GE415 - PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY AND EARTH OBSERVATION

courses
ID:
GE415
Duration (hours):
60
CFU:
6
SSD:
GEOGRAFIA FISICA E GEOMORFOLOGIA
Located in:
CHIETI
Url:
GEOLOGICAL SCIENCES/CORSO GENERICO Year: 1
Year:
2025
Course Catalogue:
https://unich.coursecatalogue.cineca.it/af/2025?co...

Overview

Date/time interval

Primo Semestre (22/09/2025 - 23/12/2025)

Syllabus

Course Objectives


Acquisition of (i) a correct geographical terminology, (ii) the basis for understanding the physical geographic features of the "Earth System" and (iii) of the tools to “observe” and "read" the Earth's surface as a result of the dynamic equilibrium between endogenous and exogenous forces.

Understanding of the constitution of the Solar System, of the motion of the Earth and of the implications on the type and distribution of climates and on the main terrestrial landscapes. Knowledge of the main elements of the hydrosphere and atmosphere and recognition of the main types of landscape.

Ability to use modern earth observation tools for the purposes of physical geographic analysis.

Ability to read and analyze the topographic maps, officially used in Italy, and how to define the main physical geographic aspects of the territory and the different types of landscape.




Course Prerequisites


none




Teaching Methods


The course is structured in about 30 hours of lectures and in about 30 hours of laboratory on-field carthographic exercises.

In the lectures the contents and the topics of the course will be illustrated. Carthographic lab activities include exercises on topographic maps and analysis and interpretation of cartography; these will be carried out both in the classroom and in a field trip.

Practical exercises with GIS and Earth Observation tools in the computer room.




Assessment Methods


The exam consists of a written test and an oral test.

Written test: It consists of three parts.
Part 1: exercise of cartographic coordinate calculation, drainage basin tracing and topographic profile drawing.
Part 2: Written report of the field excursion of the course.
Part 3: Written essay on a topographic map and related landscape selected with the teacher; the elements discussed during the course will be described, with particular reference to the definition of orography, hydrography and landscape of the selected area.

Oral Test: it will verify the acquisition of knowledge on the earth system and the skills in defining the geographical-physical and landscape features and in their analysis and interpretation; the assessment will also include the discussion of the written report prepared for the written examination

Texts


- LUPIA PALMIERI E. & PAROTTO M. - Il Globo Terrestre e la sua evoluzione - 5° Ediz. (o successive) Zanichelli Ed., Bologna (in particolare i Capp. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16).

- MORI A. (1981) - Le Carte Geografiche e la loro lettura e interpretazione. Libreria Goliardica Ed., Pisa.

- SAURO U., MENEGHEL M., BONDESAN A., CASTIGLIONI GB. (2006) - Dalla carta topografica al paesaggio atlante ragionato. Zeta beta editrice, Vicenza.

- AA.VV. (2004) – Italia. Atlante dei tipi geografici, I.G.M.I., Firenze

-MARINELLI O. (1922) - Atlante dei tipi geografici, I.G.M.I., Firenze.

- slides provided during the lessons



Additional books:

LUPIA PALMIERI E. & PAROTTO M. - Geonomia - Lineamenti di Scienze della Terra. Zanichelli Ed., Bologna.

RICCI LUCCHI F. (1996) - La scienza di Gaia, ambienti e sistemi naturali visti da un geologo. Zanichelli Ed., Bologna (in particolare i Capp. 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9)

STRAHLER A.N. (1984) - Geografia Fisica. Piccin Ed., Padova (in particolare i Capp. 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, Appendice I e IV)

ARUTA L. & MARESCALCHI P. (1981) - Cartografia - lettura delle carte. Dario Flaccovio Ed., Palermo.

HESS D. (2022) – Geografia fisica. Comprendere il Paesaggio. Piccin Ed. Padova

Site Earth Observation EU

https://defence-industry-space.ec.europa.eu/eu-space/copernicus-earth-observation_en

Site Observing the Earth ESA:

https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth

Sentinel Hub

https://www.sentinel-hub.com/



Contents


The planet Earth

Atmosphere and climates.

Marine and continental hydrosphere.

Landscapes and cartography.

Earth and landscapes observation.

Cartographic analysis exercises.




Course Language


Italian


More information


Students reception:

- during the lesson semester (fall) on Thursday at 9-11 a.m..



- during the spring semester, by appointment via email.




Degrees

Degrees

GEOLOGICAL SCIENCES 
Bachelor’s Degree
3 years
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