Territory's management and enhancement

INSTRUMENTS AND METHODS OF GEO-OCEANOGRAPHICAL RESEARCH Course for the Master's Degree- Program Brief essential research methodology, with particular emphasis on human geography. Oceanography is introduced by the narrative of the millennia-long cognitive journey between man and the ocean. From historiographical notes on this relationship, the course moves on to illustrate the main characteristics and natural factors of marine ecosystems, and then exemplifies their relationship with human activities, particularly in coastal regions. Several methods for studying the phenomena covered by oceanographic research are then presented (from data collection to data analysis and representation, to tracking their evolution and trends). The approach to the study of the ocean is informed by essential references and concepts from the various disciplines pertaining to the natural sciences (geology, geomorphology, physical, chemical, and biological oceanography). The biosphere, the so-called "layer of life," is the sphere of close relationships between the atmosphere, oceans, and land, and is considered here. The phenomena occurring in this context are so complex and interrelated that, within the educational limits of this program, their essential features will be illustrated. Oceanography will therefore be approached with the typical approach of Ocean literacy, as defined by the IOC-UNESCO prog.: understand and illustrate the various aspects of the ocean and how they influence humanity and vice versa with regards to our influence on the ocean.

There are not specific prerequisites: basic knowledge acquired during pre-university courses and the previous three-year degree program is considered useful, particularly in physical geography, geology, geography and humanities, and traditional and computer cartography. General prior knowledge of natural sciences, literature, and history focused on the ocean and ecosystems is helpful, but not essential.

1 CARNIEL S., Oceani. Il futuro scritto nell’acqua, Milano, Hoepli, 2021 (12,90 euro). 2 BASCOM W., Onde e spiagge, Zanichelli, Bologna, 1976, pp. 10-68; pp. 84-95 e pp. 143-195 (reperire usato o in biblioteca). 3 RASOTTO M. B., La vita del mare. Forza e fragilità degli organismi marini, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2012 (9.80 euro).

Attendance, although not mandatory, is strongly recommended. Attendance is taken at the beginning of class, and the minimum attendance threshold is 60% of the scheduled class hours. Attendance exceeding this threshold is considered fulfilled.

The final exam is a single test, comprising a multiple-choice questionnaire and an oral exam. Attending students: 60% of the exams are intermediate tests, and 40% of the written exam includes an oral exam (oral resit only for those with an overall grade lower than 20/30). Non-attending students: 100% of the exam is conventional written and oral; the resit, as for attending students, applies only if the grade is lower than 20/30. The final exam lasts approximately one hour. The final grade is the average of the partial scores obtained in each individual test, including the final exam. For students who attend at least 60% of the scheduled class hours, a written and oral exam is scheduled—but not mandatory—even in a single pre-exam at the end of the course. Failure to attend the pre-exam does not, of course, prevent attending students from taking the exam on one of the dates scheduled in the academic calendar for the current and subsequent years.

RECOMMENDED READING AND DOCUMENTATION NOT SUBJECT TO EXAM QUESTIONS: CZERSKI H., Blue Machine. How the Ocean Shapes Our World, London, Penguin Books, 2024. TO FIND GENERAL DATA AND UPDATES ON OCEAN CONDITIONS: ANAIS P., Introduction to MyOcean Light Viewer, In this article, we will see how to explore the Copernicus Marine products, view and download them from the MyOcean Light Viewer, in: https://help.marine.copernicus.eu/en/articles/9418874-introduction-to-myocean-light-viewer LEVY M., VON SHUCKMANN K., VINCENT P., ET AL., The 2025 Starfish barometer, https://www.starfishbarometer.org/content/overview; https://sp.copernicus.org/articles/6-osr9/1/2025/

Traditional lectures with video projections. Thematic suggestions and student work during class; possible presentation of non-university work from other public institutions or private organizations.