Introduction: Definition and significance of minerals.

•    Crystallography: Crystallization, Internal order in crystals, Crystal Symmetry, Crystallographic notations, Crystal Forms, Crystal systems and crystal classes. Structural complexities and defects in crystals.

•    Physical Properties of Minerals

•    Crystal Chemistry: Bonding forces in crystals, Crystal with more than one bond types. Some common structure types. Phase equilibrium studies Compositional variation in minerals, Recalculation of Chemical Analysis, Graphic representation of Mineral Composition.

•    Optical Mineralogy: Polarized light, double refraction, birefringence, extinction, Introduction to polarizing microscope Microscopic examination of minerals--- Color, pleochroism, absorption, cleavage, R.I. relief, habit, alteration, inclusions, twinning and zoning.

•    Systematic Mineralogy: Mineral Classifications, Detailed studies of important members of oxides, sulfides, sulfates, carbonates, halides, tungstaes, phosphates, Silicates and their structural classification.

Practical:

Study of crystal models and natural crystals, their illustrations and drawings. Megascopic identification of common minerals.

Megascopic and microscopic identification of common rock forming minerals. Use of polarizing microscope. Determination of optical properties of common rock forming minerals.