Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2021 - EASC 202 D100

Introduction to Mineralogy (3)

Class Number: 1289

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 8 – Dec 7, 2021: Mon, Wed, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Dec 13, 2021
    Mon, 12:00–3:00 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Instructor:

    Kevin Cameron
    kjc@sfu.ca
    1 778 782-4703

  • Prerequisites:

    EASC 101 and CHEM 121. All with a grade of C- or better.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Introduction to crystallography, crystal chemistry and chemical properties and chemical principles necessary for the study of minerals.

COURSE DETAILS:

General:
Minerals are the basic building blocks of earth materials - this course is designed to give the student a fundamental background in minerals, necessary to understand earth materials. Introduction to Mineralogy will examine the physical and chemical characteristics of the main rock-forming and economic minerals. Lectures will cover the principles of symmetry, mineral chemistry, and mineral-forming environments. Laboratory exercises will deal with basic mineral identification. Students must provide their own handlens and mineral identification kits.

Course Topics:
1. Basic crystallography; including elements of symmetry, atomic order, and stereographic projection.
2. Physical and chemical properties of minerals; methods of mineral identification.
3. Characteristics of the main silicate and non-silicate mineral groups; mineral associations and paragenesis; basic phase equilibria.
4. Economic interest and scientific application of minerals.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Students successfully completing this course will be able to:

  • Describe the crystallography of minerals using symmetry, forms, stereographic projections, and Miller indices.
  • Understand how atoms interact to form minerals and how the structure and chemical composition determine their properties and occurrence.
  • Explain what controls ionic substitution and coordination number.
  • Apply the phase rule to a number of binary and ternary phase diagrams in order to interpret crystallisation processes of various mineral systems.
  • Identify common rock-forming minerals in hand specimen, know their chemical formula and assign them to a crystal system and class.
  • Understand the behaviour and role of the most important rock-forming minerals, and some “economic” minerals, in the geologic environment.

Grading

  • Laboratory Mid-terms (2 @ 10%each) 20%
  • Final Lab Test 20%
  • Lecture Mid-term 20%
  • Final Lecture Exam 40%

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

A 10X magnifying lens should be brought to labs.  Coloured pencils will be useful in labs.  Information on what should be included in a mineral identification kit will be discussed in the first few weeks of the course.

REQUIRED READING:

Course E-Text:

“ Introduction to Mineralogy” 3rd Edition; Nesse, William D; 2012; Oxford University Press
Note:  As this text is required / useful for other courses in the EASC program, it is recommended that students acquire an actual copy.  Numerous websites offer this text for purchase either as used or new versions.  Although the 3rd edition is the most recent, the 2nd edition can be used.
ISBN: 9780190618384

RECOMMENDED READING:

A mineral identification "handbook" and a Geological dictionary.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

TEACHING AT SFU IN FALL 2021

Teaching at SFU in fall 2021 will involve primarily in-person instruction, with approximately 70 to 80 per cent of classes in person/on campus, with safety plans in place.  Whether your course will be in-person or through remote methods will be clearly identified in the schedule of classes.  You will also know at enrollment whether remote course components will be “live” (synchronous) or at your own pace (asynchronous).

Enrolling in a course acknowledges that you are able to attend in whatever format is required.  You should not enroll in a course that is in-person if you are not able to return to campus, and should be aware that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who may need class or exam accommodations, including in the context of remote learning, are advised to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112) as early as possible in order to prepare for the fall 2021 term.