Module Identifier EA11610  
Module Title ROCKS AND MINERALS  
Academic Year 2006/2007  
Co-ordinator Dr Bill Perkins  
Semester Semester 2 (Taught over 2 semesters)  
Other staff Professor Alex Maltman, Dr Charles Bendall  
Course delivery Lecture   20 Hours. 1 HOUR LECTURES  
  Practical   20 Hours. Laboratory. 10 X 2 HOURS  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Exam1.5 Hours Written exam.  50%
Semester Assessment Continuous Assessment: Practical notebook.  20%
Semester Assessment In-Course Assessment: 2 in-course short practical tests.  30%
Supplementary Exam 2 hour practically-based examination  100%

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:







Aims

This module aims to provide a training in the systematic description of minerals and rocks which leads to their description and identification. The module aims to explain the origin of igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks as well as explaining the links between them.

Objectives
The student will gain familiarity with the more common minerals and rocks, learn the principles of classification and methods of identification, and will be able to identify them both in hand-specimen and under the microscope. The student will gain practice in the systematic description of rocks and minerals and appreciate the importance of practical work in geology. To develop the basic recording skills required for mineral and rock description and identification. A laboratory notebook will be used throughout the practical course and collected as part of the assessment.

A basic training will be provided in the application of the petrological microscope in geology.

Brief description

The emphasis throughout is on the practice of working with rocks and minerals. In the early lectures minerals will be defined and their classification explained. The accompanying practical classes will introduce how the main varieties of minerals are identified and provide practice in mineral recognition.

Igneous rocks will be considered as physical and chemical systems. The classification of igneous rocks will be introduced and their mode of occurrence described. The practical identification and description of the more common igneous rock types will be emphasised in this section of the course. The factors which control the evolution of igneous rocks will be described.

Sedimentary rocks will be described. The formation of sedimentary rocks: erosion, transport, deposition and diagenesis. Siliciclastic sedimentary rocks; carbonates - main rock types will be studied in practical classes. Common fossils. Evaporites, coal and ironstones.

Metamorphic rocks are outlined in the lectures and the accompaying practical classes provide an introduction to recognising the most important varieties.

Reading Lists

Books
** Recommended Text
Duff, P. McL. D. (1992) Holmes' Principles of Physical Geology. Chapman & Hall.
Press, F., Siever, R., Grotzinger, J. & Jordan, T.H. (2004) Understanding Earth 4th. W.H. Freeman and Co 0716796171

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 4