Animal Adaptations and Applications

The aim of the course is to introduce the student to the study of the animal as an integrated system in which a series of specific structural, functional and behavioral adaptations find expression that allow an in-depth and detailed analysis, from the macro-scale to the nano-scale, not only in terms of biodiversity, but also in terms of potential use in various human appLication contexts (medicine, design, engineering, biomimicry, breeding, food production). In particular, the conditions and evolutionary pathways that have led to the acquisition of highly specialized morphological, physiological, biomechanical and behavioral characteristics will be analysed, all representing particularly innovative and potentially exploitable adaptive solutions in a variety of contexts and human activities. The course aims to provide knowledge related both to general principles of construction and functioning of the animal organism, as well as to specific topics selected for their
relevance in the field of application, with particular reference to: organism design and biomechanical bases; properties of biological materials and their structural and functional uses; support and movement and the variety of locomotion modalities in different environments;
bioactive molecules used for offense and defense; behavioral strategies.

The main expected learning outcomes will be the development of: a) cultural competences in the field of functional morphology, physiology and comparative ethology of animals, not provided by other courses, emphasizing the links between adaptations and applications; b) interdisciplinary methodological competences related to the integrated evolutionary approach and to the applied technical-scientific one; c) capabilities to transfer and exploit the acquired knowledge in various
fields of application.