Academic year: 2024-25
Course: Foundation Course Science/ Humanities
Credits: 3
Period: second semester
Number of hours: 24
Teacher(s): Marco Pasero (marco.pasero@unipi.it)
Language of instruction English
Learning outcomes
Knowledge
The student who successfully completes the course will be able to understand the basic concepts of the main branches of Geological Sciences, such as mineralogy, petrology, geochemistry, structural geology, sedimentology, geomorphology, paleontology, volcanology, geophysics, geothermics, applied and economic geology.
Assessment criteria of knowledge
The student knowledge will be assessed on his/her demonstrated ability to discuss the main course contents using the appropriate terminology during the final oral exam.
Skills
At the end of the course the student will be able to use the basic terminology of geoscience concepts and to understand textbooks and publications related to the subject. He/she will be able to understand the general concepts regarding the evolution of the Earth system over the geological scale-time, including the interaction between the Earth and the humankind.
Assessment criteria of skills
The student’s skills will be evaluated taking into account his/her capacity to explain with proper terms the main geologic materials, the main processes regulating the Earth system and the main interactions between Earth and Humans with reference to natural hazards and environmental issues.
Behaviors
At the end of the course the student will be able to identify in a critical perspective the main issues related to the geological sciences
Assessment criteria of behaviors
The student’s behaviour will be evaluated through discussions promoted by the teacher during the lessons.
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of Chemistry, Physics and General Geography (high school level).
Teaching methods
Lessons with discussions guided by the teacher. Practical lesson which could include visit to some laboratories of the Department of Earth Sciences are planned, too.; the didactic materials will be available at the beginning of each lesson on the e-learning page of the Course. A preliminary tests aimed at assessing the initial knowledges of the students can be proposed during the first lesson.
Syllabus
Fundamental concepts about geologic materials (mineral, rocks, fossils). The internal structure of the Earth. The surface of the Earth. The rock cycle. The unifying theory of plate tectonics. Earth as a changing system over the geological time. Geologic resources and geologic risk. Fundamentals of the main branches of geology: mineralogy, petrology, geochemistry, structural geology, sedimentology, geomorphology, paleontology, volcanology, geophysics, geothermics, applied and economic geology.
Bibliography
Didactic material provided by the teacher, which could also include selected parts of textbooks or scientific papers.
Non-attending students info
The non-attending students will be able to follow the lessons using the didactic material loaded on the e-learning platform.
Assessment methods
Oral exam (the basic features of it will be agreed with the students).