Course Form (revised 5/1/12)
(Instructions: http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/documents/forms/courseform_instructionsX.aspx)
I. Summary of Proposed Changes
Dept / Program
Geosciences
Prefix and Course # GEO 226
Course Title
Rocks, Minerals and Resources
Please check one or more
 New course  Delete course
of the following:
Course Changes
X Course Title X Description  Learning Outcomes
X Prerequisites  Cross-listing  Other
 Credits
from _________ to________
X Number / Level from 226 to 225
 Repeatability
from _________ to________
Justification / explanation (required for ALL proposals) For new courses please provide rationale for why
the course is needed, how it fits with exiting curriculum and whether there are curricular adjustments.
We would like to change the course title, update the prerequisites and description, and change the course
number to differentiate this course from UM-Western’s course with the same title. Our course is substantially
different from that course in its lecture and laboratory content and we feel that it is necessary to distinguish
this course since the two courses do not align in their objectives. In addition, the title “Earth Materials” better
reflects the course content as we do not cover much of “Resources” in the UM course.
Has the Department gone through common course Review?
X Yes  No  In process
II. Syllabus/Assessment Information Required for new courses, learning outcome changes and
course change from U to UG.
Important: please spell out learning goals and learning outcomes clearly in the syllabus.
Learning Goals are a list of what students should know, understand, or be able to do at the end of
the course, including essential information and knowledge or skills relevant to the subject area.
Learning Outcomes are measures of performance or behavior that indicate, to the teacher and the
students, that students understand the material, and what criteria differentiates among different
levels of understanding. Attach syllabus at the end of the document.
III. Endorsement/Approvals
Complete the form and obtain signatures before submitting to Faculty Senate Office
Please type / print name Signature
Date
Requestor:
Julia Baldwin
Phone/ email :
243-5778
jbaldwin@mso.umt.
edu
Program Chair(s)/Director:
Dean(s):
Approve
 Yes  No
 Yes  No
 Yes  No
 Yes  No
All other affected programs:
 Yes  No
 Yes  No
Are other departments/programs affected by this
modification because of
(a) required courses incl. prerequisites or corequisites,
(b) perceived overlap in content areas
(c) cross-listing of coursework
Signatory Comments (required for disapproval):
Please obtain signature(s) from the
Chair/Director of any such department/ program
(above) before submission
IV: To Add a New Course Syllabus and assessment information is required (paste syllabus into
section V or attach). Course should have internal coherence and clear focus.
Common Course Numbering Review (Department Chair Must Initial):
YES
NO
Does an equivalent course exist elsewhere in the MUS? Check all relevant disciplines if
X
course is interdisciplinary. (http://www.mus.edu/Qtools/CCN/ccn_default.asp)
If YES: Do the proposed abbreviation, number, title and credits align with existing course(s)? Please indicate
equivalent course/campus. 
If NO: Course may be unique, but is subject to common course review. The course number may be changed
at the system level.
Short Title (max. 26 characters incl. spaces) Earth Materials
Exact entry to appear in the next catalog (Specify course abbreviation, level, number, title, credits,
repeatability (if applicable), frequency of offering, prerequisites, and a brief description.) 
Complete for UG courses (UG courses should be assigned a 400 number).
Describe graduate increment - see procedure 301.30
http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/procedures/default.aspx
Complete for Co-convened courses
Companion course number, title, and description (include syllabus of companion course in section V)
See procedure 301.20 http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/procedures/default.aspx
New fees and changes to existing fees are only approved once each biennium by the
Board of Regents. The coordination of fee submission is administered by
Administration and Finance. Fees may be requested only for courses meeting specific
conditions according to Policy 940.12.1 http://mus.edu/borpol/bor900/940-12-1.pdf .
Please indicate whether this course will be considered for a fee.
If YES, what is the proposed amount of the fee?
Justification:
V. Change an Existing Course
1. Current course information at it appears in catalog
(http://www.umt.edu/catalog) 
U 226 (GEOS 226) Rocks, Minerals and Resources
4 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., any geoscience 100 level
lecture course, GEO 102N (GEOS 101N), CHMY 121N or
141N (CHEM 151N or CHEM 161N). Study of minerals and
rocks utilizing an Earth Systems approach; mineral
identification and paragenesis; survey of the distribution of
minerals from the interior to the surfaces of planets and
the processes that led to their formation.
YES
NO
2. Full and exact entry (as proposed) 
U 225 Earth Materials 4 cr. Offered Spring.
Prereq., any geoscience 100 level lecture course,
GEO 102N (GEOS 101N), CHMY 141N (CHEM
161N). Introduction to the chemical and
physical properties of Earth materials. Hand
specimen and optical identification of rockforming minerals. Environments of formation
and distribution of minerals on the surface and
the interior of the earth.
3. If cross-listed course: secondary program & course
number
4. Is this a course with MUS Common Course Numbering?
YES NO
http://www.mus.edu/Qtools/CCN/ccn_default.asp
X
If yes, please explain below whether the change will eliminate the common course status.
Yes, the reason for the change is that we do not believe that our course aligns well with other 226 courses in
the MUS system (e.g. UM-Western). The content and style of teaching (semester classroom vs. block plan in
the field) are very different and the laboratory content in UM’s course is substantially different from UMWestern’s course. For example, we cover optical microscopy and UM-Western only looks at hand samples of
rocks and minerals. We feel that a student transferring from UM-Western would still need to complete this
course to have the necessary background to take UM Geosciences UD courses that require this as a
prerequisite.
5. If co-convened course: companion course number, title, and description
(include syllabus of companion course in section V) See procedure 301.20
http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/procedures/default.aspx
6. Graduate increment if level of course is changed to UG.
Reference procedure 301.30:
http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/procedures/default.aspx
Have you reviewed the graduate
increment guidelines? Please check (X)
space provided.
(syllabus must be attached)
7. Other programs affected by the change
none
8. Is there a fee associated with the course?
Field trip fee
VI Department Summary (Required if several forms are submitted) In a separate document list course
number, title, and proposed change for all proposals.
VII Copies and Electronic Submission. After approval, submit original, one copy, summary of
proposals and electronic file to the Faculty Senate Office, UH 221, camie.foos@mso.umt.edu.
GEO 225: Earth Materials
Instructor: Julie Baldwin
Office: CHCB 329, Phone: 243-5778
E-mail: julie.baldwin@umontana.edu
Office Hours: MW 3:00-4:00, or by appt.
Lecture Meetings: MWF 11:10-12:00 in CHCB 304
Lab: M 1:10-3:00 PM (section 1) and W 1:10-3:00 PM (section 2) in CHCB 348 or 344
Course prerequisites: GEO101/102 and C- or better in college chemistry (CHMY141).
Course Website:
We will use Moodle for this course (https://umonline.mrooms3.net/login/index.php). Please check site for course
announcements, lecture notes, and handouts.
Course Overview:
This course will introduce you to Earth materials, in terms of their composition, structure, classification, and
formation. Minerals are the building blocks of rocks and therefore help geologists interpret how the Earth formed
and has evolved through time, making the study of minerals central to all disciplines in geology. A major goal of
this course is to provide you with the necessary framework to understand and evaluate the information that minerals
can provide about Earth processes and Earth history. Minerals are, of course, also important for understanding
present-day Earth processes and have many practical uses in our society.
By the end of the semester, I expect you to be able to:
1) Describe crystal chemistry and crystal structure and how these relate to a mineral’s physical properties.
2) Identify important rock-forming minerals in hand sample and thin section and explain where they are found
and why.
3) Explain what tools are used to identify and characterize minerals.
4) Explain how minerals form, what factors affect their stability, and why certain minerals form in association
with other minerals in greater (or lesser) abundances
5) Describe mineral occurrences in relation to the rock cycle. Know the common minerals in igneous,
sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks, as well as in economic ore deposits.
Textbook & Materials:
Required Text: Earth Materials, 1st ed., Klein & Philpotts
Bring to every class: class notebook (3-ring binder), colored pencils, straight-edge ruler, calculator, hand lens.
i>clickers
You are required to purchase an i>clicker remote for in-class participation. i>clicker is a classroom response system
that allows you to respond to questions I pose during class, and you will be graded on that feedback and/or your inclass participation. In order to receive this credit, you will need to register your i>clicker remote online by Feb. 3.
You must have come to class at least once and voted on at least one question in order to complete this registration
properly. Once you have voted on a question in class, go to http://www.iclicker.com/registration. Complete the
fields with your first name, last name, NetID, and remote ID. Your student ID should be your NetID! The remote
ID is the series of numbers and sometimes letters found on the bottom of the back of your i>clicker remote. i>clicker
will be used every day in class, and you are responsible for bringing your remote daily.
Lab:
You are required to attend lab each week. There is a lab midterm and also a comprehensive lab final. You are always
welcome to make up a missed lab in the other section.
Grading:
Your final grade will be based on the following grading scheme:
Midterms*
30%
Final Exam
i>clicker participation
Lab Assignments
Lab Midterm
Lab Final
15%
10%
20%
10%
15%
* You may use your i>clicker average to replace your lowest midterm grade IF your i>clicker average is greater than
or equal to 80%. This is your incentive to come to class and participate since midterm averages are typically in the
60’s for this course.
Week
1
Date
Jan.
2
Feb.
3
4
5
6
Mar.
7
8
9
10
11
Apr.
12
13
14
May
May
23
25
27
30
1
3
6
8
10
13
15
17
20
22
24
27
29
2
5
7
9
12
14
16
19
21
23
26
28
30
9
11
13
16
18
20
23
25
27
30
2
4
10
SCHEDULE
Lecture Topic
Introduction: why mineralogy?
Crystal Chemistry
Crystal Chemistry
Crystal Structure
Crystal Structure
Crystal Structure
Mineral Growth
Mineral Growth
Mineral Growth
Crystallography: translational symmetry
Crystallography: translational symmetry
EXAM 1
President’s Day Holiday
Crystallography: point symmetry
Crystallography: crystal faces
Crystallography: crystal form, systems, & habit
Physical Properties
Physical Properties
Optical Mineralogy
Optical Mineralogy
Optical Mineralogy
X-ray crystallography
X-ray crystallography
EXAM 2
Silicates
Silicates
Silicates
Igneous rocks & silicates
Igneous rocks & silicates
Igneous rocks & silicates
Sedimentary minerals & rocks
Sedimentary minerals & rocks
Sedimentary minerals & rocks
Metamorphic minerals & rocks
Metamorphic minerals & rocks
EXAM 3
Non-silicates: Native elements
Non-silicates: Carbonates & phosphates
Non-silicates: Oxides, hydroxides, halides
Ore Deposits & Economic Minerals
Ore Deposits & Economic Minerals
Ore Deposits & Economic Minerals
Final Exam 10:10-12:10
Reading in Nesse
Ch. 1
Ch. 3
Ch. 3
Ch. 4
Ch. 4
Ch. 4
Ch. 5
Ch. 5
Ch. 5
Ch. 2
Ch. 2
Ch. 2
Ch. 2
Ch. 2
Ch. 6
Ch. 6
Ch. 7
Ch. 7
Ch. 7
Ch. 8
Ch. 8
Ch. 11
Ch. 11
Ch. 11
Ch. 11
Ch. 11
Ch. 11
Ch. 11
Ch. 11
Ch. 11
Ch. 11
Ch. 11
Ch. 20
Ch. 17
Ch. 18
Ch. 19
Ch. 19
Ch. 19
Lab Topic
None
Physical
Properties
What’s in a
Name?
Crystalmaker
Symmetry &
Crystal Systems
Crystallization
Optical
Properties
Lab Midterm
Silicates
Igneous minerals
& rocks
Sedimentary
minerals & rocks
Metamorphic
minerals & rocks
Non-silicates
Lab final
Policy for late work:
If you are having trouble completing an assignment on time, please come talk to me or the TA AHEAD of the due
date. Otherwise, a penalty of 20% per day an assignment is late will apply.