GEOLOGY WITH LABORATORY
Academic Year 2026/2027 - Teacher: ROSANNA MANISCALCOExpected Learning Outcomes
The aim of this module is to introduce students to the fundamental principles of Geology, with particular emphasis on the description of sedimentary successions, their correlation in time and space, and their deformation. Specifically, with reference to the Dublin Descriptors, the course aims to provide the following knowledge and skills.
Knowledge and Understanding
By the end of the course, students will have knowledge and understanding on:
Origin and composition of rocks;
Fundamental phenomena and processes of organisms and the environment;
Classification of sedimentary rocks;
Mechanisms of integration between organisms and the physical landscape;
Methods for dating a sedimentary succession and the main principles;
Elements used to define the deformation of a rock body.
Ability to Apply Knowledge and Understanding
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
Apply the Scientific method;
Ability to solve problems in the natural and environmental sciences;
Describe and classify rock bodies based on basic units;
Read a geological map.
Independent judgment
The student will be able to contextualize the scientific knowledge and skills acquired.
Communication Skills
Students will acquire the necessary communication skills and technical and scientific language;
Skills to disseminate and communicate information on current environmental issues.
Course Structure
Lessons take place mainly in classroom and slides in .ppt or .pdf format will be made available. Practicals on course contents, field trips and exercises will be carried out. Learning assessment may also be carried out on line, should the conditions require it. Should teaching be carried out in mixed mode or remotely, it may be necessary to introduce changes with respect to previous statements, in line with the programme planned and outlined in the syllabus.The course is English friendly: The teacher provides teaching materials and further information in English upon request.
Required Prerequisites
Attendance of Lessons
Detailed Course Content
Definition and goals. The stratigraphic record. Stratigraphic principles. Principle of superposition and exceptions. Polarity of the layers. Principle of horizontality of layers and exceptions. Principle of lateral continuity and exceptions. Lithostratigraphic and lithological unit. Lithostratigraphic correlation. Continuous and discontinuous sedimentary successions. Concept of stratigraphic hiatus. Stratigraphic boundaries and their variation in space and time.
Transgression and Regression. Relative variations in sea level. Unconformities: definition and types. Elements of sequence stratigraphy. Biostratigraphic Unit. The guide fossils and biostratigraphic correlation. Radiometric dating. Radioactive Decay and half-life. Geological time scale. Chronological Units and Chronostratigraphy. Relations between Chronostratigraphic Units and the other Units. Faults and folds. Strata and sedimentary successions. Dip and orientation of strata. Drawing a stratigraphic log. Geological map and sections.
Textbook Information
1. L. Trevisan, G. Giglia. Introduzione alla Geologia, Pacini Ed. 2003
2. Aubouin, J. et al. (1973) Compendio di geologia / J. Aubouin, R. Brousse ; edizione italiana a cura di F. Ippolito, B. D’argenio, T. Pescatore. Milano: Ambrosiana.
3. Nichols G. Sedimentology and Stratigraphy. Second Edition. Wiley-Blackwell
4. Notes provided by the teacher.
| Author | Title | Publisher | Year | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gary Nichols | Sedimentology and Stratigraphy 2e | Wiley-Backwell | 2009 | 9781405135924 |
| L. Trevisan, G. Giglia | Introduzione alla Geologia | Pacini Editore | 2003 | 8877814829 |
| J. Aobouin, R. Brousse; F. Ippolito, B. D'Argenio, T. Pescatore | Compendio di Geologia | Milano: Ambrosiana | 1973 |
Course Planning
| Subjects | Text References | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Definition and aims of Geology | 1,2 |
| 2 | Stratigraphic record | 1,2,3 |
| 3 | Stratigraphic principles | 1,2,3 |
| 4 | Stratigraphic boundaries: vertical and lateral variations | 1,2,3 |
| 5 | Transgression and regression | 1,2,3 |
| 6 | Unconformities | 1,2,3 |
| 7 | Lithological and lithostratigraphic correlation | 1,2,3 |
| 8 | Continuous and discontinuous successions | 1,2,3 |
| 9 | Biostratigraphic Units | 1,2,3 |
| 10 | Radiometric dating and limits | 1,2,3 |
| 11 | Geologic timescale | 1,2,3 |
| 12 | Chronological and chronostratigraphic units | 1,2,3 |
| 13 | Elements of tectonic deformation: faults and folds | 1,2 |
| 14 | Relationship between orientation of strata and morphology. | 4 |
| 15 | Geological maps and sections | 4 |
Learning Assessment
Learning Assessment Procedures
Learning assessment consist of three written (mid-term) exams and written and oral final exam. Candidates may in any case participate in the final exam even without attending the mid-term exams. The grade of the each mid-term exam (grade from 6 to 10), if greater than or equal to 18/30, contributes to the formulation of the final grade. Learning assessment may also be carried out on line, should the conditions require it. Learning assessment may also be carried out on line, should the conditions require it. Should teaching be carried out in mixed mode or remotely, it may be necessary to introduce changes with respect to previous statements, in line with the programme planned and outlined in the syllabus.
To ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with current laws, interested students may request a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures based on educational objectives and specific needs. Students can also contact the CInAP (Centro per l’integrazione Attiva e Partecipata — Servizi per le Disabilità e/o i DSA) referring teacher within their department (https://www.cinap.unict.it/content/referenti).