Fundamentals of Earth Sciences

Code: GEO14984L

3 ECTS

Duration: 15 weeks/78 hours

Scientific Area: Geology

Teaching languages: Portuguese

Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese

Regime de Frequência: Presencial

Sustainable Development Goals

Educação de qualidade - Assegurar a educação inclusiva, e equitativa e de qualidade, e promover oportunidades de aprendizagem ao longo da vida para todos.

Trabalho digno e crescimento económico - Promover o crescimento económico sustentado, inclusivo e sustentável, emprego pleno e produtivo, e trabalho decente para todos.

Cidades e comunidades sustentáveis - Tornar as cidades e os assentamentos humanos inclusivos, seguros, resilientes e sustentáveis.

Learning Goals

a. Understand the dynamics of Planet Earth, namely its processes (internal and external geodynamics), cycles, phenomena, contingencies and consequences in geography and socio-economics.
b. To know the constitution of the Earth and the consequences of what we see and experience on the surface.
c. Identify and interpret the main and common geological occurrences: minerals, rocks, fossils, outcrops and make their connection to other natural and social sciences and humanities, including the arts.
d. Read topographic and geological maps.
e. To know the geology and geography of Portugal and its consequences in the territory.
f. Interpret the water cycle as a function of substrate, geomorphology (runoff) and infiltration (aquifer systems).
g. Acquire basic notions about spatial planning and natural/geological risks and importance for active citizenship; its geographical distribution in the country.
h. Acquire knowledge of geological citizenship.
i. To know the different regions of the country

Planet Earth: brief description of the external and internal constitution of the planet.
Tectonic cycle: from oceans to mountain ranges, its importance in the geomorphology/geography we observe local, regional and national scale.
Rock cycle: rocks and minerals.
Hydrological cycle: the water cycle and relief modelling (geomorphology and landscape).
Basics of Geography and Geology of Portugal.
Natural hazards and spatial planning.
Geological resources (minerals, energy, and sustainability. Today's major issues: mining, energy (climate change), energy transition and water.

Teaching Methods

All the syllabus of this course will initially be presented in a conceptual way, followed by applied and practical learning, through observation (e.g. rocks, letters, etc.) and doing in the theoretical-practical sessions. In the fieldwork class, to be held in the surroundings of Évora, the students will have in situ contact with the environment, geology and its relationship with other areas of knowledge, namely with the morphology of the earth's surface (geography) is an opportunity of high relevance in the learning objectives. With this activity, students will apply the knowledge acquired in the classroom in the field, namely in practical activities, and will be more motivated and prepared, as future teachers, to take their future students to the field to have direct contact with the environment.
The tutorial guidance will allow the monitoring of students through the Moodle platform (e-learning).

Assessment

Whenever it is pedagogically opportune, learning will be carried out with assignments whose evaluation will be considered in the final evaluation. The field trip is the subject of a report to be prepared by each student whose evaluation will count towards the final evaluation. That is, the final grade will be calculated with the sum of several evaluations throughout the semester.
It is therefore proposed:
- Continuous evaluation throughout the semester through the completion of 4 theoretical-practical
reports (25% each)
- Study visit report (25%)
- Final evaluation corresponds to the 3 best reports + study visit.
- Alternatively, final theoretical-practical exam.