Petrography and elements of mineralogy

Academic Year 2025/2026 - Teacher: ROSALDA PUNTURO

Expected Learning Outcomes

The course aims to provide students with the basic theoretical knowledge necessary to understand the nature of minerals, their ridentification, and approach for study. The course also aims to provide the necessary concepts regarding the phenomena associated with the genesis and evolution of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks, and the criteria for their recognition and classification. The course also aims to introduce students to the minerals and rocks of the Sicilian territory, with a focus on ore deposits.

Course Structure

The course is delivered through lectures and classroom exercises. Remote learning via the Teams platform is also available if necessary. On-site activities are also planned whenever possible.

Required Prerequisites

Basics of general and inorganic chemistry. Basics of physics.

Attendance of Lessons

Mandatory. Attendance will be recorded by the teacher

Detailed Course Content

The first part of the laboratory course covers the basics of mineralogy, while the second focuses on the recognition of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks in the context of petrogenetic processes.

Part One. Definition of a mineral. The crystalline solid state. Physical properties of minerals and their recognition and identification.

Crystal chemistry: Bonds in crystal structures. Morphological crystallography: Symmetry, elements of symmetry with morphological crystallography exercises on crystal models. Structural crystallography: The crystal lattice. Crystal groups and systems. Polymorphism. Solid solutions and their graphical representation. Mineral genesis and classification. Overview of minerals of environmental and human health interest.

Part Two. Igneous rocks. Structures and locations of plutonic, sub-volcanic, and volcanic rocks. Mineralogical composition of igneous rocks. Nomenclature and main criteria for mineralogical and chemical classification.

Metamorphic rocks. Structures. Classification criteria and nomenclature. The most common metamorphic rocks and their main compositional characteristics. Metamorphic grade, metamorphic facies.

Sedimentary rocks: structures, classification, and identification.

Mesoscopic and microscopic identification of rock and mineral samples. Overview of analytical techniques applied to the study of minerals and rocks.

Textbook Information

Official textbook: Klein C. & Philpotts A.R. "Mineralogy and Petrography," Italian edition, Ed. Geologia Zanichelli.

Exercises and further information on the book's webpage are available at the following link: Klein, Philpotts – Mineralogia e Petrografia (zanichelli.it)

Further readings and references:

- Deer W.A., Howie R.A., Zussman. Introduction to Rock-Constituting Minerals. Zanichelli, Bologna.

Useful Web Sites

https://www.mindat.org/

http://www.alexstrekeisen.it/

Learning Assessment

Learning Assessment Procedures

The oral exam will cover the concepts covered in class. Students will be assessed based on an interview that includes the description and identification of one or more mesoscopic rock and/or mineral samples. Students will also be asked to write and present a report on a mineral assigned by the instructors. Exam dates are available on the Degree Program website.

There are no ongoing exams; students will be provided with a file containing questions on the most important topics, along with the course materials on "Studium," which they can use to test their knowledge.

Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises

What is a mineral? Explain the definition. Physical properties of minerals are useful for identifying them. Try to recognize the symmetry elements in the crystallographic model you are observing. Discuss polymorphism, completing with examples. Discuss isomorphism and isomorphic mixtures. Describe the compositional and structural characteristics of silicates. What are feldspars? The structures, most common minerals, and classification of igneous rocks. Discuss sedimentary carbonate rocks. Describe the rock cycle. Sedimentary rocks and petrogenetic processes. Recognize igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks.

VERSIONE IN ITALIANO

Degree Course in

Environmental and Natural Sciences