Atmosphere dynamic.
Processes of azonal modeling. Morphoclimatic systems and zonal processes associated with them.
The lithology as a factor of morphogenesis; notes on karst. Erodibility and morfoselection, morphology and structural morfotectonic.
The hydrographic network.
Notes on geodesy and cartography. Altitude representation of the ground. Geomorphological mapping. Earth Sciences methodology for teaching.
Castiglioni G.B., Geomorfologia, UTET
McKnight T.L., Hess D., Geografia Fisica, Ed. PICCIN, 2005.
Ciccacci S., Le forme del Rilievo, Mondadori Università, 2010.
Fondamenti di Geografia Fisica, A. Strahler (Zanichelli).
Allen Curran - Atlas of Landforms - John Wiley & Sons Inc
Perego S., Cartografia - Lettura delle carte topografiche, Edizioni Santa Croce, 2004.
AA.VV. Italia, Atlante dei tipi geografici IGM, Firenze 2006.
Atlante dei tipi geografici IGM, Firenze 2006.Fondamenti di Geografia Fisica, A. Strahler (Zanichelli).
Learning Objectives
Knowledge acquired: this is an introductory course in Earth Science, whose goal is to provide a knowledge base on three different but interrelated topics: 1) the physics of the atmosphere and climate; 2) processes shaping Earth's relief; 3) cartography bases (especially in view of the practical use of maps).
Skills acquired at the end of the course: interpretation capability of landscape processes in different morphoclimatic reagions. Lanscape elements identification by map reading.
Prerequisites
Basic knowledges in Geography
Teaching Methods
Lectures on the different subjects and practical exercises on maps (topographic or thematic), graph and logic skims. Field excursions.
Further information
Frequency of lessons and exercises: recommended (but optional) lessons, mandatory for exercises (at least 2/3)
Type of Assessment
During the year, two (2) ongoing tests will be carried out to verify knowledge of the topics covered at the date of the tests. The tests will last approximately 2 hours each with at least 30 multiple choice questions and a practical part relating to the cartographic aspects. These intermediate tests are not mandatory.
At the end of the course there is an oral exam, aimed at determining the student's learning of the knowledge provided during the course. The exam will also take place on the basis of the results of any ongoing tests and will focus on verifying not only the knowledge of the topics of the program on the ability of logical reasoning relating to the technical-scientific connections of the various topics covered. For each test a score from 18 to 30 will be assigned, the final score will be the average of all the results.
If the ongoing tests are not sufficient, the oral exam will focus on all the topics of the program.
The student will have to demonstrate mastery in the topics of the course, in terms of understanding, interpretation and practical application of the topics addressed. Synthesis and presentation skills will also be evaluated.
Course program
Atmosphere. Thermal radiation and the overall budget. Greenhouse effect and human impact. Winds and global atmospheric circulation. Humidity and precipitation. Air masses and fronts. Climate regime. Modeling process: surface alteration; modeling of gravitational slopes, fluvial processes. Systems morfoclimate: equatorial, tropical, mesothermal, crionivale, glacial.
The relief of the Earth. Erodibility and morfoselection, morphology and structural morfotectonic. The lithology as a factor of morphogenesis; notes on karst. The hydrographic network and its evolution. Morphology associated with tabular, omoclinal, folds and faulted structures. Planation surfaces.
Sphere, ellipsoid, geoid. Classification of maps. The geographic grid and grid kilometer. Elevation of the terrain representation. Geomorphological mapping.
Methods and techniques for Teaching Earth Sciences