Crystallography and Mineralogy

By Professor (Dr.) Harel Thomas | Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya, Sagar (A Central University)

Learners enrolled: 503

This course is a basic to advance introduction for the undergraduate students pursuing B.Sc. Geology / Honous degree in Geology/ Engineering Graduate for Civil and Mining. Mineralogy is a pre-requisite course in petrology, geochemistry, and economic geology. The field of mineralogy cover a very broad area of study that includes, crystallography, chemical mineralogy or mineral chemistry, structures of minerals, genesis of minerals, optical mineralogy etc. Since mineralogy covers several aspects of geological sciences, it is indeed difficult to decide what aspects need to be included in core mineralogy for beginner students. Mineralogy also forms a part of curriculum in materials sciences, besides becoming a course in geological sciences. This course includes fundamental of crystallography and structural chemistry of minerals along with descriptive mineralogy. In my opinion crystallography and mineralogy together should continue to form the core course for the graduate students in geological sciences. As per the syllabus of UGC based on CBCS B.Sc. Geology, I henceforth use the term Crystallography and Mineralogy is to study rock forming minerals and their paragenesis, optical properties of minerals and crystallographic properties within one single paper as basic to advance for the under graduate students. This course deals with the naturally occurring minerals in field as well as laboratory analysis data that provide sufficient information how they occur in the nature. It gives idea of modern experimental mineralogical and crystallographic theories which are widely accepted for their origin. The course emphasis the Crystallographic and Mineralogy which cover the crystals and their characters, crystal form, face, edge, solid angle, interfacial angle and their measurements, crystallographic axes and angles, crystal parameters, Weiss and Miller system of notations, Symmetry element and description of normal class of Isometric, Tetragonal, Hexagonal, Trigonal, Orthombic, Monoclinic and Triclinic system. Introduction of mineralogy, Definition and characters of mineralogy, common physical properties of minerals, chemical composition, and diagnostic physical properties of minerals such as: Quartz, Orthoclase, Microcline, Hypersthene, Hornblende, Garnet, Muscovite, Biotite, chlorite, Olivine, Epidote, Calcite etc. Polarizing microscope, its parts and functioning, Ordinary and polarized lights, Common optical properties observed under ordinary, polarized lights and crossed nicols. Optical properties of some common rocks forming minerals.The course definitely provides better understanding to students for the understanding of crystallography, mineralogy, and optical mineralogy and its application involved during the origin and evolution of the rocks. The course contains video, text, assignment; quizzes, references etc, and I hope it will be useful for the geology students within and outside India. This 4 credits course run online for 16 weeks and finally end with examination. Last but not least, I highly accept any comments, questions, or suggestion for the improvement of this course.

Summary

Course Status :	Completed
Course Type :	Core
Language for course content :	English
Duration :	12 weeks
Category :	Metallurgy and Material science & Mining Engineering
Credit Points :	4
Level :	Undergraduate
Start Date :	25 Jan 2021
End Date :	30 Apr 2021
Enrollment Ends :	02 Mar 2021
Exam Date :

Page Visits

Course layout

Week 1:

W1D1-Geology and it’s perspective, W1D2-Career in geology, W1D3-Periodic Table, W1D4- Assignment, W1D5-Assignments, W1D6-Weekly tests

Books and references

Essential Reading:

1. Read, H.H. (1962) Rutley’s Elements of Mineralogy Reprint CBS Pub. & Dist., New Delhi

2. Ford W. E., (2006) Dana’s Text Book of Mineralogy CBS Pub. & Dist., New Delhi

3. Babu, S. K. (1987): Practical Manual of Crystal Optics, CBS Pub. & Dist.

4. Phillips, W. R. and Griffen, D. T. (1986): Optical Mineralogy, Etd. CBS Pub & Dist.

5. Ray, S. (1958): Optical Mineralogy.

6. Kerr, P. (1977): Optical Mineralogy, McGraw- Hill Book Co.

Suggested Reading:

1. Flint, F. (1964): Essentials of Crystallography, Peace Pub., Russia.

2. Deer, W. A., Howie, R. A. & Zussman, J. (1966): An Introduction to Rock Forming Minerals.

3. Deer, W. A., Howie, R. A. & Zussman, J. (1996): The Rock Forming Minerals, Longman

4. Winchell, A. N. (1939): Elements of Optical Mineralogy, Lincoln Pub. Co., New York.

Instructor bio

Professor (Dr.) Harel Thomas

Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya, Sagar (A Central University)

Dr. Harel Thomas is Professor in the Department of Applied Geology, Doctor Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya, Sagar Madhya Pradesh. He obtained his B.Sc. (Hons), M.Sc. in Geology and Ph.D. from Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, U. P. India. He had to his credit the Research Associateship and the Young Scientist Project Awards of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research [CSIR] and Department of Science and Technology [DST] New Delhi. He has developed several softwares in diverse field of Earth Science including calculation of Pressure - Temperature and activity of metamorphic minerals. The software’s are using in different universities and research labs. He has published more than fifty research papers in National and International journals. He joined the Department of Applied Geology, Sagar Vishwavidyalaya in year 1998 as an Assistant Professor and he also served as a Reader in the Department of Geology, Mizoram Central University, Aizawl in year 2004. He has been instrumental in the publication of one volume on Metamorphism and Crustal Evolution in year 2005, which contain a wealth of scientific data. He has developed nearly 30 E-content on Petrology (Metamorphic & Igneous) and Mineralogy through EMMRC, Sagar which are already available on CEC-UGC-MHRD, New Delhi web site. He also recorded more than 40 footages on metamorphic and igneous petrology which are continuously telecast on SWAYAMPRABHA National Channels. He has supervised many students for Doctorate Degrees. All are well established in different organization such as NIT, Central University, and Officers in GSI. He is a regular visiting Professor in the Central Department of Geology, Tribhuvan University; Kathmandu Nepal Since 2012 to till date. He is also engaged in Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on petrology. The course had successfully completed 4th cycles (Nov. 2016, July, 2017, July, 2018 and Nov. 10th, 2019) with rating of 4.9 out of 5. He had also successfully completed first cycle (July, 2018) MOOC on Metamorphic Petrology for undergraduate students. He is also engaged in Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on Metamorphic Petrology & Thermodynamics. The course had successfully completed second cycle in month of Nov.10,2019.

He had also successfully completed first cycle of MOOC on Crystallography & Mineralogy during month of May 2019 and Geochemistry during the month of Nov. 2019. He will be engage in running the two massive open online courses during month of Jan, 2020. One on metamorphic petrology & thermodynamics for post graduate students and crystallography & mineralogy for undergraduate students.

He has received Life Time Achievement Award-2018 for Outstanding Contribution in the Field of Applied Geology on the Occasion of International Conference on Emerging Issue in Agriculture, Environmental & Applied Sciences for Sustainable Development at SHUATS, Allahabad. Received Honour from the Education, Science & Technology Minister, Government of Nepal at Central Department of Geology, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal on 11 th, Feb.2019 in recognition to his distinct contribution to Scholarship as a Visiting Professor in the Department. He is currently teaching metamorphic petrology, igneous petrology and mineralogy in the postgraduate and undergraduate students of the Department of Applied Geology Doctor Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya, Sagar. The thrust area of his research interest is the metamorphic and tectonic evolution of the high-grade gneiss and granulite.