A Last Look at Igneous Minerals in Thin Section

Dexter Perkins
,
University of North Dakota
Author Profile

Summary

A final lab exercise that uses the optical mineralogy skills learned in the previous labs, and begins the transition to petrographic analysis of thin sections.

Share your modifications and improvements to this activity through the Community Contribution Tool »

Context

Audience

This exercise is designed for a mid/upper-level undergraduate geology course on the principles of mineralogy.

Skills and concepts that students must have mastered

Students should have knowledge of basic chemistry and of minerals equivalent to what they would learn in an introductory geology class.

How the activity is situated in the course

This activity is the 14th of 36 mineralogy exercises and is used around the middle of the course.

Goals

Content/concepts goals for this activity

  • Learn to identify key igneous minerals in thin section.

Higher order thinking skills goals for this activity

Other skills goals for this activity

  • Improve skill with a petrographic microscope.

Description of the activity/assignment

This is a wrap-up exercise reviewing the properties of the most important igneous minerals in thin section.

Determining whether students have met the goals

More information about assessment tools and techniques.

Teaching materials and tips

Other Materials

Supporting references/URLs