Institut für Mineralogie

About us
The Institute for Mineralogy of the Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster is active in research as well as in teaching within the study course Geowissenschaften. This new study course Geowissenschaften combines the content of teaching of the former diploma-study courses Geology-Paleontology as well as Mineralogy and thus contributes to the growing interdisciplinary meaning of the geological sciences.
We are situated in Correnstrasse 24, 48149 Münster (map), a register of persons can be found here. If there are any questions about the study course don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Michael Bröcker (email: brocker"at"nwz.uni-muenster.de) and Dr. Markus Bertling (email: markus.bertling"at"uni-muenster.de). Of course all other staff members are also open to your questions. It is probably best to ask the person after the lecture or the tutorial or just drop by the office.

What do we do?

Firstly, let us state what mineralogy is definitely NOT about: Mineralogy is not about mineral oil, mineral water, mineral pills from the pharmacy, and mineral stands on flea markets - just like biology has nothing to do with market-gardens or pet shops. Also mineralogy is not a museum-science, which is about collecting, cataloguing, and exhibiting rocks. This does not mean that mineralogists cannot admire the beauty of the mineral world.
Mineralogy is an interdisciplinary experimental natural science, in which physics, chemistry and geology are combined. Mineralogy deals with the properties and genesis of natural solid materials. The physical characteristics, the chemical composition, the crystal structure, the occurrence and distribution of minerals is of special interest, as well as the physical and chemical conditions that lead to formation and destruction of the minerals.
Since all solid parts of the universe are composed of minerals, mineralogy is a fundamental natural science with extensive meaning. The objects of research include materials that come from our earth, samples that are collected by people and machines on other planetary bodies, meteorites and stardust. Next to these natural samples, mineralogy is more and more concerned with different kinds of technical products, which have the characteristics of minerals.

Why do modern geoscientists study minerals?

• Minerals are the basic components of all rocks and thus of the earth and the planets.

• Knowledge of mineralogy is the basis for the understanding of geological processes and thus the formation and evolution of the earth and planets with time.

• Lots of minerals have an economic meaning and are essential for the modern industrial society.

• Life on earth is directly linked with the genesis and change of minerals at the surface of the earth.

• Minerals give important incitements for the development of technical significant solid materials (i.e. metals, semi-conductors, glass and ceramics).

Mineralogy today

Mineralogy has evolved from a describing science to an analytical and experimental science. Lots of analyzing methods were developed, in order to work on mineralogical questions. Examples for these methods are the microprobe, which can conduct rapid non-destructive point analyses of minerals and the mass spectrometer, which can determine isotope ratios of elements.
In order to simulate natural processes, experimental techniques were developed to produce the pressure- and temperature conditions in the lab as they occur in the earth’s interior. Furthermore, modern chemical and physical methods and procedures are adjusted to fit mineralogical issues. The newly acquired knowledge of minerals and solid materials are applicable to fields such as material science, retention and processing of natural resources, recycling and waste disposal as well as the development of new materials and analyzing procedures.
The new study course Geowissenschaften combines the content of teaching of the former diploma-study courses Geology-Paleontology as well as Mineralogy. At the Mineralogical Institute at the University of Münster the main foci are on research and teaching in the fields of petrology, geochemistry, crystallography, technical mineralogy as well as chemistry of mineral surfaces. A specialization in these fields can take place at our Institute.