Mineral Chemistry Course

Lesson 1 • Major Rock-Forming Elements

Identifies the eight most abundant crustal elements and their roles in mineral formation. Provides the compositional framework for silicate and oxide mineralogy.

Lesson 2 • Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table

Covers electron configuration, atomic number, and periodic trends relevant to mineral-forming elements. Establishes the chemical basis for understanding mineral composition.

Lesson 3 • Mineral Chemical Formulas

Teaches how to read, write, and interpret empirical and structural chemical formulas for minerals. Connects formula notation to stoichiometry and compositional variability.

Lesson 1 • Isomorphism and Polymorphism

Distinguishes isomorphous substitution from polymorphic transformations in minerals. Explains how pressure and temperature drive structural phase changes.

Lesson 2 • Crystal Lattices and Unit Cells

Introduces the seven crystal systems, Bravais lattices, and unit cell parameters. Provides the geometric framework for interpreting X-ray diffraction data.

Lesson 3 • Ionic Radii and Coordination

Covers ionic radius ratios and their control over coordination polyhedra in crystal structures. Directly links atomic size to structural geometry in minerals.

Lesson 1 • Silicate Structural Framework

Presents the SiO4 tetrahedron as the fundamental silicate unit and its polymerization modes. Establishes the basis for classifying all silicate mineral groups.

Lesson 2 • Chain and Ring Silicates

Examines pyroxene, amphibole, and cyclosilicate structures and their compositional ranges. Highlights the role of OH groups and chain width in amphibole chemistry.

Lesson 3 • Sheet and Framework Silicates

Analyzes micas, clay minerals, feldspars, and quartz as the most abundant crustal silicates. Connects layer charge and interlayer cations to clay mineral swelling behavior.

Lesson 1 • Sulfates, Phosphates, and Halides

Covers gypsum, barite, apatite, and fluorite as representatives of evaporite and phosphate systems. Highlights the role of these minerals in nutrient cycling and industrial applications.

Lesson 2 • Carbonate Mineral Chemistry

Examines calcite, dolomite, aragonite, and siderite with their cation substitution patterns. Connects carbonate stability to pH, temperature, and diagenetic environments.

Lesson 3 • Sulfide and Sulfosalt Chemistry

Analyzes pyrite, chalcopyrite, galena, and sphalerite as economically critical sulfide minerals. Relates metal-sulfur bonding to ore-forming processes and geochemical cycling.

Lesson 1 • Activity-Composition Relationships

Covers ideal and non-ideal solid solution models and their effect on mineral stability. Links activity coefficients to compositional data from mineral analyses.

Lesson 2 • Thermodynamic Fundamentals for Minerals

Introduces enthalpy, entropy, Gibbs free energy, and chemical potential as applied to minerals. Provides the quantitative basis for predicting mineral stability under varying conditions.

Lesson 3 • Pressure-Temperature Phase Diagrams

Constructs and reads P-T diagrams for key mineral reactions in metamorphic and igneous systems. Connects reaction boundaries to geothermal gradients and tectonic settings.

Lesson 4 • Mineral Solubility and Aqueous Equilibria

Examines solubility products, speciation, and saturation indices for minerals in aqueous systems. Applies equilibrium constants to predict mineral precipitation and dissolution.

Lesson 1 • Redox Chemistry in Mineral Systems

Examines oxidation states of Fe, Mn, S, and other multivalent elements in minerals. Links oxygen fugacity to mineral assemblages and ore deposit types.

Lesson 2 • Trace Element Partitioning

Covers Nernst partition coefficients and lattice strain models for trace element incorporation. Enables quantitative modeling of magmatic differentiation and mineral growth.

Lesson 3 • Goldschmidt Classification of Elements

Classifies elements as lithophile, siderophile, chalcophile, or atmophile based on bonding affinity. Predicts which minerals concentrate specific elements in igneous and metamorphic systems.

Lesson 1 • Electron Microprobe Analysis

Teaches wavelength-dispersive and energy-dispersive spectrometry for in-situ mineral analysis. Addresses matrix corrections, detection limits, and quantitative oxide data reduction.

Lesson 2 • Laser Ablation ICP-MS for Trace Elements

Explains laser ablation sampling, ICP-MS detection, and data reduction for trace element analysis. Enables quantification of REE, HFSE, and other trace elements at ppm to ppb levels.

Lesson 3 • Spectroscopic Methods

Surveys Raman, FTIR, Mossbauer, and UV-Vis spectroscopy as applied to mineral characterization. Links spectral features to bond vibrations, oxidation states, and structural order.

Lesson 4 • Isotope Ratio Analysis

Introduces stable and radiogenic isotope systems measured in minerals for geochronology and tracing. Connects isotope ratios to mineral age, temperature, and fluid source.

Lesson 1 • Environmental Mineralogy and Geochemistry

Applies mineral chemistry to acid mine drainage, contaminant sorption, and remediation design. Links sulfide oxidation reactions to secondary mineral formation and water quality.

Lesson 2 • Industrial and Technological Mineral Applications

Examines how mineral chemistry controls performance in ceramics, batteries, pigments, and catalysts. Highlights the role of purity and trace element content in industrial mineral specifications.

Lesson 3 • Data Integration and Reporting

Covers multivariate statistical analysis, geochemical databases, and professional reporting of mineral chemistry data. Prepares students to communicate findings clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.

Lesson 4 • Mineral Chemistry in Ore Deposit Evaluation

Uses mineral chemistry vectors to identify ore deposit types and guide exploration targeting. Connects indicator mineral chemistry to deposit models and resource estimation.