At the end of the course, students will have acquired knowledge about: - Fundamental principles of the Earth Science: geological timescales, principles of stratigraphy, Earth’s internal and external structure features - Main mineralogical and petrographic characteristics of rocks, tectonic structures, landscape morphologies and sedimentary deposits - Guidelines for geological maps analysis - Guidelines and methodologies for geological cross-sections construction and analysis At the end of the course, students will have acquired abilities for: - Identifying minerals and classifying rocks - Drawing geological cross-sections and interpreting geological and hydrogeological maps at different scales - Using technical language for the description of geological structures and the analysis of geological settings

Basic knowledge of mathematics, physics, chemistry and geography.

The course is subdivided into three main sections. Section I: The Earth system: the geochemical composition of the crust and the subdivision of the Earth on a geophysical basis (Preliminary Reference Earth Model). The general classification of minerals and rocks: igneous (intrusive and effusive), sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. The cycle of rocks. Structure, texture, and attitude of the rocks. Weathering of the rocks (2 credits) Section II: Principles of sedimentary geology. Sedimentary environments, landscape morphologies, and deposits: Alluvial plains and alluvial fans, meanders, deltas, and coastal areas (1 credit) Section III: Principles of structural geology (folds, faults), geodynamics (plate tectonics, volcanism, seismicity) Elements of geological mapping: attitude of geological layers and their relationships with the topography (topographic map) Principles of hydrogeology: underground water circulation, the geology of the aquifers aquifer and hydrogeological basins Landslides and geological in-situ tests (direct and indirect methods) (1.8 credits) Exercises (1.2 credits): Macroscopic recognition of rock samples Interpretation of geological maps at different scales and construction of geological sections (traditional methods and/or use of available open-source software)

Lessons and exercises will be held in plenary sessions. The course is organised as follows: 42 h dedicated to lectures on basic theoretical aspects and 18 h dedicated to practical exercises. Technical visits are planned for the in situ observation of rocks, sediments and landscape morphologies.

Reference books: Parriaux A. (2018) – GEOLOGY Basic for Engineers. CRC Press Second Edition. Blyth F.G.H., De Freitas M. H. (2006) - A Geology for Engineers. Published by Elsevier Ltd. Material available on the Polito website: books, lecture slides, videos, collection of exercises.

Lecture notes; Lab exercises; Multimedia materials;

Exam: Written test; Optional oral exam;

Written test; Optional oral exam. The exam is aimed at evaluating theoretical knowledge and practical abilities acquired during the course. In detail, the written exam is meant for verifing the above reported skills (see Expected Learning Outcomes): identifying minerals and classifying rocks, drawing geological cross-sections and interpreting geological maps at different scales, using technical language for the description of geological phenomena, structures and the analysis of the specific cartography. The written examination lasts 1 hour and consists of a set of closed (15) and open (4) questions, numerically evaluated. In the open questions, the notational clarity and the exhibition rigor allow acquiring the laude. During the examination, it is not allowed to hold and consult notebooks, books, sheets with exercises, forms, calculators. The results of the written exam are communicated on the teaching portal, together with the date on which students who pass the written exam (>18/30) can ask to take the optional oral exam. The oral exam (2-3 questions) is designed to assess the main concepts learned and may confirm or adjust the grade from the written test (increasing or decreasing it by up to 3 points). It covers the entire course content and lasts between 15 and 20 minutes. Additionally, the oral exam may be conducted at the discretion of the instructor if further clarification is needed after the written test.

In addition to the message sent by the online system, students with disabilities or Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) are invited to directly inform the professor in charge of the course about the special arrangements for the exam that have been agreed with the Special Needs Unit. The professor has to be informed at least one week before the beginning of the examination session in order to provide students with the most suitable arrangements for each specific type of exam.