Our objective during the last section of the class is to exercise our petrology muscles, by gaining some hands-on knowledge of a specific petrologic topic, and by presenting the results of our research to an audience.

Topic Selection: Working in teams of one or two, select an igneous or metamorphic site or suite of samples that is of particular interest to you. There are a number of sample suites available in the department from previous field trips. Those of you going on a spring break trip may be able to collect samples that could be used for a project, but remember, it will take time to make thin sections, so you'll have to work quickly to prepare your project. You may also carry out a mathematical or geochemical modeling project based on literature data. All topics must be approved.

Research: Investigate your samples thoroughly by observing hand samples and thin sections. SEM microchemical analysis is available in the NDSU Electron Microscopy Center, and XRD facilities are available in the NDSU Research 2 building. Many other analytical instruments are available across campus - inquire with me for details. Thorough analysis of data from the geologic literature on your sample area should be included as part of your project. You are encouraged to use diverse source materials, including maps, state and federal reports, journals and books to provide background information for your project. You are encouraged to communicate with scientists who are experts on your area. Your project should include significant content based on your personal efforts – be creative!

Class Presentation: For your 15 minute presentation to class, describe what motivated you to study the chosen topic, the geologic background of your samples, and a summary of the results of your research, with diagrams or pertinent data. Bring sufficient copies of a one-page double-sided summary to class. Include a "references cited" section that lists those materials that you actually used in the preparation of your report.

Presentation Dates: Presentations will be April 30 and May 2.

Course Points: 20% of grade

Petrology Home Petrology Course Resources A Few Petrology Links Lecture and Lab Syllabus Student Projects 2024

Topics and Schedule April 30 Eugene Barnes Title: Mineralogical Analysis of Fossilized Edmontosaurus Skin Clare Beaudry and Madelyn Hess Title: Petrology and Geochemistry of Precambrian basement rocks in Walsh County, North Dakota Adam Altendorf Title: Discussing the Source, Transport, and Deposition of Ore Bodies Using Samples from Fire Creek Mine, NV Zoe Muccatira and Payton Jean McCurry Title: Mount Vesuvius and Mount Etna Natalie Teigen and Emma Ries Title: Keystone SD Garnet Biotite Schist Geothermometry case study May 2 Robert Adam and Tyler Burge Title: Petrology of Mount Erebus, Antartica Jake Bjerke and Nathan Trio Title: Red River Valley Sample #23 Grace Farmer and Ashley Mindt Title: RRVD #8A Collin Elton and Alex Waugh Title: Weathered Greenschist of the Great Unconformity of Southeast North Dakota NDSU Home | Geosciences Home | Petrology Home Page | Mineralogy Home Page | B. Saini-Eidukat Petrology Geology 422/622