Course content

The course provides a broad introduction to the subject of mineralogy and this includes a review of the most common silicate mineral and selected non-silicate minerals, crystal and mineral chemistry, the use of ternary diagrams, in depth understanding of crystallography and symmetry down to the point group as well as an introduction to the translative symmetry elements and space groups. Compulsory work in crystallography and mineral chemistry.

Learning outcome

Upon course completion you will be able to do the following for these different topics:

1. Be able to explain what a mineral is.
2. Crystal Chemistry: Explain and apply Pauling's rules, know the typical charge and the coordination of the most common chemical elements on Earth and how it affects how the individual chemical elements can substitute for each other. You should also know and understand the various types of packing and lattice that forms the basis for many crystal structures.
3. Mineral Chemistry: Using your knowledge of crystal chemistry you should be able to calculate a mineral formula from a chemical analysis and estimated structural formula. Based on the outcome of this, you could plot further analysis in a triangular diagram and use it to classify mineral. You should also be able to assess whether the assay corresponds to a given structural formula or whether it might belong to another mineral group with a different stoichiometry using "site occupacy".
4. Systematic mineralogy: Know all silicate groups with structural and chemical formulas for the most common members of the various groups. You should also be able to explain the differences and similarities / relationships between the different silicate groups.
5. Crystallography and symmetry: You should be able to understand the seven crystal systems in detail and you should be able to plot planes with various Miller indices. You should also understand and apply the symmetry of the 32 point groups. Using a chart with projections of them you should be able to determine the point group a given crystal belongs to, based on 3D sketch or series of crystallographic section drawings. Conversely, you should also be able to generate crystallographic sections yourself given Miller indices for various forms and cleavage at a specified point group. You should be able to use a simple form of the stereographic projection to determine the symmetric equivalent of various shapes and cleavage defined by Miller indices. You will also be able to explain the optical properties of the various cut out from your knowledge of crystal systems and the orientation of the optical indicatrix in relation to these. Furthermore, you should understand and be able to explain how the translative symmetry elements generates the 230 space groups from the point groups. The translative symmetry elements should be understood and applied in the interpretation of 2D symmetry.

Learning methods and activities

The course uses a combination of theoretical lectures and compulsory practical exercises. The course is evaluated by a reference group.

Compulsory assignments

• Reports

Required previous knowledge

TGB4126 Mineralogy, Basic Course (can be done in parallel).

Course materials

Given at the beginning of the semester.

Credit reductions