BGYCT-133 Crystallo-grapy, Mineralogy and Economic Geology

About the Course

Man has always been fascinated by the beauty and forms of colourful minerals. Archaeological finds of unusual shaped rocks and minerals suggest that minerals have been an important part of our society since prehistoric times. Humans have been using minerals for carving out tools and making pots/utensils, ornaments, for medicinal purposes, and also as paints and pigments making use of their characteristics such as hardness, colour, luster, chemistry, etc. We are all familiar with the importance of the mineral halite (i.e. sodium chloride, commonly known as table salt) for its taste and utility in food preservation. However, not all of us are familiar that almost all the objects we see all around us and use at home or outside are derived from minerals. Right from metals, jewellery, building and road construction materials, cosmetics, fuel, components in electic and electronic items, automobiles, etc. are all derived from some or other minerals. Man has learnt early that minerals are formed in nature by some natural processes and has been interested to know the processes and locations of potential mineral deposits from where these minerals could be extracted.

This course introduces you to three core branches of geology, viz. crystallography, mineralogy, and economic geology. The course consists of four blocks. The four blocks have been arranged in two volumes. Volume 1 Crystallography and Mineralogy includes first two blocks and the Volume 2 Optical Mineralogy and Economic Geology includes the next two blocks.

The Block 1: Basic Concepts of Crystallography would introduce you to the crystallography, a branch of dealing with geometry of crystals, their properties and crystal systems. Second and third blocks are devoted to the megascopic and microscopic studies of minerals, respectively.

In the Block 2: Mineralogy you will learn about physical properties of minerals useful in their identification, classification of minerals, and physical properties of common rock-forming minerals.

Block 3: Optical Mineralogy would introduce you to the polarising microscope used to study optical properties of minerals in their identification. You will also study optical properties of common rock-forming minerals. And, the fourth block deals with minerals of economic significance which are a subject matter of the branch known as economic geology.

In Block 4: Economic Geology, you would learn about metallic and non-metallic minerals deposits, processes of their formation, properties and their Indian distribution.