PHYSICAL GEOLOGY LABORATORY TEACHING OBJECTIVES
This list contains the minimum basic objectives for this course, as set forth by the Geology Curriculum Committee. Additional topics may also be presented in the course.
A student on completion of Physical Geology 101 Laboratory should be able to:
MINERALS
1. Distinguish between rocks and minerals.
2. Distinguish crystalline solids.
3. Distinguish between mineral fracture and cleavage, and recognize the various types of mineral cleavage.
4. Determine the hardness range of common mineral samples.
5. Determine luster, approximate specific gravity, and streak of common mineral samples.
6. Determine which mineral samples are attracted to a magnet, and which mineral samples will react with dilute hydrochloric acid.
7. Recognize crystal form.
8. Use mineral identification keys to determine the name of common mineral samples from recognition of their important physical properties.
9. Know the compositional groups for the common minerals observed (Native elements, Sulfides, Oxides, Carbonates, Halides, Sulfates, Silicates - Ferromagnesian silicates and Non-ferromagnesian silicates).
IGNEOUS ROCKS
1. Recognize the various textures displayed by igneous rocks (Glassy, Vesicular, Aphanitic, Phaneritic, Porphyritic, Pegmatitic).
2. Understand Bowen's Reaction Series and be able to identify the mineral constituents of common igneous rocks.
3. Understand the relationships between rates of cooling of magmas and resultant rock textures.
4. Understand the relationships between magma composition (Ultramafic, Mafic, Intermediate, Felsic) and mineral composition of common igneous rocks.
5. Use igneous rock identification keys to determine the names of common igneous rocks samples.
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
1. Recognize the textures exhibited by common sediments and sedimentary rocks.
2. Identify mineral compositions of common sedimentary rocks.
3. Classify common sedimentary rocks samples from identification keys.
METAMORPHIC ROCKS
1. Understand the concept of metamorphic grade.
2. Identify metamorphic index minerals and relate these minerals to a particular grade of metamorphism.
3. Distinguish between foliated structure and non-foliated structure exhibited by common metamorphic rock samples.
4. Recognize the various types of foliation (slaty, phyllitic, gneissic, and schistosity) exhibited by common metamorphic rock samples.
5. Know the parent rocks for the common metamorphic rock samples.
6. Identify mineral constituents found in common metamorphic rocks samples.
7. Classify common metamorphic rock samples from metamorphic rock identification keys.
8. Know the types of metamorphism involved in the formation of metamorphic rocks (regional and contact metamorphism).
TOPOGRAPHIC MAPS
1. Be familiar with the longitude and latitude system of locating areas and points on the Earth's surface.
2. Be familiar with the Public Land Survey System of locating areas and points on the Earth's surface.
3. Understand the construction of topographic maps and the use of contour lines to show the Earth's surface in three dimensions.
4. Understand the concept of map scale, and the ability to measure distances on maps in a variety of map scales.
5. Understand the rules that govern interpretation of contour line patterns.
6. Construction of topographic profiles for a line on a topographic map.
STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY
1. Identify anticlines and synclines from geologic maps and cross-sections.
2. Identify normal, reverse and strike-slip faults from geologic maps.
3. Identify normal and reverse faults from cross-sectional views.
4. Know the various geologic map symbols for faults and folds.
5. Understand dip and strike and be able to identify the attitude of a bed on a geologic map.