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Prerequisites
Taught by
Language of instruction
Duration
Identical coursesAdvanced Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology (B-KUL-G0B82A)
Cannot be taken as part of an examination contract
This course is taught this academic year, but not next year.Aims
In-depth study of petrology, in order to achieve sufficient knowledge and skills for starting a master’s project in magmatic and/or metamorphic petrology. This course introduces a variety of modern quantitative methods and traditional petrologic tools useful for studying metamorphic and/or igneous petrogenesis.
The overall focus of the lecture aspect of the course is on learning quantitative approaches to constraining petrologic processes. Improving communication skills will also be an important goal, achieved via presentation, discussion, and evaluation of current research papers. Lab assignments involve application of modern quantitative methods and traditional petrologic and/or petrographic methods (e.g., petrographic microscopy).
Previous knowledge
Undergraduate courses in petrology and geochemistry. Basic theoretical and practical skills regarding the study of minerals and rocks with the petrographic microscope. Differential and integral calculus.
Is included in these courses of study
- Courses for Exchange Students Faculty of Science (Leuven)
- Master in de geologie (Leuven) (Geodynamics and Georesources (geen nieuwe inschrijvingen vanaf 2023-2024)) 120 ects.
- Master in de geologie (Leuven) (Geosciences) 120 ects.
- Master of Geology (Programme for students started before 2023-2024) (Leuven et al) (Major: Geodynamics and Georesources) 120 ects.
- Master of Geology (Programme for students started in 2023-2024 or later) (Leuven et al) (Major: Geosciences) 120 ects.
Activities
3 ects. Advanced Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology (B-KUL-G0B82a)
Content
Topics may include the following:
1. What can we learn from chemistry (thermodynamics)?
(a) Fundamental laws of thermodynamics.
(b) Equilibrium.
(c) Dealing with solids versus fluids.
(d) Thermodynamics of solutions.
(e) Phase equilibria
2. What can we learn from physics (transport phenomena)?
(a) Conservation laws for mass, momentum, and energy.
(b) Scaling the conservation equations.
3. Quantitative models and modeling techniques applicable to hard-rock petrology.
4. Application of quantitative techniques in combination with traditional petrologic data to problems of current interest.
(a) Identifying equilibrium and disequilibrium in the field and in thin section.
(b) Formulating an evolutionary hypothesis based on observations.
(c) Hypothesis testing through modeling.
5. Project: identifying problems of societal interest relevant to igneous and/or metamorphic petrogenesis, performing a class presentation.
Format: more information
Lectures & reading assignments (individual or group library research)
3 ects. Advanced Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology: Practical Course (B-KUL-G0B83a)
Content
(1) Advanced topics of petrographical microscopy :
- Identification of equilibrium and disequilibrium in thin section and in hand sample.
(2) Thermodynamic and/or transport modeling of igneous and/or metamorphic processes and conditions.
Format: more information
Practical exercises of microscopy and modeling exercises (individual and group assignments).
Evaluation
Evaluation: Advanced Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology (B-KUL-G2B82a)
Explanation
The final exam will be of closed-book, written form. Questions may be of long answer, short answer, or multiple choice form.