ID:
500391
Duration (hours):
87
CFU:
9
SSD:
GEOGRAFIA FISICA E GEOMORFOLOGIA
Year:
2025
Overview
Date/time interval
Secondo Semestre (02/03/2026 - 12/06/2026)
Syllabus
Course Objectives
The course is divided into a part of Physical Geography and a part of Cartography.
The Physical Geography part aims at providing the base for the comprehension and the analysis of the main processes and dynamics affecting the Earth's surface, as a result of the interaction between lithosphere, atmosphere, pedosphere hydrosphere, and biosphere.
The Cartography part aims at introducing the basic and practical notions for reading, understanding and using medium and large scale topographic maps.
The excursion aims to promote the practical application of what has been learned in class.
The Physical Geography part aims at providing the base for the comprehension and the analysis of the main processes and dynamics affecting the Earth's surface, as a result of the interaction between lithosphere, atmosphere, pedosphere hydrosphere, and biosphere.
The Cartography part aims at introducing the basic and practical notions for reading, understanding and using medium and large scale topographic maps.
The excursion aims to promote the practical application of what has been learned in class.
Course Prerequisites
For the Physical Geography part, basic knowledge of chemistry and physics (high school level) is required, and it is necessary to be able to read and understand different types of graphs in a cartesian axis system.
For the Cartography part, it is necessary to know elementary trigonometry, the Pythagorean theorem and to be able to calculate the unknown term of a proportion.
For the Cartography part, it is necessary to know elementary trigonometry, the Pythagorean theorem and to be able to calculate the unknown term of a proportion.
Teaching Methods
The Physical Geography part is based on lectures, with the support of slides and other material from the Internet (e.g., videos, animations, and visualization tools). Additional learning material is also recommended in class.
The cartography part is conducted by:
- guided practical exercises;
- field excursion for training in the practical use of topographic maps, orientation, use of the compass.
All material used in lectures and in practical exercises is made available on the KIRO e-learning platform.
The cartography part is conducted by:
- guided practical exercises;
- field excursion for training in the practical use of topographic maps, orientation, use of the compass.
All material used in lectures and in practical exercises is made available on the KIRO e-learning platform.
Assessment Methods
Written exam, consisting of a series of multiple-choice questions, questions with true/false answers, questions with short answers, cartography exercises.
Texts
Basic textbooks for the Physical Geography part:
Hess D. 2021. McKnight’s Geografia fisica: comprendere il paesaggio. Piccin, Padova. ISBN: 9788829932122
Lupia Palmieri E., Parotto M. 2008. Il globo terrestre e la sua evoluzione. Sesta edizione. Zanichelli, Bologna. ISBN: 9788808167309
Basic textbooks for the cartography part.
Perego S. 2004. Cartografia. Lettura delle Carte Topografiche. Santa Croce Editrice.
Aruta L., Marescalchi P.1986. Cartografia, lettura delle carte. Flaccovio Editore, Palermo. ISBN: 8877580372
Dazzi, C. (2013): Fondamenti di pedologia. La penseur. 356pp.
Auxiliary material will be provided during the course and made available on the KIRO e-learning platform.
Hess D. 2021. McKnight’s Geografia fisica: comprendere il paesaggio. Piccin, Padova. ISBN: 9788829932122
Lupia Palmieri E., Parotto M. 2008. Il globo terrestre e la sua evoluzione. Sesta edizione. Zanichelli, Bologna. ISBN: 9788808167309
Basic textbooks for the cartography part.
Perego S. 2004. Cartografia. Lettura delle Carte Topografiche. Santa Croce Editrice.
Aruta L., Marescalchi P.1986. Cartografia, lettura delle carte. Flaccovio Editore, Palermo. ISBN: 8877580372
Dazzi, C. (2013): Fondamenti di pedologia. La penseur. 356pp.
Auxiliary material will be provided during the course and made available on the KIRO e-learning platform.
Contents
The course is divided into 3 parts:
- Physical Geography; Cartography; Excursion.
Physical Geography.
A primer on astronomy. Stars, galaxies, the Sun, the Solar System, and the Earth-Moon System. The Earth in the Solar System. Characteristics of the Earth as a planet: shape, size, movements in space.
Then, the topics concerning the atmosphere and the physical processes that characterize its dynamics will be carried out in detail, in terms of their interactions with the Earth’s surface.
The factors and elements of the Earth’s climate, as well as its classification will be covered in detail. The climate system will be also treated in terms of its changes over time, linked to the natural processes of interaction with the Earth systems, and the forcing determined by human activities.
The physical processes that characterize the terrestrial hydrosphere, in terms of its interaction with the other natural systems and its fundamental role as a shaping agent of the Earth’s surface will be discussed during the course. The different parts of the hydrosphere, from the seas and the oceans to the continental waters (streams, rivers and lakes), will be treated in the context of the distribution of the water resources and of the global hydrological cycle
A special focus will cover the main elements of the Earth’s cryosphere, and their interaction with the climate system.
The pedosphere and its principal elements acting as an interface between atmosphere, lithosphere and biosphere.
Cartography.
Cartography exercises. General reading and interpretation of topographical maps at various scales; exercises on calculating the scale of a map, calculating heights and slopes, creation of topographic profiles and catchment boundaries delimitation. Digital products and tools.
- Physical Geography; Cartography; Excursion.
Physical Geography.
A primer on astronomy. Stars, galaxies, the Sun, the Solar System, and the Earth-Moon System. The Earth in the Solar System. Characteristics of the Earth as a planet: shape, size, movements in space.
Then, the topics concerning the atmosphere and the physical processes that characterize its dynamics will be carried out in detail, in terms of their interactions with the Earth’s surface.
The factors and elements of the Earth’s climate, as well as its classification will be covered in detail. The climate system will be also treated in terms of its changes over time, linked to the natural processes of interaction with the Earth systems, and the forcing determined by human activities.
The physical processes that characterize the terrestrial hydrosphere, in terms of its interaction with the other natural systems and its fundamental role as a shaping agent of the Earth’s surface will be discussed during the course. The different parts of the hydrosphere, from the seas and the oceans to the continental waters (streams, rivers and lakes), will be treated in the context of the distribution of the water resources and of the global hydrological cycle
A special focus will cover the main elements of the Earth’s cryosphere, and their interaction with the climate system.
The pedosphere and its principal elements acting as an interface between atmosphere, lithosphere and biosphere.
Cartography.
Cartography exercises. General reading and interpretation of topographical maps at various scales; exercises on calculating the scale of a map, calculating heights and slopes, creation of topographic profiles and catchment boundaries delimitation. Digital products and tools.
Course Language
Italian
Degrees
Degrees
GEOLOGICAL SCIENCES
Bachelor’s Degree
3 years
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People
People (2)
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