Rocks and Minerals: An Introduction



Overview

Rocks and especially minerals (often as crystals) have fascinated people for a very long time. We will start with some of the myths surrounding some beautiful types of mineral and explore the wonderful variety that nature has to offer. Using the tutor's large collection we can learn how to identify them and discover how they form. As rocks are made from minerals we can then use our first hand knowledge to learn more about rocks.

The three main types: igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic will be illustrated by presentations to show locations of how and where they form. The field trip puts our knowledge into action locally and then the world is our oyster!

Programme details

Course starts:   21 Jan 2024. Course ends 18 March with the field trip.

Week 1: Introduction to minerals and how they form

Week 2: Mineral identification 1 

Week 3: Sedimentary rocks 1 using minerals to identify rocks

Week 4: Using rocks to interpret ancient environments (with a few fossils!)

Week 5: Minerals 2

Week 6: Igneous rocks and volcanoes

Week 7: Metamorphic rocks and making mountains

Week  8: Rocks and minerals from a new perspective - a surprise view in store for you!

Week 9/10: Field trip 16 March  (building stones/museum or quarry (site to be agreed with class) double session 10.30am to 3pm

Certification

To complete the course and receive a certificate, you will be required to attend at least 80% of the classes on the course and pass your final assignment. Upon successful completion, you will receive a link to download a University of Oxford digital certificate. Information on how to access this digital certificate will be emailed to you after the end of the course. The certificate will show your name, the course title and the dates of the course you attended. You will be able to download your certificate or share it on social media if you choose to do so.

Fees

Description Costs
Course Fee £285.00
Take this course for CATS points £30.00

Funding

If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, you are a full-time student in the UK or a student on a low income, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees. Please see the below link for full details:

Concessionary fees for short courses

Tutor

Dr Jill Eyers

Dr Eyers is a UK geologist and lecturer with many years’ experience who has worked and travelled all over the world. She is an author of many scientific papers and books, and is a regular speaker on cruise ships.

Course aims

To introduce the world of rocks and minerals and explore the information they can provide in everyday or exotic things.

Course Objectives:

1. To provide skills in understanding how minerals and rocks form.

2. Develop techniques of identification and interpretation from simple observations.

3. Allow exploration of a new environment such as a local quarry or building stones with the new-found knowledge.

Teaching methods

A variety of methods will be used from general introductions to a topic, Powerpoint presentations, hands-on group activities with the rocks and minerals, video clips, internet site research and a field trip.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course students will be expected to:

1. be able to say the several ways minerals can form and give examples;

2. be able to identify the main common minerals using simple tests;

3. be able to identify the common rocks types and say how they may have formed.

Assessment methods

A portfolio will be built up from week to week using flowcharts, information and guidance from the tutor. We will use sketches of rocks or other features, and interpret photographs of well known field locations. Only 5 sheets will be needed for submission for the assessment (student's choice ).

Coursework is an integral part of all weekly classes and everyone enroled will be expected to do coursework in order to benefit fully from the course. Only those who have registered for credit will be awarded CATS points for completing work the required standard.

Students must submit a completed Declaration of Authorship form at the end of term when submitting your final piece of work. CATS points cannot be awarded without the aforementioned form - Declaration of Authorship form

 

Application

To earn credit (CATS points) for your course you will need to register and pay an additional £30 fee for each course you enrol on. You can do this by ticking the relevant box at the bottom of the enrolment form or when enrolling online.

Please use the 'Book' or 'Apply' button on this page. Alternatively, please complete an application form.

Level and demands

The Department's Weekly Classes are taught at FHEQ Level 4, i.e. first year undergraduate level, and you will be expected to engage in a significant amount of private study in preparation for the classes. This may take the form, for instance, of reading and analysing set texts, responding to questions or tasks, or preparing work to present in class.

Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS)

To earn credit (CATS points) you will need to register and pay an additional £30 fee per course. You can do this by ticking the relevant box at the bottom of the enrolment form or when enrolling online. Students who register for CATS points will receive a Record of CATS points on successful completion of their course assessment.

Students who do not register for CATS points during the enrolment process can either register for CATS points prior to the start of their course or retrospectively from the January 1st after the current full academic year has been completed. If you are enrolled on the Certificate of Higher Education you need to indicate this on the enrolment form but there is no additional registration fee.

 

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support