Geology 375 - Igneous, Sedimentary, and Metamorphic Petrology

Syllabus

Week

Dates

Theme

Readings

1

Jan 23, 25

Course Introduction; Introduction to Petrology; Fundamental Concepts
Lecture Slides 1
Draft Study Questions

Ch 1

Lab: No lab (partial week)

2

Jan 28, 30, Feb 1

Fundamental Concepts; Minerals in Igneous Rocks; Igneous textures;
      Paper topics due Friday
Igneous textures (4 per page)
Igneous textures (6 per page)

Ch 2 & 3

Lab: Review of rock-forming minerals

3

Feb 4, 6, 8

Igneous textures and their origin; Rock classification and nomenclature
Classification (4 per page)
Classification (6 per page)

Ch 2 & 3

Lab: Igneous rocks in hand sample - intrusive & extrusive

4

Feb 11, 13, 15

Rock classification and nomenclature; Magma properties
Magmas-Volcanism-Intrusion (4 per page)  big files!
Magmas-Volcanism-Intrusion (6 per page)

Ch 2 & 3; Ch 4

Lab: Igneous rocks in hand sample and thin section - felsic

5

Feb 18, 20, 22

Magma properties; Volcanism and Intrusion

Lab: Igneous rocks in hand sample and thin section - mafic

6

Feb 25, 27, Mar 1

Quiz 1 (Monday);   Magma properties; Volcanism and Intrusion
Paper draft due Wednesday (80% complete)

Lab: Intro to preparation of polished thin sections   
  (finish billets by Friday)

7

Mar 4, 6, 8

Basic Thermodynamics and Phase Diagrams; Magma generation
Thermo-Phase-Melting (4 per page)
Thermo-Phase-Melting (6 per page)              No class Wednesday

Ch 5-7; Ch 10

Lab: Continue thin section work; Igneous geochemistry (Excel)

8

Mar 11-15

Spring Break

9

Mar 18, 20, 22

Basic Thermodynamics and Phase Diagrams; Magma generation

 Ch 5-7; Ch 10

Lab: Introduction to the electron microprobe
Continue thin section work   (preliminary polished sections by Friday)

10

Mar 25, 27, 29

Chemical Petrology (major/minor elements, trace elements, isotopes)
Chemical Petrol (4 per page)
Chemical Petrol (6 per page)

Magma crystallization and mixing
     (included in Phase Diagr & Chem Pet slides)

Presentation draft due Monday (80% complete)

First two presentations Friday  (15 minutes each)

Ch 9

Ch 3, 6, 11; Ch 8

Lab: Lecture catch-up; microprobe time for thin sections
        (remaining thin section prep finished by Friday)

11

Apr 1, 3, 5

Presentations (15 minutes each);    Quiz 2 Friday

handout

Lab: Igneous Rock lab quiz/practical;  microprobe time for thin sections

12

Apr 8, 10, 12

Introduction to sedimentary rocks and depositional settings
Papers due Monday
Sed Rocks part 1 (4 per page)

handout

Lab: Sedimentary rocks in hand sample and thin section; microprobe time for thin sections

13

Apr 15, 17, 19

Conglomerates, sandstones, and mudrocks
Sed Rocks part 2 (4 per page)

No Class Friday

handout

Lab:  open lab, microprobe time for thin sections, etc.

14

Apr 22, 24, 26

Limestones, dolomites, and other sedimentary rock;
Introduction to metamorphism and metamorphic rocks

handout
Ch 21-23

Lab: Metamorphic rocks in hand sample and thin section;  microprobe time for thin sections

Field Trip:
5 pm Friday to late Saturday
(sunrise 6:27 am on Sat)

16

Apr 29, May 1, 3

Introduction to metamorphism and metamorphic rocks
Met Rocks part 1 (4 per page)

Ch 21-23

Lab:  open lab, microprobe time for thin sections, etc.

17

May 6, 8, 10

Metamorphic reactions, assemblages, facies, P&T
Metamorphism of various rock types (selected examples)
Met Rocks part 2 (4 per page)

Ch 24-27
Ch 28-29

Lab: Sed/Met Rock quiz, wrap-up microprobe time

18

May 13-17

Field trip report due Monday
Comprehensive Final Exam - Friday, May 17 11:30a-1:45p