture and Forestry in Mountain Environments · 3CP · IT

Module B — Topography and Digital Cartography

Topography and Digital Cartography:
GIS (Geographic Information Systems)
Vectors and platforms for remote sensing
Global positioning systems
Optical data for environmental analysis
LiDAR for 3D terrain modeling
Photogrammetry for estimating ecological variables

Lecturers: Pasqualina Gloria Sacco

Teaching Hours: 18
Lab Hours: 12

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