MINERALOGY AND OPTICAL MICROSCOPY LABORATORY

Course objectives

A - Knowledge and understanding OF 1) To know the main rock-forming minerals OF 2) To understand the nature of mineral structures OF 3) To understand the relationship between mineral structure and chemistry OF 4) To know the nature of mineral crystallization processes OF 5) To know the chemical-physical properties and nature of minerals OF 6) To know the main tools for mineralogical investigation … B - Application skills OF 7) To be able to deduce the potential use of minerals in the field of cultural heritage based on their chemical-physical properties OF 8) To be able to solve problems related to the crystal-chemical nature of rock-forming minerals OF 9) To be able to apply methods/techniques for mineral identification … C - Autonomy of judgment OF 10) To be able to evaluate the mineralogical characteristics of the main rock constituents OF 11) To be able to integrate the knowledge acquired in order to suggest the most suitable mineralogical investigation techniques depending on the type of geomaterial OF 12) To be able to evaluate the nature of different mineral species D - Communication skills OF 13) To know how to communicate the nature and effects of minerals on the geomaterials constituting works of art OF 14) To be able to communicate the properties of minerals relevant to restoration and describe the methodologies applied E - Ability to learn OF 15) Have the ability to consult the literature on minerals and investigation methods OF 16) Have the ability to autonomously pursue further studies throughout life, through the use of reference tables and textbooks for mineral identification and the use of scientific equipment in well-equipped laboratories OF 17) Being able to design and develop a mineralogical project, from defining objectives to selecting the most appropriate analytical methods, critically interpreting the data obtained and integrating it with scientific literature

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FERDINANDO BOSI Lecturers' profile

Program - Frequency - Exams

Course program
Mineral definition. Amorphous and crystalline state. Crystallography. Translational symmetry. Space lattices. Unit cell. Bravais types. Point symmetry: axes, plane and center. Point groups. The 32 point groups. The 7 crystalline systems. Law of the dihedron angle constancy. Space groups. Combination of translation with rotation, reflection and inversion. Faces and crystallographic planes. Law of Haȕy. Miller indices. Assigning Miller indices by inspection. Crystal forms. Crystal habit. Twins. Practical sessions of morphological crystallography. Crystal Chemistry. Chemical bonding. Size of atoms and ions. Compact structures. Pauling’s rules. Coordination polyhedra. Silicates structures and other structure types: diamond, graphite, ZnS, NaCl, CaF2, FeS2, Mg(OH)2, Al(OH)3, CaCO3. Isomorphism, isotruturalism and polymorphism. Electron microprobe. Mineral formula calculation. Graphic representations of mineral compositions. Mineral Classification. Structures of the most common minerals belonging to: native elements, sulfites, halides, oxides and hydroxides, carbonates, sulfates, phosphates, silicates (orthosilicates, disilicates, ring silicates, chain silicates, sheet silicates). Physical Properties of Minerals. Density. Properties related to the mechanical cohesion: hardness, cleavage, fracture. Color and luster. Magnetism. Electrical properties. Practical sessions of hand sample identification. Optical Mineralogy. Interaction of light in optical isotropic and anisotropic materials. Reflection, refraction and double refraction. Refraction indices. Optical indicatrix. Polarization microscope. Isotropic materials. Anisotropic minerals. Interference phenomena. Color chart. Pleochroism. Extinction. Interference figures. Optic sign. Practical sessions of optical mineralogy
Prerequisites
The Mineralogy course requires knowledge of topics covered in the core courses of Mathematics, Chemistry, and Physics.
Books
W.D. Nesse, Introduction to mineralogy, Oxford University Press.
Frequency
Class attending is not mandatory, but strongly recommended.
Exam mode
To pass the exam the student must obtain a grade of not less than 18/30. The student must demonstrate that he/she has acquired a sufficient knowledge of the crystal-chemical properties of rock-forming minerals, their formation and investigation strategies. To achieve a score of 30/30 cum laude, the student must instead demonstrate that he/she has acquired excellent knowledge of all the topics covered during the course, being able to link them in a logical and coherent way.
Lesson mode
Lessons in class room and practice in room. The course will take place in the second semester: if the health emergency from COVID-19 will allow to carry out the lessons in presence, the course will be delivered in traditional mode, if vice versa it will not be possible, it will be delivered at a distance in accordance with what will be established by the competent authorities and the provisions of the University.
  • Lesson code10620621
  • Academic year2025/2026
  • Coursecorso|33594
  • CurriculumSingle curriculum
  • Year1st year
  • Semester2nd semester
  • SSDGEO/06
  • CFU6
  • Subject areaFormazione scientifica di base