On completion of the course a student should be able to:
- Explain the causes of the principal physical properties of minerals
- Give an account of the basic structure and composition of the most important rock-forming minerals
- Interpret simple phase diagrams that are relevant for the formation and stability of minerals
- Reproduce and employ the IUGS classification of igneous rocks
- Carry out simple mineral chemical calculations
- Describe and recognise the most common minerals and rocks in hand specimens