Elements of Mineralogy and Petrography
A.Y. 2022/2023
Learning objectives
The goal of this course is to provide the fundamentals for the description and the classification of minerals and rocks.
Expected learning outcomes
The student will practice and acquire the methods required to identify natural materials (geomaterials) used both as raw materials, to be transformed, and as ornamental or dimensional elements.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
The 2021-22 edition of the laboratory might be hopefully held live in classroom, as in the normal pre-pandemic editions. Anyway, the program and the teaching methods will remain unchanged compared to the pre-emergency editions, if necessary the only difference consisting in online lecturing.
The exam will remain unchanged compared to the former editions, as it is described in a following point. In case of renewed restrictions owing to the pandemic emergency the final exam will be held live online on the Teams class of the Laboratory as an oral enquiry.Any switch from classroom to online teaching will be communicated by mail and posted to the Ariel site of the Laboratory.
The exam will remain unchanged compared to the former editions, as it is described in a following point. In case of renewed restrictions owing to the pandemic emergency the final exam will be held live online on the Teams class of the Laboratory as an oral enquiry.Any switch from classroom to online teaching will be communicated by mail and posted to the Ariel site of the Laboratory.
Course syllabus
Descriptive mineralogy: crystal shape, luster, hardness, cleavage. Systematic mineralogy: native elements, sulphides, oxides, hydroxides, carbonates, sulphates, phosphates, borates, silicates. Rock-forming minerals. Ore minerals. Gems and pigments. Industrial minerals. Cement and concretes. Ceramics.
An introduction to plate tectonics and petrogenetic processes: the rock cycle. An introduction to the geochemical classification of elements. The chemical composition of rocks, diagrams for the classification and discrimination; trace elements. Field relationships and geometrical relations for volcanic and plutonic igneous rocks. Petrogenetic processes and phase diagrams: topology of binary diagrams. Macroscopic description and classification of igneous rocks. Rock forming minerals in igneous rocks and the classification of Streckeisen. Metamorphic rocks: stress, strain, and metamorphism. Factors controlling metamorphism and types of metamorphism. The Metamorphic Facies and subdivisions in the Pressure-Temperature diagram. Rock forming minerals in metamorphic rocks and classifications.
Dimension stones and historical uses.
The students will practice in the laboratory the description of the most common minerals and and textures and mineral assemblages of most common igneous and metamorphic rocks, to be discussed in exams.
An introduction to plate tectonics and petrogenetic processes: the rock cycle. An introduction to the geochemical classification of elements. The chemical composition of rocks, diagrams for the classification and discrimination; trace elements. Field relationships and geometrical relations for volcanic and plutonic igneous rocks. Petrogenetic processes and phase diagrams: topology of binary diagrams. Macroscopic description and classification of igneous rocks. Rock forming minerals in igneous rocks and the classification of Streckeisen. Metamorphic rocks: stress, strain, and metamorphism. Factors controlling metamorphism and types of metamorphism. The Metamorphic Facies and subdivisions in the Pressure-Temperature diagram. Rock forming minerals in metamorphic rocks and classifications.
Dimension stones and historical uses.
The students will practice in the laboratory the description of the most common minerals and and textures and mineral assemblages of most common igneous and metamorphic rocks, to be discussed in exams.
Prerequisites for admission
Scientific knowledge acquired in the secondary schools and university course of "chemistry"
Teaching methods
Lectures on topics of mineralogy and petrography and practical tutorials on decription and identification of macroscopic samples of minerals and rocks
Teaching Resources
Klein Plilpotts. Earth Materials. Cambridge ed.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Theoretical open questions (written) on the main topics of the course and (oral) description and identification of macroscopic samples of minerals and rocks
GEO/06 - MINERALOGY
GEO/07 - PETROLOGY AND PETROGRAPHY
GEO/07 - PETROLOGY AND PETROGRAPHY
Laboratories: 32 hours
Lessons: 32 hours
Lessons: 32 hours
Professors:
Borghini Giulio, Merlini Marco
Shifts:
Professors:
Borghini Giulio, Merlini Marco
Turno I A
Professor:
Borghini GiulioTurno I B
Professor:
Merlini MarcoTurno II A
Professor:
Borghini GiulioTurno II B
Professor:
Merlini MarcoEducational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
Wednesday at 10-11 am
via Botticelli 23, second floor