GEOL 2053\2054 - Mineralogy and Optical Crystallography

5 Semester Hours
Dr. Willis Hames
Auburn University

Pre-requisites: GEOL1100; GEOL1110; CHEM1030, CHEM1040, or equivalent classes with instructor consent.

Delivery Systems:

Dr. Hames is available to answer questions or assist students with problems associated with the course. The best way to reach him is by E-mail, but his telephone numbers and address is also listed below.

Telephone: (334) 844-4881 (leave a message if necessary)

Electronic Mail: hameswe@auburn.edu

Textbook:

•  Introduction to Mineralogy by William D. Nesse, 466 pages. ISBN13: 9780195106916 ISBN10: 0195106911 hardback, 466 pages. Sep 1999 (about $65 used on Amazon.com)

Alternative Texts:

•  Manual of Mineralogy by C. Klein and C. Hurlburt (21 st edition, 1993, or later).

•  Mineralogy and Optical Mineralogy, by D. Dyar, M. Gunter, and D. Tasa (2008, Published by the Mineralogical Society of America, http://minsocam.org)

•  A magnifying glass or hand lens with about 10X magnification.

•  A paperback copy of Dictionary of Geologic Terms (McGraw-Hill, 420 p., about $15 used on Amazon.com);

•  A digital camera (with 1.2 megapixel or better resolution);

•  Lecture Notes – provided online in Blackboard;

•  Videos of Lectures – provided online in Blackboard;

•  Videos of laboratory sessions – provided online in Blackboard;

•  Laboratory Exercises Lecture Notes – provided online in Blackboard;

•  Laboratory Mineral and thin section kits – mailed by Auburn University;

•  A student's petrographic microscope (available for about $460, e.g., http://www.geologicalmicroscopes.com/40x-400x-power-monocular-polarizing-petrographicmicroscope/). This is not needed until about the middle of the class lecture material.

Mineralogy comprises a considerable number of topics that are distributed over five units as outlined below. You are expected to read the assigned textbook materials, lecture outlines, watch lecture presentations in the form of Microsoft PowerPoint presentations, take self-quizzes, work on and watch videos of laboratory demonstrations. You are also expected to develop your scientific vocabulary, particularly in regard to describing, writing about, and reading technical discussions of mineralogy. More information is given about these activities in the Course Requirements section in this document. The proctored final examination is taken under the supervision of an approved proctor. The Distance Learning & Outreach Technology (DLOT) office of Auburn University verifies the proctors for the examinations. More information about the proctors is given in the Examination Process section in this document.

A variety of media provided by Blackboard are used for communication among class members and the instructor. These are online submission of assignments, email, and discussion board.

The course units are divided into several basic elements: the reading assignment, the lecture outline, the lecture presentation, resources from websites, self-study quizzes. Never rush through a unit. Remember to follow each step specified to achieve the course goal. Some of the reading assignments are very long and include many examples. After reading them, you may wonder if you have mastered the material. In these cases the lecture outline notes and self-study quizzes should help you to realize if you need to review the reading.

There are four exams and an additional final exam. The exams are broken down as shown below:

The grading scale for the course will be as follows: A=90% and above, B=80-89, C=70-79, D=60-69, and F=59% and below.

Unit I: What is a Mineral?

Unit II: Crystallography

Unit III: Crystal Chemistry

Unit IV: Optical Crystallopgraphy

Unit V: Systematic Mineralogy

Auburn University is committed to providing accommodations and services to students with documented disabilities. Any learner with a qualified disability which requires accommodations should contact The Program for Students with Disabilities, 1244 Haley Center, Auburn University, AL 36849, 334-844-2096 PH, 334-844-2099 FAX. More information is available on their website at www.auburn.edu/disability. The office will fax or mail the required forms to learners to apply for services. Learners who have questions to participate in this course should contact the above office in advance to ensure proper accommodations.