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 to Other Institutions
Below are current transfer agreements from Douglas College to other institutions for the current course guidelines only. For a full list of transfer details and archived courses, please see the BC Transfer Guide.
Institution | Transfer details for GEOL 2300 | |
---|---|---|
There are no applicable transfer credits for this course. |