Scienze Naturali, Scienze dei Sistemi Naturali,
Evoluzione del comportamento animale e dell’uomo

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
Basic knowledge on the composition and structure of the Earth's crust and mantle, on the main types of rocks, on the fossils contained in some of them and on geomorphology.

APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
Macroscopic recognition of the main lithotypes, of their eventual paleontological content and of the tectonic and geomorphological phenomena that cause them to crop out. Ability to chronologically order the geological, geomorphological and paleobiological events that have left a studyable documentation.

INDEPENDENT JUDGEMENT
Interpretation of the main aspects relating to Earth Sciences with reference to some sample areas. Ability to critically evaluate the results of some main scientific studies concerning the selected areas.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Ability to use adequate terminology in describing aspects relating to Earth Sciences 

LEARNING SKILLS

Ability to make connections and integrations, also on the basis of knowledge deriving from other relevant teachings.

The course includes 8 hours of frontal teaching (1 CFU), which take place in the classroom or in remote electronic mode, but providing in any case an appropriate interaction between teachers and students. The remaining 3 CFU are devoted to practical exercises that provide a constant transfer of knowledge from teachers to students and a demanding data collection, possibly carried out in the field or in alterbnative virtual mode through the analysis of detailed images, in case of impossibility to carry out educational excursions.

Learning is verified through an oral interview that includes a maximum of 5 questions, with which it is intended to evaluate the understanding of the information provided by the teachers in the lessons and exercises. Students are also required to use adequate terminology and make connections and additions also on the basis of knowledge deriving from other relevant teachings. The result is expressed out of thirty.

EXAMINATION METHODS

The restrictions possibly imposed by measures on the Coronavirus pandemic suggest to permit remote verification methods. Therefore, subject to appropriate indications, the exams can be carried out alternatively in presence or through an oral interview via Webex. 

The educational activities will be articulated in a preliminary stage dedicated to the examination of topographic/geological maps and scientific publications relating to the selected area. Then we will carry out field campaigns, which will allow students to become aware of "geological" aspects of the territory, with the help of the documents previously analysed. The field work will be devoted to the collection of data, samples (fossils, minerals, rocks and soil) and photographic documentation. Fossil-bearing samples will be brought into a laboratory where students will experience a few techniques palaeontological
analysis. Each student (or group) will be required to write a summary report on the documents examined and observations made in field and laboratory. Each student will be invited to create a draft plan outlining a "significant point" or a nature trail with aspects of "geological" interest, worthy of protection and / or enhancement. The work will profit of the cooperation with the institutions responsible for protection of the area studied.

The teaching material presented in class is available in a GoogleDrive folder shared with enrolled students. The reference texts are those recommended for the teachings of Geography, Geology, Paleontology, Petrography.