Geology 622: Mineralogy of the Rock-forming Silicates
University of Maryland, Spring 2010
Course Description
Principles of mineralogy: crystallography, crystal chemistry, mineralogical analysis. Structure, composition, and phase transformations of important silicates, oxides, and other minerals.
Prerequisites
GEOL 322 and CHEM 481 or equivalent
Lectures
Tu, Th 3:30-4:45
PLS 1168
Instructor
Andrew Campbell
Geology Bldg., Rm. 3113
(301) 405-4086
ajc@umd.edu
Office hours by appointment
Class Website
The syllabus and other class materials will be posted on Blackboard.
Textbooks
No specific textbook is required for this course. However, you will find that a standard mineralogy text is a useful reference, not only for this course but for your remaining graduate studies and beyond. I recommend any of the following, that you may have obtained for undergraduate study:
In addition, you may find the following helpful for specific aspects of mineralogy:
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An Introduction to the Rock-Forming Minerals, 2nd edition, by Deer, Howie, and Zussman (ISBN 0582300940). Solid reference for mineral descriptions.
Crystallography and Crystal Chemistry, by F. D. Bloss (ISBN 0939950375). Well written and well illustrated.
Introduction to Crystallography, by D. E. Sands (ISBN 0486678393). Concise.
An Introduction to the Mineral Sciences, by A. Putnis (ISBN 0521429471). Interesting twist on mineralogy, with an emphasis on defects, kinetics, and phase transformations.
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Course Outline
Fundamentals
Mineral Classification
Crystallography and Crystal Chemistry
Analytical and Experimental Methods
Systematic Description of Major Minerals
-ides (Oxides; Hydroxides; Sulfides)
Silicates (Tetrahedral; Mixed Coordination; Octahedral)
-ates (Carbonates; Sulfates; Phosphates; etc.)
Context
Mineralogy of the Core
Mineralogy of the Mantle
Mineralogy of the Crust
Extraterrestrial Mineralogy
Other Topics
Ores and Industrial Minerals
Mineral Evolution
Biominerals and Nanominerals
Grades
Assignments
Midterms
Final |
50%
15% each
20% |
Policy on Attendance
University policy allows for excusable absences under some circumstances, including illness or religious observance. The student is expected to contact the instructor in advance to arrange for making up missed work.
Copyright Statement
Copyright ©2010 Andrew J. Campbell as to this syllabus and all lectures. Students are prohibited from copying and selling course materials, from selling lecture notes, and from being paid to take lecture notes without the express written permission of the professor teaching this course.
Honor Code
The University of Maryland, College Park has a nationally recognized Code of Academic Integrity, administered by the Student Honor Council. This Code sets standards for academic integrity at Maryland for all undergraduate and graduate students. As a student you are responsible for upholding these standards for this course. It is very important for you to be aware of the consequences of cheating, fabrication, facilitation, and plagiarism. For more information on the Code of Academic Integrity or the Student Honor Council, please visit www.shc.umd.edu.
To further exhibit your commitment to academic integrity, remember to sign the Honor Pledge on all examinations and assignments: "I pledge on my honor that I have not given or received any unauthorized assistance on this examination (assignment)."
Statement on Disabilities
If you have a documented disability and wish to discuss accomodations, please contact the instructor no later than the first week of the semester. Also, you should contact Disability Support Services, on the 4th floor of Susquehanna Hall. Each semester students with documented disabilities should apply to DSS for accommodation request forms which you can provide to your professors as proof of your eligibility for accommodations. The rules for eligibility and the types of accommodations a student may request can be reviewed on the DSS web site at www.counseling.umd.edu/DSS/.
Policy on Religious Observances
The University System of Maryland policy provides that students should not be penalized because of observances of their religious beliefs. Students shall be given an opportunity, whenever feasible, to make up within a reasonable time any academic assignment that is missed due to individual participation in religious observances. It is the responsibility of the student to inform the instructor of any intended absences for religious observances in advance. Notice should be provided as soon as possible but no later than the end of the schedule adjustment period. Prior notification is especially important in connection with final exams, since failure to reschedule a final exam before the conclusion of the final examination period may result in loss of credits during the semester.
Course Evaluation
CourseEvalUM will be open for students to complete their evaluations for Spring 2010 courses near the end of the semester. Students can go directly to the website (www.courseevalum.umd.edu) to complete their evaluations. You will be alerted about these dates and provided more information closer to that time, via your official University e-mail account. Students who complete evaluations for all of their courses in the previous semester (excluding summer) can access the posted results via Testudo's CourseEvalUM Reporting link for any course on campus that has at least a 70% response rate.
