LEARNING OUTCOMES

The purpose of the Physical Geography is to explain the characteristics of the various natural phenomena associated with the Earth's: hydrosphere, atmosphere and lithosphere. The cartography provide the foundation for reading topographic maps: these are the basis for the studies on the ground and tools to understand the environment from the physical point of view.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Attendance and participation in the planned training activities (lessons, exercises) will allow the student to acquire the general knowledge of Physical Geography and Cartography necessary to undertake studies in the field of the profession of geologist and scientific research in the fields of Earth Sciences.
Specifically, the student will be able to
- know the general principles of cartography and physical geography;
- read topographic maps to interpret and measure the shapes of the terrain;
- connect atmospheric phenomena in order to understand the distribution of climates on the Earth's surface in relation to geographical factors and their interaction with anthropic activities.

TEACHING METHODS

The lessons will be carried out if possible in presence, guaranteeing the fruition of the lessons also at a distance, through video recording, synchronous or asynchronous. The laboratory exercises will be organized if possible in presence, possibly with several shifts. All activities in presence will be carried out in compliance with the capacity limits of the classrooms/laboratories and the distance between them, as provided for by the regulations in force following the COVID19 emergency.

The teaching is composed of frontal lessons, theoretical-practical exercises. As learning tests and activities for the application of the acquired knowledge are foreseen, attendance at lessons and exercises is strongly recommended.

Frontal lessons are delivered through multimedia presentations. 

The exercises are aimed at the practical application of the theoretical knowledge acquired during the lectures. In particular they will be developed:

- cartography exercises for the recognition of contour lines and lanforms;
- exercises for the determination of the elevation of a point on the topographic map
- exercises on topographic maps for the calculation of the steepness and inclination of the terrain, measurement of distances and areas according to the different scales of representation; 
- exercises for the recognition and calculation of geographical and kilometric coordinates (U.T.M., Gauss-Boaga);
- exercises for the calculation and representation of meteorological and climatic data.
The exercises are carried out in the classroom providing students with supporting cartographic material (IGMI topographic maps at 1.25000 scale and regional technical maps (CTR RL) at 1:10000/5000 scale).

Please refer to the AulaWeb instance specific to the teaching for any updates due to changes in the health and epidemiological situation.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The course programme includes the presentation and discussion of the following topics
Elements of Cartography:
* Maps and concept of scale (numerical and graphic)
* The geographical projections. Shape and size of the Earth
* The cartographic symbolism 
* Principles for the construction of a topographic map
* Determination of the position of a point on the earth's surface. The geographical grid (geographical, kilometric and polar coordinates)
* Geographic North, Magnetic North, Cross-linked North and magnetic declination
* Maps classifications
* Methods of representing the relief. Contour lines.  The topographic profile
* The international cartographic system U.T.M. and Italian cartographic production

Elements of Physical Geography:
* The composition of the atmosphere and the vertical structure of the atmosphere 
* Weather and climate
* Solar radiation and the spatial and seasonal variations of atmospheric heating 
* Atmospheric pressure and winds: general atmospheric circulation 
* Atmospheric humidity - Evaporation - Humidity measurement 
* Condensation - Rainfall 
* Atmospheric flows and perturbations - Air masses - Fronts 
* Climate classification criteria - The climate in Italy
* Overview of the marine system and the continental water system

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

- T. L. MCKNIGHT, D. HESS, Physical Geography. Understanding the landscape (Italian edition edited by Francesco Dramis), Piccin, Padua, 2005.

- A. N. STRAHLER, Geografia fisica, Piccin, Padua, 1984.

- U. Sauro, M. Meneghel, A. Bondesan, B. Castiglioni, Dalla carta topografica al paesaggio, Vicenza, ZetaBetaEdiditrice, 2005.

The slides presented during the lessons and other didactic material  will be available on AulaWeb at the end of each cycle of lessons/exercises.