Geosciences 306 Mineralogy - Fall 2007

Professor:

Dr Bob Downs

522/526 Gould-Simpson

626-8092

downs@geo.arizona.edu

Office hours: anytime

Laboratory Teaching Assistant:

Madison Barkley	Rachel Henderson
509 Gould-Simpson	524 Gould-Simpson
barkleym@email.arizona.edu	rrhender@email.arizona.edu
Office hours: anytime	Office hours: anytime

Classes:

Lectures: Monday and Wednesday 10-10:50 a.m., in 209 Gould-Simpson Bldg.
Laboratory: (1) Monday 2-4:50, or (2) Tues 6-8:50, in 209 Gould-Simpson
Final Exam: Wed 12 Dec, 11-1 p.m.

Textbook:

Minerals: their constitution and origin by H-R Wenk and A Bulakh, Cambridge University Press, 2004
or Manual of Mineral Science, 22nd edition by Cornelis Klein, John Wiley and Sons, Inc, 2002
or Introduction to Mineralogy by William D. Nesse, Oxford Press, 2000

Course prerequisites:

Successful completion of a first semester college chemistry course, e.g. CHEM 103A, or it's equivalent.

Objectives:

The primary objective of this course is to develop a broad overview of the minerals that form the Earth - their nature, origin, evolution and significance. We will explore the fundamental principles of crystallography and crystal-chemistry. These principles govern and describe the architecture of minerals at the atomic level and are responsible for their properties and stabilities. We will study the nature of the dominant phases that make up the bulk of the earth and the principal minerals that comprise the Earth's crust and are of applied interest. We will discuss methods to identify minerals in hand specimen, in petrographic thin section, and using X-ray diffraction or spectroscopy, as well as the use of the electron microprobe for the determination of chemical compositions.

Grading Policy:

Your final grade is based on the following distribution:

There will be two midterms and a final from the lecture that account for 45% of the grade, and a lab portion that also accounts for 45%. A project to identify an unknown sample will be worth 10%.

A (>85%), B (75-85%), C (65-75%), D (50-65%), F (<50%)

There will be no make-up examinations either in the lecture or laboratory components of the class except for compelling medical reasons.

"Students requiring accommodation in testing or notetaking must notify the faculty member and must deliver to the faculty member the Disability Resource Center faculty letter within the first few days of the course."

CHEATING - DON'T DO IT!