Physical Geography
A.Y. 2020/2021
Learning objectives
The course intend to provide the basis for understanding and reading the earth landscape, by underlining the relationships among the environmental components.
Expected learning outcomes
Basis for understanding and reading the earth landscape and the relationships among the different components of the environment. Ability of using large scale cartography
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
The 9 ECTS course includes 6 ECTS of theoretical aspects of physical geography, and 3 ECTS of cartography, cartographic representation and remote sensing with also lab activities.
In the emergency phase, all 9 ECTS will be delivered remotely through synchronous and asynchronous activities, and working groups coordinated by the teachers. These latter consist of activities carried out remotely as practical activities of groups of students who will work together through the ZOOM and TEAMS platforms and supervised by the teachers.
Regarding distance teaching in particular:
6 ECTS (40 h) relating to the theoretical aspects of physical geography and cartographic representation will be delivered asynchronously via the Ariel platform (teaching site where students will find videos and audiolections during class hours)
3 ECTS (equal to 20h) will be delivered synchronously through the zoom platform with meetings and lessons and debates during class hours
Depending on the emergency conditions and on the availability of the equipped classrooms, some lessons could take place occasionally in presence, at times to be defined during the semester also on the basis of the availability expressed by the students.
Students will find all the information to access the lessons (link etc.), any changes in the program and any changes in the reference material (bibliography etc.) on the Ariel teaching site.
Regarding both the final and the partial exams (ongoing tests) this during the emergency phase will be proposed via web and will be a time trial, in particular:
the partial tests will be proposed as tests through platforms with both a multiple choice part and a part reserved for open answers
the total theoretical test (for those studentes who will not take partials) will be an oral via platform (TEAMS or ZOOM)
The final grade proposed to the student for verbalization will be the weighted average of the two partials (partial tests) after passing with at least the sufficiency (or at least 18/30) of both tests or the mark obtained in the final oral test.
During the tests, the student cannot consult books, manuals or notes except for the mental / conceptual maps for DSA certified students only and who have agreed on the compensatory tools with the teachers
In the emergency phase, all 9 ECTS will be delivered remotely through synchronous and asynchronous activities, and working groups coordinated by the teachers. These latter consist of activities carried out remotely as practical activities of groups of students who will work together through the ZOOM and TEAMS platforms and supervised by the teachers.
Regarding distance teaching in particular:
6 ECTS (40 h) relating to the theoretical aspects of physical geography and cartographic representation will be delivered asynchronously via the Ariel platform (teaching site where students will find videos and audiolections during class hours)
3 ECTS (equal to 20h) will be delivered synchronously through the zoom platform with meetings and lessons and debates during class hours
Depending on the emergency conditions and on the availability of the equipped classrooms, some lessons could take place occasionally in presence, at times to be defined during the semester also on the basis of the availability expressed by the students.
Students will find all the information to access the lessons (link etc.), any changes in the program and any changes in the reference material (bibliography etc.) on the Ariel teaching site.
Regarding both the final and the partial exams (ongoing tests) this during the emergency phase will be proposed via web and will be a time trial, in particular:
the partial tests will be proposed as tests through platforms with both a multiple choice part and a part reserved for open answers
the total theoretical test (for those studentes who will not take partials) will be an oral via platform (TEAMS or ZOOM)
The final grade proposed to the student for verbalization will be the weighted average of the two partials (partial tests) after passing with at least the sufficiency (or at least 18/30) of both tests or the mark obtained in the final oral test.
During the tests, the student cannot consult books, manuals or notes except for the mental / conceptual maps for DSA certified students only and who have agreed on the compensatory tools with the teachers
Course syllabus
The Earth and its representation: elements of cartography.
Shape, dimensions and movements of the Earth.
Cartographic representations and their use.
The official Italian cartography
National and international reference systems and coordinates.
The representation of the elevation
Basis of remote sensing and its application to geographical issues.
Atmosphere and climate: Atmosphere: composition and features
The physical basis of the greenhouse effect.
Climate elements: temperature, pressure and humidity.
Climates: classification and variations - climate changes
The hydrosphere: Distribution of water on Earth.
Oceans and seas.
Sea waves and the evolution of the coasts.
Fresh- waters.
Rivers and streams
Lakes and water ponds
The cryosphere -
The lithosphere: Distribution of continents and oceans.
Natural landscapes: introduction to the evolution of the landscape and its processes. Types of landscape. Landscapes of temperate zones. Landscapes of dry areas. Landscape and Landforms of cold areas.
-Environment and Human presence.
Antarctica: dry area or water resource?
Shape, dimensions and movements of the Earth.
Cartographic representations and their use.
The official Italian cartography
National and international reference systems and coordinates.
The representation of the elevation
Basis of remote sensing and its application to geographical issues.
Atmosphere and climate: Atmosphere: composition and features
The physical basis of the greenhouse effect.
Climate elements: temperature, pressure and humidity.
Climates: classification and variations - climate changes
The hydrosphere: Distribution of water on Earth.
Oceans and seas.
Sea waves and the evolution of the coasts.
Fresh- waters.
Rivers and streams
Lakes and water ponds
The cryosphere -
The lithosphere: Distribution of continents and oceans.
Natural landscapes: introduction to the evolution of the landscape and its processes. Types of landscape. Landscapes of temperate zones. Landscapes of dry areas. Landscape and Landforms of cold areas.
-Environment and Human presence.
Antarctica: dry area or water resource?
Prerequisites for admission
It is a fundamental basic course.
However, all the introductory notions of Italian, European and non-European regional geography that are not presented during the course, but which can be recalled during the exam tests, are taken for granted.
However, all the introductory notions of Italian, European and non-European regional geography that are not presented during the course, but which can be recalled during the exam tests, are taken for granted.
Teaching methods
Lectures and technical practical activities of cartography. The Lab activities will be also available through the tutorials posted at the ARIEL web site
Teaching Resources
Notes available at ARIEL web site
videoclips and tutorial at the ARIEL WEB site
BASE HANDBOOKS
STRAHLER A. Fondamenti del Geografia fisica, Zanichelli 2015 e ristampe
LAVAGNA & LUCARNO, Geocartografia, Zanichelli, 2008
Advanced Books (not mandatory)
.Smiraglia e Bernardi - L'Ambiente dell'Uomo. Introduzione alla geografia fisica. Patron editore, Bologna
. KENDAL, L'incertezza del clima, Piccola Biblioteca Einaudi, 1999
· MACDOUGALL, Storia della Terra, Piccola Biblioteca Einaudi, 1999
· MC KNIGHT & HESS, Geografia fisica. Comprendere il paesaggio, PICCIN, Padova, 2005
· PINNA, Storia del clima, Angeli, Milano, 1996
· PRESS, SIEVER, GROTZINGER & JORDAN, Capire la Terra, Zanichelli, Bologna, 2006
videoclips and tutorial at the ARIEL WEB site
BASE HANDBOOKS
STRAHLER A. Fondamenti del Geografia fisica, Zanichelli 2015 e ristampe
LAVAGNA & LUCARNO, Geocartografia, Zanichelli, 2008
Advanced Books (not mandatory)
.Smiraglia e Bernardi - L'Ambiente dell'Uomo. Introduzione alla geografia fisica. Patron editore, Bologna
. KENDAL, L'incertezza del clima, Piccola Biblioteca Einaudi, 1999
· MACDOUGALL, Storia della Terra, Piccola Biblioteca Einaudi, 1999
· MC KNIGHT & HESS, Geografia fisica. Comprendere il paesaggio, PICCIN, Padova, 2005
· PINNA, Storia del clima, Angeli, Milano, 1996
· PRESS, SIEVER, GROTZINGER & JORDAN, Capire la Terra, Zanichelli, Bologna, 2006
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam will be a written test largely with multiple choice questions and it will embrace all the issues of the course.
Unita' didattica A
GEO/04 - PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY AND GEOMORPHOLOGY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
GEO/04 - PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY AND GEOMORPHOLOGY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica C
GEO/04 - PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY AND GEOMORPHOLOGY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)