Mineralogy GEOL-3001

                   Department of Geosciences, ETSU

 

Instructor:  Dr. Arpita Nandi              Lecture: M : 10:25 - 12:25, F:10:25 - 11:20

201 Hutcheson Hall                             Lab:        W: 10:25 – 12:25

E-mail: nandi@etsu.edu                                                                                  

 

Office Hours: My office hours will be MW 1:30-2:30, at room 204 Hutcheson Hall and will be available outside of office hours by appointment.  I am readily available via e-mail.

 

Textbook:       Mineralogy (2/e), D. Perkins, 2002 (Required)

Lab Manual:   Will consist of handouts, specimens, and thin sections.          

Lab supplies (Bring to class every day): Hand lens 10x, Calculator, Colored pencils

 

General Course Information

Course Objectives: Minerals, alone or in combination, form the “solid” portions of the Universe. Therefore, mineralogy (which is the study of minerals) truly is fundamental to the sciences.

 

Expectations: I expect students to attend all classes. Reading (as noted on the syllabus) should be done before class to aid in discussion of the daily topics.  Part of the participation grade will be attendance, also in-class assignments and surprise quizzes (NO MAKE UPS) will count as part of class participation.

 

Attendance and participation: Class attendance is mandatory for both lecture and laboratory and will be monitored by class roll. Five unexcused absences will result in a failing grade.  Random pop-quizzes (with no make-ups) may be used to reward attendance. 

 

Labs: All laboratory assignments will be due before the start of the next lab class, no exceptions. 

Late submission may be accepted with a penalty, unless prior arrangements have been made.  In this course, the work you hand in for credit must be entirely your own work. In group activity, even if you work with others, you are expected to hand in individual assignments written in your own words.  You are welcome to discuss any course related problems or issues with me.  My goal, and that of the department, is to create a productive learning environment for all students.

 

Exams: Lecture exams will consist of multiple choice, T/F, short answer, and essay.

 Lab exams are based on lab assignments.

 

Final grades will be based on total points at the end of the semester, and a curve may be applied if necessary.

 

Exam Make Ups - I reserve the right to refuse make up exams if I feel that an absence is not justified.  Make up exams will be administered only when a reasonable excuse is given. If you know beforehand, I must be notified if a test is going to be missed. Tests may be taken ahead of time if an absence is unavoidable.

 

Academic dishonesty: For the purposes of this class, academic dishonesty is defined to include: cheating on exams, plagiarism (know what this means), or turning in someone else's work as your own. Academic dishonesty shall result in a failing grade.

Students with disabilities: I will make every effort to accommodate students with disabilities. In accordance with University policy, if you have a documented disability and require accommodations to obtain equal access in this course; please contact me ASAP at the beginning of the semester. 

 

Grading: Most of your grade is based on your performance on the examinations, quizzes and lab assignments.  The assignments require some group work and some individual activities.  You are strongly encouraged to work together.  In-class activities and discussion are an important component of this course.  The breakdown of the learning assessment on which your grades will be determined is as follows:

 

Midterm #1:                             15%

Midterm #2:                             15%

Final Exam:                             20%

Lab assignments:                     20%

Lab exam:                                15%

Project presentation:                10%

Participation:                            5%

Total:                                      100%

 

Project presentation: Guidelines for the final project and presentation will be given to you in due time.

 

Exam dates:

First Mid Term.                                 September 26

Second Mid Term,                            October 31

Comprehensive Final Exam,            December 5

Laboratory Exam,                            December 3

 

Topics:

 

  1. Review of physical properties of minerals and mineral identification
  2. Mineral chemistry:
    1. Review of atomic structures and configuration, Periodic Table, Common rock-forming minerals and elements, Chemical Bonding
  3. Mineral classification:
    1. All minerals classes with special emphasis on silicate minerals, and other common rock-forming minerals
  4. Crystallography:
    1. Crystal system, Symmetry operation, Crystal forms
  5. Optical Mineralogy:
    1. Properties of light, Plane and Crossed polarized light, Thin-section identification of basic rock-forming minerals.
  6. X-Ray Mineralogy:
    1. X-rays, Basics of X-ray tude, X-ray diffraction, Powder diffraction method