Technologies for Land Protection and Environmental Sustainability
Academic Year 2026/2027 - Teacher: SABINA IOLE GIUSEPPINA FAILLAExpected Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
The course includes the study of the main machines used in different agricultural contexts and in green areas with the aim of limiting their environmental impact. Furthermore, with reference to the use of renewable energies, the technical and functional characteristics of the most widespread plants will be examined.
Applying knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course lectures and exercises, students will be able to know and define criteria to choose the machines and techniques, suitable for reducing environment impact, as well as to understand the operating principles of plants for the production of renewable energy and to define their sizing.
Making judgements
Through seminars and educational visits, students will acquire the necessary skills to be able to make the best choices regarding machines, techniques and to size plants for renewable energies while respecting the territory and the environment.
Communication skills
Practices in the classroom and active participation during the lessons will allow students to develop appropriate technical language and improve their communication skills.
Learning skills
Students will obtain elements of technical and professional knowledge useful for facing the workplace and/or higher level studies.
Course Structure
The course includes lectures in the classroom with the help of slides, exercises and seminars in the classroom with the active participation of students and educational visits to firm present in the area. The course provides for the acquisition of 6 CFU (3+3) which correspond to 21 hours of lectures and 42 hours of exercises for a total of 63 hours.
If the course is delivered in blended or remote mode, appropriate adjustments may be made to the above, in order to ensure consistency with the syllabus.
Required Prerequisites
Attendance of Lessons
Detailed Course Content
The general part analyses the context of the course and provides for the discussion of the main elements of physics and mechanics that are functional to the understanding of the subsequent parts.
The first part of the course examines the technical and operational aspects of the machines used for an sustainable management of the land with particular regard to the agricultural sector. Innovative technologies applied to tractors and operating machines will be examined to encourage the effective use of production factors while respecting the environment.
The second part of the course concerns plants for the production of energy from renewable sources with particular regard to wind, solar, hydroelectric, geothermal and biomass energy. Some useful information will be provided for the technical-operational choices and the sizing of the plants in relation to the context.
Textbook Information
1. MECCANICA E MECCANIZZAZIONE AGRICOLA, L. Bodria, G. Pellizzi e P. Piccarolo. Edagricole
2. CREAZIONE E CURA DEL VERDE. MACCHINE E TECNICHE PER LA MANUTENZIONE E GESTIONE, Piccarolo Pietro. Il Sole 24 Ore Edagricole
3. BIOMASSE ED ENERGIA. PRODUZIONE, GESTIONE E PROCESSI DI TRASFORMAZIONE. CON SETTE CASI-TIPO CONCRETAMENTE ATTUABILI IN REALTÀ PRODUTTIVE. A cura di: S. Castelli, Maggioli Editore.
4. SISTEMI A BIOMASSE: PROGETTAZIONE E VALUTAZIONE ECONOMICA IMPIANTI DI GENERAZIONE CALORE ED ELETTRICITA'. Bocci Enrico; Caffarelli Alessandro; Villarini Mauro; D'amato Alessio. Maggioli Editore.
5. AGRICOLTURA DI PRECISIONE. Guida pratica all’introduzione in azienda, Bertocco Matteo. Edizioni L’Informatore Agrario.
6. AGRICOLTURA DI PRECISIONE. Concetti teorici e applicazioni pratiche, Bertocco Matteo, Sartori Luigi, Basso Bruno. Edizioni L’Informatore Agrario.
7. Fundamentals and Applications of Renewable Energy. Mehmet Kanoglu, Yunus Cengel, John Cimbala. McGraw-Hill Education.
8. Agricultural Engineering. Maximus Stanley. Larsen & Keller Educ.
Course Planning
| Subjects | Text References | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Systems of units of measurement and Physical quantities | Textbook and educational material |
| 2 | Machine classification | Textbook 1 and 8 and educational material |
| 3 | Tractors: propulsion and connection components | Textbook 1 and 8 and educational material |
| 4 | Machines and techniques for the eco-compatible management of agricultural systems | Textbook 1 and educational material |
| 5 | Green management and maintenance machines | Textbook 2 and educational material |
| 6 | Machines and tools for precision agriculture | Textbook 5 and 6 and educational material |
| 7 | Energy sources - Renewable energies | Textbook 3-4-7 and educational material |
| 8 | Photovoltaic and thermal solar systems | Textbook 7 and educational material |
| 9 | Wind turbines | Textbook 7 and educational material |
| 10 | Hydroelectric and geothermal plants | Textbook 7 and educational material |
| 11 | Biomass plants | Textbook 3-4-7 and educational material |
Learning Assessment
Learning Assessment Procedures
Verification of learning takes place through an oral interview on 3-4 topics of the course.
The evaluation of the student's preparation will take place on the basis of the following criteria: i) learning ability and level of depth of the topics covered; ii) properties of synthesis and exposure; iii) properties of technical language and overall expressive ability.
Learning assessment may also be carried out on-line, should the conditions require it.
To ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with current laws, students may request a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures based on educational objectives and specific needs. Students can also contact the CInAP (Centro per l’integrazione Attiva e Partecipata — Servizi per le Disabilità e/o DSA) through the referring professor within the department, (https://www.cinap.unict.it/content/referenti).
The evaluation follows the following scheme:
|
Not eligible |
Knowledge and understanding of the topic: significant shortcomings and inaccuracies Ability to analyze and synthesize: irrelevant with frequent generalizations Use of references: completely inappropriate |
|
18-20 |
Knowledge and understanding of the topic: very modest with evident imperfections Analysis and synthesis skills: barely adequate Use of references: just appropriate |
|
21-23 |
Knowledge and understanding of the topic: knowledge is slightly above the minimum acceptable level Ability to analyze and synthesize: a fair bility to analyze and synthesize information, presenting arguments in a logical and coherent manner Using references: use standard references |
|
24-26 |
Knowledge and understanding of the topic: good knowledge Analysis and synthesis skills: good analytical and synthesis abilities, arguments are presented consistently Using references: use of standard references |
|
27-29 |
Knowledge and understanding of the topic: knowledge more than good Ability to analyze and synthesize: considerable abilities of analysis and synthesis Use of references: the topic has been explored in depth |
|
30-30 cum laude |
Knowledge and understanding of the topic: excellent knowledge Ability to analyze and synthesize: excellent abilities of analysis and synthesis Use of references: important insights |
Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises
Tractors.
Machines for sustainable management of agricultural systems.
Green areas management machines.
Plants for the production of renewable energy.
Solar thermal and photovoltaic systems.
Wind farms.
Hydroelectric plants.
Components of plants for the production of biogas.