Identification of minerals and rocks, their properties, occurrence and classification with a strong focus on the most important rock-forming minerals.

In the first part of this course you will learn about minerals and their identification. Classification, occurrence, crystal structure, physical properties, chemistry, economical importance and use of the common minerals will be discussed. Weekly laboratories will teach students how to identify and describe a wide range of minerals. The second part of the course will understanding magmatic and metamorphic rocks and associated geological processes. 

The student have to demonstrate:

- knowledge of the main criteria for description, identification and classification of the most important minerals on the basis of their morphological, structural, chemical and physical properties.

- knowledge of the fundamental concepts for the description and classification of magmatic and metamorphic rocks.

- comprehension of some basic concepts such as the reconstruction of rock-forming processes, the understanding of the main genetic environments and the identification of potential uses and or risks.

- the learning skills allowing to continue to study in an independent way.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Exercises are held in the classroom and in the laboratory with the teacher of the course.

Teaching

Frontal lessons and classroom and laboratory exercises.

Course books

(Suggested)

Slide lessons (pdf, available in the Moodle platform)

Cornelis Klein (2004), Mineralogia, ZANICHELLI

Lucio Morbidelli (2005), Le rocce e i loro costituenti, BARDI Ed.

(Additional)

F. Mazzi, G.P. Bernardini (1983), Fondamenti di cristallografia e ottica cristallografica, USES, Firenze (Carobbi 1).

C. Cipriani, C. Garavelli (1983), Cristallografia chimica e mineralogia speciale, USES, Firenze (Carobbi 2).

D’Argenio B., Innocenti F., Sassi F.P. (1994), Introduzione allo studio delle rocce, UTET.

(for further information)

A. Putnis (1992), Introduction to mineral sciences, Cambridge University Press;

Winter J.D. (2001), An introduction to Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology, Prentice Hall.

Assessment

At the end of the course an oral test is scheduled, which is accessible upon verification of the following competencies:

(1) recognition of symmetry, attribution to system, class, group and identification of the shape of crystalline morphologies;

(2) description of the optical characters and identification of minerals at the polarizing microscope;

Oral trials provide questions about all the topics in the program.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

Non-attending students are encouraged to consult the Moodle-loaded teaching material (slide discussed at lesson) through which you will be able to deepen the study of the volumes indicated in the "Course books" section.

Course books

Cornelis Klein (2004), Mineralogia, ZANICHELLI

Lucio Morbidelli (2005), Le rocce e i loro costituenti, BARDI Ed.

A. Putnis (1992), Introduction to mineral sciences, Cambridge University Press;

Winter J.D. (2001), An introduction to Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology, Prentice Hall.

Additional readings and handouts will be periodically assigned during the course.

Assessment

At the end of the course an oral test is scheduled, which is accessible upon verification of the following competencies:

(1) recognition of symmetry, attribution to system, class, group and identification of the shape of crystalline morphologies;

(2) description of the optical characters and identification of minerals at the polarizing microscope;

Oral trials provide questions about all the topics in the program.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.