Optical Mineralogy, G332, Fall 2003
Department of Geosciences,
Instructor: Jerry
Magloughlin, 307
NATRS, 491-1812, jerrym@cnr.colostate.edu
Teaching
assistant:
Doug Raszewski, 318 NATRS, 491-1961, rasz@cnr.colostate.edu,
office hours t.b.a.
JM's office hours: (tentative) T 10-11, W 4-5. Please
avoid the times immediately before class.
Class times:
Prerequisites: ER 140 or
150, co-requisites C 111 and M 124 and normally (if you are a major) ER 332
Credits: 2
E-Mail:
Required. If you don’t have one, set up
a CNR account on second floor
Required Text: Introduction
to Optical Mineralogy, Nesse, Oxford University Press—3rd edition
Precautions: Don’t eat in
lab when immersion oils are being used, and wash hands afterward.
Subsequent
course (usually): G364 (Igneous & Metam.
Petrology, Dr. UnknownAtThePresentTime, 4 cr.)
Final exam: T December
16,
Grading:
quizzes: 20% class
assignments: 50%
final lecture exam:
15% final lab exam: 15%
I keep your grades up to date on a
detailed spreadsheet; you are welcome to check up any time.
The only ‘extra credit’ will be based directly and solely on the reading in the form of questions on lecture quizzes and exams. Grading is initially on a percentage basis (90/80/70/60), with possible curve modification. Late work: assignments lose 25% of their value if not handed in on time. They lose all value after 7 days, but you are still responsible for the material.
Lab work is normally due the meeting
following the session in which it is handed out, at the beginning of class,
unless otherwise indicated. After
the beginning of class, it will be considered late and the above deductions
will apply. It is your responsibility to turn in material on time.
Normally there should not be more than 2
working together on an assignment without explicit permission. All names of the participants on an
assignment MUST be present at the time the assignment is handed in.
Goals of this course in brief
To learn to identify several dozen minerals in thin section,
along with basic textures.
To become a skillful user of the petrographic microscope,
understanding isotropic, uniaxial, and biaxial optics, and be able to
characterize minerals in thin section.
August
25: First day of instruction September
1: Labor Day—no class
October
20: End of “W” drop period November
22: Thanksgiving break begins
December
12: Last day of classes December
15: Final exams begin
|
Subjects to
be covered |
|
Basic optical
mineralogy, preparing oil immersion mounts |
|
Isotropic
substances—isometric minerals, glass, etc. |
|
Anisotropic
substances—introduction |
|
Uniaxial substances |
|
Biaxial substances |
|
Miscellaneous
features of minerals in thin section: twinning, cleavage, alteration, fluid
and mineral inclusions, basic textures, reaction textures, zoning,
deformation |
|
How to work on,
identify, and characterize populations of minerals in thin section—an
introduction to rocks |
|
Specific minerals
in thin section |
|
Organic materials
& materials related to organic processes—bones, fossils, gizzard stones,
etc. |
|
Reflected light
studies of opaque minerals |
Special statement: if special circumstances arise during the semester, let me know. I can’t make any special accommodation if I’m unaware of the problem. It is my wish that every student learns a lot in this course and successfully finishes the semester!