Course Outline

Elementary Geochemistry

Course Outline

1^st Semester SY 2011-2012

Instructor:

 Joe P. Sunga

Summary:

This course will focus on the chemical and physical processes involved in rock formation. It will also, in part, deal with understanding geological processes, including ore deposition. Applications of geochemistry will also be discussed towards the end of the course.

Topics:

I.                    Introduction

                                The Rock Cycle

Thermodynamics

                                Zeroth Law

                                First Law

                                Second Law

                                Dynamic Equilibrium

                                Acid-Base Reactions

                                Redox Reactions

                                Structural Chemistry

II.                  High Temperature Geochemistry

                                The Phase Rule

                                                Gibb’s Derivation

                                Magmas and Fractional Crystallization

                                                Mafic Magmas

                                                Magmatic Differentiation

                                                Variation Diagrams

                                                Felsic Magmas

                                                Origin of Mafic and Felsic Magmas

                                                Pegmatites and Aplite Dikes

                                Metamorphism

                                                Conditions of Metamorphism

                                                Classification of Metamorphic Rocks

                                                Metamorphic Facies

                                                Metamorphic Differentiation

Midterm Exam

III.                Low Temperature Geochemistry

                                Carbonate Sediments

                                Chemical Weathering

                                Clay Minerals and Soils

                                Petroleum and Coal

                                Evaporites

IV.                Ore Solutions and Deposits

V.                  Isotope Geochemistry

VI.                Historical Geochemistry

VII.              Applied Geochemistry

Final Exam

Note:

Since this is my first time to teach this course, this outline is still subject to change.