Principles and practice of identification and interpretation of minerals and rocks using the polarizing light microscope and the scanning electron microscope. Students learn the use of automated thin sectioning equipment, and produce, analyze, and interpret their own thin sections as a research project. Topics include optical mineralogy, description and interpretation of the major rock types, and chemical analysis of minerals using the X-ray analysis system of the SEM. Meets twice a week in three-hour blocks. Field trip. Spring (Alternate years; Not Offered 2019-20) (Group II)