EARTH SCIENCES: PRINCIPLES AND LABORATORY - 2 - LAB

The teaching falls within the area of Earth Sciences, is characteristic of the Degree Course in Environmental Sciences and is composed of 4 modules (parts). Module 1 (mineralogy and petrography) and Module 3 (geological processes) are organized on frontal lectures, while Module 2 (rock recognition lab) and Module 4 (cartography lab) consist of laboratory and practical activities, exercises and didactic fieldwork. Earth Sciences is a “caratterizzante” teaching in Environmental Sciences, i.e. the theoretical contents and laboratory activities aim to provide the student with the basics to develop and understand the subsequent teachings delivered during the degree course. In addition, the program is structured to provide the student with a multidisciplinary vision of Earth Sciences, encompassing many disciplines, such as mineralogy, petrography, sedimentology, geophysics, geochemistry, volcanology, cartography and geographic information systems.

The teaching on Earth Sciences (Modules 1-4) aims to provide the student with the basis for understanding the geological-physical characteristics of the environment, mineralogy, petrography and geochemistry, and distribution of the various types of rocky outcrops. Some basic concepts of sedimentology, stratigraphy, geomorphology, and structural geology are also discussed. The Earth will be studied as an undisturbed (natural) system; this is the basis for understanding changes and impacts triggered by anthropic activities. In particular, this teaching aims to (i) describing the structure of the Earth, (ii) analyzing the geological processes, (iii) describing the types and properties of the main minerals of the rocks; (iv) identifying a rock and understanding its properties; (v) studying the processes which lead to the degradation and erosion of rocks; (vi) “reading” the lithostratigraphic units to trace the geological processes; (vii) understanding plate tectonics and being able to read the deformations of the continental crust; (viii) knowing and correctly interpreting a topographic map and being able to read a geological map. In this way, the graduate student in Environmental Sciences will acquire the competencies needed to communicate with the Earth Science specialists during his/her future professional career.

Module 2 aims to consolidate the concepts introduced in Module 1 through hands-on laboratory and field activities. Specifically, the learning objectives of Module 2 are: (i) the development of operational and practical skills in mineralogy and petrography, and (ii) the enhancement of observational, descriptive, and interpretative abilities applicable to professional and research settings in environmental and geological sciences. Essentially, Module 2 provides the practical training required for graduates in Environmental Sciences to recognize and classify crystal forms, minerals, and rocks. The identification and characterization of geological materials are key competencies for understanding geological processes that influence the natural environment, analyzing interactions between the geosphere and environmental systems, and are fundamental for fieldwork and professional practice in the environmental sector. These skills are therefore essential to address environmental issues such as land monitoring, sustainable management of natural resources, geological risk assessment, and environmental planning.

The teaching of Fundamentals of Earth Science and Laboratory aims to provide the student with a broad and comprehensive introduction to Earth Sciences by using reasoning and concepts of Geology to understand the environment. Modules 1 and 2 are complementary and therefore share many of the expected learning outcomes. Attendance and participation in the formative activities of Module 1 (lectures, seminars) and Module 2 (laboratory, excursions) will allow the student to:

1. Knowledge and understanding
1a. Knowing the basic concepts and appropriate terminology used in Earth Sciences;
1b. Understanding the chemical-physical processes that generated the various types of rocks;
1c. Understanding the geological, geographical and climatic factors of physical degradation, chemical alteration and erosion of rocks;
1d. Use the knowledge acquired in the frontal lessons in the analysis of natural resources and the vulnerability of the territory using specific and interdisciplinary laboratories to be carried out in the field;
1e. Understand the environmental dynamics, the processes inside the Earth and their external effects;

2. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
2a. Knowing how to correctly use terminology and geological principles in all the processes of application and communication of Environmental Sciences;
2b. Knowing how to identify the geological processes that shaped the planet and understand its mechanisms and products;
2c. Knowing how to identify and describe the most common types of rock, their mineralogical composition, their properties and the formation environments;
2d. Knowing how to describe the physical and chemical degradation processes of rocks;
2e. Ability to apply mineralogical and petrographic knowledge to the identification and classification of rocks in the laboratory and in the field;
2f. Ability to classify igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks through the observation of structural and textural features, mineral assemblages, and by using appropriate classification diagrams (e.g., QAPF diagram and Dunham classification);

3. Ability to judge:
3a. Knowing how to formulate and argue hypotheses on the basis of the concepts learned during teaching;
3b. Knowing how to apply knowledge and tools of Earth Sciences to explain the shape, composition and properties of the Earth system;
3c. Knowing how to apply a critical and multidisciplinary approach;
3d. Ability to recognize crystal structures and their symmetry elements, and to apply symmetry operations in order to classify crystal forms;
3e. Ability to systematically identify mineralogical structures and textures;
3f. Ability to critically analyze observations of crystal forms, minerals, and rocks, including for the purpose of producing technical reports;

4. Communication skills
4a. Knowing how to communicate the concepts learned in the geological field, using appropriate terminology;
4b. Knowing how to interact with different professional figures that a graduate in Environmental Sciences will find along his/her professional career, such as biologists, chemists, geologists, doctors, epidemiologists, as well as with figures of non-scientific fields (politicians, economists, etc.);
4c. Knowing how to simplify and summarize the concepts of Earth Sciences to the general public, using simple and direct terminology;

5. Learning skills
5a. Knowing how to apply the concepts learned in the classroom to real case studies;
5b. Knowing how to read the geological and environmental processes that have shaped a territory;
5c. Knowing how to critically consult the reference texts and know how to interpret the bibliography that will be proposed during the didactic path.

Basic knowledge of inorganic chemistry. Attendance of Module 1 is strongly recommended as it is preparatory to understanding the contents of Module 2.

Module 2 is divided into two complementary parts: one dedicated to the classification of minerals, the other to the recognition of rocks.

Part 1 (mineral classification) begins with an introductory lecture that briefly revisits key concepts covered in Module 1, such as the structure and composition of the Earth's crust, definitions of minerals, rocks, and crystals, and the crystallization process. Students learn to classify minerals into the crystal groups, systems, and classes introduced in Module 1, using basic 3D models to identify symmetry elements and degrees of symmetry characteristic of crystal systems. Detailed topics include crystal morphology, symmetry, symmetry elements (axes, planes, and center of symmetry), and symmetry operations.

Subsequently, a selection of minerals from the department's collection is presented and discussed in the lab, based on their crystal-chemical classification (Strunz classification): native elements, sulfides, halides, oxides and hydroxides, carbonates, sulfates, phosphates and vanadates, and silicates. Special focus is given to the classification of silicates (nesosilicates, sorosilicates, cyclosilicates, single-chain and double-chain inosilicates, phyllosilicates, and tectosilicates), with representative samples from the collection examined in detail. Emphasis is placed on olivines, pyroxenes, amphiboles, micas, and tectosilicates such as quartz and feldspars.

Part 2 (macroscopic rock identification) consists of practical exercises focused on the macroscopic identification of rocks exposed to the Earth's surface. The activities begin with igneous rocks, emphasizing the recognition of textures and structures in intrusive and extrusive rocks, as well as the identification of constituent minerals. Classification tools include the QAPF (Streckeisen) diagrams for both intrusive and extrusive rocks, Pl-Px-Ol and Pl-Opx-Cpx diagrams for gabbroic rocks, and the Ol-Opx-Cpx diagram for peridotites and pyroxenites. Next, sedimentary rocks are covered, starting with a brief overview of the sedimentary cycle and classification into clastic, biochemical, and chemical rocks. Students learn to recognize the structure and texture of a wide range of sedimentary rocks in the collection and how to classify them. Particular attention is given to the Dunham classification. Finally, metamorphic rocks are addressed, revisiting relevant concepts from Module 1. Emphasis is placed on the identification of structure and texture in metamorphic rock samples and on recognizing mineralogical parageneses. Module 2 concludes with practical review sessions in preparation for the final exam and a field trip during which students will apply rock identification and classification techniques in the field.

Reference book for the Earth Sciences: principles and laboratory:
Grotzinger, J.P., Jordan, T.H. Capire la Terra. Terza edizione italiana condotta sulla settima edizione americana, Zanichelli, 2016. ISBN: 978-8808821232 [https://www.zanichelli.it/ricerca/prodotti/capire-la-terra-grotzinger-jordan ]

Some optional books and supplementary readings are available at the University library system (Scientific campus, alpha building) or upon request to the teacher:
Klein, C., Philpotts, A.R. Mineralogia e petrografia. Prima edizione italiana condotta sulla seconda edizione inglese, Zanichelli, 2018. ISBN: 978-8808320605
[https://www.zanichelli.it/ricerca/prodotti/mineralogia-e-petrografia ]

Attendance. Participation in the two field trips and in practical classes of Modules 2 and 4 (at least 75%) is mandatory for admission to the final exam. A sign-in sheet will be provided at the start of each laboratory session so that attendance will be taken every class period. In addition, it is also mandatory to deliver the topographic maps with measurements of the strata attitudes taken during the field trips. Part-time students are asked to contact the teachers to plan a course of study appropriate to their needs and timing.

Exam. The exam of Module 1 will be held together with Module 2 and consists of an oral test divided into two parts. In the first part, students have to recognize and describe a rock provided on the day of the exam. All the rocks belong to the collection of the geo-mineralogy lab and can be consulted by students during Module 2 and, on request, during the preparation of the exams at any time of the year (please contact the teachers in advance). The second part deals with the concepts presented during the lectures. A maximum of 10 points will be assigned to the first activity (rock recognition), a maximum of 20 points will be assigned to the second part (theory).

Evaluation/Grading. Overall, examinations of Modules 1+2 and 3+4 will concur to the final mark of the entire course of “Earth Sciences: Principles and Laboratory”. The marks assigned to the tests of Module 1 + 2 and Module 3 + 4 will be considered valid for a maximum period of 12 months.

oral

Evaluation Grid

28-30L: Excellent command of the topics covered in class, with precision and confidence in identifying rock samples and models of crystalline structures during the practical portion. Appropriate and precise use of scientific and mineralogical-petrographic terminology. Excellent ability to connect and integrate the topics covered. Honors are also awarded for excellent applied knowledge and understanding across the entire syllabus, combined with excellent judgment, clarity of presentation, and above-average critical thinking.

25-27: Good knowledge of the topics covered in class, with fairly accurate identification of rock samples and crystal structure models. Correct use of scientific terminology and mineralogical-petrographic terms. Good ability to connect and understand the topics.

22-24: Sufficient knowledge of the covered topics, with a fair ability to identify rock samples and crystal structure models. Use of scientific terminology and mineralogical-petrographic terms is not always precise. Limited but present ability to connect the topics.

18-21: Minimal and barely sufficient knowledge of the topics covered in class. Difficulty in identifying rock samples and crystal structure models. Sporadic and imprecise use of scientific and mineralogical-petrographic terminology. Limited and fragmented ability to connect the topics.

Module 2 is structured into practical laboratory lessons, exercises with models, minerals and rocks, and field activities during educational field trips.

The laboratory activities will take place in the teaching classrooms; students will be divided into 3 groups in order to optimize access to laboratory resources and allow closer supervision by the instructors. Generally, a specialist tutor will support the instructor throughout the lab sessions. The laboratory lessons are structured with short introductory lectures followed by practical exercises. During the lab sessions, students will analyze three-dimensional models of crystal forms, mineral samples, and rock samples available at the geo-mineralogy laboratory of the Science Campus. Since rocks are made up of aggregates of minerals, their identification is based on recognizing the mineral species present, their relationships, and their structural and textural features. Through guided exercises and direct observations in the lab, Module 2 introduces students to crystal morphology analysis, macroscopic identification of major minerals, and classification of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks using macroscopic observations and appropriate classification diagrams.

The Earth Sciences and Laboratory course also includes two educational field trips as part of Modules 2 and 4. These excursions aim to consolidate the geological knowledge acquired during lectures and lab sessions. During the field activities, students will apply the skills developed during laboratory lessons by participating in a range of hands-on activities. Specifically, the field trip for Module 2 aims to reinforce the concepts and practical skills acquired during the module. The fieldwork will include various activities such as rock sampling, measuring rock strata orientation, using maps, navigating with topographic maps, and interpreting stratigraphic sequences.

All lessons and supplementary materials are provided as PDF presentations and uploaded to the course's Moodle platform shortly after each session. Students are encouraged to check Moodle regularly to stay up to date.

Accommodations and Support Services for Students with Disabilities or Specific Learning Disorders:
Ca’ Foscari University complies with Italian Law (Law 17/1999; Law 170/2010) regarding the support services and accommodations available to students with disabilities or specific learning disorders.
If you have a motor, visual, hearing, or other disability (Law 17/1999), or a specific learning disorder (Law 170/2010), and require support (such as classroom assistance, technological aids for exams, individualized exams, accessible materials, note-taking services, specialized tutoring, interpreters, or other services), please contact the "Inclusivity and disability services" Office at: disabilita@unive.it.