BSc: CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF MOUNTAIN AREAS
PROGRAMME DETAILS
GENERAL AND SPECIFIC EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES
As required by ministerial decree for the Agricultural and Forest Science and Technology degree class (L-25), graduates of the course in Conservation and Sustainable Development of Mountain Areas acquire a good knowledge of the main sectors of agricultural and forest science as well as the skills for conducting scientific studies and experiments. Graduates are able to perform technical, management and professional tasks relative to the agrobiological sector and relative technologies. In addition, having acquired a working knowledge of a foreign language and good communication and information management skills, they are able to work in both a European and overseas framework.
The course prepares graduates that will:
- have good basic knowledge of the mountain agro-forestry sector.
- be able to operate professionally in the organisation of production activities in mountain areas, with special emphasis on safeguarding the environmental equilibrium, the protection of the environment and rural development.
- work in a team with well-defined levels of autonomy, and be easily integrated into the work sector.
The degree course provides the prerequisites for admission to the postgraduate courses in the graduate’s relative area of specialization. Training includes the basic and professional disciplines of Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, Technology and Economics.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE ACQUIRED
In accordance with the provisions of Ministerial Decree no. 270/2004 and in conformity with the training objectives of the class L25 degree courses, the Conservation and Sustainable Development of Mountain Areas programme provides the basic scientific knowledge and methodology necessary to operate in the vast sector of protection and sustainable development of mountain environments.
The course aims to provide graduates who:
- have a good basic knowledge and wide spectrum of skills in the mountain agro-environment sector.
- have acquired scientific skills for using basic and applied know-how in order to solve various problems specific to this field of study.
- are able to operate professionally in the different contexts of organization of mountain production activities, focussing on the protection of the environment and its equilibrium and rural development.
- know at least one European Union language, other than Italian.
- possess adequate skills and tools for communication and information management.
- can work in a team with well-defined levels of autonomy.
The degree course provides the prerequisites for admission to the postgraduate Master’s courses in the graduate’s relative area of specialization. Upon completion of the programme, the degree in Conservation and Sustainable Development of Mountain Areas, Class L25 in the Agricultural and Forest Science and Technology category is conferred.
PROFESSIONAL PROFILES AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
The course creates a professional who is specialized in the conservation of natural resources and the environment, in the development of local products and in tourism management within the context of sustainable development of mountain areas. A degree in Conservation and Sustainable Development of Mountain Areas leads to work in the following sectors: agro-zootechnical and forestry production, technical assistance, public and private administration and teaching.
Fields of competence include:
- technical and business management of agricultural-forestry resources and their interrelationships with other sectors (craft industry, commerce, tourism, etc.);
- integrated development projects in particular regarding mountain farming;
- land conservation, focussing on intervention with low environmental impact and management of protected areas and natural parks.
- management of eco-sustainable tourism and agritourism activities.
- valorization of historical-cultural alpine resources.
- production and use of agro-forestry products.
- management of zootechnical-pastoral activities in particular in a multifunctional context.
- marketing of mountain products typical of a specific area or region.
- technical assistance to mountain farms.
Duration3 years
CoordinatorCostsSee the UNIMI portal page “Fees, part time enrolment, exemptions, scholarships, loans and health care”
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Information technology: Some courses offered by external organizations may be recognized by the Academic Board for the acquisition of 3 credits for computer skills if appropriate.
STUDY PLAN
Students must define their Study Plans indicating those lessons (or activities) chosen for the achievement of the 12 CFUs. Students are invited to take advantage of tutor support in selecting which activities to include in the Study Plan; the tutor list is available on the Course Website.
Presentation of the Study Plan, usually compiled online through SIFA, may take place from the second year of the course, within the deadline indicated by the secretariats, and may be modified during the following year of the course. Students must submit Study Plans to tutors, who in turn will submit them to the Academic Board which will evaluate the appropriateness of the activities selected with the training course.
FOUNDATION COURSES
Preparatory courses in Mathematics and Chemistry are offered to students with little or no knowledge of basic mathematics and chemistry concepts.
EXTRA ACTIVITIES
In addition to teaching in the classroom and in the lab, each year the Edolo centre organizes a number of activities (conferences, seminars, courses, field trips) which, as well as offering an in-depth study of key issues for the management and development of mountain areas (agriculture, livestock farming, territorial marketing, icthyfauna, alpine wildlife, cultivation of berries and herbs, educational farms, floriculture, biotechnology, GIS for mountain landscape design, hydro-biology of alpine lakes, etc.) contribute to making the Edolo university campus a stimulating environment. 177 seminars have been organized over the last 5 years and were followed by over 16,000 people, of whom more than 11,000 online. The Degree Course in Conservation and Sustainable Development of Mountain Areas also organizes many supplementary courses regarding practical activities to be implemented in a mountain environment. In order to allow students to study other mountain areas, field trips have been organized to Austria, Switzerland, Trentino Alto Adige, Valle d’Aosta and Abruzzo. The degree course also promotes numerous cultural events.
