Course code:

ES2032

Level:

IM - Introductory/Intermediate

Class size limit:

16

Meets the following requirements:

  • ES - Environmental Science

Lab fee:

100

Typically offered:

Yearly

In this course, students will learn to identify ~70 common rocks and minerals in hand sample, and a few common minerals in thin section. 

Building on their ability to identify minerals, students will learn to properly classify igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks using standard classification methods. Beyond learning about igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rock-forming environments, we will cover topics such as plate tectonics, geologic time, basic petrology and mineralogy, tools and instruments used for chemical and physical analysis, and natural resources related to rocks and minerals.

By the end of the term, students will be able to relate a rock to its environment of formation, identify common rocks and minerals in hand sample, and relate the types and spatial distribution of rocks and minerals to the geologic history of Mt. Desert Island and Maine.

The course will include weekly readings from mineralogy and petrology textbooks and web-resources. Students will complete a rock/mineral lab each week and quizzes every other week. We will visit a few local field sites and as well as conduct one weekend-long collecting trip to sites throughout Maine. The students will be evaluated based on their performance on the weekly labs and quizzes, the completeness and accuracy of their collection, and a final project on the rocks and minerals of one select MDI field site. The course fee covers the cost of a weekend collecting field trip, and some field and lab supplies. 

Prerequisites:

None

Always visit the Registrar's Office for the official course catalog and schedules.