GEO 300 Petrology

Prerequisites: MAT 135 and GEO 200; CHM 131 recommended but not required

An introduction to the study of rock formation. This course will focus on both igneous petrology and metamorphic petrology. If time allows, we will also discuss sedimentary petrology. The igneous petrology portion will delve into the processes that govern mineral crystallization from lava/magma. Topics will include radioactivity and isotopic analysis, basic thermodynamics, phase diagrams, and rock identification/classification. The metamorphic portion will delve into the processes that govern solid-state phase changes between minerals as a function of pressure, temperature, and composition. Topics will include metamorphic grades/facies, geothermometers and geobarometers, and rock identification/classification. Prerequisites: MAT 135 and GEO 200; CHM 131 recommended but not required. Non-credit for students who completed the course as GEO 386: Petrology.