OVERVIEW

The Course provides the theoretical knowledge and the practical skills necessary to build up professional figures trained to research and professional practice in the field of geosciences. Knowledge of basic and advanced techniques for the mineralogical and petrographic study of rocks, sediments and artificial materials allows a correct methodological approach for sampling, analyses, acquisition and processing of analytical data.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Aim is providing the students with the theoretical knowledge and the practical skills on the main analytical techniques enabling characterization of geomaterials, quantification and discussion of analytical results. The analytical techniques are discussed considering potentialities and limits of applications; the main legislative norms constraining the professional activities are also provided. This represents the necessary background for research and for professional work. Main topics: 1) Sampling strategies for geological studies of rocks, mineralized bodies, incoherent sediments, soils, surface and ground waters; 2) Analytical methods for rocks, minerals and waters characterization; 3) Analytical strategies for environmental, applied and basic research works; 4) Collection, treatment and elaboration of analytical data; 5) Practical case studies from field, to laboratory, to data acquisition and elaboration are performed by every student.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The attendance and participation in the planned training activities (lectures, lab and field exercises) allow students to gain the necessary skills for mineral and rock investigations useful to tackle professional studies as well as scientific research in Earth and Natural Sciences.

Specifically, the student will be able to:

• know and describe the main mineralogical-petrographic analytical techniques;

• select the correct methods and analytical techniques to solve specific problems;

• interpret the analytical results and represent them in qualitative and quantitative terms;

• apply the acquired theoretical and practical knowledge and skills to correctly design a sampling plan of rocks and sediments;

• critically evaluate the data collected during field and laboratory activities to develop a scientific or professional study;

• produce scientific and/or professional reports.

PREREQUISITES

The following basic knowledge of mineralogy and petrography is required to effectively tackle the teaching content: 1) systematic mineralogy and petrography; 2) chemical-physical properties of minerals and rocks.

TEACHING METHODS

Teaching consists of ordinary lectures and practical (field and laboratory) activities. Attendance at lessons and practical activities is strongly recommended because learning tests, activities for the application of acquired knowledge, practical and methodological activities, are planned.

Classroom lectures are delivered through multimedia presentations.

The laboratory activities are devoted to the practical application of the theoretical knowledge acquired during the lectures. In particular, the following activities will be developed:

• field work, to define the sampling strategies for rocks and incoherent sediments;

• group exercises, to prepare the samples for the mineralogical and petrographic analysis and to determine the chemical composition of rocks and minerals.

Samples taken by students during the field activity will be used for;

• optical microscopy for qualitative and quantitative determination of the rock mineralogy and petrography;

• scanning electron microscopy, to analyze the chemical composition of minerals and to determine the microtextural and microstructural properties of samples;

• classroom exercises for processing and understanding the collected data.

Laboratory activities will take place in labs equipped with microscopes and specific facilities and in the DISTAV's electron microscopy laboratory.

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 program includes the presentation and discussion of the following topics:

• sampling strategies of coherent rocks, incoherent sediments and mineralized volumes for the realization of mineralogical and petrographic investigations;

• basic and advanced analytical techniques for the characterization of minerals and rocks;

• analytical strategies for carrying out investigations in professional activities as well as in basic and applied geological research;

• investigations and analytical criteria for the certification of natural materials;

• data collection processes and analysis;

• specific examples and case studies.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

All slides and other teaching materials used during lessons will be available on AulaWeb at the end of each cycle of lessons / laboratory exercises.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

PIETRO MARESCOTTI (President)

CRISTINA CARBONE

MARCO SCAMBELLURI (President Substitute)

MARINO VETUSCHI ZUCCOLINI (President Substitute)

ROBERTO CABELLA (Substitute)

LAURA GAGGERO (Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Classes will start from February 15th 2021 and will end by June 10th 2020

Please, consult detailed timetable at the following link: https://easyacademy.unige.it/portalestudenti/

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam consists of a written part and of an oral part.

The written exam involves the preparation of a report on a topic chosen among those developed during laboratory and field activities. The report must include: 1) the geological and geographical framework; 2) geological background and state of the art with references; 3) methods of investigation; 4) data processing, analysis and discussion; 5) conclusive comments appropriate to a scientific or professional report. The written exam is passed if the student has obtained a score greater than or equal to 18/30.

The oral exam consists of exposing a topic chosen by the student and answering questions asked by the teachers on topics covered during the course.

The final grade is given by the arithmetic mean between the written test score and the oral exam. The oral exam can be sustained in the same session as the written test and in subsequent sessions published on the UNIGE website. Three calls will be available in the winter session (January-February) and 3 calls in the summer session (June, July, September).

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

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Details on how to prepare for the exams and the degree of detail required for each topic will be provided during the lessons.

The written exam will verify the effective acquisition of theoretical knowledge and the ability to connect and integrate such knowledge by applying them to specific case studies developed during field and laboratory activities.

The oral exam will focus mainly on the topics covered during the lectures and will have the purpose to evaluate not only if the student has reached an adequate level of knowledge, but also the capacity to apply this knowledge and understanding to simple case studies. The ability to expose the arguments clearly and with correct terminology will also be evaluated.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Constant and regular attendance at lectures and related laboratory exercises is strongly recommended.

Students must provide suitable clothing for excursions and laboratory activities as well as use the personal protective equipment provided for these activities. Other technical and analytical tools necessary for these activities will be provided by the teachers.