Southern Connecticut State University

Earth Science 211 Mineralogy

Course Syllabus, Fall Semester 2003-2004

Instructor: Dr. Thomas Fleming Office: Morrill Hall, Room 214-A

e-mail: fleming@southernct.edu Office Hours: MWF 11:00am-12:00pm; MW 9:00-10:00pm, or by appointment

Office Phone: 203-392-5837 Department Office Phone: 203-392-5835 (hours 1:00 - 5:00pm)

Lecture: Morrill Hall, Room 216; MWF, 12:10- 1:00pm Lab: Morrill Hall, Room 216; Wed. 2:10-5:00pm

Course Description: This course provides an introduction to the fundamental concepts of mineralogy, including crystallography and mineral chemistry. The laboratory exercises are designed to reinforce important concepts discussed in lecture, and provide an opportunity to learn hand-sample identification of important rock-forming and economic minerals.

Prerequisites: Principles of Geology (ESC 200), and one semester of college chemistry (CHE 100 or 120, or concurrent enrollment with permission of instructor).

Required Text: Klein, C. (2002) Mineral Science (Manual of Mineralogy, 22nd edition) John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 644 p. Earlier editions of this text may also suitable but have different pagination – check with the instructor about specific editions.

Optional Text: Mottana, A., R. Crespi, G. Liborio (1978) Rocks and minerals. Simon and Schuster, New York, 608 p.

Materials Needed for Class:

Hand lens (good quality, preferably 10x) Colored pencils no. 2 pencils

Clear plastic ruler (6 in,with metric scale) 3 x 5 cards Recipe Box (recommended)

Examinations and Quizzes: There will be two mid-term exams, covering predominantly lecture and reading materials, two laboratory exams, and a comprehensive final exam. Bring several number two pencils and a calculator to each exam. There will also be periodic quizzes at the beginning of the lab period. If a legitimate and unavoidable conflict arises such that you need to miss an exam or quiz, you must contact me (e-mail, voice mail, phone, message to Dept. Secretary, or written note) at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled date to be eligible for a make-up. In emergency situations you must contact me a soon as reasonably possible. All excuses must be appropriately documented. If the university cancels class on a quiz or exam-day due to weather or other unforeseen emergency, the exam/quiz will be held during the next regular class meeting.

Fieldtrip: A 1-day field trip to examine and collect minerals in pegmatite quarries in central Connecticut will be scheduled for one Saturday during the semester.

Grading:

Two Mid-Term Exams 15% each (30% total)

Laboratory Exam 1 15%

Laboratory Exam 2 20%

Final Exam 25%

Labs/Quizzes/Homework 10%

Students with Disabilities: Students with a disabilities are welcome to enroll in this course. Those wishing to receive accommodations in this class will need to make an appointment with the Disability Resource Center located in Engleman Hall room C-16 to arrange for approved accommodations. Please discuss these accommodations with me during the first week of class, if possible. If you have other special needs, such as emergency medical information, or arrangements in case the building must be evacuated please feel free to discuss these issues with me.

Class Policies:

- Attendance at all lectures and labs is mandatory. Attendance will be taken periodically and will affect decisions regarding borderline final grades.

- All exams, lab work, and homework are to be completed individually unless specifically noted by the instructor.

- Coursework must be turned in on-time. Late work will not be accepted.

- No “Extra Credit” will be given.

- Students are expected to behave in a manner that is consistent with the Student Code of Conduct as outlined within the Universities Student Handbook.

- This course involves use of expensive laboratory equipment and samples. Damage of equipment resulting from misuse and/or abuse will constitute grounds for immediate administrative withdrawal from the course.

- Cell phones must be turned off during class (both lecture and lab). If you have an emergency situation that requires access to a cell phone, please discuss your situation with me.

Course Outline

Week

Dates

Topics

Reading

(Klein, 2002)

Sept 2–5

Introduction to Mineralogy

No Lab, Library Assignment

Ch 1

Sept 8-12

Physical Properties of Minerals

Lab: Intro Mineral Lab/Mineral Properties

Ch 2

Sept 15-16

Crystallography

Lab: Native Elements and Sulfides

Ch 5, 6

Sept 22-27

Crystallography

Lab: Oxides, Hydroxides and Halides

Ch 5, 6

Sept 29- Oct 3

Crystal Chemistry

Lab: Carbonates, Nitrates, Sulfates, Phosphates, Borates, Molybdates, Chromates, and Vanadates

Ch 3

Oct 6-10

Monday, Oct 6, Mid-Term Exam 1

Mineral Chemistry

Lab: X-ray Fluorescence Analysis

Ch 3

Oct 13-17

Mineral Chemistry

Lab: Nesosilicates, Sorosilicates, Inosilicates, and Cyclosilicates

Ch 3

Oct 20-25

Mineral Stability (phase diagrams)

Wednesday, October 22, Laboratory Exam 1

Friday, October 26, Midterm Grades

Ch 4

Oct 27– 31

Systematic Mineralogy (native elements, sulfides)

Lab: Tectosilicates and Phyllosilicates

Ch 8

Nov 3–7

Systematic Mineralogy (oxides, halides, carbonates)

Lab: Class Project

Ch 9, 10

Nov 10-14

Monday, Nov 10, Mid-Term Exam 2

Systematic Mineralogy (oxides, halides, carbonates)

Lab: Class Project

Ch 9, 10

Nov 17-21

Systematic Mineralogy (Silicates)

Lab: Class Project

Ch 11, 12

Nov 24-28

Systematic Mineralogy (Silicates)

Nov 26-28, Thanksgiving Holiday – no class W or F

Ch 11, 12

Dec 1-5

Systematic Mineralogy (Silicates)

Lab: Optical Mineralogy

Ch 11, 12

Dec 8-12

X-ray Crystallography/ Optical Mineralogy

Optical Mineralogy

Wednesday Dec 10, Laboratory Exam 2

Ch 7

Dec 15-19

Final Exam Week

Comprehensive Final Exam

Friday, December 19, 8:00-10:00 am

Note : This syllabus is meant to be a guide to the topics that will be covered in this course. Coverage of individual topics and exam dates may be adjusted during the semester, any changes will be announced in class.