The study of minerals and rocks is fundamental to earth science as well as understanding and developing solutions for most environmental problems. All products consumed by people are either directly removed from the earth or grown in a medium consisting largely of earth materials. The nature of the earth materials in any region has great bearing on how human activities will impact the environment there. Through this course, students will build an understanding of how the chemistry of minerals influences geologic and environmental processes, how rocks form within the earth, how to identify common rock-forming minerals, and how to classify rock types. The course will include field trips to local sites during class periods and on several Saturdays through the term. Prior coursework in geology is required. Prior coursework in chemistry is recommended.
Learning Outcomes:
• Understand how the chemical composition of Earth’s crust is related to the minerals making up rocks and soils
• Learn to reduce raw chemical data to mineral compositions with specific crystal structures
• Learn how the composition of and chemical interaction between minerals in rocks influences Environmental processes
• Understand how large-scale Plate Tectonic Processes are related to rock and mineral composition
Delivery Method: Fully in-person
Prerequisites:
Permission of Instructor. Contact: tschroeder@bennington.edu.
Course Level: 4000-level
Credits: 4
M/Th 3:40PM - 5:30PM, W 2:10PM - 5:50PM (Lab) (Full-term)
Maximum Enrollment: 13
Course Frequency: Every 2-3 years
Categories: 4000 , All courses , Earth Science , Environment , Four Credit , Fully In-Person , Science and Mathematics
Tags: chemistry , Crystals , environment , Field Trips , rocks