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 °µÍø51 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 °µÍø51 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.
None
None