Mineral Science W/Lab

Mineral science is foundational for other geology and environmental science courses, as well as many other scientific disciplines that encounter crystalline solids. This class provides students with a solid understanding of minerals, which are the building blocks of all rocks on this and every other planet, and provide most of our industrial resources, many building materials and precious gems. A successful student leaving this class will be able to identify most common minerals when they occur in the wild and be familiar with their internal structure and crystal chemistry. The practical use of state-of-the- art analytical techniques common to the study of solid materials is emphasized to elucidate the links between internal crystalline structure and macroscopic physical properties. Students will use the scanning electron microscope, the x-ray diffractometer and the polarizing light microscope. In addition to learning the fundamentals of mineral science, students will gain appreciation for the beauty and symmetry present in the natural world.