Mineralogy Outline

Geology 318: Mineralogy Class Topics

The major headings below (bold/black capitals) provide a general outline, but this class uses spiral learning so many topics are visited in several different contexts.

Class topics and activities vary somewhat from year to year. Click to link to more information about any given class in 2005.

INTRODUCTION AND REVIEW OF CHEMISTRY

1. Introduction to class. This is key information that sets the "tone" of the studio class.
2. Review of chemistry.

INTRODUCTION TO HAND SPECIMEN IDENTIFICATION AND INSTRUMENTATION

3. Identify minerals in hand specimen; Introduction to X-ray machine and petrographic microscope.
4. How do minerals form? More mineral identification.

IGNEOUS MINERALS AND IGNEOUS ROCKS

5. Interpreting X-ray patterns; Identifying dark colored igneous minerals.
6. Igneous rocks and minerals; Identifying light colored minerals.
7. Exam #1; Introduction to phase diagrams.
8. Phase diagrams; Igneous mineral identification.

SEDIMENTARY MINERALS AND SEDIMENTARY ROCKS

9. Reflect on learning; Sedimentary minerals.
10. Different kinds of silicates; Start experimental study; Practical optical microscopy.
11. Continue experiments; Shapes of crystals.

METAMORPHIC MINERALS AND METAMORPHIC ROCKS

12. Metamorphic minerals; Finish experiments; Practical X-ray diffraction.
13. Practical X-ray diffraction; Metamorphic minerals and introduction to thermodynamics.

ORE MINERALS AND ORE DEPOSITS

14. Exam 2; Ore minerals.
15. Economic minerals; Mineral commodities.

SYMMETRY AND CRYSTALLOGRAPHY

16. Introduction to symmetry.
17. Symmetry; Mineral photography
18. Symmetry and point groups.
19. Symmetry, point groups, lattices and systems.
20. Catch up; How to make a web page.
21. Exam 3; Crystallography; Reflect on learning.

X-RAY THEORY AND APPLICATIONS

22. X-ray theory; Creating web pages.

ARRANGEMENT OF ATOMS IN MINERALS

23. Atoms in minerals.
24. Crystal structures; Rock forming minerals.
25. Rock forming minerals: structure, composition, properties.
26. Poster presentations and gallery walk.
27. Final assessment and reflection.