COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This is the second semester of a two semester sequence dealing with the properties and characterization of Earth Materials (minerals and rocks). Rocks are composed usually of minerals (crystalline solids), but they can also be composed of glass or organic matter. There are three major groups of rocks: 1) igneous rocks formed by solidification of molten material; 2) sedimentary rocks which are produced by deposition and cementation of particles or precipitated from water; and 3) metamorphic rocks which are the result of recrystallization due to changes in temperature and pressure. A unifying concept is the rock cycle. We will look at the origin of the different groups of rocks in terms of this unifying concept. The lecture and laboratory part of the course will be interwoven, although for administrative purposes separate grades will be given for the lecture (GEOL.3080) and the laboratory (GEOL.3100L) parts of the course.
Learning Outcomes:
At the end of this course you should
1) have an understanding of the physical and chemical processes that lead to the formation of the different types of rocks;
2) be able to identify and classify rocks at the macroscopic scale;
3) be able to identify minerals in rocks, identify and describe rock textures and classify rocks using the polarizing light microscope;
4) and be able to assess the role of rocks in economic and engineering applications.
Skills:
At the end of the course you should have acquired the following skills
1) the ability to characterize and classify rocks based on their physical properties;
2) the ability to use the polarizing light microscope to identify the minerals in rocks and to describe rock textures;
3) and the ability to relate rock properties to economic, environmental, and engineering applications.
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:
Klein, C. and Philpotts, A. (2017) Earth Materials, 2nd Edition. Cambridge University Press.
This book is used for both Earth Materials I and Earth Materials II. NOTE: The 2nd edition of the textbook has an added chapter, and some questions have been added and others removed. The homework assignments refer to the 2nd edition. If you use the 1st edition of the textbook, you will answer the wrong questions.
Useful References:
Nesse, W. D. (2000) Introduction to Mineralogy. Oxford University Press.
Winter, J. D. (2009) Principles of Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology, 2nd Edition. Prentice Hall.
Boggs, S. (2006) Principles of Sedimentology and Stratigraphy, 4th Edition. Prentice Hall.
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 @ 17.5% each =
35%
Homework = 10%
Laboratory Exercises = 20%
Laboratory Practical Exam
= 10%
Final Exam =
25%
Modified Grading Rubric due to Covid-19 Pandemic
Two Hour Exams @ 20% each = 40%
Homework = 10%
Laboratory Exercies = 30% (There will not be a Laboratory Practical Exam)
Final Exam (Exam III) = 20%
The Hour Exams are
tentatively scheduled for February 26 and April 8. The
Hour Exams will not be cumulative. The Final Exam will be not be
inclusive.
CONTACTING THE INSTRUCTOR:
The instructor's Office Hours can be found on his home page. 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.
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Banded iron formation, Western Australia