Ateneo - UPO

Crystallographic and mineralogical characteristics of the crystalline phases composing the rocks and laboratory analyses for rock classification.

Materials provided by the professor
D’Argenio B., Innocenti F., Sassi F.P. Introduzione allo studio delle rocce. UTET
Rinaudo C., Croce A.Appunti per biologi su cristalli e minerali. Metodi non distruttivi per la loro identificazione. Tab edizioni, 2020

The goal of the course is to provide the main notions of the crystallography, the crystal chemistry and of the identification techniques of the mineral phases forming the rocks to the students.

Chemistry and physics basics.

Classroom-taught lessons and laboratories of optical microscopy. Examples about the applications of other techniques such as scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffractometer and micro-Raman spectroscope.

Before every lesson, the notions of the previous lesson will be briefly discussed.
Students with disabilities, Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD), or Special Educational Needs (SEN) can request dedicated services and tools by contacting the Career Development and Coordination and Student Services Staff and by consulting the dedicated page on the University website: https://uniupo.it/it/servizi/servizi-studentesse-e-studenti-condizione-di-disabilit%C3%A0-e-dsa. Students with disabilities, SLD, or SEN, after contacting the University Staff, can contact the professor in charge of the course regarding the specific exam modalities and teaching aspects.

Written exam. The written exam assesses the student's ability to apply the knowledge acquired during the course and consists of two open-ended questions and 15 multiple-choice questions. Open-ended questions are worth 9 points, while multiple-choice questions are worth 1 point each. A pass grade of at least 18/30 is required to complete the exam.

Crystallography basics: bi- and tridimensional symmetry operations (8 hours).
Crystal chemistry of the silicatie and non-silicatie minerals (8 hours).
Techniques for rock identification: polarized optical microscopy (4 hours).
Igneous rocks: characteristics of intrusive and effusive igneous rocks, their identification with massive sample and by optical microscopy (8 hours).
Sedimentary rocks: characteristics of the sedimentary rocks, their identification with massive sample and by optical microscopy (8 hours).
Metamorphic rocks: characteristics of the metamorphic rocks, their identification with massive sample and by optical microscopy (8 hours).
Other techniques applied to mineral analyses: scanning electron microscopy, micro-Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffractometry (4 hours).

KNOWLEDGE
Knowledge of the principles characterizing crystalline and mineral phases; knowledge of the fundamental principles of the bidimensional and tridimensional crystallography; knowledge of the classification of silicate and non-silicate minerals; knowledge of the formation conditions of the igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. Learning of the main identification techniques for mineral identification and of optical microscopy for rock classification.
SKILLS
Acquisition of an appropriate scientific language and of a suitable competence to analyze critically the obtained results obtained using the techniques, identifying their limits and potentials. Acquisition of an appropriate lexicon in the description of the mineralogy and lithology of the rocks even to novices, with particular attention to teaching.
TRANSVERSAL SKILLS
Capability in developing and presenting reports with appropriate scientific language, both oral and written, with attention in teaching the acquired notions to the students.
Acquisition of an independent ability to study in depth and update the matters using scientific books and articles.
Capability in using the didactic material for a critical and well-reasoned analysis of the matters discussed during the classroom-taught lessons.