Introduction to Earth Sciences

Code:

GEOGR072

Acronym:

ICT

Instance: 2013/2014 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Geography
Course/CS Responsible:	Bachelor in Geography

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
GEOGR	99	GEOGR - Study Plan	1	-	6	-
HISTO	21	HISTO - Study Plan	2	-	6	-
			3

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

- Acquire the concepts of change and evolution of the Earth as a dynamic system that interact in various earth 'spheres' (sub-systems). - Understand the geologic time scale and its implications in terms of processes that determine the dynamics of the environment. - Understand and frame the information underlying principles and theories related to plate tectonics, their geomorphological and geostructural implications.-  Identify the characteristics of the main types of rocks and minerals. - Analyze and discuss the diversity and interdependence of the natural and man-made environments, looking for relevant information and updated in several sources, appropriate and credible.

Learning outcomes and competences

- Acquire the concepts of change and evolution of the Earth as a dynamic system that interact in various earth 'spheres' (sub-systems). - Understand the geologic time scale and its implications in terms of processes that determine the dynamics of the environment. - Understand and frame the information underlying principles and theories related to plate tectonics, their geomorphological and geostructural implications.-  Identify the characteristics of the main types of rocks and minerals. - Analyze and discuss the diversity and interdependence of the natural and man-made environments, looking for relevant information and updated in several sources, appropriate and credible.

Working method

Presencial

Program

THEORY 1. Earth, a planet evolving 1.1. The Earth System and its sub-systems: atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere and biosphere 1.2. Geological time scale. 1.3. Key events associated with the evolution of the Earth. 1.4. Elementary principles of stratigraphy 2. Plate Tectonics: Earth moving. 2.1.Inner earth structure. 2.2. The theory of plate tectonics. 2.3. Types of contacts and their implications. 2.4. Orogeny and plate tectonics. 3. Petrogenetic cycle and types of rocks. 3.1. The petrogenetic cycle. 3.2. Rock-forming minerals. 3.3. Magmatic: genesis, composition and classification. 3.4. Sedimentary rocks: sediment genesis and typology. 3.5. Metamorphic rocks: types of metamorphism and associated metamorphic rocks. 4. Biosphere 4.1. Biosphere organization and functioning. 4.2. Major Biomes and their distribution. 4.3. Basic principles of pedology. 4.4. Impacts of human activities on ecosystems and biodiversity. PRACTICE 1. Key elements of Topographic Mapping 1.1. Cartographic series of Army Geographic Institute 1.2. Topographic profiles 1.3. Hypsometric maps. 2. Macroscopic identification of minerals and rocks 3. Key elements of the Geological Mapping 3.1. Lithological maps 3.2. Geological cross sections

Mandatory literature

BRIGGS, D.; SMITHSON, P.; ADDISON, K.; ATKINSON, K. ; Fundamentals of the Physical Environment, Routledge, 1997
HAMBLIN, W.K.; CHRISTIANSEN, E.H. ; Earth's dynamic systems, Prentice Hall, 2004
PEDRAZA GILSANZ, J. ; Geomorfología. Principios, Métodos y Aplicaciones., Rueda, 1996
PIDWIRNY, M.; Fundamentals of Physical Geography, 2006
RITTER, M; The Physical Environment: An Introduction to Physical Geography., 2006
STRAHLER, A. ; Geologia Física, Omega, 1992

Complementary Bibliography

GRADSTEIN, F.; OGG, J. ; A Geologic Time Scale, Cambridge University Press, 2006
WILLIE, P.J. ; A Terra. Nova Geologia Global., Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, 1995
COSTA, J.B. ; Estudo e classificação das rochas por exame macroscópico, Fundação Caloust Gulbenkien, 2008. ISBN: 978-972-31-0131-7

Teaching methods and learning activities

Diverse methods are used in order to enable students to acquire the skills mentioned above.

keywords

Natural sciences > Environmental science > Earth science > Physical geography

Evaluation Type

Evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Exame	100,00
Total:	100,00

Calculation formula of final grade

Theoretical: 75% ; Pratical: 25%

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

According to the evaluation rules of the FLUP.

Classification improvement

According to the evaluation rules of the FLUP.