Syllabus Information

1. General information

This  provides the knowledge and skills to prevent, evaluate and correct environmental problems and impacts and methodological bases of interest and relevance for the consideration of environmental criteria in the elaboration of land-use planning guidelines and the ability to structure, write and issue reports and documents related to environmental geology.

These approaches and objectives are aligned with the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda of United Nations ( https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/es/):

Goal 12: Responsible Production and Consumption

Goal 13: Climate Action 

Goal 14: Underwater life

Goal 15: Life of Terrestrial Ecosystems.

2. Learning results

Upon completion of this subject the student will be able to:

Know and correctly evaluate the main environmental problems and impacts caused by anthropic activity in the natural environment and in the geological and paleontological heritage, both for the exploitation of natural resources and for the development and use of infrastructures and other economic activities.

Know how to structure and write documents and reports oriented to the evaluation of environmental impacts, to the resolution of environmental problems and to the protection and use of natural and cultural heritage.

Provide information of interest in the development of geoenvironmental planning guidelines at regional scale.

Elaborate cartographic documents oriented to territorial planning, including the protection and use of the territory. 

Integrate and apply the knowledge acquired in different disciplines of the Degree in Geology.

3. Syllabus

Resources: effects of anthropogenic activity and their evaluation

Theoretical contents

• Definition and lines of work.

• Heritage as a resource

• Fauna and Flora.

• Water, soil, energy and mineral resources.

Practical activities

• Water balance calculations.

• Determination of the chemical quality of irrigation water.

• Prediction of acid drainage in mining districts.

• Identification of neoformed minerals in AMD environments by X-ray diffraction.

• Heritage impact assessment.

• Application of paleontological analytical techniques in environmental studies.

Geoenvironmental planning and land use planning

Theoretical contents:

• Definition and objectives.

• Levels of land management.

• Phases of a geoenvironmental planning process.

• Analytical and synthetic cartographic methods.

• Geoenvironmental units.

• Geological limitations on land use.

• Quality for land conservation.

• Usage guidelines.

• Regional spatial planning guidelines.

Practical activities 

Guidance mapping for protection, uses and exploitation.

Field practices.

4. Academic activities

The subject consists of three activities:

Activity 1. Resources: effects of anthropic activity and their evaluation. It consists of a theoretical block and a practical block dedicated to the study and evaluation of the impacts associated with the exploitation of natural resources. 27h (theory plus practices)

Activity 2. Geoenvironmental planning and land use management. It consists of a theoretical block and a practical block dedicated to the development of geoenvironmental concepts and methodologies used in land use planning .  23h (theory plus practices)

Activity 3. Field practices. Application, in specific cases, of the concepts and methodologies for the evaluation of environmental impacts associated with human activities and for the management of uses of the territory. 10h

Throughout the term, both in practical and theoretical classes, bibliography and internet resources in English will be used. 

5. Assessment system

The evaluation will be carried out by means of a three-part test, in addition to a global test:

1. Theoretical written test: theoretical contents corresponding to activities 1.1 and 2.1 (60% of the final grade).

Short questions and/or development of topics related to the theoretical contents of activities 1.1 and 2.1 offered to the student.

This test will consist of four parts, one for each block of the subject. The final grade will be the weighted average of the grades obtained in these parts.

2. Practical written test: practical contents corresponding to activity 1.2 (20% of the final grade).

Resolution of case studies related to activity 1.2 offered to students. This test will consist of three parts, one for each block of activity 1.2. The final grade will be the weighted average of the grades obtained in those parts plus the weighted grade of activity 2.2. and will be taken at the end of the practical block of activity 1.2.

3. Report of the practical part corresponding to activities 2.2 and 3 (20 % of the final grade) to be delivered no later than the day of the overall test. The report will consist of the cartographies made in the practical sessions and the report of the analysis of the management and environmental quality of the study area.

4. Global Test: it will consist of a written exam of the theoretical and practical parts. The evaluation will be based on the contents described in the previous sections.

In all cases, in order to obtain an average, it will be necessary to obtain at least 25% of the maximum grade in each of the parts. The theory and practical parts must be passed separately by (with a grade equal to or higher than five). Each passed part will be saved during the academic year.