GEOL255 — Systematic Mineralogy
This is a study of the classification and determination of minerals by physical, chemical, and crystallographic and optical properties. It emphasizes occurrences, identification, and uses of the silicate minerals and the non-silicate ore and rock-forming minerals. The weekly three-hour laboratory includes hands-on testing and identification of mineral samples including utilizing their optical properties in oil mounts and thin section, and field trips to significant mineral locations. Students learn to recognize and identify important ore and industrial minerals, while gaining an appreciation for the application of mineral resources to everyday life.
Prerequisites: GEOL-101, GEOL-101L, GEOL-255L