UNIVERSITY OF GHANA

(All rights reserved)

DEPARTMENT OF EARTH SCIENCE

SCHOOL OF PHYSICAL AND MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES
FIRST SEMESTER 2019/2020 ACADEMIC YEAR
COURSE SYLLABUS

Course Code and Title: EASC 217; Optical Mineralogy

Credits: 2

Lecture Period(s) and Venue: Tuesdays; 7:30am – 9:30am

JQB room 14
Pre-requisites: EASC 143 and EASC 101
Course Instructor: Prof. J. Manu
Department of Earth Science, Room 30
jmanu@ug.edu.gh
Office Hours: Wednesdays; 2:00 – 3:30 pm OR by appointment
National Service Personnel: Jabez Yakah and Solomon Abban

Course Description
Identification of non-opaque minerals can also be found by the way visible light interacts with the mineral.
Therefore, knowledge of the properties of light and the relationship when light comes into contact with the
mineral is very important. Hence, the documentation about the mineral and passage of light through it. The
course describes the physical properties of light as regards to minerals, description of petrographic microscope,
measurement of refractive indices of minerals using the petrographic microscope and how the microscope is
used in the identification of minerals.

Course Objective/Goals:
1. Understand the relationship between physical properties of visible light and non-opaque minerals.
2. Understand the function and use of petrographic microscope.
3. Understand how visible light can be used to provide a simple and cheap identification procedure(s) for
non-opaque minerals.

Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course, the student should be able know identifiable features of common non-opaque
minerals when visible light passes through them under the petrographic microscope, the usage of petrographic
microscope that can lead to identification of common non-opaque minerals when using the petrographic
microscope.

Course Delivery
This involve lectures with power point presentations and laboratory work on identifiable features of common
rock forming minerals using the petrographic microscope.
Plagiarism policy
Students found to have provided same verbatim answers for assignments would be awarded zero marks.

Assessment and Grading

Assignments 5%
Class Attendance 10%
Interim Assessment 15 %
Laboratory work 20%
Final Exam 50 %

Grading Scale:
Refer to Undergraduate Handbook:

80-100: A (Outstanding)
75-79: B+ (Very Good)
70-74: B (Good)
65-69: C+ (Fairly Good)
60-64: C (Average)
55-59: D+ (Below Average)
50-54: D (Marginal Pass)
45-49: E (Unsatisfactory)
0-44: F (Fail)

Reading List:

1. William D, Nesse (2016). Introduction to Mineralogy. Oxford University Press, London.

2. M. Edward (2013). The Practical Methods of Identifying Minerals in Thin Section with

microscope and the principle. Read Books Limited, India.

3. Stoiber, R.E. & Morse, S.A. (1994). Crystal identification with the polarizing microscope,

Springer-Verlag, Berlin.
4. Gribble, C.D., Hall, A.J. (1992). Optical Mineralogy; Principles and Practice. Chapman

& Hall, New York.

5. Mita, S. (1996). Fundamentals of Optical, Spectroscopic and X-ray Mineralogy.

New York.
6. Perkins, D. and Henke, K.R. (2004). Minerals in Thin Section. Prentice Hall, New York.
 Course Delivery plan/Schedule

Week Date Topic Comments

1 20.08.19 Essence of Optical Mineralogy/Nature of light

2 27.08.19 Wave motion, properties of light, polarisation
3 03.09.19 Polarised light methods, Petrographic Assignment
microscope
4 10.09.19 Relief, Pleochroism Assignment
5 17.09.19 Becke Line Assignment
6 24.09.19 Refractive indices measurements by immersion Assignment
7 01.10.19 Indicatrix, birefringence, Extinction angles Assignment

8 08.10.19 Interim assessment

9 15.10.19 Interference conditions and colours Assignment
10 22.10.19 Accessory plates, interference figures
11 29.10.19 Crossed polars, convergent light, crystal optic Assignment
sign
12 05.11.19 Review of minerals under the petrographic Assignment
microscope
13 12.11.19 Review of minerals examination under Assignment
petrographic microscope

Other Information:
The use of mobile phones and laptops are not allowed during lecture periods.
The information provided may change as and when it becomes necessary and students would be
informed accordingly.