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Optical Mineralogy
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SCGEO2102 - Optical Mineralogy
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20240200
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1.1
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2026-09-10
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2026-09-10
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Science
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Institute of Innovation, Science & Sustainability
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Science
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Undergraduate
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15
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.125
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010703
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Geology
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010703 - Geology
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<a href="http://www.federation.edu.au/locate/unit/scgeo2102">View unit fees</a>
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Graded (e.g. HD, D, C, etc)
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7
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Bachelor Degree
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<p>This course introduces students to the study of minerals and rocks using transmitted and reflected light microscopy. Mineral and rock relationships are studied in detail, and students use rock and mineral microstructures textures to interpret geological relationships.</p>
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<p>Topics may include:</p>
<p>1. Theory of polarised light and its interaction with crystalline matter.</p>
<p>2. The polarising microscope and its application to mineralogy noting the significance of crystallographic principles</p>
<p>3. The optical properties of the common rock forming minerals and their classification and signficance.</p>
<p>4. The paragenesis of the common rock forming minerals.</p>
<p>5. Reflected light microscopy, common ore minerals and their paragenesis</p>
<p>6. Lattice and crystal symmetry and classification, miller indices, crystal spatial information and space groups.</p>
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<p>Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment.</p>
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2027
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2026
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SCGEO2102 - Optical Mineralogy
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SCGEO2102 - Optical Mineralogy
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2026
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Overview
Key information
Requisites
Learning outcomes
Assessment
FedTASK
Parent Region
Overview
Unit description
<p>This course introduces students to the study of minerals and rocks using transmitted and reflected light microscopy. Mineral and rock relationships are studied in detail, and students use rock and mineral microstructures textures to interpret geological relationships.</p>
Unit content
<p>Topics may include:</p> <p>1. Theory of polarised light and its interaction with crystalline matter.</p> <p>2. The polarising microscope and its application to mineralogy noting the significance of crystallographic principles</p> <p>3. The optical properties of the common rock forming minerals and their classification and signficance.</p> <p>4. The paragenesis of the common rock forming minerals.</p> <p>5. Reflected light microscopy, common ore minerals and their paragenesis</p> <p>6. Lattice and crystal symmetry and classification, miller indices, crystal spatial information and space groups.</p>
Key information
Institute / school:
Institute of Innovation, Science & Sustainability
Discipline:
Science
Study level:
Undergraduate
Credit points:
15
EFTSL:
0.125
Field of education:
010703 - Geology
Grade scheme:
Graded (e.g. HD, D, C, etc)
Placement component:
No
Fee information:
<a href="http://www.federation.edu.au/locate/unit/scgeo2102">View unit fees</a>
Requisites
Prerequisite
<p> must have completed <a href="/ords/r/curriculum/catalogue/course?p6_code=SCGEO1103" target="_blank">SCGEO1103</a></p>
Corequisite
None
Exclusion
None
Learning outcomes
Learning outcomes
<p>On successful completion of this unit, students are expected to gain the following [K]nowledge, [S]kills and [A]pplication of knowledge & skills</p>
Learning Outcomes
Ref
Outcome
K1
<p>Identify and communicate concepts of the interaction of light with minerals including linking crystalline internal order and symmetry to external crystallographic form</p>
K2
<p>Identify and communicate the basic optical properties of minerals and other transparent materials</p>
K3
<p>Recognize optical properties of the common rock forming minerals by means of a standard polarizing microscope</p>
K4
<p>Discuss the relationship between mineral properties and their paragenesis and provenance</p>
S1
<p>Operate a polarising microscope in the study of minerals and rocks in thin section</p>
S2
<p>Demonstrate familiarity with common minerals including predict mineral properties using knowledge of crystal structures</p>
S3
<p>Interpret mineral and rock textures</p>
S4
<p>Demonstrate research and communications skills</p>
A1
<p>Display proficiency with a polarising microscope</p>
A2
<p>Decipher rock microtextures, and communicate results</p>
A3
<p>Consult and use mineralogical databases</p>
A4
<p>Identify minerals from a range of samples</p>
Assessment
Learning Tasks and Assessment
Ref
Learning task
Assessment type
Weighting
Learning outcomes assessed
1
<p>Submission of a range of practical assignments pertaining to crystallography, the use of the Polarising microscope to identify minerals and rocks and to interpret rock textures.</p>
<p>Practical Exercises/Work</p>
<p>20-40 %</p>
K1, K2, K3, S1, S2, S3, S4, A1, A2, A3, A4
2
<p>Present understanding of key concepts of mineral identififactaion using a microscope including crystollgrahic significance.</p>
<p>Report</p>
<p>10%</p>
K1, K2, K3, K4, S2, A3
3
<p>Assessment of students comprehension of key theoretical concepts linking transmission and reflected light microscopic identification of minerals, as they relate to mineral paragenesis and interpreting geology.</p>
<p>End of semester Theory Test(s)</p>
<p>20-30 %</p>
K1, K2, K3, K4, S2, S3, A1, A2
4
<p>Assessment of students ability to effectively use the polarising microscope to identify minerals, interpret mineralogy and textures to assist in interpreting geology.</p>
<p>Practical test(s)</p>
<p>20-30%</p>
K1, K2, K3, S1, S2, S3, S4, A1, A2, A4
Supplementary assessment available:
Yes
Supplementary assessment information:
<p>Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment.</p>
FedTASK
FedTASK
<p>Federation University recognises that students require key transferable employability skills to prepare them for their future workplace and society. FedTASKs (<strong>T</strong>ransferable <strong>A</strong>ttributes <strong>S</strong>kills and <strong>K</strong>nowledge) provide a targeted focus on five key, transferable Attributes, Skills, and Knowledge that are embedded within curriculum, developed gradually towards successful measures and interlinked with cross-discipline and co-operative learning opportunities.</p>
FedTASK
Description of FedTASK outcome
Level
FedTASK 1: Interpersonal
The ability to effectively communicate, interact and work with others both individually and in groups.
FedTASK 2: Leadership
The ability to apply professional skills and behaviours in leading others.
FedTASK 3: Critical Thinking and Creativity
The ability to work in complexity and ambiguity using imagination to create new ideas.
FedTASK 4: Digital Literacy
The ability to work fluently across a range of tools and applications to achieve a range of skills.
FedTASK 5: Sustainable and Ethical Mindset
The ability to consider and assess the consequences and impact of ideas and actions in enacting ethical and sustainable decisions.
Key information
Institute / school:
Institute of Innovation, Science & Sustainability
Discipline:
Science
Study level:
Undergraduate
Credit points:
15
EFTSL:
0.125
Field of education:
010703 - Geology
Grade scheme:
Graded (e.g. HD, D, C, etc)
Placement component:
No
Fee information:
<a href="http://www.federation.edu.au/locate/unit/scgeo2102">View unit fees</a>
Additional information
Cards Section - Non Research
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Internal reference: SCGEO2102 - U1.1