Animal Nutrition and Food Safety: the Gap Between Science and Public Opinion.

The aim of the course of ... is for students to develop knowledge and understanding regarding the key topics related to animal nutrition, food safety (food security/food safety), and the socio-political implications of the agri-food sector. By critically analyzing scientific and media sources, the course seeks to provide tools to interpret modern trends in animal nutrition and livestock farming, with particular attention to GMOs, biotechnologies, antibiotics in feed, nutritional safety of animal-derived products, and alternative foods.

1. Knowledge and understanding: the student, at the end of the course, will have to demonstrate knowledge of key sources for obtaining science-based data, understand the main issues related to animal nutrition and food safety that are subject to misinformation, and be familiar with technologies and production processes (feed, GMOs, livestock farming) and their implications for One Health (animal, human, and environmental health). They will also be aware of modern food trends and future challenges in the agri-food sector.
2. Applying knowledge and understanding: students will be able to apply acquired knowledge to critically analyze information sources and case studies related to food safety and animal nutrition, evaluate the effectiveness of proposed solutions concerning sustainability and the principles of nutritional ecology, and develop evidence-based proposals to address real-world problems in animal nutrition and the agri-food sector.
3. Making judgments: students will demonstrate the ability to critically argue the information acquired. Group discussions and exercises on key topics addressed in the course will support this goal.
4. Communication: students will demonstrate the ability to express themselves using scientifically appropriate terminology, especially concerning terminology related to animal nutrition, the agri-food sector, and applied biotechnologies. Exercises and group discussions will be used to develop and strengthen these skills.
5. Lifelong learning skills: students will demonstrate the ability to use acquired knowledge to interpret new challenges, relying on available knowledge sources and strong organizational skills. They will show proficiency in identifying and using up-to-date scientific sources to address future challenges while maintaining a structured and critical approach.