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70727 - MINERALOGIA

Academic Year 2026/2027

  • Moduli: Giovanni Valdrè (Modulo 1) Francesco Dellisanti (Modulo 2) Francesco Dellisanti (Modulo 3)
  • Teaching Mode: In-person learning (entirely or partially) (Modulo 1); In-person learning (entirely or partially) (Modulo 2); In-person learning (entirely or partially) (Modulo 3)
  • Campus: Ravenna
  • Corso: Single cycle degree programme (LMCU) in Conservation and restoration of cultural heritage (cod. 8616)

Learning outcomes

The student will have a knowledge of the most important rock-forming minerals and of applicative interest in the field of conservation and restoration in Cultural Heritage.

Course contents

  • Definition of mineral.
  • Crystal morphology: crystallographic axes, crystal classes and systems.
  • Internal order of crystals: three dimensional lattices, illustration of crystal structures.
  • Crystal chemistry: coordination principle, polymorphism and isomorphism with examples.
  • Physical properties: cleavage, hardness, colour, luster, specific gravity, electrical, magnetic and optical properties.
  • Short accounts on minerogenetic processes.
  • Mineral classification and in particular the rock-forming minerals.
  • Exercises and laboratory on external forms and optical properties of the most common minerals.
  • X-ray diffraction methodologies, XRD, Bragg's equation, X-ray powder diffractometry for the analysis of minerals.
  • Mineralogical optical microscopy.
  • Scanning Electron Microscopy ESEM and EDS X-Ray Spectroscopy for the analysis of minerals.
  • Application of some minerals to conservation and restoration in Cultural Heritage.

    • Readings/Bibliography

  • C. Klein. Mineralogia. Ia edizione italiana. Zanichelli, Bologna, 2004
  • A. Mottana, R. Crespi, G. Liborio. Minerali e rocce. Mondadori
  • G. Valdrè, U. Valdrè. Misure e Complementi di Fisica, CLUEB Bologna
  • A. Putnis, Introduction to Mineral Sciences, Cambridge University Press
  • Slides used during the lectures

    • Teaching methods

    General and theoretical mineralogical aspects are explained during the lessons. The course includes practicals in class and in laboratory. The training has the aim to give the student practical tools to characterise the most common minerals. X-ray diffraction XRD, mineralogical optical microscopy OM and ESEM labs sessions will be used for the microstructural characterization of minerals.

    Assessment methods

    Oral examination.

    Teaching tools

    PC-laptop and overhead projector; models of crystal lattices for the study of the internal order and structure; natural samples for macroscopic identification of the most common minerals, X-ray and optical laboratories, Scanning Electron Microscopy ESEM; mineral identification software.

    Students with learning disorders and\or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students ) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

    Office hours

    See the website of Giovanni Valdrè

    See the website of Francesco Dellisanti

    See the website of Francesco Dellisanti