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Lectures comprise an overview and classification of igneous and metamorphic rocks and environments, discussion of mineral and rock-forming processes, and theoretical background to laboratory microscope work. Laboratory classes will provide experience in the recognition and interpretation of common rocks and minerals using the polarizing microscope.
Students successfully completing this course will be able to identify the common rock forming minerals in thin section, and classify the common igneous and metamorphic rocks. All laboratory work will involve the use of the polarising microscope, the fundamental tool of petrology. The accompanying lectures cover some of the principles of mineralogy and petrology and optical crystallography, which is the theoretical basis of the microscope work.What the course entails:Two lectures and one practical class per week.What you need for this course:The required Prerequisites for GEOL232 are GEOL111 "Planet Earth" and GEOL112 "Understanding Earth History", or, with HOD permission, GEOL111 "Planet Earth" and GEOL113 "Environmental Geohazards".What this course gets you into:GEOL232 is recommended preparation for GEOL235 and GEOL236, a prerequisite for GEOL336 "Magmatic Systems and Volcanology", and it may partly satisfy the prerequisites for GEOL337 and GEOL338.
Recognition of minerals and rocks is a key aspect of geology, both in the field and the laboratory.Students successfully completing this course will:Be able to identify the common rock-forming mineralsBe able to classify and identify common igneous and metamorphic rocks using the polarising microscope.Have learned about twinning, solid solution, eutectics, the granite system, various quartz-feldspar intergrowths, about the effects of solid solution series and eutectic systems on the differentiation of magmas, and more.
GEOL111 and GEOL112 (GEOL113 or GEOL114 may be substituted for either of these provided a candidate has attained an overall B grade in GEOL 100 level courses, ora standard which is acceptable to the HOD).
Laboratories will be held in Room 221 (200 Level Laboratory Level 2 von Haast Building), Stream A from 1.00-3.30 pm and Stream B from 3.30-6.00 pm on Wednesdays.
Jim Cole
The first of the practical tests is to provide experience of a test and give feed back. If a student does better in the second test, that mark will be weighted at 60%.
Shelley, David; Igneous and metamorphic rocks under the microscope : classfication, textures, microstructures, and mineral preferred-orientations ; 1st ed.; Chapman & Hall, 1993.
Shelley, David; Optical mineralogy ; 2nd ed; Elsevier, 1985.
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Relation of GEOL232 to Other CoursesGEOL232 is a prerequisite for GEOL336 Magmatic Systems and Volcanology.GEOL232 can also partially satisfy the corequisite or prerequisite requirements of GEOL230, GEOL231, GEOL333, GEOL337, GEOL338, GEOL351 and GEOL352.
Domestic fee $434.00
International fee $1,953.00
* 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.
For further information see Geological Sciences .