Rocks and Minerals

Cod y Modiwl: GS12500
Teitl y Modiwl: Rocks and Minerals
Blwyddyn Academaidd: 2026/2027
Semester: Semester 1 Dysgwyd dros 2 semester
Cyd-gysylltydd y Modiwl: Dr Morgan Jones
Rhestr Ddarllen: Gweld ar Aspire
Staff Eraill sy'n Cyfrannu: Professor Andy Mitchell; Professor Sarah Davies; Dr Marie Busfield

Dulliau Asesu

Math o Asesiad	Manylion Asesiad	Cyfran
Asesiad Semester	Semester 1 Practical Workbook: Written assessed practical workbook 1500 Words	50%
Asesiad Semester	Semester 2 Practical Workbook: Written assessed practical workbook 1500 Words	50%
Asesiad Ailsefyll	Semester 2 Practical Workbook: Written assessed practical workbook 1500 Words	50%
Asesiad Ailsefyll	Semester 1 Practical Workbook: Written assessed practical workbook 1500 Words	50%

Canlyniadau Dysgu

Wedi cwblhau'r modiwl dylai'r myfyrwyr fedru:

Analyse and identify Earth's key rocks and rock-forming minerals
Outline the principles of rock and mineral classification
Demonstrate the ability to use both a hand-lens and a petrological microscope
Systematically record and describe rocks and minerals

Disgrifiad cryno

This module introduces minerals as the building blocks of all rocks and also as the source for many raw/industrial materials. The module will start with a description of the major groups of minerals and provide practical experience in describing, identifying and classifying them in hand specimen. The module will introduce the petrological microscope – a device that is used to study thin sections of rocks and minerals. The ‘Rock Cycle’ will be used to demonstrate the links between the three major rock groups: igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. Each of these rock groups will be explored in detail and they will be studied in both hand specimens and thin sections in the practical component of the course. The overall aim of this module is to provide you with the skills necessary to identify the main types of rocks found at the Earth's surface and to allow you to produce a systematic description and classification of these rocks.

Cynnwys

The course is sub-divided into four components:

Mineralogy – the structure and chemistry of minerals, their key physical properties and their classification. The basics of optical mineralogy.

Sedimentary rocks – the origin of sedimentary material through processes of weathering, transport and erosion. The range of sedimentary rock types, their mineralogy and interrelationships.

Igneous rocks – the range of different igneous rocks and their interrelationships. The classification of igneous rocks. The link between the chemistry and mineralogy of these rocks and their physical behaviour.

Metamorphic rocks – the controls on metamorphism. The range of metamorphic minerals and rocks. Contact and regional metamorphism.

Sgiliau Modiwl

Math o Sgiliau	Manylion Sgiliau
Cyfathrebu	Practical classes are inherently interactive, and students will be encouraged to communicate with each other through specific small group exercises. The module is designed to allow a high number of contact hours between staff and students to ensure development of strong communication, and ample opportunities for one-to-one and group discussions.
Datblygu personol a chynllunio gyrfa	Upon successful completion of this module students will have developed a range of practical skills integral to any geoscience career path. They will develop fundamental mineral and rock classification skills. The students will develop skills in systematically recording observational data and the use of ‘industry standard’ classification schemes.
Datrys Problemau	This module will develop a series of skills to enable students to identify various minerals and rock types. The module will develop skills in systematically recording observations and classification information. The module is designed to build these skills incrementally, in turn introducing minerals as the building blocks of rocks as well as the source of economic deposits. The module will combine the theoretical basis of classification and then apply this theory to examples. As the module introduces each of the major rock groups in turn the students’ problem solving skills will be developed incrementally using a variety of examples.
Gwaith Tim	Students will typically work in small groups within the practical classes. Specific exercises will be introduced to encourage short sessions of group work. These will provide the opportunity for students to develop team working skills.
Gwella dysgu a pherfformiad ei hun	Using ‘follow-up’ practical exercises in which formative training is provided in the structured practicals will allow students to develop their skills in a structured and incremental fashion. Students will be encouraged to make use of the practical laboratories outside timetabled slots and then be given feedback on these independent exercises in the following taught practical session. This incremental approach to skill development will allow students to monitor their own learning and the formative feedback will provide students with the opportunity to measure their performance improvements.
Rhifedd	The classification of rocks is often based on mineral proportions or percentages. These data are often represented graphically using triangular diagrams. Thus the students will be introduced to modal analysis and will develop skills in normalization and graphical representation of quantitative data.
Sgiliau pwnc penodol	The students will develop their own laboratory notebook with keys and identification charts which will be used in later modules. The ability to identify, descried and classify Earth Materials is a fundamental skill for all Earth Scientists
Sgiliau ymchwil	The students will be introduced to new topics which will require additional research.
Technoleg Gwybodaeth	Students will be expected to use information technology to aid further reading.

Nodau

Mae'r modiwl hwn yn cydymffurfio a FfCChC Lefel 4