GEOL 351
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Mineralogy
Geological Sciences
College of Computational, Mathematical, & Physical Sciences
Course Description
Principles of crystallography and crystal chemistry. Physical, chemical, and crystallographic properties of minerals.
When Taught
Fall
Min
4
Fixed/Max
4
Fixed
2
Fixed
4
Other Prerequisites
Chem 105 or 111 or concurrent enrollment
Title
Fundamentals
Learning Outcome
Demonstrate understanding of the fundamental ideas that govern the arrangement of atoms into a crystalline structure (chemical bonding, atomic size, coordination number, polymerization of polyhedra, bond strength and bond valence, stability, etc.)
Title
Symmetry of Crystals
Learning Outcome
Demonstrate a basic understanding of atomic level symmetry. Enumerate and describe the crystal systems in terms of both symmetry and unit-cell metrics, recognize symmetry elements in well-formed natural crystals, and determine crystal classes of such crystals.
Title
Instrumental Methods
Learning Outcome
Describe the applications and limitations of important instrumental/analytical methods used in mineralogy.
Title
Mineral Identification
Learning Outcome
Identify specimens of the 60-70 most common minerals at least 70% of the time.
Title
Phenomena
Learning Outcome
Demonstrate an understanding of the mechanisms and implications of various mineralogical phenomena, including solid solution, exsolution, polymorphism, atomic ordering, polytypism, color, and twinning.
Title
Relationships
Learning Outcome
Discuss the interrelationships among crystallography, composition, and the physical properties of minerals.
Title
Application
Learning Outcome
Demonstrate the ability to apply principles learned to minerals not specifically encountered in the course.
Title
Computer Software
Learning Outcome
Use computer software for reduction of mineralogical data and be able to discuss its limitations.
Title
Scientific Inquiry and Writing
Learning Outcome
Demonstrate the ability to work in teams to collect and analyze mineralogical data and incorporate it into an original, high quality research paper on an assigned subject of mineralogical significance.
