OVERVIEW

Physical Geography, with the support of the fundamentals of cartography, aims to provide the basis for reading the earth's landscape and understanding its evolution. The lectures highlight the relationships between the various components of the environment, in particular physical (atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere), and the anthropic influence (impact) on these components and on the shaping of the landscape itself.

AIMS AND CONTENT

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 at the planned training activities (lectures, practical exercises) will enable the student to acquire the general knowledge of Physical Geography and Cartography necessary to deal with investigations in the field of the geologist's profession and scientific research in the areas of Earth Sciences.

Upon completion of the training, the student will be able to:

• know the general principles of cartography and physical geography;
• read topographic maps to interpret and measure elementary landforms;
• link atmospheric phenomena for understanding the distribution of climates on the earth's surface in relation to geographical factors and their interaction with human activities.

TEACHING METHODS

The course is based on lectures and classroom exercises. 

The lectures are delivered through multimedia presentations. 

Midterm tests of verification of knowledge are provided during the course. The exercises, aimed at the acquisition of theoretical knowledge presented during the lectures, will be devoted in particular to:

- To the recognition of contour lines and landforms;

-  determination of the elevation of a point on the topographic map

- calculation of the steepness and inclination of the slope, measurement of distances and areas according to different scales of representation; 

- reading and calculation of geographical and kilometric coordinates (U.T.M., Gauss-Boaga);

- calculation and representation of meteorological and climatic data.

Classroom exercises are carried out by providing students cartographic materials (IGMI topographic maps at scale 1:25000 and regional technical maps (CTR RL) at scale 1:10000/5000).

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.

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

Handouts provided by the teacher and available on Aulaweb and the following books: 1) T. L. MCKNIGHT, D. HESS, Physical Geography. Understanding the landscape (Italian edition edited by Francesco Dramis), Piccin, Padova; 2) A. N. STRAHLER, Geografia fisica, Piccin, Padova; 3) U. Sauro, M. Meneghel, A. Bondesan, B. Castiglioni, Dalla carta topografica al paesaggio, Vicenza, ZetaBeta Editrice.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

PIERLUIGI GIORGIO BRANDOLINI (President)

MARCO FERRARI

FRANCESCO FACCINI (President Substitute)

ANDREA MANDARINO (Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

The lessons timetable is available at the following link: https://easyacademy.unige.it/portalestudenti/

Class schedule

PHISICAL GEOGTRAPHY AND CARTOGRAPHY

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam consists of an oral test during which the results of the midterm tests will be discussed and the teaching content will be addressed

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The exam aims overall to verify the understanding of the topics covered during the lessons. Through the discussion of  the resultsof the midterm tests in physical geography and cartography, the various theoretical-practical aspects will be addressed. The student's critical reasoning ability, expository skills and correct use of technical-scientific terminology will also be assessed.

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

Students with a certification of physical or learning disability filed with the University can find information on support services at the web page https://unige.it/disabilita-dsa/studenti-disturbi-specifici-apprendimento-dsa, provided by the "Services for the Inclusion of Students with Disabilities and with Learning Disorders." They can also contact Professor Sara Ferrando (sara.ferrando@unige.it), the Distav contact for disabilities.

Regular attendance is strongly recommended.