The course of Introduction to Earth Sciences and Geological Field aims at providing students with the basic theoretical and practical knowledge in the field of the Earth Sciences. The course is divided into four modules: Introduction to Geology Module, Introduction to Paleontology Module, Introduction to Lithology Module, and Introduction to Geomorphology Module.

Paleontology is indissolubly integrated with the Geological and the Natural Sciences and is a fundamental discipline for dating rocks, for reconstructing ancient environments and for interpreting the historical dynamics in recent environments.

The Paleontology module therefore aims to:

1) introduce the geological archive as a "clock" of time;

2) present the origins of the Solar System and the evolution of the planet Earth;

3) provide a general picture of Geobiology that is how life interacts with Earth.

Clocks in rocks: Timing the Geologic Record: i) reconstructing geologic history from the stratigraphic record; ii) relative and absolute datings; iii) measuring absolute time with isotopic clocks; iv) Geologic Time Scale. (4 hours)

Early history of terrestrial planets: i) origins of the Solar System; ii) early Earth; iii) diversity of the planets; iv) age and complexion of planetary surfaces. (4 hours)

Geobiology: life interacts with Earth: i) the biosphere as a system; ii) microorganisms and environment; iii) geobiological events in Earth’s history; iv) evolutionary radiations and mass extinctions; v) astrobiology: the search for extraterrestrial life. (6 hours)

Educational excursions: i) visit to a paleontological museum (8 hours); ii) field visit of paleontological outcrops and stratigraphic sections (8 hours).

Knowledge and understanding. At the end of the module the student must have gained the basic knowledge of the main aspects of the geological archive, the origin of the planets and of the Solar System as well as the relationships between the Earth System and Biota. These skills will be verified through a written test.

Applying knowledge and understanding. The student must be able to correctly use the specific terminology in the field of paleontology, stratigraphy and geobiology. In particular, the student must handle with the time dimension of the geological scale also through field exercises. These skills will be assessed through a written test.

Making judgements. The student will have to possess the basis for critically facing a discussion on the processes of the Planet Earth, integrate the knowledge with the other courses and show the ability to address geological and environmental issues.

Communication skills. The student must be able to describe and summarize the different phases of the development of the Solar System and the evolution of life on Earth and to use a specific technical language.

Learning skills. The student must be able to build her/his own scientific growth path in the Earth Sciences and, in particular, in the paleontological and stratigraphic fields in a critical and autonomous way. These skills, as far as possible, will be stimulated by the lecturer.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Supporting teaching activities and ongoing assessment are not foreseen.

Teaching

The course will take place through a continuous interaction between lectures, field and laboratory exercises.

The course includes:

- frontal lectures

- group work in the field and preparation of a stratigraphic log

- participatory classes in which the presented topics will be critically discussed

Innovative teaching methods

The face-to-face teaching method will be enriched with individual and group practical and insights that students will carry out using the University’s Moodle platform. Some topics (e.g. extinction rates calculation and diversity indices analysis) of the course will be treated following the practice of Problem-Based Learning.

Attendance

The course does not require attendance.

Course books

1) J.P. Grotzinger & T.H. Jordan – Understanding the Earth – Zanichelli III Italian edition.

2) PowerPoint presentations of the lectures held during the course. Reference texts on specific topics and insights indicated during the course.

Assessment

The assessment consists of a written exam with ten open questions including comments on graphs and figures. This method of examination is chosen as it allows to adequately verify the preparation of the student. Evaluation criteria are: knowledge of the basic concepts, level of accuracy and specificity of the answer, and master of a technical language. Each criterion is evaluated on a 3-level scale. The duration of the exam is 2 hours. The exam involves an evaluation that is expressed as a grade of out of 30 as it follows:

    • <18: insufficient level of competence

    • 18-20: sufficient level of competence

    • 21-23: moderate level of competence

    • 24-26: good level of competence

    • 27-29: very good level of competence

    • 30-30 cum laude: excellent level of competence

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

Non-attending students are invited to contact the lecturer for information about the program.

Attendance

The course does not require attendance.

Course books

1) J.P. Grotzinger & T.H. Jordan – Understanding the Earth – Zanichelli III Italian edition.

2) PowerPoint presentations of the lectures held during the course. Reference texts on specific topics and insights indicated during the course.4) Course materials also include PowerPoint presentations and reference books in specific topics as addressed during the course.

Assessment

The assessment consists of a written exam with ten open questions including comments on graphs and figures. This method of examination is chosen as it allows to adequately verify the preparation of the student. Evaluation criteria are: knowledge of the basic concepts, level of accuracy and specificity of the answer, and master of a technical language. Each criterion is evaluated on a 3-level scale. The duration of the exam is 2 hours. The exam involves an evaluation that is expressed as a grade of out of 30 as it follows:

    • <18: insufficient level of competence

    • 18-20: sufficient level of competence

    • 21-23: moderate level of competence

    • 24-26: good level of competence

    • 27-29: very good level of competence

    • 30-30 cum laude: excellent level of competence

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.