Natural Sciences

Introduction to the internal structure and composition of the Earth. The rock cycle. Physical and chemical properties of magmas. Igneous microstructures. Mineralogical and chemical composition of igneous rocks. Classification schemes. Magmatic evolution. Magmatic associations. Introduction to metamorphism. Agents and types of metamorphism. Metamorphic fabric and microstructures. Classifications of metamorphic rocks. Sedimentary rocks.

Knowledge of Mineralogy

Appunti delle lezioni in formato MS Power Point. Klein C. e Philpotts A. (2012) Earth Materials – Introduction to Mineralogy and Petrology. Edizioni Cambridge University Press. (Libro di facile lettura anche se scritto in inglese). (http://www.cambridge.org/aus/catalogue/catalogue.asp?isbn=9780521145213). Le rocce e i loro costituenti di Lucio Morbidelli. Editore Scienze e Lettere. 2004. ISBN: 978-88-66870-64-7. Mineralogia e petrografia di Cornelis Klein, Anthony R. Philpotts, R. Braga, G. Gasparotto. Editore: Zanichelli (22 ottobre 2018). Lingua: Italiano. ISBN-10: 880832060X. ISBN-13: 978-8808320605 Negretti G. (2003) Fondamenti di petrografia. Edizioni Università La Sapienza- McGhaw Hill. (Libro in italiano ma non aggiornato e chiaro come i due precedenti scritti in inglese).

Classes and class exercises.

Optional.

Oral exam based on the main arguments of the course, petrological/geochemical data interpretation, and understanding of the related process (time duration variable from 30 minutes to 1 hour, according to the level of competence of the student)

Appunti delle lezioni in formato MS Power Point. Klein C. e Philpotts A. (2012) Earth Materials – Introduction to Mineralogy and Petrology. Edizioni Cambridge University Press. (Libro di facile lettura anche se scritto in inglese). (http://www.cambridge.org/aus/catalogue/catalogue.asp?isbn=9780521145213). Le rocce e i loro costituenti di Lucio Morbidelli. Editore Scienze e Lettere. 2004. ISBN: 978-88-66870-64-7. Mineralogia e petrografia di Cornelis Klein, Anthony R. Philpotts, R. Braga, G. Gasparotto. Editore: Zanichelli (22 ottobre 2018). Lingua: Italiano. ISBN-10: 880832060X. ISBN-13: 978-8808320605 Negretti G. (2003) Fondamenti di petrografia. Edizioni Università La Sapienza- McGhaw Hill. (Libro in italiano ma non aggiornato e chiaro come i due precedenti scritti in inglese).

Classes and class exercises.

Introduction to the internal structure and composition of the Earth. The rock cycle. Physical and chemical properties of magmas. Igneous microstructures. Mineralogical and chemical composition of igneous rocks. Rock classification schemes. Field relationships of plutonic and volcanic rocks. Genesis of magmas. Magmatic evolution. Partial melting and crystallization under equilibrium and disequilibrium conditions. Magmatic associations in relation to the geodynamic settings. Sedimentary rocks. Introduction to metamorphism. Agents and types of metamorphism. Metamorphic fabric and microstructures. Classifications of metamorphic rocks. Metamorphism and geodynamic settings. Basics of transmitted polarised light microscopy and its application of petrographic analysis of rocks.

There are no formal prerequisites for the course, but it is recommended that the participants have sufficient knowledge of Inorganic Chemistry and Mineralogy.

Lecture notes and MS Power Point files of lectures downloadable from the Moodle web site. Choose one among: Klein C. and Philpotts A. (2018). Mineralogia e petrografia di Editore: Zanichelli. Lingua: Italiano. ISBN-10: 880832060X. ISBN-13: 978-8808320605. Klein C. e Philpotts A. (2012). Earth Materials – Introduction to Mineralogy and Petrology. Edizioni Cambridge University Press. 2nd Ed (ISBN-9781108110730) Morbidelli L. 2004. Le rocce e i loro costituenti. Editore Scienze e Lettere. 2004. ISBN: 978-88-66870-64-7. For laboratory work reference books are available at the Library of the Earth Science Department- Sapienza university: Mackenzie W.S. and Guilford C. (1985) Atlante dei minerali costituenti le rocce in sezione sottile. Edizioni Zanichelli. Mackenzie W.S., Donaldson C.H. and Guilford C. (1994) Atlante delle rocce magmatiche e delle loro tessiture. Edizioni Zanichelli. Yardley B.W.D., Mackenzie W.S. e Guilford C. (1996) Atlante delle rocce metamorfiche e delle loro microstrutture. Edizioni Zanichelli. Peccerillo A. and Perugini D. (2003) Introduzione alla petrografia ottica. Edizioni Morlacchi. Raith, M.M., P. Raase & J. Reinhardt, Guide to Thin Section Microscopy, Mineralogical Society of America, current edition or equivalent (http://www.minsocam.org/msa/OpenAccess_publications/Guide_Thin_Sctn_Mcrscpy/Thin_Sctn_Mcrscpy_2_prnt_eng.pdf).

The course consists of theoretical lectures integrated with practical and laboratory activities where students will learn and practice identifying and describing the most common igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks in hand specimen, how to name a rock on the basis of its textural characteristics or its mineral and chemical composition and the basics on the polarized-light microscopy for the study of rock thin-sections. Possibly, skills learned in in-door laboratories will be reinforced during field activity. Lectures and other educational activities will be held in-person. If necessary (e.g for prevention of COVID-19 pandemic), lectures will be held in e-learning mode (connecting to the link: https://meet.google.com/pvc-wuhf-zhj) or in blended learning mode.

Lecture attendance, although not mandatory is highly recommended, especially for laboratory/field practical sessions.

Oral exam based on the main arguments of the course, petrological/geochemical data interpretation, and understanding of the related petrogenetic process; description and identification of most common rock types in hand specimen (Exam length varies from 30 minutes to 1 hour, according to the level of competence of the student). Two assessment tests during the course will be reserved only for students attending class regularly.

The course consists of theoretical lectures integrated with practical and laboratory activities where students will learn and practice identifying and describing the most common igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks in hand specimen, how to name a rock on the basis of its textural characteristics or its mineral and chemical composition and the basics on the polarized-light microscopy for the study of rock thin-sections. Possibly, skills learned in in-door laboratories will be reinforced during field activity. Lectures and other educational activities will be held in-person. If necessary, lectures will be held in e-learning mode (connecting to the link: https://meet.google.com/pvc-wuhf-zhj) or in blended learning mode.