Courses taught by Paul Spry
Geol 105X Gems and Gemstones (1 credit; second-half of Fall
semester)
What should you pay, where should you buy, and how much is that gemstone
worth? This 7-week course provides an introduction to almost everything
you ever wanted to know about gems and gemstones. The important 4C’s
(carats, cuts, clarity, color), gemstone flaws, physical and optical
properties of gems, how to identify gems and gemstones, the difference
between synthetic and natural gems will be covered. There will also
be a demonstration to show how gems are characterized through the use
of basic gemological equipment such as a gemscope, loupe, dichroscope,
polariscope, and refractometer. Guest lectures by local gem dealers.
No prerequisite.
PowerPoint
Syllabus
Geol 311 Mineralogy and Earth Materials (5 credits;
Fall semester)
Introduction to mineral classification, elementary crystal chemistry,
crystal morphology, mineral stability, and optical mineralogy with a
transmitted light microscope. Laboratory problems in mineral identification
methods, including hand-specimen identification and x-ray diffraction.
Nonmajor graduate credit. Prerequisites: Geol 100 or 201, 305, Chem
163.
Geol 324/Env St 324/Mteor 324 Energy and the Environment
(3 credits, Spring semester)
This course is an introduction to the effects that renewable and non-renewable
energy production and consumption have on the environment. There will
be discussion of the origin, occurrence, and extraction of fossil fuels
(oil, natural gas, coal, and methane hydrates) as well as nuclear, solar,
wind, hydroelectric energy, and other "alternative" energy
sources. The environmental effects of energy production and use, including
air pollution, acid drainage, groundwater contamination, nuclear waste
disposal, and global warming, will also be a focus of the class. Course
is largely designed for non-science majors. No prerequisites.
Geol 365 Petrology (5 credits, Spring semester)
Nature and origin of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks. Emphasis
on important rock-forming environments and processes and their influence
on rock characteristics. Laboratory includes thin section study of rock
textures and mineralogy and the interpretation of these features. Non-major
graduate credit.
Prerequisite: Geol 311.
Geol 507 Midwestern Geology Field Trip (1 credit,
Fall semester)
On-site inspection of various metallic and non-metallic mineral deposits,
ore districts, mining operations, and mineral processing plants. Offered
on a satisfactory-fail grading basis only. Field trips each year alternate
between ore districts in Missouri, Colorado, South Dakota, and Minnesota.
Prerequisite: Geol 365
