Territory's management and enhancement

LUCA ROMAGNOLI

The study of research methods, in particular geo-oceanographical research, as part of the course is initially marked by the literature search and information can be derived from sources and data used by banks (including what can now be easily acquired by internet). It will take into consideration how collecting and analyzing data and hence their representation (also the basic mapping methods), followed by the study of trends and then forecasts of geo-oceanographical phenomena.

Illustrate some general aspects of the ocean, seas, and coasts, also with a view to acquiring the fundamentals of ocean literacy. Illustrate some examples of data collection, representation, and analysis methods, with particular reference to geographical and oceanographic research, particularly in coastal areas.

There are not specific prerequisites: basic knowledge acquired during pre-university courses and the previous three-year degree program is considered useful, particularly in physical geography, geology, geography and humanities, and traditional and computer cartography. General prior knowledge of natural sciences, literature, and history focused on the ocean and ecosystems is helpful, but not essential.

INSTRUMENTS AND METHODS OF GEO-OCEANOGRAPHICAL RESEARCH
Course for the Master's Degree- Program
Brief essential research methodology, with particular emphasis on human geography. Oceanography is introduced by the narrative of the millennia-long cognitive journey between man and the ocean. From historiographical notes on this relationship, the course moves on to illustrate the main characteristics and natural factors of marine ecosystems, and then exemplifies their relationship with human activities, particularly in coastal regions. Several methods for studying the phenomena covered by oceanographic research are then presented (from data collection to data analysis and representation, to tracking their evolution and trends). The approach to the study of the ocean is informed by essential references and concepts from the various disciplines pertaining to the natural sciences (geology, geomorphology, physical, chemical, and biological oceanography). The biosphere, the so-called "layer of life," is the sphere of close relationships between the atmosphere, oceans, and land, and is considered here. The phenomena occurring in this context are so complex and interrelated that, within the educational limits of this program, their essential features will be illustrated. Oceanography will therefore be approached with the typical approach of Ocean literacy, as defined by the IOC-UNESCO prog.: understand and illustrate the various aspects of the ocean and how they influence humanity and vice versa with regards to our influence on the ocean.

1 CARNIEL S., Oceani. Il futuro scritto nell’acqua, Milano, Hoepli, 2021 (12,90 euro).
2 BASCOM W., Onde e spiagge, Zanichelli, Bologna, 1976, pp. 10-68; pp. 84-95 e pp. 143-195 (reperire usato o in biblioteca).
3 RASOTTO M. B., La vita del mare. Forza e fragilità degli organismi marini, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2012 (9.80 euro).

RECOMMENDED READING AND DOCUMENTATION NOT SUBJECT TO EXAM QUESTIONS:

CZERSKI H., Blue Machine. How the Ocean Shapes Our World, London, Penguin Books, 2024.

TO FIND GENERAL DATA AND UPDATES ON OCEAN CONDITIONS:

ANAIS P., Introduction to MyOcean Light Viewer, In this article, we will see how to explore the Copernicus Marine products, view and download them from the MyOcean Light Viewer, in: https://help.marine.copernicus.eu/en/articles/9418874-introduction-to-myocean-light-viewer
LEVY M., VON SHUCKMANN K., VINCENT P., ET AL., The 2025 Starfish barometer, https://www.starfishbarometer.org/content/overview; https://sp.copernicus.org/articles/6-osr9/1/2025/

Traditional lectures with video projections. Thematic suggestions and student work during class; possible presentation of non-university work from other public institutions or private organizations.

Attendance, although not mandatory, is strongly recommended. Attendance is taken at the beginning of class, and the minimum attendance threshold is 60% of the scheduled class hours. Attendance exceeding this threshold is considered fulfilled.

The final exam is a single test, comprising a multiple-choice questionnaire and an oral exam. Attending students: 60% of the exams are intermediate tests, and 40% of the written exam includes an oral exam (oral resit only for those with an overall grade lower than 20/30). Non-attending students: 100% of the exam is conventional written and oral; the resit, as for attending students, applies only if the grade is lower than 20/30. The final exam lasts approximately one hour. The final grade is the average of the partial scores obtained in each individual test, including the final exam. For students who attend at least 60% of the scheduled class hours, a written and oral exam is scheduled—but not mandatory—even in a single pre-exam at the end of the course. Failure to attend the pre-exam does not, of course, prevent attending students from taking the exam on one of the dates scheduled in the academic calendar for the current and subsequent years.

Ocean exploration over the centuries (in its various forms)
Geological evolution of ocean basins
The oceanic crust is approximately… thick
The hydrosphere is made up of water…
The ocean temperature ranges between…
The T/S diagrams correlate
In the sea, a dysphotic zone is the area where…
The seafloor (benthos) is divided into which systems?
When the depth of the water basin is greater than 2/3 of the wavelength, this is called…
Tides and tidal currents determine…
Tsunamis
What do diatoms and radiolarians use to build their skeletons?
What sampling and analysis methods: sedimentological, biological, meteo-oceanic?

• Topic 1: on the definition of general themes, ocean literacy and methods of geo-oceanographic research
  • Books: Reading the introductory pages of textbooks: Carniel S., Preface + Prologue; Rasotto M.B., Introduction pp. 7-9; Bascom W., Prologue


• Topic 2. On the Ocean to be narrated: the age of unawareness. Notes on man's relationship with the ocean from the Paleolithic to the Renaissance
  • Books: Teacher's notes and classroom readings. Carson R., Il mare intorno a noi, piano B ediz., 2019, pp. 258-274, etc.Lost Wrecks Von Buren in Giglio Island - Italy 1970 Squale Watches  (mp4) 12:24Relitto dell'Isola del Giglio  di Pippo Cappellano (mp4) 8:05


• Topic 3. The Age of Awareness and the Beginnings of Oceanographic Exploration. From Magellan's Quest to the International Geophysical Year 1957.
  • Books: Teacher's notes and classroom readings. Carson R., Il mare intorno a noi, piano B ediz., 2019, pp. 258-274, etc.


• Topic 4. Organization and Systematic Approach to Oceanographic Exploration. From the International Geophysical Year to Operational Oceanography.
  • Books: Teacher's notes and classroom readings. Carson R., Il mare intorno a noi, piano B ediz., 2019, pp. 258-274, etc.


• Topic 5. Direct Exploration: The Ocean and Divers, from Antiquity to the Present Day
  • Books: Teacher's notes and classroom readings. Carson R., Il mare intorno a noi, piano B ediz., 2019, pp. 258-274, etc.Going Down! (1939) (mp4) 3:03EPAVE (1943) - Jacques Yves Cousteau 28:35


• Origin and evolution of the earth and the ocean
  • Books: Teacher's notes and classroom readings. Carson R., Il mare intorno a noi, piano B ediz., 2019, pp. 258-274, etc.