Module Objectives

The course of Physical Geography aims to introduce the students to one of the two major fields of Geography, which deals with the natural processes that occur in the geosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere. It introduces the students to the fields of Geology, Climatology, Hydrology, Geomorphology, Environmental Geography and Landscape Ecology. It is a first contact with the planet Earth and all the parameters that shaped and keep shaping it in its current form.

The basic aim of the course is to promote understanding of the core biotic and abiotic processes that occur in the Earth’s surface as well as its core. The course combines both theoretical lectures with practical exercises and laboratory work.

The practicals aim to help students understand and apply the theoretical knowledge they gain during lectures. They also give students basic hands on knowledge and experience, by helping them to read and interpret a topographic, geological, climatic or/and vegetation map. Students are also going to measure parameters collected on the field such as vegetation biomass, they will process and interpret primary data and infer conclusions based on their observations.

Course Contents

Theory: Introduction to Physical Geography. Oceans and ocean basins. Theory of lithospheric plates. Plates and plate tectonics. Rocks and minerals. Internal processes, volcanism, types of volcanic eruptions. Earthquakes. Geological structures, faults, folds. Surface processes, weathering, erosion, deposition. Karst processes, karst topography and karst landforms. Biosphere (definition and core structures). Basic ecological processes. Distribution of biosphere structures in the landscape. Landscape ecology. Introduction to Climatology, climate elements, climate types. Drainage networks, stream characteristics, stream erosion, channel deposits. Physical and biological features of the oceans.

Practicals: Study of topographic map, topographic section (profile) construction (cross section), estimation of relief gradient, study of geological map and construction of geological cross section. Study of ecosystem type map across scales and spatial patterns. Biomass measurement and estimation of vegetation primary productivity. Study of rainfall characteristics of the broader area of Sterea Hellas, study of the Santorini island volcano.

Teaching and Assessment

Duration: 13 weeks, lectures 1 hours/week and laboratory tutorials 2 hours/week, including five laboratory works, handed out during the class (usually every week). The attendance of the laboratory tutorials is compulsory.

A two-day field trip at regions of great physico-geographical interest is organized. The aim of the field trip is the assimilation of the theoretical knowledge.

Assessment method is a final written exam at the end of the term. Prerequisite for participation at the final exam is the implementation of the 5 laboratory works.