Elements of Mineralogy and Petrography

A.Y. 2024/2025
9
Max ECTS
96
Overall hours
SSD
GEO/06 GEO/07
Language
Italian
Learning objectives
The goal of this course is to provide the fundamentals for the description and the classification of minerals and rocks.
Expected learning outcomes
The student will practice and acquire the methods required to identify natural materials (geomaterials) used both as raw materials, to be transformed, and as ornamental or dimensional elements.
Single course

This course can be attended as a single course.

Course syllabus and organization

Single session

Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Course Program:
Descriptive Mineralogy and Physical Properties of Minerals
Morphology, habit, luster, hardness, cleavage: Describing the external characteristics and physical properties of minerals.
Systematic Mineralogy: Study of native elements, sulfides, oxides, hydroxides, carbonates, sulfates, borates, phosphates, and silicates.
Essential and accessory minerals in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks.
Minerals used in metal extraction and an overview of major extraction techniques.
Gemstones and pigments: Minerals used in jewelry and as coloring agents.
Industrial minerals: Introduction to the production of mortars, cements, and ceramics.
Optical Properties of Minerals

Mineralogy microscope: Introduction to the use of a microscope in mineralogy.
Identification of major rock-forming minerals using transmitted light microscopy.
Tectonics and Petrogenesis

Plate tectonics and petrogenetic processes: The rock cycle.
Introduction to geochemical classification of elements.
Chemical composition of rocks: Major elements, classification and discrimination diagrams, trace elements.
Geological relationships of igneous rocks on the Earth's surface: Volcanism and plutonism.
Petrogenetic processes and binary phase diagrams.
Igneous Rocks

Identification of igneous rock processes based on macroscopic characteristics.
Essential minerals in igneous rocks and the Streckeisen classification.
Metamorphic Rocks

Metamorphism and deformation: Types and subdivisions of metamorphism, metamorphic facies.
Classification criteria and major minerals in metamorphic rocks.
Ornamental Stones and Ancient Marbles

Commercial classification and properties of ornamental stones.
Study of ancient marbles.
Practical Exercises

Hands-on exercises using macroscopic samples and transmitted light microscopy to recognize and describe major minerals, igneous rocks, and metamorphic rocks, which will be the focus of the examination.
Prerequisites for admission
Basic knowledge of general chemistry
Teaching methods
The course includes both lectures on theoretical topics in mineralogy and petrography, as well as laboratory activities involving the observation, description, and identification of selected macroscopic samples of minerals and rocks, including the use of transmitted light microscopy.
Teaching Resources
Klein Philpotts. Earth Materials. Cambridge University press
Assessment methods and Criteria
The examination for this course comprises a written test consisting of theoretical questions on the main topics covered in the course. This will be followed by an oral examination where students will be required to describe and identify macroscopic samples of minerals and rocks.
GEO/06 - MINERALOGY - University credits: 5
GEO/07 - PETROLOGY AND PETROGRAPHY - University credits: 4
Practicals: 24 hours
Laboratories: 32 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Shifts:
Esercitazioni Turno I B
Professor: Merlini Marco
Esercitazioni Turno II
Professor: Borghini Giulio
Laboratorio Turno II
Professor: Marinoni Nicoletta
Laboratorio Turno II A
Professor: Borghini Giulio
Professor(s)
Reception:
Wednesday at 10-11 am
via Botticelli 23, second floor