OVERVIEW

Mineralogy provides the fundamental knowledge and methodological tools for analyzing the chemical, physical, and structural properties of minerals. The course covers the systematic classification criteria of minerals and introduces the main genetic processes responsible for their formation.

Special attention is given to the role of Mineralogy in the field of cultural heritage. The study of minerals enables the identification and characterization of the mineralogical components of stone materials, pigments, and other anthropogenic materials used throughout historical and prehistoric periods. These skills are essential for the conservation, restoration, and enhancement of cultural heritage.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The aim of this course is to provide basic knowledge on the morphological, structural, crystal-chemical and crystallophysical aspects of minerals, with particular attention to those that are of greater interest in the field of cultural heritage. The study methods and diagnostic techniques necessary for the characterization and recognition of minerals in manufactured pieces are also treated.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Regular attendance and active participation in the planned educational activities (lectures and laboratory sessions), combined with individual study, will enable students to acquire a solid foundational knowledge of Mineralogy, with a particular focus on its applications in the conservation and restoration of cultural heritage.

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

• Identify and describe the main classes of silicate and non-silicate minerals;
• Understand the chemical and physical properties of minerals and relate them to the main diagnostic techniques, both macroscopic and microscopic;
• Connect crystal systems to the fundamental elements of morphological and structural crystallography;
• Recognize and identify the mineralogical components of stone materials, artifacts, and pigments, applying both theoretical knowledge and practical skills acquired in the laboratory;
• Apply acquired knowledge to specific case studies, developing analytical and critical interpretation skills.

The course also offers the opportunity to participate, on a voluntary basis, in the “Multidisciplinary Educational Program” promoted annually by the Master's Degree Program. Participation in the laboratory and field activities included in this program will allow students to develop advanced social competence, particularly in:

• Managing social interactions;
• Collaborating and working effectively in teams;
• Understanding and valuing different perspectives;
• Communicating effectively and constructively in diverse contexts, including public outreach during cultural events.

PREREQUISITES

To successfully engage with the course content, students are expected to have a basic knowledge of inorganic chemistry, with particular reference to the following topics:

1. Atomic structure
2. Atoms, molecules, and ions
3. Periodic table and classification of elements
4. Types of chemical bonds
5. Main chemical reactions
6. Fundamentals of stoichiometry

This foundational knowledge is essential for understanding the chemical and physical processes underlying the formation and behavior of minerals.

TEACHING METHODS

The course includes both lectures and laboratory exercises. Although attendance is not mandatory, it is strongly recommended, as lectures and practical sessions are enriched with self-assessment tests, applied activities, and methodological insights.

Lectures are held in the classroom with the support of multimedia presentations. At the end of each section of the program, self-assessment tests are provided to monitor learning progress.

Laboratory exercises, conducted by the course instructors and, if necessary, with the support of teaching assistants, are aimed at the practical application of theoretical knowledge. At the end of each lab module, students are required to submit an individual or group report, using templates provided by the instructor (in paper and/or digital format).

The planned activities include:

• Individual exercises for calculating the chemical formula of a mineral based on analytical data;
• Group exercises for macroscopic identification of minerals, using samples from the DISTAV teaching collection;
• Individual exercises using a polarized light optical microscope, for identifying minerals in thin section;
• Group sessions using a scanning electron microscope (SEM-EDS), for determining the texture and chemical composition of minerals;
• Group exercises using µ-Raman spectroscopy.

Activities take place in classrooms equipped with microscopes and specialized lighting, as well as in the electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy laboratories at DISTAV.

The course is part of the Multidisciplinary Educational Program promoted by the Degree Program, which incorporates innovative teaching methodologies such as:

• Team-based learning
• Problem-based learning
• Group-based learning
• Project-based learning

Students will be involved in the preparation of technical reports and in the presentation and dissemination of results during public events.

Students with certified Specific Learning Disorders (SLD), disabilities, or other educational needs are encouraged to contact the instructor and the Department’s Disability Coordinator (Prof. Sara Ferrando; sara.ferrando@unige.it) at the beginning of the course to agree on any necessary teaching accommodations, in line with the course objectives and individual learning styles.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

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

• Elements of Morphological and Structural Crystallography
  Introduction to translation lattices and unit cells; fundamental laws of crystallography; symmetry elements and crystal systems.

• Fundamentals of Crystal Chemistry
  Chemical bonding in crystal structures; isomorphism and polymorphism; criteria for the systematic classification of minerals, with particular focus on silicates and non-silicate minerals relevant to cultural heritage.

• Physical Properties of Minerals
  Study of scalar and vector properties of crystals; in-depth analysis of the optical behavior of minerals under natural and polarized light.

• Mineral Genesis and Stability
  Examination of the main mineral-forming processes and their stability fields, with particular reference to interactions with atmospheric agents and alteration phenomena.

• Mineralogical Investigation Methods
  Diagnostic techniques for the identification and classification of minerals, both macroscopic and microscopic, including practical laboratory exercises.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

All slides used during lectures, along with other teaching materials, will be made available on AulaWeb at the end of each lecture/laboratory session cycle.

The following textbooks are recommended to support individual study and to deepen the topics covered during the course. These texts are available for consultation at the Library of the School of Mathematical, Physical and Natural Sciences:

• C. Klein (2004): Mineralogy (First Italian edition based on the 22nd American edition) – Zanichelli Editore (Bologna), ISBN: 9788808076892, 632 pp.
• C. Klein & A.R. Philpotts (2018): Mineralogy and Petrology (First Italian edition based on the second English edition, edited by G. Gasparotto & R. Braga) – Zanichelli Editore (Bologna), ISBN: 9788808320605, 544 pp.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Please, consult detailed timetable at the following link: https://easyacademy.unige.it/portalestudenti/

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam consists of two written tests, carried out during the course, and a final oral examination.

• Written in-course tests include:
  1. A test with multiple-choice and open-ended questions, as well as exercises related to morphological and structural symmetries;
  2. The preparation of a technical report on a mineral of interest in the field of cultural heritage.

The in-course tests are considered passed if the average grade obtained is equal to or greater than 18/30.

Students who do not take or do not pass both in-course tests must take a substitute written exam, which covers the full content of the two tests. This exam is also considered passed with a minimum score of 18/30.

• Oral exam: consists of an interview aimed at deepening and verifying the student’s understanding of the topics covered during the course.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Information regarding exam preparation and the expected level of detail for each topic will be provided during the course.

The written exam is designed to assess:

• the acquisition of knowledge related to investigation methods and diagnostic techniques used to study and determine the mineralogical composition of artifacts;
• the student’s ability to apply this knowledge in practical contexts.

Open-ended questions will evaluate the student’s ability to connect and integrate the content learned during laboratory activities with the theoretical concepts presented in lectures. Multiple-choice questions will assess the level of knowledge acquired and the ability to apply it to specific case studies.

The oral exam will focus primarily on the topics covered during lectures and aims to assess:

• the level of theoretical understanding;
• the ability to recall and apply concepts to simple real-world scenarios;
• the clarity of presentation and the correct use of technical and scientific terminology.

The final grade will be calculated as the arithmetic average of the grades obtained in the written and oral exams. The oral exam may be taken during the same session as the written test or in one of the subsequent sessions published on the UNIGE website. There will be three exam sessions in the winter period (January–February) and three in the summer period (June, July, September).

FURTHER INFORMATION

Regular and consistent attendance at lectures and related laboratory sessions is strongly recommended. Students are required to wear appropriate clothing for laboratory activities and to use the personal protective equipment (PPE) specified for such activities. Any additional technical or analytical tools needed for the exercises will be provided by the instructor.

For any additional information, please contact the professor.