Università Roma Tre

The course is divided into two parts and the topics covered in the first part are:
1. The crystal structures of minerals.
2. Crystal chemistry of the elements, Pauling rules and mineral chemistry.
3. Solid solutions.
4. Thermodynamics of phase transitions and types of polymorphic transformation.
5. Crystallization, crystal growth and mineral genesis.
6. Physical properties of minerals (optics, elasticity, etc.).
The second part of the course is focused on the classification criteria of minerals with the aim of explaining to students how minerals are classified.
In detail, it will be illustrated minerals groups and species that are relevant in the geological field (rock forming minerals) and the technological application (Nb - Ta minerals, REE minerals, zeolites, perovkites).
The course also includes a practical part on the mineral identification by using the principal analytical method (X-ray diffraction, SEM-EDS chemical analysis, optical mineralogy).
Some day trips are also planned at locations of particular mineralogical interest.
The final exam consists of an essay in the form of a presentation about one or more mineral species.

A. Mottana: Fondamenti di Mineralogia Geologica. Zanichelli, Bologna. Deer, Wa, Howie, Ra
E Zussman, J: Introduzione ai Minerali che costituiscono le rocce. Zanichelli, Bologna.
C. Klein: Mineralogia. Zanichelli, Bologna.
M.D. Dyar, M.E. Gunther, D. Tasa: Mineralogy and Optical Mineralogy. Mineralogical Society Of America.