EARTH SC 3K03

Petrology

Calendar Description

Introduction to igneous and metamorphic petrology, including thin section examination of rock suites, use of phase diagrams in petrology, and discussion of petrogenesis.

Two lectures, one lab (three hours); one term
Prerequisite(s): EARTH SC 2K03
 
 
 

 

Time/Term Offered:Term one Fall 2012-13

Instructor: Dr. Alan Dickin
Room: General Science Building Rm. 307
Tel:(905) 525.9149 x24365
Email: dickin@mcmaster.ca
Office hours:TBA

Teaching Assistant:
TBA

 

Course Outline Avenue to Learn

Introduction:

This course will present the essential elements of igneous and metamorphic petrology which Earth Scientists should know in order to have a well-rounded knowledge about hard-rock Geology

 

Lecture/Labs:

Two classes per week will be lectures, largely focussed on petrogenesis. There will be about ten labs, each lasting a week. (One or two labs will be double, lasting two weeks). We will focus on comparative studies of related rocks from important rock suites. We will apply the principles of Optical Mineralogy learned in EARTH SCI 2K03.

Required Text Books/Course materials:

You will need to buy the courseware, which contains most of the diagrams I will use on the overhead projector. My main sources are:
            Hess, P.C., Origins of igneous rocks
            Yardley, B. Intro to metamorphic petrology

Unfortunately these books are out of print, but they are available in the Library, or you can buy them second-hand. Various textbooks provide general background on petrography and petrology, but I am not recommending any in particular.

I myself will be using Nesse in the labs. You will need this or some other optical mineralogy handbook of your own choice.

Evaluation:

The marks breakdown will be:
30% for lab reports handed in each week (reduced credit for late work)
20% for an open-book lab exam held near the end of term
10% for a mid term assignment
40% for a closed-book written exam

Academic Dishonesty

Academic dishonesty consists of misrepresentation by deception or by other fraudulent means and can result in serious consequences, e.g. the grade of zero on an assignment, loss of credit with a notation on the transcript (notation reads: “Grade of F assigned for academic dishonesty”), and/or suspension or expulsion from the university.

The following illustrates only three forms of academic dishonesty:

  • Plagiarism, e.g. the submission of work that is not one’s own or for which other credit has been obtained.

  • Improper collaboration in group work.

  • Copying or using unauthorized aids in tests and examinations.

It is your responsibility to understand what constitutes academic dishonesty. For information on the various kinds of academic dishonesty please refer to the Academic Integrity Policy, located at http://www.mcmaster.ca/policy/Students-AcademicStudies/AcademicIntegrity.pdf

The instructor and university reserve the right to modify elements of the course during the term. The university may change the dates and deadlines for any or all courses in extreme circumstances. If either type of modification becomes necessary, reasonable notice and communication with the students will be given with explanation and the opportunity to comment on changes. It is the responsibility of the student to check their McMaster email and course websites weekly during the term and to note any changes.