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SLM301Agricultural Sciences2 Unitsintermediate

Introductions To Soil Mineralogy

This course introduces the fundamental concepts of soil and clay mineralogy, crucial for students in agricultural sciences. It explores the crystal structures of major minerals, mineral formation conditions, and mineral surface properties. The course also covers the reactions of minerals with heavy metals, nutrients, organics, and biologic molecules. Emphasis is placed on the importance of minerals in natural environments, their domestic, industrial, and environmental applications, providing a solid foundation for further studies in related fields.

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45h

Study Time

13

Weeks

3h

Per Week

basic

Math Level

Course Keywords

Soil MineralogyClay MineralsSoil ChemistryCrystallographyEnvironmental Science

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level

Builds on foundational knowledge

65%

intermediate

➕

Math Level

Basic Math

📖

Learning Type

Theoretical Focus

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Soil Mineralogy Definition

2

Chemical Reactions and Minerals

3

Soil Mineralogy and Agriculture

4

Soil Components

5

Classification of Minerals

6

Silicate Structures

7

Mineral Properties

8

Mineral Identification Methods

Total Topics8 topics

Ready to Start

No specific requirements needed

This course is designed to be accessible to all students. You can start immediately without any prior knowledge or specific preparation.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (3 methods)

assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

tutor-marked assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

final examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Soil Scientist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Environmental Consultant

Apply your skills in this growing field

Agricultural Engineer

Apply your skills in this growing field

Geologist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Environmental Scientist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

AgricultureEnvironmental ManagementCivil EngineeringGeologyMining

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week

1

Module 1: Soil Mineralogy and its relation to other fields of Sciences

2h

Unit 1: Meaning of Soil Mineralogy

2 study hours

•Define soil mineralogy and its significance.
•Explain the relationship between soil mineralogy and other scientific fields.
•Read examples of mineral applications in agriculture and environment.

Week

2

Module 1: Soil Mineralogy and its relation to other fields of Sciences

2h

Unit 2: Elements - Chemical Reactions -Chemical Compounds - Minerals

2 study hours

•Understand the atomic structure of elements and how they form chemical compounds.
•Learn about the process of crystallization and crystal growth.
•Differentiate between solid chemical compounds and minerals.

Week

3

Module 1: Soil Mineralogy and its relation to other fields of Sciences

2h

Unit 3: Relationship of Mineralogy to Agriculture, Engineering and other Environmental Sciences

2 study hours

•Explain the relationship between soil mineralogy and soil chemistry.
•Discuss the role of soil mineralogy in toxicology.
•Describe the importance of soil mineralogy in engineering.
•Understand the significance of soil mineralogy in various land uses.

Week

4

Module 1: Soil Mineralogy and its relation to other fields of Sciences

2h

Unit 4: Soil Components

2 study hours

•Identify the solid, liquid, and gas phases of soil.
•Describe the composition of each phase and their interactions.
•Understand the factors affecting soil composition.

Week

5

Module 1: Soil Mineralogy and its relation to other fields of Sciences

2h

Unit 5: Classification of Minerals

2 study hours

•Classify minerals into primary and secondary types.
•Differentiate between primary and secondary minerals based on their origin and formation.
•Understand the classification of secondary minerals based on mineralogical composition and structural units.

Week

6

Module 2:

2h

Unit 1: Silicate and non-silicate Mineral Structure

2 study hours

•Recognize the structural arrangement of silicate clay minerals.
•Differentiate framework silicate from chain silicate structures.
•Study examples of framework silicates like quartz and feldspars.
•Study examples of chain silicates like amphibole and pyroxene.

Week

7

Module 2:

2h

Unit 2: Silicate and non-silicate Mineral Structure (Continued)

2 study hours

•Recognize the structural arrangement of silicate clay minerals.
•Differentiate sheet silicate from ortho-and ring silicate structures.
•Study examples of sheet silicates like micas.
•Study examples of ortho- and ring silicates like olivines.

Week

8

Module 3 Properties of Minerals

2h

Unit 1 Chemical Properties of minerals in the soil

2 study hours

•Understand the representation of mineral formulas.
•Learn how to calculate the chemical formula of minerals.
•Study the concepts of solid solution, exsolution, and pseudomorphism.
•Practice calculating mineral formulas from elemental and oxide analysis.

Week

9

Module 3 Properties of Minerals

2h

Unit 2 Physical properties minerals

2 study hours

•Understand the concepts of isotropism and polymorphism.
•Learn about physical properties like cleavage, fracture, hardness, and tenacity.
•Study the characters depending upon specific gravity and light.

Week

10

Module 3 Properties of Minerals

2h

Unit 3 Optical properties of minerals

2 study hours

•Understand the wave properties of light waves.
•Learn about reflection, refraction, and refractive index.
•Study the relationship between optical properties and mineral identification.
•Understand the importance of refractive index in agriculture and soil science.

Week

11

Module 3 Properties of Minerals

2h

Unit 4 and 5 Methods of Soil Mineral Identification

2 study hours

•Understand the principles of X-ray diffraction.
•Learn about thermal analysis techniques like DTA and TGA.
•Study the application of electron microscopy in mineral identification.
•Understand the advantages and limitations of each method.

Week

12

Module 1: Soil Mineralogy and its relation to other fields of Sciences

3h

Review of Module 1

3 study hours

•Review all units from Module 1.
•Focus on key concepts and definitions.
•Practice solving problems related to soil mineralogy and its applications.

Week

13

Module 2:

3h

Review of Modules 2 and 3

3 study hours

•Review all units from Modules 2 and 3.
•Focus on mineral structures, properties, and identification methods.
•Prepare for assignments and final examinations.

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

Read the complete course material as provided by NOUN.

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Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Create concept maps linking mineral structures (Units 6-7) to their chemical compositions (Unit 8).

2

Practice calculating mineral formulas from provided elemental analyses (Unit 8).

3

Review the principles and applications of X-ray diffraction (Unit 11) and thermal analysis (Unit 11).

4

Focus on understanding the relationships between mineral properties (Units 9-10) and their uses in different industries.

5

Study the diagrams and illustrations of crystal structures to enhance visualization and understanding.

6

Review all tutor-marked assignments and self-assessment exercises to identify areas needing further study.

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