31426 - Geology T (L-Z)

Learning outcomes

This course gives the student basic information on the following subjects: (a) identifying rocks and soils in hand samples as well as outcrops; (b) interpreting geologic maps, stratigraphic schemes and geologic cross-sections; (c) estimating the effects of the geodynamic processes on volcanic, seismic and hydrogeologic hazards; (d) assessing from a geologic point of view the construction problems and the environmental impact of civil engineering works. At the end of the course, once passed the final assessment, the student is able to understand terminology and contents of the geologic elaborates required for the planning of civil engineering works.

Course contents

Requirements/Prior knowledge.

A high-school level understanding of physics, inorganic chemistry and physical geography is required to attend with profit this course. In addition, the student who knows nothing about the dynamics of Earth is recommended to get acquainted with this topic on high-school textbooks. Fluent spoken and written Italian are necessary pre-requisites, since all lectures, tutorials and study material are in Italian.

Course Contents

This course gives the student basic information on the following subjects: (a) identifying rocks and soils in hand samples as well as outcrops; (b) reading and interpreting geologic maps, stratigraphic schemes and geologic cross-sections; (c) estimating the effects of the geodynamic processes on volcanic, seismic and alluvial hazards; (d) acquire elementary concepts of hydrogeology and slope stability.

At the end of the course, the student is expected to understand terminology and contents of the geologic elaborates required for the planning of engineering works.

Readings/Bibliography

LANDUZZI A., Schemi e appunti per le esercitazioni di litologia e cartografia geologica (downloadable from Virtuale). Handout useful for taking notes during lessons.

JORDAN T.H., GROTZINGER J.P., Capire la Terra, Zanichelli, 2016. Text to consult, especially if the student doesn't know what the Earth's dynamics is. Alternatively, other high-school level texts can be consulted, asking Alberto Landuzzi an opinion on their geological contents.

SCESI L., PAPINI M., GATTINONI P., Principi di geologia applicata per ingegneria civile-ambientale e scienze della terra, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, 2014. Text recommended to students who want to deepen the study of Applied Geology.

Teaching methods

The first module is dedicated to the following topics: identification of common minerals; identification of common rocks and soils by means of texture, structure, composition and easy-to-assess physical-chemical properties; analysis of the lithogenetic cycle by studying the plutonic, volcanic, sedimentary, diagenetic and metamorphic processes; framing the lithogenetic cycle in the internal and external dynamics of the Earth.

The second module is dedicated to the following topics: application of the principles of stratigraphy, tectonics and geomorphology to the interpretation of geologic maps, stratigraphic schemes and geologic cross-sections; examination of the geologic and geomorphologic data that contribute to the evaluation of volcanic, seismic and alluvial hazard; search in the geologic maps of qualitative information on hydrogeology, subsidence and slope stability.

The didactic activity of the course is entirely presented on the computer. Lessons alternate with exercises, which the students carry out on the computer. Each exercise has goals to achieve and a mind map to help achieve them. At the end of each exercise, the teacher shows the compiled mind map and describes the achieved results.

In order to allow students to verify their learning on the ground, educational trips will be organized near the end of the course in the southern Alps and/or in the northern Apennines.

Assessment methods

Verification of learning takes place through the performance of two partial tests, which the student chooses whether to face in one or two dates; this choice has no influence on either the complexity or the number of questions proposed.

The partial oral tests, which last about 30 minutes each, are performed on the computer in dialogue with the teacher. The first test is done on HD photos of rock samples, and consists in the description of two rocks of different origin. The second test is done on HD scans of geological maps, and consists in the description of two objects of different cartographic significance (stratigraphic, tectonic or geomorphological). The dialogue with the teacher focuses both on the details of the objects to be described, and on the geological processes and their practical implications.

Passing the tests is guaranteed to students who show that they know the origin of the rocks and the cartographic objects they have described. A higher score is given to students who understand the technical issues inherent in the rocks and cartographic objects they have described. Failure to pass one or both tests may depend on insufficient knowledge of the key concepts, possibly aggravated by poor command of the technical language.

When the student has achieved at least a passing grade for each partial test, the overall grade is calculated by the arithmetic average of the two partial votes, rounded up or down at the discretion of the teacher.

Teaching tools

Lessons are held on the computer, with the equipment available in the classroom. To carry out the exercises, students must have a notebook, tablet or at least a smartphone with them.

The course participates in the University's didactic innovation project, with a wide range of supplementary teaching. On Virtuale are available: the course handout; the DVDs of the contents screened in the classroom; the material to carry out the exercises at home; the video recordings of all the lessons and exercises carried out in the academic year 2021-2022. Students who need clarification are encouraged to be received on Teams, so that all other interested students can attend and participate.

Office hours

See the website of Alberto Landuzzi