The Geomorphology and Soil Science course focuses on the detailed study of two aspects of the Earth's surface from different perspectives. The first module is centered on the knowledge of the main geoforms that shape the Earth's landforms, its genesis, the processes involved and its long-term dynamics. The second module comprises the (taxonomic) recognition of the edaphic profiles, including the recognition of the physical, chemical, biological and anthropic properties and processes necessary for its origin, development and distribution. This basic knowledge in Geomorphology and Soil Science is essential for the correct interpretation of the ongoing environmental issues and therefore for the students coursing the Degree in Environmental Sciences.

Basic and general competences of the Degree.



*CB1 – The students have demonstrated knowledge and understanding in an area of study that starts from the foundation of general secondary education, and is usually at a level that, while supported by advanced textbooks, also includes some aspects that involve knowledge from the forefront of their field of study.

*CB2 – The students know how to apply their knowledge to their work or vocation in a professional way and have the skills that are usually demonstrated through the development and defense of arguments and problem solving within their area of study.

*CB3 - The students have the ability to gather and interpret relevant data (usually within their area of study) to make judgments that include reflection on relevant issues of a social, scientific or ethical nature.

*CB4 - The students can transmit information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialized and non-specialized audiences.

*CB5 - The students have developed those learning skills necessary to undertake further studies with a high degree of autonomy.

*G001 - Acquire basic knowledge of science and use its results, integrating them with the social, economic and legal spheres to identify environmental problems.



Transversal competences of the Degree.



*G009 - Being able to use information from various sources on an applied topic, interpret it properly, draw significant conclusions and present them publicly.



Specific competences of the Degree.



*M02CM04 - Understand the soil as a subsystem of confluence between the abiotic, biotic and the anthropic sphere and know the fundamentals of its genesis and classification.

*M02CM05 - Know the basic principles of structural, dynamic and climatic geomorphology.

*M02CM06 - Use the basic techniques for obtaining, analyzing and cartographic representation of environmental information.



Learning outcomes.



1. Properly handle the technical vocabulary used in the scientific bases of the natural environment.

2. Use bibliographic and electronic information critically and work correctly in the classroom, in the field, and in the laboratory.

3. Know and use the work techniques related to obtaining, analyzing, treating and representing geographic and cartographic information.

4. Understand the complex relationships between human population and environment.

5. Analyze the existing connection between the geoforms and the nature and disposition of the materials of the terrestrial surface and obtain an orderly idea of the geological evolution of the planet.

6. Correctly use basic field study techniques and support materials for geomorphological and pedological analysis and classification.

7. Understand the importance of the soil as a confluence subsystem in the terrestrial ecosystems of the abiotic, biotic and anthropic environment.

Module 1. Geomorphology

Block 1. Introduction to Geomorphology

Lesson 1. Introduction to Geomorphology

Block 2. Structural Geomorphology

Lesson 2. Tectonic control on landforms

Lesson 3. Lithological control on landforms

Block 3. Dynamic and Climatic Geomorphology

Lesson 4. Erosion and weathering processes

Lesson 5. Hillslope processes and dynamic

Lesson 6. Fluvial processes and morphodynamics

Lesson 7. Glacial and periglacial processes and morphodynamics

Lesson 8. Coastal processes and morphodynamics

Lesson 9. Aeolian processes and morphodynamics



Module 2. Soil Science

Block 4. Introduction to Soil Science

Lesson 10. Introduction to Soil Science

Block 5. Soil processes and dynamics

Lesson 11. Soil genesis

Lesson 12. Soil properties

Lesson 13. Soil processes and dynamics

Block 6. Soil taxonomy and distribution

Lesson 14. Soil profile

Lesson 15. Soil taxonomy and distribution

Lectures, in which a series of theoretical foundations will be presented.



Laboratory practices (2) that will alternate with fieldwork (2). Practices are mandatory.

• Continuous Assessment System
• Final Assessment System
• Tools and qualification percentages:
  • Written test to be taken (%): 60
  • Individual works (%): 20
  • Team projects (problem solving, project design)) (%): 20

The students who choose the Continuous Assessment System will be evaluated as follows: 40% of the final mark will be assessed through both individual and cooperative tasks and work (laboratory and fieldwork memories or exercises). The remaining 60% will be evaluated through two partial exams: one linked to the Geomorphology module in the middle of the semester and the another related to the Soil Science module, on the day of the official exam announcement. It is mandatory to take both partial exams. It will be necessary to pass both partial exams.



The non-presentation to the partial exams implies the express waiver of the current call. To pass the course, it will be required to pass both the practical part and the exam. In any case, students will have the right to be evaluated through the Final Evaluation System, regardless of whether they have obtained or not in the Continuous Evaluation System. In this case, the exam will be different from the one established for the Continuous Assessment System, in order to also evaluate the learning results achieved by carrying out tasks and practices.



To opt for the Final Assessment System, students must submit a writing to the teaching staff responsible for the subject the waiver of Continuous Assessment, for which they will have a period of 9 weeks from the beginning of the semester (Regulatory Regulations for Student Assessment in official undergraduate degrees, article 8). In addition, the resignation to the call will suppose the qualification of Not Presented. This waiver is exercised by not taking the exam.



If the evaluation cannot be carried out in person, it will be carried out through the different tools available in eGela.

The evaluation exam of the Extraordinary Call will consist of the same evaluation activities used in the Ordinary Call. If one of the two parts of the course (exam or practices) were passed in the first call, that part of the mark will be saved for the extraordinary call. The student will only have to do the failed part. In any case, the student who has not pass the Ordinary Call and does not want the grade obtained in the practical part to be kept, may resign by sending a letter to the professor at least 7 days before the date of the Extraordinary Call exam. They will communicate that they renounce the marks obtained in the Continuous Assessment and that they wish to take a Final Assessment that allows them to obtain 100% of the course mark. This exam will be different from the one carried out by those who take advantage of the Continuous Assessment since the skills acquired through the work will also be evaluated.



If the student does not take the exam, it is understood that he or she waives the current call and therefore, the obtained mark will be Not Presented.



If the evaluation cannot be carried out in person, it will be carried out through the different tools available in eGela.

Geological maps
Geomorphological maps
Vegetation maps
Munsell Table
Graph paper
Markers and scissors
Hand calculator
Ethanol and hydrochloric acid
Laboratory pHmeter
Sieve column
Hoes for soil sampling
Lab coat

Basic bibliography

Anderson, R.S., Anderson, S.P., 2010. Geomorphology: The Mechanics and Chemistry of Landscapes. Cambridge University Press, 651 pp.

Buol, S.W., Southard, R.J., Graham, R.C., McDaniel, P.A., 2011. Soil genesis and classification, 6th edition. Wiley & Sons, 560 pp.

Chorley, R.J., Schumm, S.A., Sugden, D.E., 1984. Geomorphology. Methuen & Co, 607 pp.

Duchaufour, Ph., 1984. Edafología. Edafogénesis y clasificación. Masson, 493 pp.

García Fernández, J., 2006. Geomorfología Estructural. Ariel Geografía, 644 pp.

Gerrard, J., 2000. Fundamentals of Soils. Routledge, 264 pp.

Gutiérrez Elorza, M., 2001. Geomorfología Climática. Omega, 642 pp.

Gutiérrez Elorza, M., 2008. Geomorfología. Prentice Hall, 920 pp.

Hugget, R.J., 2022. Fundamentals of Geomorphology, 5th edition. Routledge, 682 pp.

IUSS Working Group WRB, 2015. Base referencial mundial del recurso suelo. Sistema internacional de clasificación de suelos para la nomenclatura de suelos y la creación de leyendas de mapas de suelos, 3ª edición. Organización de Naciones Unidas para la Alimentación y la Agricultura (FAO), 218 pp.

IUSS Working Group WRB. 2022. World Reference Base for Soil Resources. International soil classification system for naming soils and creating legends for soil maps. 4th edition.

Soil Survey Staff, 2022. Keys to Soil Taxonomy, 13th edition. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), 410 p.

Pedraza, J., 1996. Geomorfología. Principios, Métodos y Aplicaciones. Editorial Rueda, 414 pp.

Tarbuck, E.J., Lutgens, F.K., 2015. Ciencias de la Tierra. Una introducción a la Geología Física, 9a edición. Prentice Hall, Madrid, 880 pp.

Weil, R.R., Brady, N.C., 2016. The Nature and Properties of Soils, Global edition. Pearson Education, 1104 p.

White, R.E., 2013. Principles and practice of soil science: the soil as a natural resource, 4th edition. Wiley & Sons, 921 pp.

In-depth bibliography

Benn, D.B., Evans, D.J., 2010. Glaciers and glaciation, 2nd edition. Routledge, 816 pp.
Bird, E., 2008. Coastal Geomorphology. An Introduction, 2nd edition. John Wiley & Sons, 448 pp.
Charlton, R., 2008. Fundamentals of Fluvial Geomorphology. Routledge, 270 pp.
Ford, D., Williams, P., 2016. Karst Hydrology and Geomorphology. John Wiley & Sons, 576 pp.
French, H.M., 2017. The Periglacial Environment, 4th edition. Wiley-Blackwell, 558 p.
Leopold, L.B., Wolman, M.G., Miller, J.P., 1995. Fluvial processes in geomorphology. Courier Corporation, 544 pp.
Masselink, G., Hughes, M., Knight, J., 2017. Introduction to coastal processes and geomorphology, 2nd edition. Routledge, 416 pp.
Parsons, A.J., Abrahams, A.D., 2009. Geomorphology of Desert Environments, 2nd edition. Springer, 840 pp.
Warren, A., Livingstone, I., 2019. Aeolian Geomorphology: A New Introduction. Wiley-Blackwell, 322 pp.

Journals

Catena. https://www.journals.elsevier.com/catena
Cuaternario y Geomorfología. http://tierra.rediris.es/CuaternarioyGeomorfologia/
Earth Surface Processes and Landforms. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10969837
Geoderma. https://www.journals.elsevier.com/geoderma
Geomorphology. https://www.journals.elsevier.com/geomorphology
Journal of Quaternary Science. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991417
Journal of Soils and Sediments. https://www.springer.com/journal/11368
Progress in Physical Geography. https://journals.sagepub.com/home/ppg
Quaternary International. https://www.journals.elsevier.com/quaternary-international
Quaternary Research. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/quaternary-research
Quaternary Science Reviews. https://www.journals.elsevier.com/quaternary-science-reviews
Zeitschrift für Geomorphologie. https://www.schweizerbart.de/journals/zfg

Web addresses

AEQUA - Asociación Española para el Estudio del Cuaternario. http://tierra.rediris.es/aequa/
EVE - Ente Vasco de Energía. https://www.eve.eus/?lang=es-ES
FAO - Organización de las Naciones Unidas para la Alimentación y la Agricultura. http://www.fao.org/about/es/
IAG - International Association of Geomorphologists. http://www.geomorph.org/
IGME - Instituto Geológico y Minero de España. http://www.igme.es/
INQUA - International Union for Quaternary Research. https://www.inqua.org/
SECS - Sociedad Española de Ciencias del Suelo. https://www.secs.com.es/
SEG - Sociedad Española de Geomorfología. https://geomorfologia.es/