Expected learning outcomes

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

The graduate with a Master’s degree in Physics of the Earth's Interior, Ocean and Atmosphere:

• possesses a thorough knowledge of classical and modern physics, upon which to base research and development concerning processes occurring in the solid Earth, ocean, and atmosphere, also taking into account the interactions between the different components of the planet and with solar radiation;
• possesses specialized knowledge in various scientific fields, such as seismology, thermodynamics of solids and fluids,  physics of volcanism and tectonic processes, geodesy, atmospheric physics, meteorology and oceanography, which enables them to address research topics, environmental impact studies and the assessment of natural risks associated with the planet's dynamics.

This knowledge and understanding are acquired through lectures, exercises and laboratory work. The latter involves the acquisition of measurements and data analysis aimed at obtaining information on physical quantities using direct and indirect techniques (e.g. remote sensing).

The examination at the end of each educational activity allows the level of achievement of knowledge and understanding to be verified.

ABILITY TO APPLY KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

The graduate with a Master’s degree in Physics of the Earth's Interior, Ocean and Atmosphere is able to:

• design, organise and develop  analytical and numerical mathematical models representative of the main geodynamic processes or observed phenomena;
• formulate interpretive physical models of the  phenomena under investigation starting from the basic equations of physics;
• solve problems using a quantitative scientific methodology, in particular employing analytical and numerical  techniques for solving the relevant equations;
• design, organise and conduct laboratory and field measurements aimed at monitoring the phenomena under study;
• process, analyse and interpret measured data distributed in space and time;
• develop and refine methodologies for natural risk assessment or for predicting the temporal evolution of the phenomena under investigation;
• effectively communicate scientific information.

This knowledge and understanding are acquired through lectures, exercises, and laboratory or field work, as well as during the final examination, which may include internship activities.

The assessment of the skills acquired by the student takes place through successfully passing tests that may include solving exercises, an oral discussion of the topics covered in lectures, the preparation of a written or oral report on specific topics, and the evaluation of the final examination.

AUTONOMY IN MAKING JUDGEMENTS

The graduate with a Master’s degree in Physics of the Earth's Interior, Ocean and Atmosphere is able to:

• assign correct meaning to laboratory and field measurements, thanks to adequate knowledge of the intrinsic  limitations of the instrumentation used;
• assign correct meaning to the results of numerical modelling, taking into account the approximations and uncertainties of the  data, equations and parameterisations used in the model;
• critically evaluate the results of hazard and risk analyses based on an overall assessment of the many scientific and non-scientific aspects related to the problem;
• tackle new problems  that continuously arise in any advanced work environment, thanks to critical knowledge of  observational tools and interpretative models, as well as  the versatility of the studies undertaken.

Autonomy in making judgements is developed during the exercises and laboratory activities included in the courses, during the work related to the final examination, as well as during additional training and orientation activities.

The assessment of the degree of independence occurs mainly during the activities related to the final examination.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

The graduate with a Master’s degree in Physics of the Earth's Interior, Ocean and Atmosphere is able to:

• communicate information, ideas, problems and solutions in simple and critical terms, both orally and in writing, in Italian and English;
• work effectively in groups, including within multidisciplinary projects and teams;
• prepare and present reports and experimental data using multimedia tools.

These communication skills are developed during those educational activities (exercises and laboratory work) that involve the preparation of reports or written  documents and their oral presentation. Furthermore, these skills are developed during additional training and orientation activities, preparation for the final examination (including through internships), the writing of the thesis and its presentation.

The questionnaires completed by the host institutions of the internship, the evaluation of laboratory reports by instructors, and the assessment of the final examination by the Degree Examination Board allow the level of achievement of these skills to be verified.

LEARNING SKILLS

The graduate with a Master's degree in Physics of the Earth's Interior, Ocean and Atmosphere possesses:

• the learning skills necessary to undertake further studies with sufficient independence or to enter the world of work;
• excellent skills for independently developing and deepening additional competencies, with reference to consulting bibliographic material, databases, and other online information, as well as cognitive tools for the continuous updating of knowledge.

Learning skills are acquired throughout the degree program as a whole, which is characterized by precise methodological rigor.

Learning skills are assessed through various forms of evaluation carried out during the educational activities, with particular attention to the self-learning skills developed during the work carried out in preparation for the final examination.