The influence of changing pressure, temperature and chemical environment on the origin and occurrence of different classes of minerals and rocks will be discussed. Rocks and minerals are investigated in hand specimens and in thin sections under the microscope. Simple phase relations and phase diagrams relevant to important mineral groups will be examined, in the context of explaining formation and properties of minerals and rocks. Other aspects explored will be the characteristics and economic significance of the most important ore and gem minerals, and the properties of minerals that may cause health problems.

Laboratory: Practical work will give students skills in physical, microscopic, instrumental analytical and numerical techniques necessary for the identification and study of natural minerals and rocks.

Note: Graduate students attend joint classes with undergraduates (EMSC2017) but are assessed separately.

On satisfying the requirements of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to: 

1. Compare and contrast different mineral assemblages and host rocks, including igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks and some ores.
2. Explain and articulate that minerals are crystalline materials; that macroscopic symmetry arises from a repeated arrangement of atoms and describe how this is used for mineral classification.
3. Balance chemical formulas of relevant reactions and discuss simple structural formulas from chemical analyses of common minerals.
4. Explain and describe the physical properties of hand specimens of rocks and minerals, with clear sketches and at least provisional identification of mineral species, with explanation of reasoning.
5. Describe and differentiate different minerals and rocks using the petrographic microscope and identify minerals and hence classify host rocks.
6. Relate mineralogical and textural observations in a simple way to host rock petrogenesis and tectonic processes.
7. Apply basic phase diagrams to explain partial melting, fractional crystallization and other deep Earth processes.

Assessment will be based on

• 3 assignments done out of class time (10% each, LOs 1, 2, 3 and 7)
• 3 practical exercises done during Practical Classes and out of class time (10% each, LO 4, 5 and 6)
• 1 closed book exam on whole course content, held at the end of the course (40%, LO 1-7)

Graduate students attend joint classes with undergraduates (EMSC2017) but  will be given alternative assessment which will be agreed upon in the first week of semester.

A maximum of 65 hours formal contact time, including 39 hours of lectures and 26 hours of laboratory classes. Up to 55 hours non-contact time for completion of assessable practical exercises, assignments and revision.

Bachelor degree; with first year Earth Science/Geology or first year Chemistry.

EMSC2017

No prescribed textbook. We provide a class library of textbooks for use in class and advice on other useful learning resources.