Southern Connecticut State University

                                                                              Earth Science 212 Petrology

                                                                      Course Syllabus, Spring Semester 2003

 

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

e-mail: fleming@southernct.edu     Office Hours: MWF 9:30am-10:10pm and 11:00am -12:00pm, or by appointment

Office Phone: 203-392-5837

Department Office Phone:  203-392-5835 (hours 10:00am-12:30pm; 2:30-4:30pm)

 

Lecture: Morrill Hall, Room 216; MW 12:10-1:00pm  F 12:10-1:30  Laboratory:  Morrill Hall, Room 216; Thurs.  11:00-2:00pm

 

Course Description:   This course provides an introduction to the fundamental concepts of petrology.  Lectures will focus on understanding the occurrence, classification, and genesis of igneous and metamorphic rocks.  The laboratory exercises are designed to reinforce important concepts discussed in lecture, and provide an opportunity to learn hand-sample and microscopic identification of common rock-types.

 

Prerequisites:    Mineralogy (ESC 212)

 

Required Text:     Blatt, Harvey, and Robert Tracy (1996)  Petrology (Igneous, Sedimentary, and Metamorphic) 2nd ed. , W.H. Freeman 529 pp. (required).

 

Materials Needed for Class:   Good quality (doublet or triplet) Hand lens  (10x)

 

Examinations and Quizzes:  There will be one mid-term exam, covering predominantly lecture and reading materials, two laboratory exams, and a comprehensive final 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.  All excuses must be appropriately documented. 

 

Grading: 

Mid-Term Exam                                   20% 

Two Laboratory Exams                       17.5%  each   (35%  total)

Final Exam                                             30%

Labs/Quizes/Homework                      15%

 

Class Policies:

 

- Attendance at all lectures and labs is mandatory.

- 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 or abuse will constitute grounds for immediate administrative withdrawal from the course.  


Course Outline

 

 

Week

 

Dates

 

Topics

 

Reading

 

1

Feb 10-14

Introduction to Petrology, Phase Rule, Unary Systems

Lab:  Properties of light, Optical Mineralogy

Friday,  Feb 14,  No Class

Ch 1,

 

2

 

Feb 17-21

Monday, Feb 17,  No Class

Binary Systems

Lab:  Isotropic and Uniaxial Minerals

Ch 4, 5, 6

 

 

3

 

Feb 24- 28

 

Ternary Systems

Lab:  Biaxial Minerals

 

 

 

4

 

Mar 3-7

 

Review of Rock forming Minerals

Lab:  Mafic Igneous Minerals and Igneous Textures

Ch. 2

 

5

 

Mar 10-14

Quantitative Petrology – Data Collection and Analysis

Classification of Igneous Rocks

Lab: Felsic Igneous Minerals and Igneous Textures

 

Ch 3

 

6

 

Mar 17– 21

Monday,  March 17,  Midterm Exam

Composition of the Mantle, Generation of Magmas

Lab: Ultramafic rocks,  Tholeiitic Rocks

 

Ch. 7

 

7

 

Mar 24–28

 

 

Spring Break, Mar 24-28, No Class

 

 

 

 

8

 

Mar 31- Apr 4

Evolution of Magmas

Tholeiitic Rocks/ Alkaline Rocks

Lab: Tholeiitic Rocks, Alkaline rocks

Friday,  April 4,  Laboratory Exam 1

Ch. 6, Ch 8

 

 

9

 

Apr 7-11

 

Calc-alkaline Rocks

Lab:  Arc Volcanics, Arc Plutonics

Ch. 10, Ch  9

 

10

 

Apr 14-18

Metamorphism, Zones, Isograds, Facies

Lab: Metamorphic Minerals

Friday, April 18,  Holiday – no  class

Ch 18, 19

 

 

11

 

Apr 21–25

Graphic Representation of metamorphism

Controls on Metamorphism, Physical processes

Lab:  Regional Metamorphism

Ch. 20, Ch 21

 

 

12

 

Apr 28- May 2

 

Regional Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism

Lab:  Contact Metamorphism

Ch 23, 24

 

 

13

 

May 5-9

 

Zeolite and High Pressure Metamorphism, P & T fields

Thursday  May 8, Laboratory Exam 2

Ch. 21, 22

 

 

14

 

May 12–16

Final Exam Week

Comprehensive Final Exam,

Monday, May 12, 12:45-2:45 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.