Overall objectives:

1 - Understand the importance of biodiversity for the natural balance and as a guarantee for the provision of ecological services;
2 - Understand the main concepts associated with the organization and classification of biodiversity.
3 - Know the phytogeographic framework in which the Madeira Archipelago is inserted.
4 - Know the main aspects of the biodiversity of the Madeira Archipelago, namely in terms of its composition in fauna and flora.
5 - Know the protected and classified areas of the Archipelago of Madeira and the protection statutes that apply to it.
6 - Understand the origin and structure of Earth.
7 - Know how to identify minerals and rocks.
8 - Recognize geological processes.
9 - Characterize the geological risks.
10 - Reflect on strategies to minimize geological risks.
11 - Understand the geology formation process of the Madeira archipelago.
12 - Develop research skills as a strategy for personal and professional training.

Syllabus:

1 - Biodiversity: importance, concepts and threats.
2 - The biogeographic region of Macaronesia.
3 - The phytoclimatic floors and the forests of Madeira.
4 - The terrestrial fauna.
5 - Marine biodiversity.
6 - Protected and classified areas.
7 - Earth dynamics, plate tectonics theory.
8 - Minerals and rocks: what they are; how they form and their classification.
9 - The rock cycle: magmatism, volcanism, weathering, sedimentary processes and environments, metamorphism.
10 - Deformation of rocks, relief modeling.
11 - Geological risks.
12 - Geology of the Madeira Archipelago.

Literature/Sources:

Spínola, H. , 2019 , Madeira - Património Natural , Independently published
Spínola, H. , 2000 , Biodiversidade no Arquipélago da Madeira , Edição Câmara Municipal de Machico
Menezes, D.; Freitas, I.; Domingues, M.; Oliveira, P. , 2011 , Madeira Paraíso Natural , Edição Secretaria Regional do Ambiente e Recursos Naturais- Parque Natural da Madeira.
Press, F.; Siever, R., Grotzinger, J. & Jordan, T.H. , 2003 , Understanding Earth, 4th. ed. , New York: W. H. Freeman & Co
Brum da Silveira, A.; Madeira, J.; Ramalho, R.; Fonseca, P.; Prada, S. , 2010 , Notícia Explicativa da Ilha da Madeira na escala 1:50.000, Folhas A e B. , Secretaria Regional do Ambiente e Recursos Naturais, Governo Regional da Madeira, Região Autónoma da
González de Vallejo, L. I. (coord.) , 2004 , Ingeniería geológica , Pearson, PRENTICE HALL
Hamblin, W.K. & Christiansen, E. H. , 2003 , Earth's dynamic systems, 10th ed. , Prentice Hall, New Jersey

Assesssment methods and criteria:

Classification Type: Quantitativa (0-20)

Evaluation Methodology:
The teaching methodologies chosen intend to actively involve students in the processes of building their own knowledge. The theoretical contents will be developed during the theoretical classes and put into practice during the practical laboratory and field activities. This will involve the planning, execution and evaluation of laboratory and experimental activities, involving the student in the execution of practical activities related to daily experiences. The assessment of theoretical and practical content will be made in each of the modules taught (Biodiversity and geodiversity), based on a written test (50%), group work (40%) and also individual assessment of motivation and participation in classes ( 10%), including the involvement and responsibility of each student in the proper functioning of the classes, in the good use of laboratory material, its cleaning and tidiness.