A. Knowledge and understanding (Knowledge and understanding):

The spillover of this knowledge has a considerable role and significance in the design of the most appropriate geophysical investigations, as support for studies aimed at the mitigation of natural hazards, in the fields of archaeology and cultural heritage, and as propaedeutic in the design and land use planning phase. The required skills consist of a good command of the physical and mathematical principles governing wave propagation, aimed at knowledge of the subsurface.

B. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding (Applying knowledge and understanding):

The student will be able to apply the knowledge acquired, about geophysical methodologies, for the characterization of soils in subsoil in urban areas, archaeological areas etc. He will also be able to perform field surveys using geoelectrical methods (ERT), Electromagnetic (G.P.R.) Seismic (Tomography) and to interpret the results obtained for underground modelling. 

C. Autonomy of judgment (Making judgements):

The student will be encouraged to deepen independently the topics covered, writing detailed reports on the techniques used and the procedures for analyzing geophysical data. Through the involvement in practical case studies, you will be encouraged to develop an independent approach to the selection and evaluation of geophysical methodologies most appropriate to the different contexts being investigated. In addition, critical engagement with colleagues and the teacher will be strongly promoted, allowing the student to reflect on their learning path and monitor their progress continuously. 

D. Communication skills (Communication skills):

Active participation in lessons, field trips, consultation of the study material indicated will help the student to develop the ability to communicate and argue critically with clarity and precision, the choice of the use of different methodologies, analysis procedures and results of geophysical analyses. The student will be able to use a rigorous technical-scientific language, appropriate to the context of applied geophysics. 

E. Learning skills (Learning skills):

Through practical exercises in the field and laboratory and the application of geophysical survey methodologies, the student will be guided to improve their study method. It will also be able to tackle new issues related to applied geophysics on its own, recognising the prerequisites necessary for understanding new tools and techniques of analysis.

 21 hours (3CFU) of frontal lessons

36 hours (3CFU) of field and laboratory activities

Information for students with disabilities and/or Specific Learning Disorders (SLDs)

In order to ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with current laws, interested students can request a personal meeting to plan any compensatory and/or exemption measures, based on the educational objectives and specific needs.

It is also possible to contact the CInAP (Center for Active and Participatory Integration - Services for Disabilities and/or SLDs) reference professor of our Department, Prof. Giorgio De Guidi.

• discrete knowledge of mathematics and physics

• required

Electrical Methods: The electrical resistivity of rocks. Archie's formula. Anisotropy, longitudinal conductance, transverse resistance, principles of equivalence and suppression. Instrumentation. Energizing section. Receiving section. Signal acquisition in cases of low signal to noise ratio. Resistivity method. Current flow in a homogeneous medium: theoretical foundations. Electrode devices. Resistivity profiles and surveys. Data acquisition in the field. Data analysis and interpretation. The use of the logarithmic scale. Direct and inverse interpretation. Superposition method. Auxiliary point method for interpretation of curves with more than three layers. Auxiliary graphs. Use of computer for interpretation. Apparent resistivity maps, pseudosection. Reconstruction of impermeable conductive substrate for hydrogeological surveys. Selection of appropriate geoelectrical surveys for archaeological surveys and engineering purposes. Conventional electrical coring. Choice of methodologies to be used in the campaign for survey optimization. 2D and 3D electrical tomography. Application cases. 

Seismic Methods: Volume waves and surface waves. Wave propagation. Snell's law. Fermat's principle. Diffraction. Acoustic impedance. Transmission and reflection coefficients. seismic velocities. Seismic instrumentation. Seismic sources. Reflection seismic: horizontal reflector, normal moveout; inclined reflector, dip moveout. Campaign methods in reflection seismic. Refraction seismic: single horizontal refractor; multiple horizontal refractors; tilted refractor. Case of vertical faulting. Hidden layers. Discontinuous refractors. Delay time method. Generalized Reciprocal Method (GRM). Field methods in refraction seismic. In-hole seismic measurements; up-hole method; down-hole method; cross-hole method. Selection of methodologies to be used in the campaign for optimization of investigations. Seismic tomography.

Electromagnetic Methods: The Ground Penetrating Radar (georadar). Instrument characteristics and principles of operation. Data acquisition, processing and interpretation. Transmitting and receiving antennas. Choice of antenna frequency. Considerations of G.P.R. prospecting. limitations of G.P.R. prospecting. application examples.

TELFORD W. M., GELDART L.P., SHERIFF R.E., KEYS D.A. - “Applied Geophysics” - Cambridge University Press, 1976.
Reynolds J.M. (1997): An introduction to Applied and Environmental Geophysics. J. Wiley & Sons, Chichester, 796 pp.
M. Corrao e G. Coco: Geofisica applicata. Con particolare riferimento alle prospezioni sismiche, elettriche, elettromagnetiche e geotermiche. 2021, Flaccovio Dario editore

Appropriate presentations on the topics covered will be provided

• oral examination

1. electric tomographies 2D and 3D
2. seismic tomography
3. laws of geometric optics
4. electromagnetic prospections
5. georadar sections and radargrams