Geological Sciences

Educational objectives

The educational goal of the course is to provide a general framework on the concepts related to the energy
transition process. In particular, basic physics and chemistry topics will be treated with a geological
approach, but also with implications in the economic, engineering, ecological and sociological fields. The
concept of total system energy, of useful energy (exergy) and of non-usable energy (anergy) will be applied
to various stages of economic-industrial processes, to underline the need to increase knowledge in detail of
the various facets of activities related to western lifestyle. The course will provide the student with the
fundamental skills for understanding the fundamental relationships between hard science (especially
physics and chemistry) and the declinations associated with the production of goods necessary to support
the growth and maintenance of quality standards in developed countries. The approach will be completely
multidisciplinary, with information in the theoretical field but also of an applied type in specific topics
related to the industrial production cycle, including the concept of circular economy. The course will be
fundamentally based on the role of hydrocarbons and the search for alternative energy sources that can
compete with fossil ones, with implications on the physics of the atmosphere by developing the concept of
pollutant. Major emphasis will be devoted on the possible processes for the neutralization, capture and use
of CO 2 and its surface and deep cycles. Topics related to nuclear energy (both associated with the fission
and fusion processes) will be covered, but also with the fundamental implications in the cultural sphere
that the drive to search for new energy sources will force us to follow.

Educational objectives

Educational goals:
The course aims to provide students with some basic elements for the full understanding of the concept of risk in the strictest sense of the term, offering an overview of the most relevant geological risk types, useful also for teaching of geology. Given the introductory level of the course in the training course will be provided theoretical basis of arguments not necessarily faced by students in previous courses. Particular attention will be paid to the specific role that the Earth sciences play in all phases of risk analysis: the definition of hazard levels at the choice of the most suitable techniques and methods for the implementation of prevention policies and protection from the effects of natural events of high intensity

Learning ouctomes:
At the end of the course the students will acquire basic knowledge on the dynamics of natural events that most commonly involve risk conditions (earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, subsidence). Students will also approach the topic of risk analysis in a simple but rigorous, fully understanding the concept of dangerousness, more closely related aspect "geological" that contributes to the definition of risk. Students will also be provided a comprehensive overview on the applications of geology in the phases of definition of the levels of risk and implementation of actions aimed at mitigating

Educational objectives

This course will focus on seminal achievements and current research in the Earth Sciences. We will study the foundational works that have advanced our understanding of Earth Sciences, the techniques that have led to these advancements, and the writing (in Inglese) that has been used to report and describe these works.
The course will cover all aspects of Earth Science with particular focus on geophysics, oceanography, tectonics, and climate. Students will gain experience in scientific writing by practice and through critical reading of Earth Science literature. Research summaries written for the public and lay scientist will provide a foundation for our reading and discussions.
The course will be taught in English. Attendance is encouraged but optional. Assessment will be based on written work, problem sets, and a final exam.

Educational objectives

Educational goals: The course will offer to the students the basic principles for gem identification.
Moreover, the course will be devoted to the study of minerals of industrial and environmental
interest, and to the study of the spectroscopic techniques for their characterization.

Learning ouctomes: The student will learn the basic skills to work as a gemologist. Students will
also learn the major minerals of industrial and environmental interest, as well as the spectroscopic
techniques for their characterization.

Educational objectives

Educational goals: The course will offer to the students the basic principles for gem identification.
Moreover, the course will be devoted to the study of minerals of industrial and environmental
interest, and to the study of the spectroscopic techniques for their characterization.

Learning ouctomes: The student will learn the basic skills to work as a gemologist. Students will
also learn the major minerals of industrial and environmental interest, as well as the spectroscopic
techniques for their characterization.

Educational objectives

Educational goals: The course will offer to the students the basic principles for gem identification.
Moreover, the course will be devoted to the study of minerals of industrial and environmental
interest, and to the study of the spectroscopic techniques for their characterization.

Learning ouctomes: The student will learn the basic skills to work as a gemologist. Students will
also learn the major minerals of industrial and environmental interest, as well as the spectroscopic
techniques for their characterization.

Educational objectives

History of Geology and Paleontology analyses the main protagonists and themes of geology in their historical context. The goal is to provide a comprehension of themes, methodologies and concepts of Earth Sciences, starting from the pioneers. The course aims at reconstructing the evolution of the "geological method", highlighting its continuity with modern approaches in stratigraphy, sedimentology, tectonics, paleontology, petrography, geochemistry and geophysics. Going back to the origin of present day knowledge is crucial to understand geology as a science. In addition, reconstructing the history of geological thought allows to have an integrated approach to geological phenomena, necessary to unravel their complexity.

Learning outcomes:
The course allows the student to learn the fundamental concepts of various fields of Earth Sciences, through an historical approach, useful also for teaching purposes. The analysis of historical and social aspects is finalised to the systematic comprehension of geological theories, which are in turn useful for teaching.

Educational objectives

Objectivies
Basic knowledge of microfossils and their applications in paleoenvironmental and
paleoclimatic fields. Identification of the most significant ecological groups of foraminifers.
Knowledge of the most common methods on the microfossils studies. Analysis for the
stratigraphical, paleoenvironmental and paleoclimatic reconstructions.

Learning outcomes:
Skills and Attributes: Successful students will be able to apply benthic and planktic
foraminifers as proxies for paleoclimatic and paleoecological reconstructions. At the end of
the course the average student will be able to do a micropaleontological analyses on
incoherent e coherent materials by mean of the most common ecological foraminiferal
groups, and to reconstruct a paleoclimatic curve. They will be able to do a n
environmental characterization and to apply the biomonitoring methods.

Educational objectives

Educational goals: This course has the aim of teaching the basic principles of hydrogeology, to be used for research and quantitative evaluation of renewable groundwater resources. Students will understand and evaluate the hydrological budget, will know groundwater flow mechanisms and will read and understand hydrogeological maps and reports.

Learning outcomes: Knowledge and Understanding: Comprehension of basic concepts of groundwater flow and dynamics, evaluation of water budget components
Skills and Attributes: Reading and interpretation of hydrogeological maps, direct measurements on field of hydrological parameters

Educational objectives

Educational goals: the aim is to give the student the basic knowledge about the volcanic processes and the main tools for work with success on volcanic terrain.

Learning ouctomes: he students who have passed the examination will know the main features of structures and of volcanic rocks and will have the basic concepts to understand the eruptive processes. The students who have passed the examination will be able to classify the volcanic rocks and discriminate through analysis of the different styles facies eruptive that have generated. They also will have a particular experience on volcanic rocks emerging in the city of Rome.

Educational objectives

Educational goals: Knowledge of the major metallogenic processes. Knowledge of the main classifications of mineral deposits. Acquisition of the basic principles of ore mineralogy for the identification of metallic ores. Knowledge of the main physical and mechanical properties of stone materials. Knowledge of the processes of degradation of stone materials and the main forms of alteration. Acquisition of the main investigation techniques for the characterization of stone materials.

Learning outcomes: Students will acquire basic elements on the origin, the main characteristics of the mineralizing fluids and the main types of mineral deposits. Students who pass the exam will be able to apply concepts and principles useful to recognize the main types of mineral deposits and frame the metallogenic processes in relation to their different geodynamic environments.
Acquire basic elements on the main physical and mechanical properties of stone materials, the processes of degradation of stone materials and the main forms of alteration. Apply important concepts and principles to recognize the main forms of alteration of stone materials and define the main physical and mechanical properties of stone materials. In addition, at the end of the course students will be able to characterize using various analytical methods the main types of stone materials. In addition, at the end of the course students will be able to recognize the main metallic minerals by microscopic observations in reflected light.

Educational objectives

Educational goals: The Structural Geology course is focused on the characterization of geometry, kinematics and mechanics of the deformed geological structures. During the course we spend considerable time developing a sense of the importance of a careful geometrical characterization of the deformed structures. Students are forced to think about the data needed to solve structural problems, and about how to plot and interpret data, use equations to solve simple mechanical models and to organize the results in a presentation that can be useful for other people. This exercise helps students to develop problem-solving skills that solidify their understanding of important equations and processes, as well as prepare them to do well in the exams. The main topics of the course are: Strain, Folds, Stress, Rock Mechanics, Fault Rocks and Shear Zones.

Learning outcomes: At the end of the course the students will be able to answer questions such as where are the structures located in the rocks? How are they oriented in space and with respect to one another? What are their characteristics? These observations are vital for structural geology because they represent the starting point that guides the formulation of kinematic and mechanical models.

Educational objectives

Educational goals: Application of the basic geoscientific knowledges in the analysis of the Italian geology

Learning ouctomes: Skills to develop by themselves a geological regional study, integrating all the analytical methods acquired in the mandatory fundamental courses of the three years geology program

Educational objectives

Developing competences and learning outcomes
The goal of this course is to provide the students with basic knowledge, both practical and theoretical, regarding the main instruments used in the geosciences.

Educational goals: Successful students will have the basic skills to analyze time series acquired through the instruments explained in class. They will have a medium/good knowledge of the programming language Python. They will understand the technical and theoretical inner working of the various instruments.

Acquired skills: Successful students will know how to operate instruments such as DCDT-LVDT, GPS, Strain gauges, and Seismometers and will be able to interpret the data. They will know how to design a program to analyze time series.

Educational objectives

"Paleobiology of Dinosaurs with Elements of Ichnology" is a course aimed at providing a general understanding of dinosaurs, a highly successful group of vertebrates that dominated terrestrial environments throughout the Mesozoic Era. Following a historical introduction on the discoveries and early studies of dinosaurs, the course will focus on numerous paleobiological aspects of this important group of tetrapods, covering macroevolutionary aspects, diversity of diets and trophic chains, behavior, metabolism, and paleobiogeographic distribution. Another topic covered will be the various theories proposed for the extinction of dinosaurs, a subject that is still the subject of lengthy and extremely vital debates. In addition, the basics for the study of terrestrial tetrapod footprints, in particular dinosaur footprints, will be provided, with in-depth exploration of new methods and 3D technologies for reconstructing zoological producers of footprints. Several focuses will also be presented on new discoveries in the Italian fossil record and their important implications for the paleobiogeography and geodynamics of the Mediterranean area.

Learning outcomes:

The course allows for the acquisition of basic and advanced knowledge regarding the paleobiology of dinosaurs, macroevolutionary dynamics, and the study and interpretation of fossil footprints. As a result, students will be able to critically approach and read publications on these topics, analyze and interpret terrestrial tetrapod footprints, and use new 3D techniques and methodologies for the study of both body fossils and footprints.

Educational objectives

Objectives:

-Identification and classification of carbonate rocks
-Identification of the depositional environments through the analyses of the texture and the main components of carbonate rocks
-Identification of the main types of cements and diagenetic environment.

At the end of the course, the student must acquire the basic knowledge in the observation of carbonate rocks in thin sections with a petrographic microscope. Thanks to the acquired knowledge, the student will be able to classify carbonate rocks and identify their depositional and diagenetic environments