This course examines a wide panel of topics related to marine invertebrates and their symbiotic, environmental, and functional roles and interactions. The aim of the course is to provide concepts and applications in a context of modern zoology. Apart from classic systematics and base concepts for each invertebrate phylum, the course program covers many applicative issues related to these animals, ranging from bioprospecting activities to management and control of invasive species and cryptic ones.

1. knowledge and understanding: A the end of the course, the student will have acquired knowledge regarding the different levels of diversity and complexity of interactions in the marine invertebrate context, from those involving microbial organisms to those with the environment. 2) Applying knowledge and understanding: At the end of the course, the student will be able to apply the knowledge acquired during the course to other courses or thesis programs involving the issue of marine invertebrate zoology. 3) Making judgements: The student will be able to critically adopt the acquired knowledge and choose the most reliable approach to link the functional traits of organisms to their possible interactions, for example in a context of symbioses. 4) Communication skills: At the end of the course, the student will be able to describe clearly, and with an adequate language the different marine invertebrate phyla also in terms of evolutionary aspects and applied contexts (e.g., bioprospecting). 5) Learning skills: At the end of the course, the student will have the necessary knowledge to deal with the next studies that will require knowledge of zoology, symbioses, molecular identification of organisms and their interactions. Finally, the student will be able to associate and integrate the acquired knowledge with the concepts belonging to the successive courses.