Basic concepts of mineralogy. Chemistry of the elements. Bonding and packing in minerals. Physical properties of minerals. Mineral identification. Systematic mineralogy. Nomenclature and classification, with emphasis on sheetsilicates (clay minerals) and tectosilicates. Basic concepts of crystallography. Crystal structures. Crystal chemistry. Diffraction (Χ-Ray Diffraction, X-Ray Fluorescence). Optical Microscopy.
Introduction on the formation of the Earth in our Solar System. Origin, evolution, classification of Earth Materials. Plate tectonic setting and mode of occurrence of igneous rocks. Sedimentary rock classification, formation, transport, lithification. Metamorphic rocks and metamorphic grade and facies, geothermometers and geobarometers, plate tectonic significance. Petrography, mineralogy, and geochemistry of rocks. Microscopic and macroscopic textural descriptions and identification of rocks. Petrology for engineers.
