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### Course Overview

**Title:** Introduction to Smart Agriculture Technologies for Mountain Ecosystems
**Academic Year:** 2023–2024
**Credits:** 3 ECTS
**Format:** Hybrid (lectures, online seminars, excursions, and computer lab exercises)
**Total Hours:** ~18 (lectures, excursions, practical labs)
**Language:** English

### Objectives

The course introduces Smart Agriculture (SA) with a special focus on **mountain ecosystems**. It covers data-driven farm management, automation, and digital technologies applied to agriculture, forestry, and livestock in mountainous areas. Emphasis is placed on **niche crops**, **full-chain production models**, and integrating technological, economic, and site-specific requirements.

### Content

* **Fundamentals of Smart Agriculture:** concepts, definitions, technologies, and common applications in crop, livestock, fruit, and agro-forestry production.
* **Technological components:** sensors, GNSS positioning, actuators, hardware/software, and farm management information systems (FIS/FMIS).
* **Practical applications:** mapping land shapes with positioning systems, GIS for digital field data, and strategies for geo-data interpretation.
* **Mountain context:** challenges of farming in mountainous areas and ICT-supported solutions.
* **Key topics:** automation, certification & traceability, farm information systems, and new production models.

### Teaching Methods

* Lectures and guest lectures
* Hybrid seminars (synchronous and asynchronous)
* Field trips and excursions
* Computer lab applications
* Independent study with digital resources

### Learning Outcomes

Students will:

* Understand data collection, processing, and use for decision-making and certification.
* Learn how smart technologies support efficient, sustainable farm management.
* Develop skills to evaluate data and smart farming solutions critically.
* Gain communication skills using SA terminology (IoT, GNSS, LAN, etc.).
* Be able to connect agricultural knowledge with digital tools and extend learning independently.

### Assessment

* **Written exam:** 30 multiple-choice questions
* **Optional oral exam:** to clarify incorrect answers
* **Evaluation:** Clarity, correct use of terminology, ability to summarize, and connect concepts.
* **Grading:** 100-point scale; 60 points required to pass.

### Lecturers

* Andreas Mandler (Coordinator)
* Fabrizio Mazzetto
* Guest lecturers and lab staff from the Competence Centre Mountecos

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