ESS 302 - Mineral Science

4 hours
An introduction to the study of minerals, including their chemical compositions, atomic structure, physical, chemical, and optical properties, and their importance to Earth processes. Emphasis is placed on minerals that are important due to their abundance, economic value, or scientific merit, with the goal of understanding the processes that form and modify the Earth’s natural materials. Laboratory emphasizes hand specimen, optical, and other techniques of mineral description, identification, and use. Field trip over Fall Break to Ontario, CA. Prerequisite(s): ESS 105, CHEM 103. UG