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.

The aim of the course is to provide the interpretative tools to understand the ‘environmental system’ from a geographical-physical and geomorphological point of view, through the analysis of the fundamental elements of the geosphere, the processes that define them and their relationships.

The Introduction to Geomorphology module therefore aims to:

• introduce the basic principles of the earth's physical characteristics and the natural factors and processes that define it.
• provide the basic techniques for studying the landscape and the ability to interpret the processes that act on the earth's surface in different climatic environments.
• enable the acquisition of the ability to link causes and effects inherent to endogenous and exogenous phenomena on the planet and explain the main concepts through appropriate language.

1) Exogenous agents and landscape forms

• The shaping of the earth's surface;
• Meteoric degradation;
• Soil formation;
• Erosion;
• Slope mass denudation.

2) The hydrological cycle and groundwater

• The water cycle and distribution of the resource;
• Hydrology and climate;
• The hydrographic basin;
• Groundwater flow and storage;
• Groundwater and deep water typology.

3) The transport of watercourses: from mountains to oceans

• Hydrographic network and drainage networks;
• The shape of watercourses;
• The floodplain;
• Drainage patterns and geological history;
• Soil and rock erosion;
• River flows and sediment transport;
• Flows as geosystems;
• River profile.

4) The evolution of landforms

• Topography and landforms;
• Mountainous morphologies;
• Development of valleys;
• Interacting geosystems and landscape development;

5) Winds and Deserts

• Global patterns of wind;
• Wind as a transport agent;
• Wind as an agent of erosion;
• Wind as a depositional agent;
• Desert landscapes and morphologies.

6) Coasts and ocean basins

• Wave motion;
• Coastal processes: wave motion near the coast;
• Coastal waves and coastal transport.

None

Knowledge and understanding

At the end of the module the student must have gained the basic knowledge of the physical characteristics of the Earth and the natural processes that take place in the atmosphere, in the geosphere and in the hydrosphere, as well as the main morphodynamic processes, responsible for the Earth’s surface modelling. The student will also acquire knowledge of the systems currently usable for topography and cartography, also understanding the methodological bases.

Applying knowledge and understanding

The student must be able to correctly use the specific terminology of the explained disciplines with which she/he will be called to demonstrate her/his level of knowledge and understanding.

The student must be able to:

• to bring the various types of morphodynamic processes of the atmosphere-hydrosphere-lithosphere complex system back to the climatic or Geological conditions of an area (and vice versa) in reference also to real situations.
• to independently analyse the topographic and cartographic data introduced in the  module program and to apply them to the knowledge acquired in the addressed geomorphic systems.

Making judgements

The student will have to possess the basis for critically evaluate the complex atmosphere-hydrosphere-lithosphere system, developing the autonomous ability of observation, data collection and interpretation to be integrated with the other courses.

Furthermore, for each of the natural studied phenomena, the student must be able to recognize the incidence of the different physical factors on the territory and to know how to map the main geometric elements descriptive of the derived forms.

Communication skills

The student will acquire the ability to describe and summarize the system of geographical-physical phenomena and their interconnections in a simple and concise form, but with a specific technical language, recognizing the right value and weight to the different control factors in the geomorphological field. The student will achieve descriptive skills of the morphodynamic processes in progress starting from theoretical morphoclimatic frameworks, using the terms of the discipline in a pertinent way. Furthermore, the student must be able to explain the principles of cartographic and topographic representation and their relationships in a clear and unambiguous way.

Learning skills

The student must be able to build her/his scientific growth path in the field of basic geography-physics and geomorphology in a critical and autonomous way, being able to use the acquired knowledge. These skills will be stimulated by the lecturer proposing detailed insights. The basic notions acquired during the course represent fundamental requirements for continuing the studies of the degree course. The presented case studies and the interactive teaching methods will allow the student to learn independently by applying the basic methods and rules of the scientific method.

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. However, any specific communications from the teacher can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Teaching

The course will take place through continuous interaction during frontal lectures aimed at explaining each topic through slides and relational patterns in addition to practical exercises.

Innovative teaching methods

Teaching will be supported by exercises and in-depth analysis, both individual and in groups, that students will carry out using the University Moodle platform. Some topics of the course will be covered following the following teaching practices: Problem-Based Learning (learning by solving problems) learning by doing (simulation of scenarios, etc.)

Attendance

No obligations.

Course books

Capire la Terra. J.P. Grotzinger & T.H. Jordan. Zanichelli III

Il Pianeta terra: geografia fisica. P.R. Federici. UTET Università

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

• Recommended for further information: Fondamenti di Geografia Fisica, A. Strahler (Zanichelli).

Assessment

This subject constitutes 1 module of a larger course called INTRODUCTION TO EARTH SCIENCES AND GEOLOGICAL FIELD and therefore the final judgment will be determined also taking into account the judgment of the exams in the other modules (INTRODUCTION TO GEOLOGY, INTRODUCTION TO PALEONTOLOGY and INTRODUCTION TO LITHOLOGY) through an overall rating.

The expected learning outcomes will be assessed by a written test with ten open questions (including comments on graphs and figures) that will be asked together with those of the other modules in a single 2-hour examination session.

This method of examination is chosen as it allows to adequately verify the preparation of the student

The criteria for the evaluation are:

• Level of knowledge mastery (verification of acquired knowledge)
• Degree of the answer articulation
• Mastery of a technical language.

Each criterion is evaluated on a 3-level scale.

Finally, 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 will be able to consult the Blended platform for the lecture material, but they are invited to contact the teacher for specific information on the programme.

It is the teacher's responsibility to inform non-attending students of any additional material to be presented before the exam.

Attendance

The course does not require attendance.

Non-attending students are required to notify the teacher of their intention to take the exam at least one month before the exam session (by email or in a meeting, by appointment).

Course books

Capire la Terra. J.P. Grotzinger & T.H. Jordan. Zanichelli III, Italian edition

Il Pianeta terra: geografia fisica. P.R. Federici. UTET Università

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

Recommended for further information: Fondamenti di Geografia Fisica, A. Strahler (Zanichelli).

Assessment

This subject constitutes 1 module of a larger course called INTRODUCTION TO EARTH SCIENCES AND GEOLOGICAL FIELD and therefore the final judgment will be determined also taking into account the judgment of the exams in the other modules (INTRODUCTION TO GEOLOGY, INTRODUCTION TO PALEONTOLOGY and INTRODUCTION TO LITHOLOGY) through an overall rating.

The expected learning outcomes will be assessed by a written test with ten open questions (including comments on graphs and figures) that will be asked together with those of the other modules in a single 2-hour examination session.

This method of examination is chosen as it allows to adequately verify the preparation of the student

The criteria for the evaluation are:

• Level of knowledge mastery (verification of acquired knowledge)
• Degree of the answer articulation
• Mastery of a technical language.

Each criterion is evaluated on a 3-level scale.

Finally, 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.