GEOL242-18S1 (C) Semester One 2018

Rocks, Minerals and Ores

15 points

Details:
Start Date: Monday, 19 February 2018
End Date: Sunday, 24 June 2018
Withdrawal Dates
Last Day to withdraw from this course:
  • Without financial penalty (full fee refund): Sunday, 4 March 2018
  • Without academic penalty (including no fee refund): Sunday, 20 May 2018

Description

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.

The course will provide an introduction to mineralogy, igneous and metamorphic petrology, and related ore deposits.  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.
 
Timetable
Lectures    
3 lectures per week
Laboratories
1 lab (2.5 hours) per week

Learning Outcomes

  • 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).

    Summary of the Course Content
    The topics coved by this course are:
  • Optical mineralogy and mineral identification
  • Igneous, metamorphic and ore forming environments
    • University Graduate Attributes

      This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attributes specified below:

      Critically competent in a core academic discipline of their award

      Students know and can critically evaluate and, where applicable, apply this knowledge to topics/issues within their majoring subject.

      Employable, innovative and enterprising

      Students will develop key skills and attributes sought by employers that can be used in a range of applications.

      Globally aware

      Students will comprehend the influence of global conditions on their discipline and will be competent in engaging with global and multi-cultural contexts.

Prerequisites

(1) GEOL111, and (2) GEOL113 or GEOL115

Timetable Note

Lecture and Laboratory Timetable:

Week #  -  Lectures  -  Lecturer  -  Laboratory 3 per week  -  Four streams

1  -  Intro to mineralogy, geochemistry, and microscopes  -  BK  -  Intro to Microscopes
2  -  Melting of the mantle- Olivine, pyroxenes, oxides, & plagioclase  -  BK  -  Solid Solutions and Mineral ID Techniques
3  -  Granites-Mica, chlorite, quartz, k-feldspar & hornblende  -  BK  -  Phase Diagrams and Mineral ID Techniques
4  -  Crystal Nucleation & Growth-Amphiboles, glass & bubbles  -  BK  -  Mineral and Rock Textures
5  -  Rock Identification & Magma Differentiation  -  BK  -  Volcanic rocks
6  -  Volcano Types and Banks peninsula  -  BK  -  Practice exam
7  -  Metamorphic terminology, textures  -  AN  -  Mid-Semester Exam
8  -  Metamorphic Reactions  -  AN  -  Metamorphic Rocks Part I
9  -  Metamorphic Processes  -  AN  -  Metamorphic Rocks Part II
10  -  Interpreting Metamorphic History  -  AN  -  Metamorphic Textures and Facies
11  -  Ores AN  -  Practice Lab Exam
12  -  Ores continued and review AN  -  Lab Exam

Course Coordinator

Ben Kennedy

Lecturer

Alex Nichols

Assessment

Assessment Due Date Percentage  Description
In-class assignments 10% In-class assignments (laboratory completions)
Mid-semester test 25% Mid-semester test
Laboratory examination 25% Laboratory examination - week 23
Final examination 40% Final examination


Examination and Formal Tests
Exam TBA within mid-year exam period

Textbooks / Resources

Recommended Reading

Robb, L. J; Introduction to ore-forming processes ; Blackwell Pub, 2005.

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)

Course links

Library portal

Notes

Prerequisites
The 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".

Relationship to other courses
GEOL242 is highly recommended preparation for the 300 level field trip courses GEOL351 and 352, and is required for entry into GEOL336, GEOL337 and GEOL338.

Goal of the Course
Prepare students for higher level igneous, metamorphic, and volcanological studies; advanced courses in economic and mining geology; and field geology classes.

Additional Course Outline Information

Academic integrity

GENERAL INFORMATION

Marks and Grades
The Department of Geological Sciences uses the following scale to convert marks into grades:
100 – 90 A+ 75 – 79 B+ 60 – 64 C+
89 – 85 A 70 – 74 B 55 – 59 C
84 – 80 A- 65 – 69 B- 50 – 54 C-
Below 50 D/E

The Department of Geological Sciences reserves the right to adjust this mark/grade conversion, when deemed necessary.

Late Work
It 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 Liaison
Alex Nichols (room 321, HUalex.nichols@canterbury.ac.nzUH, phone (03) 364 2987 ext 94410) 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 Disabilities
Students with disabilities should speak with someone at Disability Resource Service. Their office is on Level 2 of the Puaka-James Hight Building (Central Library). Phone: +64 3 369 3334 or ext 93334, email: disabilities@canterbury.ac.nz

Policy on Dishonest Practice
Plagiarism, 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 Grades
Students 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.  

Special Considerations Applications
If 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 a Special Considerations application form, available from the Registry or the Student Health and Counselling Service.  This should be within five 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 Special Consideration applications, please refer to the Enrolment Handbook or visit http://www.canterbury.ac.nz/exams/special-consideration.shtml.  You have the right to appeal any decision made, including Special Considerations decisions.  

Missing of Tests
In rare cases a student will not be able to sit a test.  In such cases, the student should consult with the course co-ordinator to 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.

Indicative Fees

Domestic fee $865.00

International fee $3,788.00

* 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.

Minimum enrolments

This course will not be offered if fewer than 30 people apply to enrol.

For further information see School of Earth and Environment .

All GEOL242 Occurrences

  • GEOL242-18S1 (C) Semester One 2018