Syllabus

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This is an eclectic course ranging from crystal chemistry and crystal symmetry through the properties of light in minerals and the identification of minerals both in hand specimen and with the optical microscope. The lecture and laboratory part of the course will be interwoven, although for administrative purposes separate grades will be given for the lecture (89.301) and the laboratory (89.303) parts of the course.

GENERAL COURSE INFORMATION:

Because this is an integrated course, laboratory-type experiences can be expected during most class meetings. Hence, attendance is mandatory for this course. Except in the case of personal illness or a death in the immediate family, both of which must be substantiated, the student MUST seek prior approval from the instructor for a class absence. Ski trips, hunting trips, extended weekends, an exam in another course, etc. are NOT legitimate excuses for a class absence. Any special pleading must be done before the missed class, not after. Any un-excused absence will result in a grade of zero being recorded for missed material (including exams).

The student's attention is called to the definitions and regulations regarding cheating and plagiarism. The instructor shall assign a grade of zero to any portion of an exam on which he determines cheating has occurred. Likewise a grade of zero will be assigned to any portion of a laboratory exercise that has been plagiarized.

TEXT: 

Nesse, W. D. (2000) Introduction to Mineralogy. Oxford University Press.

Additional materials will be handed out during the course and links to useful sites can be found on the Links page of the course web site.

GRADING POLICY:

Because this is an integrated course, your grade will be based on the total course evaluations. You will receive the same grade for the lecture and laboratory. Your grade will be determined as follows:

Two Hour Exams @ 20% each = 40%

Exercises = 20%

Practical Exam = 10%

    Final Exam = 30%

The Hour Exams are tentatively scheduled for October 24 and November 21. The Hour Exams will not be cumulative but the Final Exam will be inclusive.

CONTACTING THE INSTRUCTOR:

The instructor's Office Hours are M-W-F 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM. The instructor's office is Room 302b in the Olney building. Additional hours are available by appointment. If you have problems, or want to make an appointment, you can reach me either by telephone, 978-934-3907 (I have voice mail) or better yet by e-mail, Nelson_Eby@uml.edu. I log on to my e-mail account when I come in each day and thus will get your message first thing in the morning.