Introduction to Mineralogy

Curriculum guideline

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Course
EAES 2400
Discontinued
No
Course code
EAES 2400
Descriptive
Introduction to Mineralogy
Department
Earth & Environmental Sciences
Faculty
Science & Technology
Credits
4.00
Start date
End term
Not Specified
PLAR
No
Semester length
15
Max class size
Class 35
Contact hours
2 Hours Lecture / 4 Hours Laboratory
Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Lab
Learning activities

The primary mode of instruction will involve lectures and laboratories. Field trips will be required.

 

Course description
This course provides an introduction to the physical and chemical properties of minerals. The course will cover identification and classification of rock-forming and economic minerals, crystallography and analytical methods, mineral occurrences and associations. Field trips will be required.
Course content

Crystallography

Basics: Definition of a mineral; Overview of mineral classes; Physical properties of minerals and how they relate to chemical properties.

Crystal structure: Governing chemical principles; Symmetry operations; Crystal systems and crystal classes; Twinning and polymorphs.

Analytical methods: Introduction to quantitative and semi-quantitative lab- and field-based analytical methods.

Systematic Mineralogy

Mineral identification and classification (silicates, sulphides, oxides, carbonates, others).

Mineral Occurrences and Associations

Introduction to various physico-chemical environments (e.g. pegmatites, sulphides, others).

Learning outcomes

After successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  1. Identify the point group symmetry of a variety of crystals and crystal models and classify them into crystal systems.
  2. Explain the principles of translational symmetry and the chemical criteria governing the variation of crystal structure.
  3. Explain the most important chemical and structural characteristics of the major mineral classes.
  4. Describe the various physical and chemical techniques used to identify minerals.
  5. Identify a wide variety of rock-forming and economically important minerals in hand sample.
  6. Identify mineral associations and relate environment and processes to mineral occurrences.
Means of assessment

Evaluation will be carried out in accordance with Douglas College policy.  The instructor will present a writtten course outline with specific evaluation criteria at the beginning of the semester.  Evaluation will be based on the following:

Lecture and lab assignments, projects, homework: 10-30%

Lab exams, quizzes: 20-40%

Midterm exam: 20-25%

Final exam: 30%

 

Textbook materials

Students should consult the bookstore for the latest required course materials, including textbook. This course will use:

Klein, C., Philpotts, A.;  Earth Materials, Introduction to Mineralogy and Petrology; Cambridge University Press, or equivalent.

Prerequisites

CHEM 1110 and one of EAES 1120, GEOL 1120, GEOG 1120, EAES 1121, or GEOL 1121

Which prerequisite

EAES 2410