GEY 142 - Dynamic Earth: The Mineral Kingdom

Without the mineral kingdom, there would be no life on Earth. The mineral kingdom supplies the biosphere with vital nutrients, and in turn, the evolution of life is responsible for the present-day diversity of minerals. Much more than simply the ingredients of rocks, minerals form the basis of life-supporting biogeochemical cycles through their formation and destruction. This course introduces the important non-silicate and silicate minerals, mineral identification including use of the optical microscope, mineral connections to the plate tectonic cycle, and concepts in the physical sciences and mathematics. Course Typically Offered: Every spring.

Prerequisite(s): None.

Credits: 4