Physical Geography
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course intend to provide the basis for understanding and reading the earth landscape, by underlining the relationships among the environmental components.
Expected learning outcomes
Basis for understanding and reading the earth landscape and the relationships among the different components of the environment. Ability of using large scale cartography
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
The Earth and its representation: elements of cartography.
Shape, dimensions and movements of the Earth.
Cartographic representations and their use.
The official Italian cartography
National and international reference systems and coordinates.
The representation of the elevation
Basis of remote sensing and its application to geographical issues.
Atmosphere and climate: Atmosphere: composition and features
The physical basis of the greenhouse effect.
Climate elements: temperature, pressure and humidity.
Climates: classification and variations - climate changes
The hydrosphere: Distribution of water on Earth.
Oceans and seas.
Sea waves and the evolution of the coasts.
Fresh- waters.
Rivers and streams
Lakes and water ponds
The cryosphere -
The lithosphere: Distribution of continents and oceans.
Natural landscapes: introduction to the evolution of the landscape and its processes. Types of landscape. Landscapes of temperate zones. Landscapes of dry areas. Landscape and Landforms of cold areas.
-Environment and Human presence.
Antarctica: dry area or water resource?
Shape, dimensions and movements of the Earth.
Cartographic representations and their use.
The official Italian cartography
National and international reference systems and coordinates.
The representation of the elevation
Basis of remote sensing and its application to geographical issues.
Atmosphere and climate: Atmosphere: composition and features
The physical basis of the greenhouse effect.
Climate elements: temperature, pressure and humidity.
Climates: classification and variations - climate changes
The hydrosphere: Distribution of water on Earth.
Oceans and seas.
Sea waves and the evolution of the coasts.
Fresh- waters.
Rivers and streams
Lakes and water ponds
The cryosphere -
The lithosphere: Distribution of continents and oceans.
Natural landscapes: introduction to the evolution of the landscape and its processes. Types of landscape. Landscapes of temperate zones. Landscapes of dry areas. Landscape and Landforms of cold areas.
-Environment and Human presence.
Antarctica: dry area or water resource?
Prerequisites for admission
It is a fundamental basic course.
However, all the introductory notions of Italian, European and non-European regional geography that are not presented during the course, but which can be recalled during the exam tests, are taken for granted.
However, all the introductory notions of Italian, European and non-European regional geography that are not presented during the course, but which can be recalled during the exam tests, are taken for granted.
Teaching methods
Lectures and technical practical activities of cartography. The Lab activities will be also available through the tutorials posted at the MyARIEL web site. There will also be small group study sessions (split classrooms) using innovative tools and technologies (immersive videos, AI, etc.).
Teaching Resources
Notes available at ARIEL web site
videoclips and tutorial at the ARIEL WEB site
BASE HANDBOOKS
https://open.umn.edu/opentextbooks/textbooks/physical-geography
https://open.umn.edu/opentextbooks/textbooks/introduction-to-oceanography
videoclips and tutorial at the ARIEL WEB site
BASE HANDBOOKS
https://open.umn.edu/opentextbooks/textbooks/physical-geography
https://open.umn.edu/opentextbooks/textbooks/introduction-to-oceanography
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam will be written and mainly, but not exclusively, multiple choice, with at least one question on each topic covered. There will be ongoing assessments (= prove in itinere) during the course. Specifically, the mid-term exams (prove in itinere, 2 offered during the semester in which the course is taught) will each consist of 25 multiple choice questions and 3-4 open-ended questions. The final exam will consist of 50 multiple-choice questions and 4-6 open-ended questions. Both the mid-term exams and the final exam will be scored out of 30. A pass mark is 18/30, and the maximum mark is 30/30 with honours. If the student takes the ongoing tests, the final mark will be the average of the two partial marks, provided that in both tests they have achieved a mark equal to or higher than 18/30 (i.e. both partial marks must be sufficient).
Modules or teaching units
Part C
GEO/04 - PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY AND GEOMORPHOLOGY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Parts A and B
GEO/04 - PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY AND GEOMORPHOLOGY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor(s)