Course teacher(s)
Karen FONTIJN (Coordinator)ECTS credits
5
Language(s) of instruction
french
Course content
- Physical properties of minerals
- Cristal Chemistry : atomic bonds in natural crystalline materials and their implications on the physical-chemical properties of minerals
- Introduction to crystallography
- Growth and stability of minerals and their assemblages (phase diagrams)
- Descriptive mineralogy: principles of mineral classification
- Mineral groups : native elements, sulphides and sulphates, carbonates, (hydr)oxydes, silicates ... – their compositions, structures and properties
Objectives (and/or specific learning outcomes)
- Formulate the fundamental definitions in mineralogy
- Analyse and describe the physical properties of minerals in hand specimen
- Explain the principles of quantum mechanics and atomic/ionic bonds and their relevance to mineralogy
- Explain the principles of coordination, crystallographic sites, etc.
- Explain the principles of mineral stability and mineral associations
- Know the main mineral groups, their structures and general properties
- Know the chemical formula of the primary minerals
Prerequisites and Corequisites
Cours co-requis
Courses requiring this course
Cours ayant celui-ci comme co-requis
Teaching methods and learning activities
Theory: the theory course is taught face-to-face. Some lectures may be given in shortened version, or replaced by podcasts / videos A significant part of the course is taught in "inverted class" mode: the teaching material (syllabus, presentations) is distributed and accompanied by weekly online Tests.
Practical classes: in-person, either in the laboratory or the classroom and/or the Museum of Mineralogy. Participation to the practical classes is mandatory. Potentially, a visit to the Natural History Museum will be organised.
Contribution to the teaching profile
The science of mineralogy represents one of the fundaments of geology. Minerals make up rocks, alter to form soils, and are used in a wide range of industrial applications. A comprehensive understanding of the main minerals and their properties is therefore essential for geologists.
References, bibliography, and recommended reading
Klein, C. & Dutrow, B. (2007). The 23rd Edition of the Manual of Mineral Science. John Wiley & Sons, 675 pp.
Putnis, A. (1992). Introduction to Mineral Sciences. Cambridge University Press, 457pp.
Course notes
- Syllabus
- Université virtuelle
Other information
Contacts
Karen Fontijn
Karen.Fontijn@ulb.be
02/6502237
Campus
Solbosch
Evaluation
Method(s) of evaluation
- written examination
- Practice exam
- Other
written examination
Practice exam
Other
Theory: written exam, immediately followed by brief oral discussion, if the sanitary conditions allow an on-site evaluation; if not: oral examination on Teams, without preparation
Practicals: practical and written exam
Mark calculation method (including weighting of intermediary marks)
Theory : 60%
Practicals : 30%
Participation to the weekly Tests on UV: 10%
Participation to each part (theory and practicals) is mandatory in order to obtain a final mark.
In case of a mark below 7/20 for one or multiple part(s) of the exam, the course coordinator may decide to attribute the lowest mark to the entire course, even if the weighted average represents a mark equal to or above 10/20. The student will have to retake the part(s) of the exam for which the mark is below 10/20.
Language(s) of evaluation
- french