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An introduction to mineralogy, igneous and metamorphic petrology, and related ore deposits, and their use in interpretation of geological environments. Students will be introduced to geologic processes sensitive to pressure, temperature and volatile availability, including magma crystallisation and gold mineralisation.
Basic principles of mineralogy and microscopy will be built upon to describe and interpret igneous, metamorphic, and economically important rocks and minerals. The practical work involves naming and describing hand samples of common minerals, rocks and ores. In addition each student will be allocated a microscope for the laboratory work, and selected samples will be additionally examined and described in thin section and/or polished mount using transmitted light microscopy.The lectures provide a theoretical background to some of the practical work (such as optical mineralogy and rock classification), but also provide an introduction to important mineralogical and rock-forming processes. Students will be introduced to geologic processes sensitive to pressure, temperature and volatile availability, including magma crystallisation and gold mineralisation. The course will show clearly how rocks and minerals can used to interpret various geological environments.
The goal of the course is to prepare students for higher level igneous, metamorphic, and volcanological studies; advanced courses in economic and mining geology; and field geology classes. Students successfully completing this course will:identify and describe common rock-forming and economically significant minerals, as well as igneous and metamorphic rocks, using both the microscope and hand specimens.apply mineralogical properties and concepts, such as crystal structure and solid solution, to explain the composition and texture of rocks and mineral deposits in different crustal contexts.apply the relevant concepts of chemistry and physics to explain mineralogic, igneous, metamorphic and ore forming processes using examples from New Zealand and the rest of the world.be enthusiastic about field and laboratory-based mineralogy and petrology.appreciate that skills practiced in mineralogy, petrology and ore geology will be useful in any future career (geological or otherwise).
GEOL111 and GEOL112. With a B+ average, ora standard acceptable to the Head of Department, GEOL113 may be substituted for GEOL112.
GEOL232, GEOL238
Ben Kennedy
Chris Oze
GEOL242, along with GEOL243 and GEOL244 are highly recommended preparation for the300 level field trip courses GEOL351 and 352
Robb, L. J; Introduction to ore-forming processes ; Blackwell Pub, 2005.
Winter, John D; An introduction to igneous and metamorphic petrology ; 2nd ed; Prentice Hall, 2010.
Winter, John D; Principles of igneous and metamorphic petrology ; 2nd ed; Prentice Hall, 2010.
Optical Mineralogy by David Shelley (to be purchased from Geological Sciences, Room 101D)
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The topics covered by this course are• optical mineralogy and mineral identification• igneous, metamorphic and ore forming environmentsRelationship to other coursesGEOL242 is highly recommended preparation for the 300 level field trip courses GEOL351 and 352, and is required for entry into GEOL336, GEOL337 and GEOL338.PrerequisitesThe required Prerequisites for GEOL242 are GEOL111 "Planet Earth" and GEOL112 "Understanding Earth History", or, with HOD permission and a B+ average GEOL111 "Planet Earth" and GEOL113 "Environmental Geohazards".
Marks and GradesThe Department of Geological Sciences uses the following scale to convert marks into grades:100 – 90 A+ 74 – 70 B 54 – 50 C-89 – 85 A 69 – 65 B- 49 – 40 D84 – 80 A- 64 – 60 C+ Below 40 E79 – 75 B+ 59 – 55 C The Department of Geological Sciences reserves the right to adjust this mark/grade conversion, when deemed necessary.Late WorkIt is the policy for this course that late work is not accepted. Or, late work should be accompanied with a detailed explanation of why the work is late. The work will be marked and marks will be subtracted for each day the work is late. Days late include week-end and holidays. Academic LiaisonChristopher Oze (room 329, HUchristopher.oze@canterbury.ac.nzUH, is in charge of liaison with students in geology courses. Each year level will appoint a student representative(s) to the liaison committee at the start of the semester. Please feel free to talk to the Academic Liaison or the student rep about any problems or concerns that you might have.Students with DisabilitiesStudents with disabilities should speak with someone at Disability Resource Service. Their office is room 317 in the Rutherford Building. Phone: 364 2350 (or ext. 6350), email: disabilities@canterbury.ac.nzPolicy on Dishonest PracticePlagiarism, collusion, copying and ghost writing are unacceptable and dishonest practices.• Plagiarism is the presentation of any material (text, data, figures or drawings, on any medium including computer files) from any other source without clear and adequate acknowledgement of the source.• Collusion is the presentation of work performed in conjunction with another person or persons, but submitted as if it has been completed only by the names author(s). • Copying is the use of material (in any medium, including computer files) produced by another person(s) with or without their knowledge and approval.• Ghost writing is the use of another person(s) (with or without payment) to prepare all or part of an item submitted for assessment. In cases where dishonest practice is involved in tests or other work submitted for credit, the student will be referred to the University Proctor. The instructor may choose to not mark the work. Reconsideration of GradesStudents should, in the first instance, speak to the course co-ordinator about their marks. If they cannot reach an agreeable solution, students should then speak to the Head of the Geological Sciences Department. Students can appeal any decision made on their final grade. You can apply at the Registry to appeal the final grade within 4 weeks of the end of the semester. Be aware that there are time limits for each step of the appeals process. Aegrotat ApplicationsIf you feel that illness, injury, bereavement or other critical circumstances has prevented you from completing an item of assessment or affected your performance, you should complete an aegrotat application form, available from the Registry or the Student Health and Counselling Service. This should be within seven days of the due date for the required work or the date of the examination. In the case of illness or injury, medical consultation should normally have taken place shortly before or within 24 hours after the due date for the required work, or the date of the test or examination. For further details on aegrotat applications, please refer to the Enrolment Handbook. You have the right to appeal any decision made, including aegrotat decisions. Missing of TestsIn rare cases a student will not be able to sit a test. In such cases, the student should consult with the course co-ordinator or the Head of the Department of Geological Sciences to arrange alternative procedures. This must be done well in advance of the set date for the test.
Week # Dates Lectures Lecturer Laboratory 3 per week Four streams9 23rd Feb Intro to mineralogy, geochemistry, and microscopes BK Intro to Microscopes10 2nd March Melting of the mantle- Olivine, pyroxenes, oxides, & plagioclase BK Solid Solutions and Mineral ID Techniques11 9th March Granites-Mica, chlorite, quartz, k-feldspar & hornblende BK Phase Diagrams and Mineral ID Techniques12 16th March Crystal Nucleation & Growth- Amphiboles, glass & bubbles BK Mineral and Rock Textures13 23th March Rock Identification & Magma Differentiation BK Magma Generation versus Differentiation14 30th March Volcano Types and TVZ BK Volcanic Rocks 18 28th April Introduction CO Mid-Semester Exam19 4th May Metamorphic Terminology and Textures CO Metamorphic Rocks Part I20 11th May Metamorphic Reactions CO Metamorphic Rocks Part II21 18th May Metamorphic Processes CO Metamorphic Textures and Facies22 25th May Interpreting Metamorphic History CO Practice Lab Exam23 1st June Review CO Lab Exam
Domestic fee $808.00
International fee $3,638.00
* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.
This course will not be offered if fewer than 30 people apply to enrol.
For further information see School of Earth and Environment .