OVERVIEW

The course provides theoretical tools for the chemical and physical characterization of geomaterials (raw materials, artifacts, and composites) within the framework of Cultural Heritage studies. Individual and group practical sessions are dedicated to the critical application of mineralogical and petrographic knowledge and analytical methods.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The aim of the teaching is to provide the advanced mineralogical and petrographic knowledge necessary to define a correct analytical protocol for the characterization of a raw material or a workpiece. Theoretical and practical tools for studying and predicting degradation based on the chemical and physical properties of geomaterial are also provided.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Attendance and participation in the planned educational activities (lectures and laboratory sessions) will enable students to acquire general knowledge for conducting mineralogical and petrographic studies in the field of cultural heritage conservation and restoration.

Specifically, students will be able to:

• identify and describe the main classes of minerals used as raw materials in inorganic materials relevant to cultural heritage;

• understand the chemical and physical properties of minerals and rocks and relate them to the principal diagnostic investigations;

• distinguish and identify the mineral components of stone materials, artifacts, and pigments by applying both theoretical knowledge and the practical and methodological skills acquired during laboratory activities;

• apply the acquired knowledge to interpret and present analytical data obtained during laboratory and fieldwork exercises.

PREREQUISITES

The course is particularly beneficial for students who already possess a background in mineralogy and petrography.

TEACHING METHODS

The teaching consists of lectures and a part of theoretical-practical laboratory. The lectures in the classroom are delivered through multimedia presentations and are aimed at the presentation of the theoretical-practical knowledge necessary for the study of raw materials, manufactures and composite products.
Field and laboratory exercises are aimed at the practical application of theoretical knowledge acquired during face-to-face lessons.
In particular, the following will be developed:
Individual and collective exercises for the integrated study of raw materials using mineralogical-petrographic diagnostic techniques
Collective exercises for the interpretation and return of analytical data obtained in laboratory and field exercises.
Please refer to the specific AulaWeb page for any updates due to changes in the health and epidemiological situation.

Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should speak both with the instructor and with Professor Sara Ferrando (sara.ferrando@unige.it), the Department’s disability liaison.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The course program includes the presentation and discussion of the following topics:

• Systematic classification and chemical-physical properties of the main minerals used in pigments

• Systematic classification and chemical-physical properties of clay minerals

• Analytical techniques for determining the mineralogical composition of inorganic materials relevant to cultural heritage

• Sample preparation techniques for chemical-mineralogical analyses

• Methods for the study of thin sections of stone materials, mortars, and plasters

• Morphological analysis techniques: stereomicroscopy, transmitted polarized light microscopy, and SEM-EDS applied to mortars, plasters, ceramics, and stone materials

• Microanalytical techniques: SEM-EDS applied to mortars, plasters, ceramics, and stone materials

• Standards for the description and characterization of natural and artificial stone materials and their degradation

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

The slides used during lessons and other teaching materials will be available on AulaWeb at the end of each cycle of lessons/laboratory exercises.

The books below are suggested as a supporting text, but students can still use other texts at university level. The recommended text is available and can be consulted at the library of the School of Science M.F.N.

• Amoroso: Trattato di Scienza della conservazione dei monumenti. Alinea Ed.
• Armigliato A., Valdrè U. (1980) Microscopia elettronica a scansione e microanalisi. Lo Scarabeo, Bologna, Vol. 1 e 2.
• Borghini G. Marmi antichi (2004) Min. per i beni e le attività culturali. Istituto centrale per il catalogo e la documentazione
• C. Klein, A.R. Philpotts (2018) Mineralogia e petrografia (a cura di G. Gasparotto e R. Braga), Zanichelli, 532 pp.
• Deer W.A, Howie R.A., Zussman J. (1993) An introduction to the rock forming minerals., Longman
• Lazzarini & Tabasso: Il restauro della pietra. CEDAM Ed., 2003.
• Maggetti M, Messiga B. (eds) (2006) Geomaterials in Cultural heritage. Geological Society of London, Special Publication n. 257
• Magrelli & Meucci: Degrado e Conservazione dei Materiali Lapidei. CEFME, Edilroma, 2000.
• Price M.T. (2008) Atlante delle pietre decorative. Guida tecnica illustrata. Hoepli.
• Turkington A.V. (2005) Stone decay in the architectural environment. Special paper 390, Geol Society of America
• Rice (2005) Pottery analysis. Chicago U.P., 2005.
• Winkler (1994) Stone in architecture. Springer-Verlag, Berlin

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

The lessons of the first semester (2 CFU Applied Petrography) will start from September 21, 2020 and will end by January 22, 2021. The lessons of the second semester (2 CFU Applied Mineralogy) will start from February 15, 2021 and will end by 11 June 2021.

Students are invited to consult the detailed timetable at the following link: https://easyacademy.unige.it/portalestudenti/

Class schedule

MINERALOGY AND PETROLOGY LABORATORY

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam consists of a written and an oral part.
The written exam shall cover the subjects and practical activities carried out during laboratory exercises and shall include open questions for comment on case studies. The exam is passed if the student has obtained a grade greater than or equal to 18.
The oral exam is the answer to questions asked by the teacher on subjects dealt with during teaching.
The final score shall be the arithmetic mean between the score of the written exam and the score of the oral exam. The oral exam can be sustained in the same session as the written exam and in subsequent sessions published on the UNIGE website. Two calls will be available in the winter session (January-February) and 3 calls in the summer session (June, July, September).
Please refer to the specific AulaWeb page for any updates due to changes in the health and epidemiological situation.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Details of how to prepare for the exam and the degree of depth required for each topic will be provided during the lessons.

The written examination will verify the actual acquisition of knowledge of the methods of investigation and the application of diagnostic techniques for the mineralogical and petrographic study of raw materials, manufactures and composite products. Open questions will make it possible to assess the ability to apply the knowledge needed to develop analytical protocols appropriate to the case studies. The student must be able to connect and integrate the knowledge learned during the laboratory activities with the theoretical ones provided during the frontal lessons.

The oral examination will focus mainly on the subjects dealt with during the lessons and will aim at assessing not only whether the student has reached an adequate level of knowledge, but also if she/he has acquired the ability to recall the theoretical notions applying them to simple concrete contexts. The ability to present arguments in a clear and correct scientific-technical terminology will also be assessed.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Due to the highly experimental nature of the course, attendance is highly recommended.

Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should speak both with the instructor and with Professor Sara Ferrando (sara.ferrando@unige.it), the Department’s disability liaison.