EARTH 231Mineralogy
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Science
- Subject
- Earth Sciences
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 3 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: not on the schedule. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
This course provides a systematic study of the physical and chemical properties of the major rock-forming silicate minerals. Study of mineral chemistry, the internal geometry of crystalline solids and the interrelationship of crystal structure to the physical and chemical properties of minerals. Laboratory work focuses on observing and evaluating the physical properties of minerals and rocks in hand sample in order to identity them. This course includes a weekend field trip to Bancroft, Ontario.
Prerequisites
- Complete 1 of the following
- Must have completed the following:
- Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
- Must have completed the following:
Antirequisites
None listed.
Leads to
Fall 2026 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 6976 | 80 / 80 | TTh 08:30–09:50 TTh 08:30–09:50 |
| LAB 101 | 6977 | 40 / 40 | W 08:30–11:20 |
| LAB 102 | 7150 | 40 / 40 | T 14:30–17:20 |
Reviewed on UW Flow
74% liked it65% easy89% useful
From 31 ratings and 6 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
The course itself is alright. As someone who had no interest in rocks or minerals, this course is boring but not terrible. Jen was a great professor who really expresses their love for minerology but that just didn't get me to like it. Midterm and final had a cheat sheet. Midterm was very time crunch, but the final was better. Also consisted of a MANDATORY 1 night field trip up to Bancroft which had to be payed out of pocket. Was a fun trip but I honestly couldn't care any less about rocks.
Dec 2023 · liked it · 2 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
This course is really cool overall. It’s not necessarily easy, you’ll have to put in the effort to get a good mark. Go to classes and understand the concepts being taught, and make sure you are including everything that is needed in the lab assignments, because that can lose you quite a few marks later in the term. Take good photos of the minerals from each lab because there are quizzes about those minerals for the subsequent lab, you’ll have to identify three different minerals and their properties in under 3 minutes each. You can get a good mark on these quizzes if you even study a bit. Midterm and final were very fair, if you study a bit and were at most of the classes, you’ll do good.…
Jan 2024 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Great course and fun field trip included :)
Nov 2023 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Really cool and interesting content, but can be rather difficult if you do not have much of a earth science or chemistry background. Its really cool spending every week looking at minerals and rocks though!
Mar 2022 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Jen's the best! She really clear about what she's going to be looking for in assignments and exams! Also, Bancroft is the best
Jun 2015 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
3 posts and comments in 3 threads mention EARTH 231, August 2013 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.
Winter 2020
UWaterloo vs McMaster for Earth Sciences 5 points, 14 comments
“Which school is better for Earth Sciences? UWaterloo or McMaster? For any students in Earth Sciences attending either of these schools, I'd love to hear your opinion on your experience at the school. …”
u/5nothing: “I'm in environmental Sciences (take similar courses as Earth sci for first two years) and going to Mac for graduate studies: Earth sci isn't a huge flashy program so I'd say either school is a good …”
u/Chibi_Chocolates: “… -EARTH 231: Mineralogy has a 2 day trip to Bancroft where you get assigned an outcrop where you map, collect and identify rock samples. You use that for a final project in the course where you try to reconstruct how the outcrop formed. …”
Fall 2017
Any way to disable UWCourseLinker from posting? 16 points, 26 comments
“posting a reply to my comment I find the bot annoying.”
u/Jackhofmann: “PSYCH 483 PSYCH 484 PSYCH 485 PSYCH 486 PSYCH 490R PSYCH 499A PSYCH 499B PSYCH 499C PSYCH 621 PSYCH 630 PSYCH 677A PSYCH 704A PSYCH 704B PSYCH 707 PSYCH 710 PSYCH 714 PSYCH 717 PSYCH 720A PSYCH 721A …”
u/Jackhofmann: “… DRAMA 416 DRAMA 490 DRAMA 491 DUTCH 101 DUTCH 201 EARTH 121 EARTH 121L EARTH 123 EARTH 123L EARTH 231 EARTH 235 EARTH 260 EARTH 331 EARTH 342 EARTH 421 EARTH 436A EARTH 436B EARTH 440 EARTH 444 EARTH 458 EARTH 458L EARTH 461 EARTH 499 EARTH 625 EARTH 626 EARTH 627 EARTH 650 …”
Spring 2013
So guys, What are you taking next term? 4 points, 24 comments
“There is a diverse crowd of students on here! I'm sure we all have advice to give out and questions about certain courses.”
u/Zythan: “MATH 114, EARTH 123, 231, 235, 260. Lots of earth science!”
Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026
- Undergraduate Calendar, 2026–27The official entry
- Requirements for Fall 2026Waterloo’s requisite checker
- Schedule of Classes, Fall 2026Instructors, rooms, live seats
- Quest Class SearchWhere you enrol
- Course outlinesSyllabi from past terms (UW login)
- UW FlowStudent ratings and reviews
- WClassesPast sections back to 2004, and who taught them