Introduction to Mineralogy
Important Notice
This course is not active. Please contact Department Chair for more information.
Overview
Crystallography
- External Symmetry
- Symmetry operations
- Combination of symmetry elements
- Derivation of the 32 crystal classes
- Crystallographic axes
- Crystal systems
- Translational Symmetry
- Crystal lattices
- Screw axes and glide planes
- Space group
Optical Mineralogy
- Nature of light
- Colour in minerals
- The petrographic microscope
- Optical properties of minerals
Determinative Mineralogy
- Silicates
- Sulphides
- Oxides
- Carbonates
- Other mineral groups
- The primary mode of instruction will involve lectures and laboratories.
- Some field trips will be scheduled where appropriate.
- Readings will be assigned to supplement lectures.
- Audio-visual aids will be used where appropriate.
The evaluation for this course will consist of four in-class tests plus a final examination. Tests will have both a theoretical and laboratory component.
Test 1 Crystallography | 10% |
Test 2 Optical Mineralogy | 10% |
Test 3 Determinative Mineralogy Silicates | 25% |
Test 4 Determinative Mineralogy: Sulphides, Oxides, Carbonates | 25% |
Final Comprehensive Examination | 30% |
After successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Identify the point group symmetry of a variety of crystals and crystal models.
- Classify given crystal models into crystal classes and systems.
- Explain the principles of translational symmetry and the chemical criteria governing the variation of crystal structure.
- Show an understanding of the various physical and chemical techniques used to identify minerals.
- Identify a wide variety of rock forming and economically important minerals.
- Explain the most important chemical and structural characteristics of the major sulfide, silicate, carbonate and oxide minerals.
- Show an understanding of the use and care of a petrographic microscope and accessories.
- Show an understanding of the optical properties exhibited by common rock forming minerals.
- Determine the optical characteristics of a variety of minerals.
- Identify a selection of common rock forming minerals in their section.
Textbooks and Materials to be Purchased by Students
Klein, C. & C. Hurlbut, Jr. Manual of Mineralogy, 20th Ed. John Wiley & Sons, 1985.
Requisites
Course Guidelines
Course Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this course and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the course, consider the previous version as the applicable version.
Course Transfers
These are for current course guidelines only. For a full list of archived courses please see https://www.bctransferguide.ca
Institution | Transfer Details for GEOL 2300 | |
---|---|---|
There are no applicable transfer credits for this course. |