OVERVIEW

The teaching of Applied Physical Oceanography will consist of lectures and exercises at sea. The students, after having followed the classroom lessons, will have the opportunity to actively participate in the activities at sea that the Physical Oceanography Group is carrying out for the port works of Genoa (New Breakwater of the Port of Genoa, Subport Tunnel Project, and Gronda Project).

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The student will be able to read what is happening at sea from a physical point of view, in order to be able to protect the environment, anticipating, if possible, the consequences of anthropic activities. The student will be able to collaborate with the relevant bodies in the decision-making phase before the start of marine works. The student will also be a useful aid to fellow geologists/naturalists/environmentalists and marine biologists as he will have a general vision of the geological and biological processes that characterize the structure of marine ecosystems with an eye to the chemical characteristics of sea water and processes that govern them also from the physical point of view of the phenomena.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The topics covered will be the following: notes on Meteorology; Study of the physical-chemical characteristics of water masses and their dynamics and study of the electronic instrumentation necessary for their characterization; the “real and otherwise” movements of water masses; teleconnections and meteorological-marine climate; the environmental legislation linked to maritime works (L.152/2006; L.Decr.172-173/2016; MSFD); the role of the geologist at sea; real practical activity at sea and analysis of previous case studies.

At the end of the teaching the students:

- will use oceanographic instrumentation for environmental monitoring, e

- will guarantee correct implementation of work activities at sea,

- will recognize doubtful situations that require further investigation,

- will collaborate with each other to complete the monitoring,

- will verify any environmental measures and protections that could be used for further protection of the marine-maritime environment,

- they will be able to face and resolve situations that may arise at sea (during trips) by working in teams with different tasks.

- everyone, in turn, will be responsible for the real activities that will take place on board.

PREREQUISITES

No prerequisites are requirted

TEACHING METHODS

In-person lessons and activities at sea.

Attendance at classes is strongly recommended.

The way lessons are taught may be modified due to emergencies that prevent in-person lessons from being held. In this case, classes will be held via the Teams platform using suitable substitute teaching tools.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The main contents of the course will concern the study of physical-chemical parameters of the water mass (T, Sal, Turbidity...) and their interactions with the environment also from a geological point of view, and the study of the dynamics and causes that "cause" it. The circulation of the oceans and seas of the Mediterranean Sea will be studied with particular attention to the Ligurian Sea.

The main oceanographic instruments will be studied and used for real activities, analyzing real cases and solving new cases during trips to sea.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Teaching material (PowerPoints, articles and more) provided by the lecturers before and during the module of Applied Physical Oceanography

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

For more precisely information, please refer for lessons start and timetable to the link: https://easyacademy.unige.it/portalestudenti/

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam is conducted in an oral manner.
Every year, at the end of the teaching, a written test is organized for students of the current academic year only, with which those who wish can verify their skills and test the level of knowledge of the subject. The test is absolutely optional.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The exam will consist of a series of questions to test the ability to reason and connect the topics covered during the lessons.

The oral exam will mainly focus on the topics covered during the theoretical and practical lessons, and will aim to evaluate both whether the student has reached an adequate level of knowledge and whether he has acquired the ability to connect all the theoretical information by applying it to real situations. Language skills and knowledge of correct scientific and technical terminology will also be assessed.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should speak both with the instructor and with Professor Sara Ferrando (sara.ferrando@unige.it), the Department’s disability liaison.