Corso di Laurea in Produzioni e Gestione degli Animali in Allevamento e Selvatici - PGAAS

Knowledge and Understanding

Students are requested to acquire knowledge on the basic principles of veterinary microbiology, epidemiology
and parasitology, that are needed to understand infectious and parasitic health problems of farm animals.

Applying knowledge and understanding

Students are requested to use and apply the acquired concepts of veterinary microbiology, epidemiology and
parasitology, to evaluate and manage health and production problems of farm animals. They will have to
show they can contribute, in a multidisciplinary context, to the development of health management plans of
these animals. They should be able to contribute to the planning of studies for the assessment of disease
frequency in animal populations, and to the health education of professionals working in the farm animal
sector.

In order to develop such abilities, the students are requested to take part to practical trainings in the
microbiology and computer laboratories as well as to field trainings, where they will learn basic skills and will
have the opportunity of actively participating in the evaluation of health problems in farms.

Making judgements

Students will have to understand the meaning of an epidemiologic study and assess the health and productive
status of animal populations. Moreover, they will have to show they can get and organize bibliographic
information. In order to develop such abilities, students are requested to interactively participate to the course
and to submit an individual report, supported by references, on a subject of the course.

Communication skills

Students will have to learn how to interact in a multidisciplinary working group and communicate with animal
health professionals. They will also need to communicate with non-health professionals, such as farmers and
consumers, on subjects concerning animal health protection and zoonoses. Finally, they should be able to
create reports and scientific communications, and produce scientific and popular science texts.

Learning skills

Students will have to learn how to study in a autonomous way, to develop critical skills to analyze and solve
problems, ability to synthesize, and to use a proper language. Learning skills are evaluated during discussions
in the classroom, during practical training and in the final examination. Students will have to show they
acquired an effective study method, also in the perspective of a continuation of their studies.

Concepts and methods of veterinary microbiology, epidemiology and parasitology are presented during the
lectures. Practical training is carried out in groups, in the biological and computer laboratories, and in the field,
in order to better understand the concepts provided in lectures, with an applicative perspective, and to provide
the students with practical skills they will use during their professional activity.

Principles of Veterinary Microbiology and Epidemiology. Concepts of bacteriology and virology (morphology,
structure, biologic cycle of bacteria and viruses; cell defence mechanisms; bacteriophages, viroids and
prions)and immunology (organization of the immunity system, specific and unspecific defence mechanisms,
humoral and cell-mediated immunity, vaccine prophylaxis). Introduction to infectious diseases epidemiology;
spread and maintenance of diseases in a population; measures of disease frequency; risk factors of diseases;
sampling and statistical inference; evaluation and interpretation of diagnostic tests; prevention, control and
eradication of diseases in animal populations.

Parasitology and parasitic diseases. Parasitism, life cycle and reproduction, pathogenic and immunogenic
effects, classification. Laboratory diagnosis of parasites. Study of the main parasitic diseases in farm animals.

- Principles of Veterinary Microbiology and Epidemiology:

Poli G., Cocilovo A., "Microbiologia e immunologia veterinaria", UTET

Bottarelli E., Ostanello F, "Epidemiologia, teoria ed esempi di medicina veterinaria", Ed. Edagricole
(http://www2.unipr.it/~bottarel/epi/)

- Parasitology and parasitic diseases:

Ambrosi G., "Parassitologia zootecnica", Ed. Edagricole