STPA Course

Admission to the Three-year Study Course Programme in Animal Production Science and Technology requires a Secondary School Diploma or another qualification obtained abroad, recognised as suitable according to current legislation. The educational activities of the Bachelor’s Degree Programme in Animal Production Science and Technology take place at the facilities of the Department of Veterinary Sciences (DSV), located at Viale delle Piagge, 2.

The educational objectives of the Study Course in Animal Production Science and Technology are:

  • to provide adequate knowledge of the different animal production supply chains, covering fundamental, theoretical and applied aspects;
  • to train graduates capable of working and communicating in the various fields of animal sciences: livestock production, animal feed production, and the agri-food sector;
  • to provide graduates with the tools and skills that enable them to enter the workforce or professional contexts immediately after graduation, or to continue their studies in Master’s Degree programmes or postgraduate courses.
  • to train graduates equipped with the ability to adapt to the evolution of animal production systems, in light of technological and managerial innovations, and to interact with other professionals involved in the sector.
  • to train graduates with critical thinking and autonomy, capable of working in teams, including interdisciplinary groups.

Students enrolled in the Course in Animal Production Science and Technology acquire, through the courses provided in the first year, the necessary and sufficient knowledge for their specific professional and scientific training in biology, chemistry, physics, statistics, anatomy, and physiology. These subjects form the foundation for understanding the functioning of organs and systems and animal metabolism, thereby enabling a more effective comprehension of professional subjects in subsequent years.


From the second year onwards, students acquire specific knowledge in the livestock and nutrition-related fields (genetic improvement, morpho-functional evaluation, animal nutrition, agronomy and forage crops, ethology and animal welfare, animal husbandry, livestock legislation, assisted reproduction, economics) as well as in the hygiene and technological fields (general pathology, microbiology, parasitology, farm hygiene, food industries and food technologies).

Graduates must possess a solid knowledge of animal populations and their productive aptitudes, assessing production from both quantitative and qualitative perspectives. They should be familiar with nutritional requirements and feeding techniques, and be able to harmonize farming practices while respecting animal welfare and the ecological context. Graduates must also acquire operational knowledge and skills in hygiene, microbiology, and technology as applied to the production, processing, and preservation stages of animal-derived products. Furthermore, graduates are expected to possess knowledge of sector-specific regulations, as well as of the economic, managerial, and organisational aspects characterising agro-livestock and agri-food systems.

The professional profiles for graduates in Animal Production Sciences and Technologies are the “Animal Scientist” and the “Technician in the Agro-Food Sector for Animal Production,” who can work as employees, entrepreneurs, or consultants in livestock, agro-livestock, and agro-food companies, contributing to the technical management of production, quality control, and organisation of production processes. Other career opportunities include positions in professional services and trade associations, public institutions involved in the planning and coordination of agricultural and environmental policies, as well as non-governmental organisations active in rural development and sustainability. Graduates can also continue their educational path by enrolling in related Master’s degree programs.

Bodies

The Course Council, composed of faculty members responsible for the degree program’s educational activities and representatives of the student body, ensures the proper conduct of teaching activities, exercising the powers established by the Statute and the Regulation of the University of Pisa.

Members

Full professors:

  • Professor Francesco Paolo Di Iacovo
  • Professor Marco Mariotti
  • Professor Mina Martini

Associate professors:

  • Professor Damiano Anselmi
  • Professor Iduna Arduini
  • Professor Fabrizio Bertelloni
  • Professor Laura Betti
  • Professor Francesca Cecchi
  • Professor Alberto Elmi
  • Professor Antonio Felicioli
  • Professor Mario Forzan
  • Professor Baldassare Fronte
  • Professor Margherita Marzoni Fecia di Cossato
  • Professor Sara Minieri
  • Professor Roberta Nuvoloni
  • Professor Roberto Amerigo Papini
  • Professor Francesca Pedonese
  • Professor Andrea Pirone
  • Professor Carlo Pretti
  • Professor Francesco Riccioli
  • Professor Claudia Russo
  • Professor Sergio Saia
  • Professor Federica Salari
  • Professor Lara Tinacci
  • Professor Barbara Turchi
  • Professor Ranieri Verin

Researchers:

  • Ms. Diana Fanelli
  • Ms. Simona Sagona

Student Representatives:

  • Ms. Ilaria Mancini
  • Ms. Jessica Perillo

Head of Teaching Unit

  • Mr Stefano Degl’Innocenti Detto Lucchesi

The Joint Committee of the Degree Program, composed of an equal number of faculty members and student representatives and chaired by the President of the Degree Program, serves as a permanent observatory of teaching activities, providing guidance or proposals to the Course Council.

Regulation

Art. 1 Purpose
This Regulation governs the operational procedures and defines the composition of the Joint Committee of Faculty and Students, hereinafter referred to as the Joint Committee of the Aggregate Degree Program in Animal Production Sciences and Technologies. Art. 1 Establishment
The Aggregate Degree Program in Animal Production Sciences and Technologies establishes a Degree Program Committee in accordance with Article 36 of the Statute of the University of Pisa. Art. 2 Composition
The Joint Committee of the Degree Program is composed of an equal number of faculty members and student representatives in the Degree Program Council, and is chaired by the President of the Degree Program or a delegated representative. The General University Regulations establish the number, composition, and procedures for selecting its members. Art. 3 Functions
3.1 – The Joint Committee of the Degree Program is assigned the following functions (Art. 36 – Statute of the University of Pisa):

  • carry out monitoring activities of the educational offer and teaching quality, as well as the services provided to students by professors and researchers.
  • identify indicators for the evaluation of the results of the aforementioned activities; provide opinions on the activation and deactivation of the degree program;
  • provide opinions on the regulations and curricula of the degree program;
  • provide opinions on the consistency between the credits assigned to educational activities and the specific objectives of the degree program;
  • Provide opinions on the annual report concerning the progress of teaching activities.

3.2 – In relation to the ANVUR self-assessment, the Joint Committee of the Degree Program shall carry out its functions, also taking into account the indications provided by the Department Joint Committee. 3.3 – The Joint Committee may establish working groups to study or manage specific and defined topics. 3.4 – The results of the activities carried out by the Joint Committee of the Degree Program are subject to ratification/approval by the Course Council and must be communicated to the other governing bodies (Degree Program Councils, Department Joint Committee, Department Council). Art. 4 Activities 4.1 – The Joint Committee of the Degree Program must be operational throughout the year, maintaining contact and communication with the Department Joint Committee. 4.2 – Meetings of the Joint Committee of the Degree Program are convened by the President, who also sets the agenda, with at least five days’ notice before the scheduled date. Meetings are conducted according to the standard rules generally applied to collegial bodies. All meetings of the Committee must be properly minuted. Minutes and produced documents must be appropriately stored and made available to the Department, so that each governing body can, within its respective competence, take into account the indications, observations, and recommendations contained therein. 4.3 – At the beginning of each academic year, the Joint Committee of the Degree Program prepares, subject to approval by the Course Council, a calendar of meetings to ensure continuity of sessions. Art. 5 Approval of the Regulation 5.1 – This Regulation is approved by the Course Council. Any amendments will require approval and resolution by the Course Council. 5.2 – Upon the entry into force of this Regulation, all provisions contained in equivalent or subordinate normative sources that conflict with it shall cease to have effect.

Members

  • Professor Roberta Nuvoloni
  • Professor Barbara Turchi
  • Ms. Ilaria Mancini
  • Ms. Jessica Perillo

The Internship Committee, composed of faculty members of the Degree Program, is responsible for managing activities related to the internship.

Regulation

Art. 1 Purpose
This Regulation governs the operational procedures and defines the composition of the Internship Committee of the Degree Programs in STPL and WPALM. Art. 2 Establishment
The Aggregate Degree Program in STPA establishes an Internship Committee. Art. 3 Composition
The Internship Committee of the Degree Program in STPA is composed of at least three faculty members of the Degree Program appointed by the President of the Degree Program; among the members of the Internship Committee, the President of the Committee is appointed. Art. 4 Functions
4.1 – The functions of the Internship Committee are as follows:

  • Examine students’ internship applications, verifying their compliance with the Degree Program’s Internship Procedure, as well as the suitability of the internship subject and the chosen organization
  • Evaluate the internship carried out, validate the required ECTS credits, and assign the total internship score.
  • Prepare and annually review the Internship Procedures.
  • Take care of preparing and updating the database on internships completed by students.

4.2 – The results of the activities carried out by the Degree Program Internship Committee must be recorded in the minutes and sent to the President of the Course Council for official registration. Art. 5 Activities 5.1 – The Degree Program Internship Committee must be operational throughout the year, meeting near the deadlines established by the Degree Program Procedures for the evaluation of internship applications and the assessment of internship activities, as well as on other occasions for extraordinary meetings, for the evaluation of Erasmus internship applications, and for the assessment of internship activities. 5.2 – Meetings of the Degree Program Internship Committee are convened by the Committee President, who also sets the agenda, with at least five days’ notice before the scheduled date, and are conducted according to the standard rules generally applied to collegial bodies. All meetings of the Committee must be properly minuted. Minutes and produced documents must be appropriately stored and sent to the Teaching Unit for initiating internship procedures and to the President of the Course Council. 5.3 – The Internship Committee prepares an annual report on its activities and on the implementation of the Internship Procedures by the students. Art. 6 Approval of the Regulation 6.1 – This Regulation is approved by the Course Council. Any amendments require approval and resolution by the Course Council. 6.2 – Upon the entry into force of this Regulation, all provisions contained in equivalent or subordinate normative sources that conflict with it shall cease to have effect.

Members

  • Professor Francesco Riccioli (Coordinatore)
  • Professor Roberto Amerigo Papini (Docente)
  • Professor Mario Forzan (Docente)

The Review Group, appointed by the President of the Degree Program and composed of the President and faculty members of the Degree Program, one student representative, the Head of the Teaching Unit of the Department of Veterinary Sciences, and at least one representative from the professional sector, is responsible for carrying out a periodic and planned process of monitoring and reviewing the teaching activities of the Degree Program. In addition to handling procedures related to AVA ministerial accreditation — such as completing the SUA-CdL form, drafting review reports, and preparing the annual monitoring form — the three-year Review Group has initiated discussions aimed at more clearly defining the professional profiles and employment opportunities of the program. The results of the review and other activities related to the Degree Program are then discussed within the Joint Committee and the Course Council, ensuring the involvement of all components. The Review Group is shared with the Master’s Degree Program in Sustainable Livestock Systems.

Regulation

Art. 1 – Purpose
This Regulation governs the operational procedures and defines the composition of the Degree Program Review Group, hereinafter referred to as the Review Group.


Art. 2 – Establishment
The President of the Degree Program appoints the Review Group, which remains in office for the entire term of the President. During the three-year term, in the event of the resignation of a member, the President may appoint a replacement.


Art. 3 – Composition
The Review Group is composed of the President of the Degree Program (Responsible for the Review), any other faculty members of the Degree Program, one student representative, the Head of the Teaching Unit, and at least one representative from the professional sector.


Art. 4 – Functions
4.1 – The Review Group is responsible for carrying out a periodic and planned review process, with the purpose of:



  1. verifying the adequacy and effectiveness of the degree program;

  2. identifying the causes of any unsatisfactory results to implement all appropriate corrective and improvement actions.


The review activities carried out by the Review Group are structured as follows:

  1. verify the adequacy and effectiveness of the course of study
  2. investigate the causes of any unsatisfactory results in order to adopt all appropriate corrective and improvement measures.

The review activity carried out by the Review Group is divided into:

  • The effects of corrective actions already undertaken in previous academic years;
  • the strengths and areas for improvement emerging from the analysis of quantitative data (entry into university, regularity of the study path, entry into the labor market, opinions of students and graduates) or from problems observed or reported regarding the educational path.
  • actions aimed at introducing corrective measures for the critical elements highlighted or at implementing improvements.

4.2 – The Review Group is responsible for preparing the review report of the degree program, which may be annual or cyclical. In particular:

  • The annual review is prepared every year in order to monitor and promote the improvement of the effectiveness of educational activities, their tools, services, and infrastructure.
  • The cyclical review is typically prepared at intervals of several years, depending on the duration of the degree program and the frequency of accreditation, and in any case in preparation for a periodic accreditation visit. The report primarily highlights the continued validity of the educational objectives and the management system used by the degree program to achieve them.

The cyclical review cannot, therefore, replace the annual review, which must be prepared every year, as the perspectives of analysis are different.
In the event of a curriculum modification, it is necessary to prepare, in addition to the annual review, also the cyclical review. 4.3 – The parties directly and actively involved in the preparation of the review are:

  • The Degree Program Review Group, responsible for the review, with the function of completing the available format/template;
  • Department Quality Manager, with the role of validating the reports of the Degree Programs in their Department
  • The Department Council and the Degree Program Council, with the role of approving the reports of the Degree Programs

Art. 5 – Activities 5.1 – The Review Group must be operational throughout its term of office, meeting several times for the preparation of the review report. 5.2 – Meetings of the Review Group are convened by the President of the Degree Program, who also sets the agenda, with at least five days’ notice before the scheduled date, and are conducted according to the standard rules generally applied to collegial bodies. Art. 6 – Approval of the Regulation 6.1 – This Regulation is approved by the Department Council. Any amendments require approval and resolution by the Department Council. 6.2 – Upon the entry into force of this Regulation, all provisions contained in equivalent or subordinate normative sources that conflict with it shall cease to have effect.

Members

  • Professor Francesca Pedonese (Docente)
  • Professor Marco Mariotti (Docente)
  • Professor Sara Minieri (Docente)
  • Professor Margherita Marzoni Fecia di Cossato (Docente)
  • Professor Barbara Turchi (Docente)
  • Professor Roberta Nuvoloni
  • Ms. Jessica Perillo (student representative)
  • Doc. Adriano Tenace (xternal professional)
  • Doc. Tommaso Mearini (External professional)
  • Doc. Stefano Degl’Innocenti Detto Lucchesi (head of teaching unit)

The Steering Committee, composed of faculty members, one student representative of the Degree Program, and professionals from the labour market, is responsible for reviewing the educational path of the Degree Program and providing advice and proposals for the continuous improvement of the curriculum offered to students, taking into account the needs of the labour market.

Members

  • Professor Roberta Nuvoloni (Chair of the Degree Program)
  • Professor Mina Martini
  • Professor Sara Minieri
  • Mr. Cesare Di Notte (representative from the job sector)
  • Ms. Angela Galasso (representative from the professional sector)
  • Ms. Chiara Mencarelli (representative from the professional sector)
  • Mr. Marco Rizzuto (representative from the professional sector)
  • Ms. Margherita Vanni (representative from the professional sector)