Lecture: 2 hours/week
and
Lab: 4 hours/week
The primary mode of instruction will involve lectures, in-class activities and laboratory work. A field trip will integrate with the lecture and laboratory content.
1. Petrographic microscope
- The functioning of the petrographic microscope
- Physical properties of light
- Optical properties of minerals
2. Igneous rocks
- Mineral composition, textures and primary structures of igneous rocks
- Identification, classification, origin and occurrence/formation of igneous rocks
- Origin and classification of igneous bodies and landforms
3. Sedimentary Rocks
- Mineral composition, textures and primary structures of clastic sedimentary rocks
- Identification, classification, origin and occurrence/formation of clastic sedimentary rocks
4. Metamorphic rocks
- Mineral composition and textures of metamorphic rocks
- Identification, classification, origin and occurrence/formation of metamorphic rocks
- Metamorphic protoliths, grade, facies and metamorphic reactions
5. Laboratory skills
- Macroscopic identification of minerals, rocks and textures in hand sample
- Use of the petrographic microscope
- Optical properties of minerals in thin section
- Microscopic identification of minerals and rocks in thin section
- Textures and relationships between minerals in thin section
- Alteration mineral assemblages in thin section
6. Field skills
- Identification of minerals and rocks in the field (in outcrop)
- Rock textures, structures and relationships between rock types in the field (in outcrop)
Upon successful completion of this course the student will be able to:
- employ a petrographic microscope to recognize the optical properties of common minerals and determine the composition of rocks in thin section;
- identify, classify and interpret the occurrence/formation of a variety of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks;
- use rock composition, textures and structures to infer petrogenesis;
- relate and distinguish between rocks in outcrop (in the field), in hand sample and thin section based on their composition, texture and structures.
Assessment will be in accordance with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy. The instructor will present a written course outline with specific evaluation criteria at the beginning of the semester. Evaluation will be based on the following:
Lecture assignments/homework: 0-10%
Lecture quizzes: 0-10%
Term project: 0-10%
Lab assignments: 9-20%
Lab exam(s): 20-30%
Term test(s): 15-25%
Final exam: 25-30%
Total: 100%
Consult the Douglas College Bookstore for the latest required textbooks and materials. Example textbooks and materials may include:
Perkins, D. (Current Edition). Petrology: An Introduction to Igneous and Metamorphic Rocks and Processes. Open Textbook.
Nesse, W.D. & G.B. Baird. (Current Edition). Introduction to Mineralogy. Oxford University Press.
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