Mineralogy

Course content

1. 1What a mineral is: chemistry and structureComing
2. 2Crystal symmetry and the seven crystal systemsComing
3. 3Crystal chemistry: bonding, coordination and substitutionComing
4. 4Physical properties and hand-specimen identificationComing
5. 5Silicate structures I: isolated, ring and chain silicatesComing
6. 6Silicate structures II: sheet and framework silicatesComing
7. 7Oxides, sulphides and native elementsComing
8. 8Carbonates, sulphates, halides and phosphatesComing
9. 9Light and the polarizing microscopeComing
10. 10X-ray diffraction and the electron microprobeComing
11. 11Mineral stability and phase diagramsComing
12. 12Capstone: identifying an unknown mineral suiteComing

Requirements

• EASC-101 Physical Geology: The Dynamic Earth
• CHEM-101 General Chemistry I

Recommended background. You can start any course at any time.

Description

Crystal structure, crystal chemistry and the physical and optical properties used to identify the rock-forming and ore minerals.

Part of the Science stream, typically taken in year 2.