The course is aimed at the acquisition of the fundamental theoretical and methodological principles of Geomorphology and Remote Sensing.

In particular, the course is aimed at the acquisition of:

1. theoretical knowledge for the understanding of relief shapes and the processes that generated them in order to describe and classify them and to analyse their evolution in the short, medium and long term in various climatic contexts and in particular geo-lithological areas.

2. practical skills in recognising and describing geomorphological processes, and in assessing geo-hydrological risk through photo-interpretation, remote sensing and field surveys on the ground using the main instruments and dedicated platforms.

The complete learning of these aspects allows one to correctly read any aspect of the physical landscape inherent to endogenous and exogenous dynamics.

1. Introduction to geomorphology

Principles, definitions and purposes. Morphogenetic agents and processes. Physical environment and anthropization, Impact and risk. Sustainable development.

2. Geological factors of relief shaping

Tectonic forms and lithostructural forms. Relationships between hydrographic network and structures.

3. Rock degradation and soil formation

Meteoric degradation processes of rocks and related forms. Notes on pedogenesis. Soil erosion processes.

4. Karst

The processes of solution and precipitation of calcium carbonate. Karst processes and the forms that derive from them.

5. Slope modeling

Soliflux, soil creep, debris fall. Landslides.

6. Subsidence

Natural and anthropically induced subsidence phenomena.

7. Fluvial geomorphology

Fluvial forms and processes. Different types of channels. Terraces and conoids.

8. Coastal geomorphology

Litoral forms and processes. Characteristics of different types of coast.

9. Climatic geomorphology: Hot arid morphoclimatic system

Aridity, Classification of arid zones, Aspects of desert areas (ground states), The aeolian action of transport, Mechanical disintegration and corrosion, Aeolian accumulations, Effects of surface water in the desert.

10. Climatic geomorphology: Hot humid morphoclimatic system

Subdivision of morphoclimatic regions based on the water regime, Climatic characteristics, Vegetation and soil, Forms of erosion and modeling.

11. Climatic geomorphology: Glacial morphoclimatic system

Biostasis and resistasia, Changes in morphoclimatic systems, The glacial morphoclimatic system, Genesis of glaciers, Morphological classification of continental glaciers and mountain glaciers, Examination and relationship with the bed, Glacier movement and typical morphologies (cold and temperate ice), transport of material, Moraines and Till, Glacial erosion forms, Glacial depositional forms: marginal, proglacial and deglaciation, Residual mountain landscapes.

12. Climatic Geomorphology - Periglacial Morphoclimatic System

Physical aspects of the periglacial environment, Permafrost and taliks, Grassy cushions, Fissures, ice wedges and tundra polygons, Pingo and palsa, Structured terrains, Thermokarst, Stone glaciers, Frost flow lobes, Nivation niches, Avalanches.

13. Introduction to Remote Sensing

Concept of remote sensing, The advantage of a remote sensor, The complementarity between different images, The disadvantages of remote sensing, Main phases of remote sensing

14. Propagation of electromagnetic energy and electromagnetic spectrum.

Natural and artificial electromagnetic energy, Active and passive sensors, Interaction with the atmosphere, The electromagnetic field, Wavelength, frequency and period, Polarization of waves, The electromagnetic spectrum and spectral bands, The spectral bands used for the characterization of the Earth's surface.

15. Interactions between electromagnetic energy and the atmosphere

Absorption and transmission through the atmosphere, Transmission windows, Principles of atmospheric diffusion, Rayleigh scattering and Mie scattering, Interactions of EM energy with the Earth's surface (reflection and absorption), Specular and diffuse reflection, Reflectance curve, Soil and reflectance, Water and reflectance.

16. Earth observation

Components of an earth observation system: 1) Target, 2) Source of the electromagnetic field, 3) Medium of radiation propagation, 4) Sensors (Passive and Active), 5) Platforms. Satellites (polar, quasi-polar, geo-stationary, sun-synchronous orbit) and orbital parameters, Subsystems of space platforms.

17. Optical Remote Sensing - Aerial Photography

The optical system, Photographic systems and electro-optical systems, Geometric and angular resolution, Radiometric and spectral resolution, Temporal resolution, Aerial photography (vertical and oblique), Photographic film, Spatial characteristics of aerial photography, Distortions in optical remote sensing, Multispectral scanners.

18. Coastal Remote Sensing

Use of aerial photographs (vertical and oblique), Coastline variations and beach evolution, Analysis of erosive and depositional processes, Conditions for geomorphometric and geomorphological interpretation, Marine erosion terraces, Coastal dune systems, Spatio-temporal interpretation of images through the GIS system, Integrated use of aerial photographs with ground surveys, Mapping of natural hazards, Submarine survey: bathymetry, The role of remote sensing in coastal management planning.

19. Thermal infrared remote sensing

The infrared band, Kirchoff's radiation laws, Stephan-Boltzmann law, Black body, white body and grey body concepts, Resolution and thermographic survey, Multitemporal survey, Thermographic analysis on pixels, Terrestrial, UAV and aerial platforms, Advantages and disadvantages of the technique and applications, analysis of building characteristics: anomalies and criticalities, Application to cultural heritage, Geological case studies with integration of analytical techniques.

20. Satellite Positioning and Navigation System

Global navigation satellite system and pseudolites, The segments of the GNSS system (space, control, use), Satellite constellations, Theoretical principles of operation, The differential system (DGNSS), Survey methods (static, post-processed kinematic, RTK kinematic), RTK kinematic survey technique – DGNSS, Example of static survey: Measurement of subsidence, Example of RTK survey: Mapping of river belts, The geocentric Cartesian reference system (WGS84) and the geoid, Example of RTK survey: Linear infrastructures.

Introduction to earth sciences and geological field

Knowledge and understanding

The student should be able to:

-  understand the principles related to the origin of relief shapes in relation to the activity of morphogenetic agents in different morphoclimatic contexts.

-  know the main theoretical assumptions related to remote sensing and the main procedures related to the use of remote sensing in the different geomorphological domains of application.

Applying knowledge and understanding

The student will have to show the ability to use the specific language of the addressed disciplines with which he/she will be called upon to demonstrate his/her level of knowledge and understanding.

The student shall have assimilated the fundamental knowledge of the morphodynamic evolutionary mechanisms occurring in the geosphere and shall be able to apply the notions and principles useful to identify the derived relief forms in order to predict their evolution by means of field observations, photo-interpretation and remote sensing.

Making judgements

The student must be able to critically evaluate the complex atmosphere-hydrosphere-lithosphere system, maturing the autonomous capacity of observation, data collection and interpretation for the recognition of relief forms and geomorphological processes to be integrated and applied also with the other teachings.

Furthermore, for each of the natural studied phenomena, the student must be able to mature an autonomous judgement on the incidence of the different physical factors on the territory.

Communication skills

The student will acquire the ability to expose the evolutionary system underlying the different geomorphological processes and their interconnections with a specific technical language, both to interface with expert and non-expert audience, recognising the different correct weight in each  controlling factors. The student will also achieve lexical descriptive skills of the morphodynamic processes at work from theoretical morpho-climatic frameworks by using the discipline's own terms in a pertinent manner. Furthermore, the student will acquire the technical language regarding modern remote sensing technologies for the collection, representation and management of spatial information.

Learning skills

The student must be able to build his/her scientific growth in the field of geomorphology and remote sensing in a critical and autonomous manner, being able to use the acquired knowledge. These skills will be stimulated by the lecturer by proposing in-depth studies. The student will therefore be able to independently investigate specific concepts, not presented during the course, in scientific texts. The basic notions acquired during the course are fundamental prerequisites for the continuation of studies in the Degree Course.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Supporting teaching activities and ongoing assessment are not foreseen. However, any specific communications from the teacher can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Teaching

The course will take place through continuous interaction during frontal lectures aimed at explaining each topic through slides and relational patterns in addition to practical exercises with a single or team approach.

Innovative teaching methods

In-person teaching will be supported by exercises and in-depth analysis, both individual and in groups, that students will carry out using the University Moodle platform. Some topics of the course will be covered following the following teaching practices:

• Problem-Based Learning (learning by solving problems)
• Learning by doing (simulation of scenarios, etc.)

Attendance

Attendance is strongly recommended, but not mandatory.

Course books

1.  PANIZZA M. (2014) – Geomorfologia. Pitagora Ed. Italian edition.

2.  CASTIGLIONI G.B. (1991) - Geomorfologia. UTET. Italian edition.

3.  CICCACCI S. (2015) – Le forme del rilievo: atlante illustrato di geomorfologia. Mondadori. Italian edition.

4.  PowerPoint presentations of the lectures given during the Course (Reference texts on specific topics and insights are provided during the Course).

Assessment

The evaluation will take place through an oral exam. An intermediate assessment is planned at the end of the first semester through a written test with open questions. The time available to answer the questions is 2 hours. The overall assessment methods will be explained by the teacher at the beginning of the course.

The criteria for the evaluation are:

• Level of knowledge mastery (verification of acquired knowledge)

• Degree of the answer articulation

• Ability in thematic connection and synthesis

The exam involves an evaluation that is expressed as a grade of out of 30 as it follows:

    • <18: insufficient level of competence

    • 18-20: sufficient level of competence

    • 21-23: moderate level of competence

    • 24-26: good level of competence

    • 27-29: very good level of competence

    • 30-30 cum laude: excellent level of competence

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

Non-attending students may consult the Blended platform for the lecture material, but they are invited to contact the professor for specific information on the programme.

It is the professor's responsibility to inform non-attending students of any additional material to be presented before the exam.

Attendance

The course does not require attendance.

Non-attending students are required to communicate the professor of their intention to take the exam at least one month before the exam session (by email or in a meeting, by appointment).

Course books

1.  PANIZZA M. (2014) – Geomorfologia. Pitagora Ed.

2.  CASTIGLIONI G.B. (1991) - Geomorfologia. UTET.

3.  CICCACCI S. (2015) – Le forme del rilievo: atlante illustrato di geomorfologia. Mondadori.

4.  PowerPoint presentations of the lectures given during the Course (Reference texts on specific topics and insights are provided during the Course).

In order to give non-attending students the opportunity to compensate for what is covered during the lessons with independent study, the following material is indicated:

Fondamenti di Geografia Fisica, A. Strahler (Zanichelli). Italian edition.

It refers to the same contents of the program (and in particular to the basic concepts of the same) in order to promote the full understanding.

Assessment

Assessment

The evaluation will take place through an oral exam. An intermediate assessment is planned at the end of the first semester through a written test with open questions. The time available to answer the questions is 2 hours. The overall assessment methods will be explained by the teacher at the beginning of the course. Non-attending students are invited to contact the teacher at the beginning of the course for specific information.

The criteria for the evaluation are:

• Level of knowledge mastery (verification of acquired knowledge)

• Degree of the answer articulation

• Ability in thematic connection and synthesis

The exam involves an evaluation that is expressed as a grade of out of 30 as it follows:

    • <18: insufficient level of competence

    • 18-20: sufficient level of competence

    • 21-23: moderate level of competence

    • 24-26: good level of competence

    • 27-29: very good level of competence

    • 30-30 cum laude: excellent level of competence

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.