GEOLOGY
201: MINERALOGY
FALL 2009
Lecture: 9:00
AM - 9:50 AM Monday-Wednesday-Friday, RM 101 Deloach
Hall
Laboratory: 1:00 PM - 3:50 PM Monday (Section
200) or Wednesday (Section 201), RM 224 Deloach Hall
Instructor: Dr.
David E. Blake, Lecturer; RM 221 Deloach Hall, (910)
962-3387; Main Office: (910) 962-3490; Fax: (919) 962-7077; Email: blaked@uncw.edu; Webpage: http://people.uncw.edu/blaked/index.html;
Office Hours: Monday:
Texts: Required: 23rd Edition of the Manual of
Mineral Science (MMS) by Klein and Dutrow;
Optional: Peterson Guide to Rocks and
Minerals by F. H. Pough and Atlas of Rock-Forming
Minerals in Thin Section by W. S. MacKenzie and C.
Guilford. Helpful Textbooks:
Introduction to Mineralogy by W. D. Nesse; An
Introduction to the Rock-forming Minerals, 2nd ed. by Deer, Howie
and Zussman; Simon and Schuster’s Guide to Rocks and
Minerals by Mottana et al.; Optical Mineralogy, 2nd
ed. by Nesse; Optical Mineralogy, Vol. 1 by
Ehlers. BRING YOUR MMS TEXTBOOK TO EVERY LECTURE AND
LAB.
Course Goals: This
course serves as an introduction to the basic chemical compounds that form
solid Earth minerals. Much of what Earth
scientists know about the physical and chemical conditions within our planet is
based on the studies and data that examine mineral chemical compositions,
structures, and symmetry, stability limits, associations, and environments of
formation of rock-forming materials. For
this reason alone, knowledge of minerals and mineral assemblages is essential
to our understanding of geology. Therefore,
the study of these naturally-occurring substances, the science of Mineralogy,
should be the first intensive course in the geological curriculum.
Mineral
studies have also produced advances in other sciences, while minerals
themselves provide most of the elements and materials, precious and base
metals, and coveted gems and jewels that have driven the evolution of
civilization and that are used to support our current high standard of
living. There are as many as 3800 known
minerals, but the common rock-forming minerals can be limited to about
100. The goal of this course is to
provide the student with a lecture and practical laboratory overview of
mineralogy and aspects of optical mineralogy, as well as the material
nomenclature, principles, and equipment needed to study and classify basic
minerals, mineral groups, and rocks including such topics as:
1) the definition of minerals and
their physical and chemical properties;
2) the definition and use of
symmetry elements and operations;
3) chemical bonding in crystals and the
formation of crystal lattices and structures;
4) electronegativity,
polymerization, coordination number, and Pauling’s
Rules;
5) the six crystal systems and 32 crystal
classes;
6) crystal nucleation and growth;
7) mineral chemistry, mineral reactions, and
phase diagrams;
8) electromagnetic radiation and basic optical
properties of isotropic and anisotropic minerals;
9)
descriptive study of non-silicate and silicate mineral groups and environments
of formation.
By
the end of the semester, you will be armed with an arsenal of concepts and
techniques with which to further investigate the geology of Earth. For mineralogical and geological terms that
are new and strange, try the Glossary of Geology by Bates and Jackson (Reference: QE5 .B38 1987). Initial inquiries about geologic concepts may
utilize a GOOGLE Search on key geologic words.
Geology books in the Randall Library are found primarily in the QE section of the stacks. Books related to the technical and applied
nature of geology are found in the TN
section and those related to geography in the GB
section.
If
you wish to find something specific to the geologic literature, the computer
data base GEOREF and GEOBASE are the best. Search
the Randall Library under the UNCW homepage. Then search electronic resources
by subject and choose Earth Sciences.
The reference librarian in the Randall Library can provide help if you
run into troubles. U.S. government
publications on geology can be found in the Government Documents section of the
Randall Library, which is a repository for such items. In that collection, you will find a complete
set of the topographic maps for North Carolina and South Carolina plus
collections for the surrounding states.
The library also has extensive collections of U.S. Geological Survey
publications including Circulars, Bulletins, Professional Papers, and
Miscellaneous Geologic Maps.
Attendance: Due
to the introductory nature of the course and its link with other geology and
environmental courses, attendance of lecture is required. Missing lecture will seriously impair your
learning opportunities and make the laboratory more difficult to comprehend. Attendance of weekly laboratories is also
required due to the hands-on nature of the lecture and exercises. Field trips will provide valuable
experiential learning opportunities and also have required attendance. Plan ahead because the field trips will occur
outside of the regular lecture and laboratory period. Please make arrangements with other faculty
members and employers ahead of time.
Field Trips: There
will be two required field trips during the semester:
Because
of the scheduling for each trip, we will be leaving from the Deloach Hall parking lot at
1) proof of medical
coverage (i.e. a photocopy of your medical insurance card);
2) information
concerning food allergies, medical allergies, or food problems, and any health
challenges because the field trips will require some moderate exercise;
3) contact
information in the event of an emergency;
4) filled-in copy of
the GLY 201 General Release Form.
Supplies: You
need to purchase a 10X hand lens to begin
your studies of minerals and rocks. You
also need to purchase a 3-ring binder and a hardback field book. The binder is required in order to organize
your lab handouts and notes. Your field
book will be used to maintain field notes for this course and future
classes. A transparent ruler-protractor
combination, mechanical pencil, eraser, tracing paper, set of colored pencils,
and drafting pen will be needed. A
quality pair of hiking boots would be wise for the field trips. A rock hammer and a camera are not required,
but you will find them useful in this and future courses.
Grading: Your final grade will primarily evaluate your
performance on lecture exams, mineral quizzes, and lab exercises. It will also include an evaluation of your
participation and any activities during class discussions and field trips. For your final grade, the percentage
breakdowns are: lecture exam I – 10%,
exam II – 15%; exam III – 15%, weekly lecture quizzes – 2.5%, lab exercises – 40%,
mineral note cards – 5%; lab final – 10%, and participation on field trips and
in classroom discussions – 2.5%. Unless
otherwise specified, assignments are due by 5:00 PM on the Friday following the
next Wednesday’s lab. You must either
turn in the lab to me or Ms. Anne Sutter in the main office. Do not slip labs or any work under the
instructor’s door. If an assignment is
turned in after 5:00 PM on that Friday, there will be a penalty for that
assignment. Be aware of your
responsibilities.
ACADEMIC HONOR CODE
UNCW is committed to the proposition that the pursuit of truth requires
the presence of honesty among all faculty, staff, and students involved. It is therefore this institution's stated
policy that no form of dishonesty will be tolerated. Although all members of the University
community are encouraged to report occurrences of dishonesty, each individual
is principally responsible for his or her own honesty.
UNCW practices a zero-tolerance policy for violence and harassment of
any kind. For emergencies contact UNCW
TENTATIVE
SCHEDULE OF MATERIAL
08/19: Course Overview
08/19: Lab 1: Introduction to Mineral Properties MMS, Chapter 2
08/21: Introduction
to Mineralogy MMS, Chapter 1; GLY 101/120 Text
08/24: Mineral
Properties MMS, Chapter 2
08/24: Lab 1: Introduction to Mineral Properties MMS, Chapter 2
08/26: Mineral
Properties MMS, Chapter 2
08/26: Lab 2: Native Elements, Sulfides, and Sulfosalts MMS,
Chapter 15
08/28: Introduction
to
08/31: The Chemical/Physical
Earth MMS, Chapter 3, Chapter 5, p.
90-96
08/31: Lab 2: Native Elements, Sulfides, and Sulfosalts MMS,
Chapter 15
09/02: Chemical
Elements and Electronic Configuration MMS, Chapter 3
09/02: Lab 3: Oxides, Hydroxides, and Halides MMS, Chapter 16
09/04: Chemical
Elements and Electronic Configuration MMS, Chapter 3
09/07: Labor Day
09/09: Chemical
Bonding: Ionic MMS, Chapter 3
09/09: Lab 4:
Carbonates, Sulfates, Phosphates, etc. MMS, Chapter 17
09/11: Chemical
Bonding: Covalent and Metallic MMS, Chapter 3
09/14: Chemical
Bonding: Hydrogen and Van der Waals MMS,
Chapter 3
09/14: Lab 3:
Oxides, Hydroxides, and Halides MMS, Chapter 16
09/16: Crystal
Structure and Coordination MMS,
Chapter 4
09/16: Lab 5: Bonding, Packing, and Coordination MMS,
Chapter 4
09/18: Crystal
Structure and Coordination MMS,
Chapter 4
09/19: Mineral Collecting Field
Trip to
09/21: Pauling’s Rules I MMS,
Chapter 4
09/21: Lab 4: Carbonates, Sulfates, Phosphates, etc. MMS,
Chapter 17
09/23: Pauling’s Rules II MMS,
Chapter 4
09/23: Lab 6: Symmetry Elements and Operations I MMS, Chapter 6
09/25: Isostructuralism and Polymorphism MMS, Chapter 4, Chapter 12, p. 266-274
09/28: Mineral
Compositions MMS, Chapter 5
09/28: Lab 5: Bonding, Packing, and Coordination MMS,
Chapter 4
09/28: Compositional
Variation and Chemical Formulae MMS, Chapter 5
09/30: Compositional
Variation and Chemical Formulae MMS, Chapter 5
09/30: No Wednesday Lab
10/02: Crystallography
and Symmetry MMS, Chapters 6 and 7
10/03-06: Fall Break
10/07: Point
Symmetry Elements and Operations MMS, Chapter 6
10/07: Lab 7:
10/09: Exam I, Chapters 1-5
10/12: Point
Symmetry Elements and Operations MMS, Chapter 6
10/12: Lab 6: Symmetry Elements and Operations I MMS,
Chapter 6
10/14: Symmetry
Notation and the 32
10/14: Lab 8: Symmetry Elements and Operations II MMS,
Chapter 7
10/16: Crystallographic
Axes and Miller Indices MMS, Chapter 6
10/19:
10/19: Lab 7:
10/21: Translational
Symmetry MMS, Chapter 7
10/21: Lab 9: Introduction to Optical Mineralogy MMS, Chapter 13
10/23: Mineral
Collecting Field Trip to
10/26: 2-D vs 3-D Translations – The Bravais
Lattices MMS, Chapter 7
10/26: Lab 8: Symmetry Elements and Operations II MMS,
Chapter 7
10/28: 2-D vs 3-D Translations – The Bravais
Lattices MMS, Chapter 7
10/28: Lab 10: Ortho-, Di-, and
Cyclosilicates MMS, Chapters 18 and 19
11/02: Introduction
to Stereographic Projections MMS, Chapter 8 and 9
11/02: Lab 9: Introduction to Optical Mineralogy MMS, Chapter 13
11/04: Crystallization MMS, Chapter 10
11/04: Lab 11: Practical Use of the Polarizing Microscope MMS,
Chapter 13
11/06: Exam II, Chapters 6-9
11/09: Mineral
Nucleation and Growth MMS, Chapter 10
11/09: Lab 10: Ortho-, Di-, and
Cyclosilicates MMS, Chapters 18 and 19
11/11: Mineral
Nucleation and Growth MMS, Chapter 10
11/11: Lab 12: Inosilicates, Phyllosilicates,
and Tectosilicates MMS, Chapters 18
and 19
11/13:
11/16: Mineral Stability and Phase Diagrams MMS, Chapter 11
11/16: Lab 11: Practical Use of the Polarizing Microscope MMS,
Chapter 13
11/18: Mineral
Stability and Phase Diagrams MMS, Chapter 11
11/18: Lab 13: Practical Use of the Polarizing Microscope MMS,
Chapter 13
11/20: Post-Crystallization
Processes MMS, Chapter 12
11/23: Post-Crystallization
Processes MMS, Chapter 12
11/23: Lab 12: Inosilicates,Phyllosilicates, and Tectosilicates MMS, Chapters 18 and 19
11/25-29: Thanksgiving Break
11/30: Post-Crystallization
Processes MMS, Chapter 12
11/30: Lab 13: Practical Use of the Polarizing Microscope MMS,
Chapter 13
12/02: Exam III, Chapters
10-12
12/02: No Wednesday Lab
12/04: Friday, Laboratory
Final Exam,
Lecture material and laboratories will be posted in Seaport under Fall 2009, Mineralogy, Files.