Abstract: Physical Geology is the first professional curriculum for students majoring in geology, and it is an enlightenment course to lead students into the palace of earth science. The curriculum content of Physical Geology covers the basic knowledge of various disciplines of geology. It plays an important role in cultivating the geological thinking of the students. The teaching mode of “tutorial classes” in Physical Geology starts from changing the educational philosophy, focusing on the growth of students, reforming the teaching content and curriculum system, achieving the integration of classroom, discussion, experiment and field, and promoting the close combination of theory and practice. The aim is to stimulate students’ learning interest, learning motivation and exploration spirit. Students’ abilities of self-directed learning, innovative thinking, communication and teamwork are cultivated and improved. The goal of comprehensive, high-level and compound geoscience talents training has been achieved, and the quality of undergraduate talents training has been improved.

Key words: Physical Geology, small class seminar, teaching philosophy, teaching method