Geomorphology and Laboratory | Università degli Studi di Milano Statale

A.Y. 2024/2025

Max ECTS

Overall hours

SSD

GEO/04

Language

Italian

Included in the following degree programmes

Geological Sciences (Classe L-34)-Enrolled from 2014-2015 Academic Year

Learning objectives

To give the basic information and scientific tools to identify and interpret landforms and to reconstruct the time and steps of surface processes triggering present-day landscapes. To teach how to identify and describe landforms in the field and onto topographic maps.

Expected learning outcomes

Students will acquire competency in the filed of Physical Geography and Geomorphology. They will learn how to identify and describe landforms and to interpret their formation processes forming linear and complex systems.

Lesson period: Second semester

Lessons timetable

Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi

Exams calendar

Single course

This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.

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Course syllabus and organization

Single session

Responsible

Zerboni Andrea

Lesson period

Second semester

Syllabus

Course syllabus

Introduction: definition of Geomorphology and its relationship with Physical Geography; geomorphological processes.
Basic concepts: climate, erosion, transport, sedimentation, pedogenesis, biostasy, rhesistasy. Endogenous and exogenous processes.
Endogenous processes: morphotectonic
Structural landforms: tabular and monoclinal reliefs, bends and faults.
Weathering of rock (and soils): mechanical, chemical, physical and biologic processes; factors and processes of pedogenesis.
Slope processes: types of landslide; DSGSD
Fluvial processes: fluvial landforms and deposits; fans, alluvial plains; hydrographic net.
Glacial and periglacial (and paraglacial) landforms and deposits.
Karst processes: surface and underground karst processes, forms, and deposits.
Weathering of crystalline rocks.
Volcanic landforms.
Coastlines and coastal landforms.
Practical: basic concepts on cartography (shape of Earth, projections, scale); interpretation of landforms on IGM and CTR topographic maps.

Prerequisites for admission

Basics acquired in the first semester

Teaching methods

Lessons and practical on topographic maps and online mapping software.

Teaching Resources

Slides distributed during the class and online available at Ariel. Suggested book: Dramis-Ollier, Genesi ed evoluzione del rilievo terrestre. Pitagora Editrice.
McKnight-Darrel, Geografia Fisica: comprendere il paesaggio, Piccin-Nuova Libraria

Assessment methods and Criteria

Oral exam with a grade expressed out of thirty. The actual understanding of the contents provided and the processes described will be assessed. The ability to summarize and use appropriate terminology will also be taken into consideration. The exam will include the description and interpretation of one of the topographic maps seen during the exercises. You will also be given the opportunity to take an ongoing test relating to the first part of the programme; if passed, this part of the program will not be asked during the final exam and the final grade will be the average of the two partials.

Course structure

GEO/04 - PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY AND GEOMORPHOLOGY - University credits: 10

Field activity: 12 hours
Practicals: 36 hours
Lessons: 48 hours

Professors: Fumagalli Patrizia, Marini Mattia, Merlini Marco, Roda Manuel, Zanoni Davide, Zerboni Andrea

Shifts:

Professor: Zerboni Andrea

Attività Alternative

Professor: Roda Manuel

Didattica Obbligatoria di Terreno

Professors: Fumagalli Patrizia, Marini Mattia, Merlini Marco, Zanoni Davide, Zerboni Andrea

Professor(s)

Fumagalli Patrizia