Mineralogy
GEOL- 3121 Fall 2015
Section 8038
Lecture: 9:30-10:45 am, Monday and Wednesday (Roney #201)
Text: Neese, W.D., 2012, Introduction to Mineralogy – 2nd Edition: Oxford University Press, New York, 480 pages. (ISBN: 978-0-19-982738-1)
Instructor: Dr. Tom Weiland (Office - 212 Roney)
Office Hours: 11:00-12:00 Mon. & Wed. and 1:30-2:30 Tues. (and by appointment)
Phone: office: 229-931-2327, cell: 229-815-0551
Email: Thomas.Weiland@gsw.edu Website: itc.gsw.edu/faculty/tweiland
Wednesday, August 19................................ Intro./Crystallography.................... Chapter 2
Monday, August 24...................................... PreTest and Lab........................... Chapter 2
Wednesday, August 26................................ Crystallography............................. Chapter 2 (quiz)
Monday, August 31...................................... Crystallography............................. Chapter 2
Wednesday, September 2........................... Crystallography............................. Chapter 2
Monday, September 7................................. Labor Day Holiday
Monday, September 21............................... Optical Mineralogy........................ Chapter 7 (quiz)
Wednesday, September 23......................... Optical Mineralogy........................ Chapter 7
Monday, September 28............................. Lecture Test #1........................... Chapters 2 & 7
Wednesday, September 30......................... Optical Mineralogy........................ Chapter 7
Monday, October 5 ..................................... Optical Mineralogy........................ Chapter 7
Wednesday, October 7 ............................... Optical Mineralogy........................ Chapter 7
Monday, October 12 (?) ............................. Optical Mineralogy........................ Chapter 7
Wednesday, October 14.............................. Crystal Chemistry.......................... Chapter 3 (quiz)
Monday, October 19 ................................... Crystal Chemistry.......................... Chapter 3
Wednesday, October 21.............................. Crystal Chemistry.......................... Chapter 3
Monday, October 26.................................... Crystal Structure........................... Chapter 4 (quiz)
Wednesday, October 28.............................. Crystal Structure........................... Chapter 4
Monday, November 2.................................. Crystal Structure........................... Chapter 4
Wednesday, November 4.......................... Lecture Test #2........................... Chapters 7, 3 & 4
Monday, November 9.................................. Crystal Growth.............................. Chapter 5
Wednesday, November 11.......................... Crystal Growth.............................. Chapter 5 (quiz)
Monday, November 30................................ Chemical Analysis......................... Chapter 9
Comprehensive Lecture Final: Monday, December 7th (10:30am-12:30pm)
Lab: 2:00-3:50 PM Thursday (Roney #201/203)
Lab Manual and Materials: Lab exercises will be distributed during each lab. Needed equipment/supplies include three-ring binder, hand lens, and note cards.
Thursday, August 20............................... Lab #1 - Physical Properties of Minerals
Thursday, August 27............................... Lab #2 - Crystal Symmetry (Part I)
Thursday, September 3 ......................... Lab #3 - Crystal Symmetry (Part II)
Thursday, September 11 ....................... Lab #4 - Optics: Intro. & Basic Mineral Properties
Thursday, September 17 ....................... Lab #5 - Optics: Refraction, Extinction & Birefringence
Thursday, September 24 ....................... Lab #6 - Optics: Uniaxial Minerals
Thursday, October 1 ............................ Lab Midterm
Thursday, October 8................................ Fall Break
Thursday, October 15 ............................. Lab #7 - Optics: Biaxial Minerals
Thursday, October 22.............................. Lab #8 - Framework and Sheet Silicates
Thursday, October 29.............................. Lab #9 - Chain, Ring, Di- & Orthosilicates (Quiz Lab #7)
Thursday, November 5........................... Lab #10 - Nonsilicates (Quiz Lab #8)
Thursday, November 12......................... Lab #11 - X-ray Fluorescence/Diffraction (Quiz Lab #9)
Thursday, November 19...................... Lab Final
Thursday, November 26......................... Thanksgiving Holiday
Thursday, December 3........................... Project Report Presentations
Course Objectives: To provide a basic understanding of crystallography and practical mineralogy. This includes learning about the basic characteristics, geologic occurrences, and distinguishing features of important rock-forming and economic minerals.
Course Grading Policy
3 Lecture Tests (17% each)......................... 51%
2 Lab Tests (8% each) ................................. 16%
11 Graded Labs (2% each).......................... 22%
1 Term Project (7%)....................................... 7%
7 Reading Quizzes (1% each).................... 7%
Total 103%
Attendance and Other Class Policies
1) All students at Georgia Southwestern State University are to abide by published rules
outlining academic honesty. Please review the “Policy on Academic Integrity” from the undergraduate bulletin that can be found at the following URL:
https://gsw.edu/campus-life/resourcesinformation/studenthandbook/academic-information#ACADEMIC-INTEGRITY-POLICY In addition, it is possible that this course will involve the use of plagiarism-prevention technology. For example, you may be required to submit written assignments on-line through a plagiarism-prevention service or to allow me to submit copies of your writing to such a service. The written assignments may then be retained by the service for the sole purpose of checking for plagiarized content in future student submissions.
2) A student requesting classroom accommodations or modifications due to a documented
disability must notify me within the first two weeks of the semester. The student must also contact and register with the Office of Disability Services located on the third floor of Sanford Hall. Their phone number is 229-931-2661.
3) Attendance is required for both lecture and lab. If you miss any labs, exams or lab
tests, you must have a valid excuse to make them up. Failure to provide an adequate excuse within one week of the absence will result in a grade of zero on the exam or lab. Anyone arriving late for a lecture or lab test after someone has already completed the test and left the classroom, will not be allowed to take the test unless a valid and appropriate excuse is provided.
4) Come to class prepared to learn. You should not be talking with your neighbor during class
unless it is necessary for an activity. Pay attention and take notes as appropriate. All electronic devices must be turned off before class begins. You will be asked to leave class if your phone rings, you are texting messages, you repeatedly talk or use an electronic device during lecture or if you are disruptive in any manner. If there is a special situation where you need to receive and respond to cell phone messages, you must see me before class for permission.
5) In addition to exams, there will be reading quizzes on material in the textbook. Quizzes
will begin promptly at the start of class and take approximately 5 minutes. If you are late for class, you will not be able to take the quiz. There are no make-ups for missed quizzes.
6) Missed labs should be made up by the student on their own time.
7) Course information will occasionally be sent to your GSW student email account (radar
address). It is important that you check and maintain this email account.