Petrology Syllabus

GEOL 3164: PETROLOGY, SPRING 1999, SYLLABUS

Instructor: Dr. Kline. Office: McEver, Rm 3 (+ Energy South), Phone: 968-0202. Office hours: 2:00-5:00 TTh (McEver), 8-12:00 MWF (Energy). On some M's, W's, or F's I will be in the field, but I'm available if I'm here. Make an appointment, or call to see if I'm in.

Class meets: TTh 9:30-12:20, Rm 2, McEver Hall

Lab: Included in above hours. Usually the second half of each period.

Text: Blatt and Tracy, 1996, Petrology--Igneous, Sedimentary, and Metamorphic, Freeman

Objective: The objective of the course is that students will become familiar with the basic rock types--igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic--that make up the lithosphere of the earth. Most fundamental will be the basic petrography of the common rock types and the modes in which they commonly occur. In addition we will try to gain a basic understanding of the processes involved in forming these various rock types.

Schedule

DATE	TOPIC + READINGS (w/ page #s, t = top, m = middle, b = bottom of page)
T 1/19	The common minerals of igneous rocks (33-39) Lab: Igneous rock minerals
Th 1/21	The common minerals of igneous rocks (33-39) Lab: Igneous rock minerals
T 1/26	Volcanic processes & volcanic rocks: primarily lava flows (22-27t) Lab: Quiz on igneous minerals. Then: Volcanic rocks from lava flows. (p. 50-51, 55-59)
Th 1/28	Volcanic processes & volcanic rocks: pyroclastic deposits (27m-32) Lab: Volcanic rocks from lava flows (cont).
T 2/2	Magma chemistry: Chemical variation, mafic vs felsic, silica saturation (61-66, 76-80) Lab: Lab quiz: lava flow rocks. Then: Pyroclastic volcanic rocks
Th 2/4	Magma chemistry: Principles of magma chemical behavior based on two component igneous systems (81-93, 101-105) Lab: Pyroclastic volcanic rocks (continued)
T 2/9	IUGS igneous rock classification system (67b-75) Lab: Lab quiz: pyroclastic rocks. Then: Granitoid plutonic rocks (p. 45-54 [parts], 181m-190)
Th 2/11	Magma chemistry (continued): Principles of magma chemical behavior based on two component igneous systems (81-93, 101-105) Lab:Granitoid plutonic rocks (continued)
T 2/16	Characteristics of igneous intrusive bodies (8-22t, 123-132) Lab: Lab quiz: granitoid plutonic rocks. Then: Diorites-monzonites-syenites, nepheline syenites (45-54)
Th 2/18	Major igneous provinces: Continental rifts, mid-ocean ridges, hot spots (151-168, 191-202, 210-211) Lab: Diorites-monzonites-syenites, nepheline syenites
T 2/23	Major igneous provinces: Subduction-related island arcs and continental arcs (169-190) Lab: Lab quiz: diorites, etc. Then: Mafic and ultramafic plutonic rocks (45-54 approp. parts)
Th 2/25	*Lecture exam: igneous rocks* Lab: Mafic and ultramafic plutonic rx (cont)
T 3/2	Introduction to sedimentary rocks (p. 217-220m) Lab: Lab quiz: mafic and ultramafic igneous rocks. Then: Clastic sediment size distribution
Th 3/4	Clays and mudrocks (Chap 12 & 15) Lab:Mudrocks
T 3/9	Mudrocks, continued (Chapter 12 & 15) Lab: Mudrocks
Th 3/11	Sandstones and conglomerates (Chap 13) Lab: Lab quiz: mudrocks. Then: Sandstones
T, Th 3/16, 18 NO CLASS. SPRING VACATION!!!
T 3/23	Sandstones and conglomerates (Chap 13) Lab: Then: Sandstones
Th 3/25	Diagenesis of clastic sedimentary rocks (Chap 14) Lab: Lab quiz: sandstones. Then: Conglomerates
T 3/30	Carbonates, mainly limestones (Chap 16 up to p. 310t) Lab: Conglomerates
Th 4/1	Carbonates, mainly limestones, (Chap 16 up to p. 310t) Lab: Lab quiz: conglomerates. Then start: Carbonates
T 4/6	Diagenesis of limestones, and dolomitization (p. 310t-324) Lab: Carbonates (continued)
Th 4/8	Evaporites and other sedimentary rocks (Chap 17) Lab: Lab quiz: carbonates. Then: Evaporites and other sedimentary rocks
T 4/13	*Lecture exam: Sedimentary rocks* Lab: Evaporites and other sed rx (cont.)
Th 4/15	Introduction to metamorphic rocks (Chap 18 thru p. 364t) Lab: Lab quiz: evaporites & other sedimentary rocks. Then: Low grade metamorphic rocks.
T 4/20	Metamorphic isograds and facies (Chap 19 [p. 375-380]) Lab: Low grade metamorphic rocks.
Th 4/22	Metamorphic assemblages & reactions (Chap. 20, esp. p. 402-409) Lab: Lab quiz: low grade metamorphic rocks. Then: Medium to high grade metamorphic rocks
T 4/27	Controls of metamorphic reactions (Chap 21) Lab: Medium to high grade metamorphic rocks
Th 4/29	Metamorphism of mafic and ultramafic igneous rocks (Chap 22) Lab: Lab quiz: medium to high grade metamorphic rocks. Then: Other metamorphic rocks
T 5/4	Mafic and ultramafic rx (Ch 22) contin. Start metamorphism of aluminous clastic rocks (Chap 23) Lab: Other metamorphic rocks.
Th 5/6	Metamorphism of aluminous rocks (Ch 23) + Metamorphism of calcareous rocks (Chap 24). Lab:Lab quiz: other metamorphic rocks. *Then: practice for final rock exam*

Grades will be based on:

Lab quizzes: 14 @ 3 pts each	42
Field trips: 1 @ 3 pt	3
Lecture exams: 3 @ 15 pts each	45
Final rock ID exam:	10
Total	100

A lot of material is covered in this course. It is very important to keep up with the pace.

Lab work will require some discipline on your part. You will not have things to turn in week by week. Be working not only on seeing the features that are shown in each specimen, but also on distinguishing different rock types and absorbing terminology as you go along.

Much of basic geology is not difficult, but acquiring the terminology can be cumbersome. It would be advisable to do something like writing out "vocabulary" words, such as rock names and descriptive terms, 10 times while you think of the definition. Also practice saying the terms out loud. These are just some ideas that I believe help you absorb this. Do this kind of stuff day by day. Please believe me: if you wait to just before exams, you won't be able to make it.

Field trips are required, a very important part of the course. Missing field trips will result in loss of credit (see above).

ATTENDANCE: You are expected to attend all scheduled class/lab time. Unexcused absences of more than a week=s-worth of class and/or lab time will put you in jeopardy of being dropped from the course with a grade of F. Students with truly extenuating circumstances necessitating absence should contact instructor as soon as possible to establish an excused absence, and any missed work must be made up promptly.

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