Professor involved: proff. Giusto Lo Bue, Lavinia Rita Doveri, Yuri Antonio Diaz Fernandez, Elisabetta Persi, Andrea Gazzola, Agnese Marchini

Course learning outcomes/abstract: The cross-disciplinary course “The Global Challenge of Plastic Pollution” addresses one of the most urgent environmental emergencies of our time from a critical and interdisciplinary perspective, providing PhD candidates with the tools to understand the complexity of the phenomenon. The course is ed by researchers from the Departments of (1) Earth and Environmental Sciences, (2) Chemistry, and (3) Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Pavia and is enriched by visits to laboratories where participants can observe specialized analytical techniques in action and understand their opportunities. The major scientific areas involved are: biology (ecology, zoology); chemistry (nanotechnology, spectroscopy, materials science); geology (petrography, paleontology); hydraulic engineering.

Goals: the core aim of this multidisciplinary program is to foster interdisciplinary competence among participants. This is achieved by raising awareness of the multifaceted nature of plastic pollution and the diverse analytical techniques and instrumentation available to address it. The curriculum covers key topics including monitoring strategies across various environmental compartments, transport modeling of contaminants, challenges in plastic recognition and measurement, biological responses in animal organisms, and opportunities for biodegradation, among others. Through this comprehensive approach, participants will gain a deep understanding of the complex aspects of plastic pollution

Number of hours and planning: 20 hours

Period: 10-30 Febbraio 2026 (3 days to be scheduled)

Registration: https://forms.gle/cpWSiF6q4WmPYaum7

Delivery mode and location ( in presence, on line, ecc): in person

Language: english

Assessment:  final exam

Credits (CFU): 5

Depliant