Module Identifier EA11610  
Module Title ROCKS AND MINERALS  
Academic Year 2000/2001  
Co-ordinator Dr Bill Perkins  
Semester Semester 2 (Taught over 2 semesters)  
Other staff Dr Alex Maltman, Dr Nick Pearce, Dr Bill Perkins  
Course delivery Lecture   20 Hours 1 HOUR LECTURES  
  Field Work   11 Hours 11 X 2 HOURS  
Assessment Exam   1.5 Hours Written exam.   50%  
  In-course assessment   2 in-course short practical tests.   30%  
  Continuous assessment   Practical notebook.   20%  
  Resit assessment   2 hour practically-based examination   100%  

Brief description
The definition of minerals and their classification will be given. Chemical bonding in minerals will
be described with examples from common mineral types. The atomic structure of the silicate
minerals will be introduced. The distinction of silicate and non-silicate minerals will be given and
the major sub-division of the important rock-forming minerals will be provided. Mineral
identification will form a significant part of this section of the course. The basic understanding of
mineralogy will then be applied to the three major rock groups. The rock cycle will be introduced.

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.

Metamorphic rocks will be considered as the products of both heat and pressure. The application
of thermodynamics in metamorphic studies will be introduced. Emphasis will be placed on the
practical description and identification of the more common metamorphic rocks.

Sedimentary rocks will be described. The major sub-division of sedimentary rocks into clastic and
carbonate rocks will be explained and the more common examples will be studied in practical
classes. The physical and chemical changes which change unconsolidated sediment into
sedimentary rocks will be outlined. Important sedimentary structures and their application in
sedimentary studies will be described.

Aims of the module
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.

Reading Lists
Books
** Recommended Text
Duff, D. Holmes' Principles of Physical Geology.. Chapman & Hall.
Earth. W.H. Freeman and Co