This course focuses on the structure and chemical makeup of earth materials, specifically the physical and chemical properties of minerals on both macroscopic and microscopic scales. Students will learn how to identify rocks and rock-forming minerals contained in hand samples, and how to manipulate rock classification schemes for igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. Basic principles of mineralogy (crystal systems, chemical and physical properties) will be explored, as well as elementary petrological theory. Investigations will be framed in light of
characteristic geologic environments, many of which can be found in the Yukon. Students will be given an introduction to polarized light microscopy and how it can augment hand sample rock and mineral identification.