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Post-graduate Courses
ABF 507 Molecular and Applied Ecology
Main Instructor
Fundamentals of ecology and their application in agricultural and environmental problems. Environmental impact assessment of genetically modified organisms. Application of modern molecular methods (e.g. DNA barcoding) to study the ecology and biodiversity of insects, plants and microorganisms. Ecosystem services in agriculture. Monitoring of the impact of agriculture on the environment with agro-environmental indicators. Inflows and outflows to and from the environment with emphasis on pollution from agrochemicals. Strategies: Fighting, prevention at source, zero discharge. The concept and importance of recovery. Coupled bioreactor to separation unit. Membrane bioreactor. The course includes lectures, discussion of scientific publications and learning software for environmental impact assessment and study of biodiversity.
Undergraduate Courses
ABF 200 Ecology and Biodiversity Conservation
Main Instructor
The course covers the basic principles of ecology. Ecology and evolution of major groups of organisms. Natural selection. Functional relations of organisms with their biotic and abiotic environment. Adaptation strategies. Population dynamics. Ecological communities: species interactions and trophic networks. Ecosystem structure and function. Ecological succession. Biogeochemical cycles. Natural and semi-natural ecosystems (e.g. agro-ecosystems). Conservation of biodiversity. Major types of environmental pollution and their role in degrading and destabilizing the environment. Ecological restoration.
ABF 317 Entomology and Acarology
The course aims at familiarising students with the impressive world of insects and mites, their anatomy, physiology and life histories. In addition, the course teaches students the basic principles of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) with a strong focus on principles and strategies applied to major arthropod pests of economically important crops in Cyprus. Specific topics covered include: Importance of insects and mites for humans and the environment, internal and external anatomy, sensory organs and behaviour, reproduction, development and life histories, systematic classification of insects and mites, plant-feeding insects and mites, predation and parasitism, social insects, IPM methods and techniques, medical entomology, and urban pest management. The course includes lectures, lab practicals and field trips.
ABF 320 Integrated Insect and Mite Management
The course covers in depth the basic principles of Integrated Insect and Mite Management with a focus on species present on the island. In the first part of the course we focus on: Pests and their importance for human activities, applied ecology of pests, pest monitoring and forecasting, mechanical, physical and cultural control of pests, chemical control – problems and resistance management, biological control and integrated pest management, selectivity of pesticides to natural enemies, and invasive species management. The second part of the course discusses in depth the biology, ecology and control of insect and mite pests of vegetables, field crops, ornamentals, grapevine, stonefruits, pomefruits, citrus, olives and other crops. In addition, the course covers the biology, ecology and management of key pests of medical importance, such as mosquitoes and cockroaches, as well as the management of pests of stored products. The course includes lectures, laboratory exercises and field trips.
ABF 507 Molecular and Applied Ecology
Main Instructor
Fundamentals of ecology and their application in agricultural and environmental problems. Environmental impact assessment of genetically modified organisms. Application of modern molecular methods (e.g. DNA barcoding) to study the ecology and biodiversity of insects, plants and microorganisms. Ecosystem services in agriculture. Monitoring of the impact of agriculture on the environment with agro-environmental indicators. Inflows and outflows to and from the environment with emphasis on pollution from agrochemicals. Strategies: Fighting, prevention at source, zero discharge. The concept and importance of recovery. Coupled bioreactor to separation unit. Membrane bioreactor. The course includes lectures, discussion of scientific publications and learning software for environmental impact assessment and study of biodiversity.
Undergraduate Courses
ABF 200 Ecology and Biodiversity Conservation
Main Instructor
The course covers the basic principles of ecology. Ecology and evolution of major groups of organisms. Natural selection. Functional relations of organisms with their biotic and abiotic environment. Adaptation strategies. Population dynamics. Ecological communities: species interactions and trophic networks. Ecosystem structure and function. Ecological succession. Biogeochemical cycles. Natural and semi-natural ecosystems (e.g. agro-ecosystems). Conservation of biodiversity. Major types of environmental pollution and their role in degrading and destabilizing the environment. Ecological restoration.
ABF 317 Entomology and Acarology
The course aims at familiarising students with the impressive world of insects and mites, their anatomy, physiology and life histories. In addition, the course teaches students the basic principles of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) with a strong focus on principles and strategies applied to major arthropod pests of economically important crops in Cyprus. Specific topics covered include: Importance of insects and mites for humans and the environment, internal and external anatomy, sensory organs and behaviour, reproduction, development and life histories, systematic classification of insects and mites, plant-feeding insects and mites, predation and parasitism, social insects, IPM methods and techniques, medical entomology, and urban pest management. The course includes lectures, lab practicals and field trips.
ABF 320 Integrated Insect and Mite Management
The course covers in depth the basic principles of Integrated Insect and Mite Management with a focus on species present on the island. In the first part of the course we focus on: Pests and their importance for human activities, applied ecology of pests, pest monitoring and forecasting, mechanical, physical and cultural control of pests, chemical control – problems and resistance management, biological control and integrated pest management, selectivity of pesticides to natural enemies, and invasive species management. The second part of the course discusses in depth the biology, ecology and control of insect and mite pests of vegetables, field crops, ornamentals, grapevine, stonefruits, pomefruits, citrus, olives and other crops. In addition, the course covers the biology, ecology and management of key pests of medical importance, such as mosquitoes and cockroaches, as well as the management of pests of stored products. The course includes lectures, laboratory exercises and field trips.
