William R. Bowen Microscopy Center
The Microscopy Course
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Pre-course Instructions: As part of the requirements for taking this course in the use of the scanning electron microscope all students should review the information provided on the light microscope and go to the links page and access "A Guide to Scanning Microscope Observation". Read these two resources prior to attending the first class. Many high school instructors across Northeast Alabama have expressed an interest in utilizing this resource. Most have decided to submit samples and have electron micrographs sent to them via E-mail. The SEM resource center at JSU strongly encourages these instructors to require their classes to read through the above resources as part of any project. Some have used this as a method of deciding on what samples are to be sent for observation. By making their understanding of the above information a competition between teams of students you will be amazed at the effort that they are willing to employ for the chance to submit their choice of a sample. Instructors interested in using the WEBSEM option and controlling the microscope via a classroom computer can contact Ms. Janet Evens of the Alabama Science in Motion program who will be coordinating a training period for the 2003 year. evansj@jsu.edu
Syllabus for Scanning Electron Microscopy:
Instructor: Dr. Benjie Blair
Office 128A Martin Hall
Office Phone: 782-5643
Home Phone: 892-2106
EMAIL – bblair@jsu.edu
Office hours- 9:00-10:00 TTh. or by appointment. I can often be found in the Microbiology lab, 109 McGee Hall
Course Description: Students learn electron-specimen interactions, image processing, effects of microscope variables on the image and the use of various microscope accessories and outputs. Microscope optics are also introduces. The course requires the completion of a project during the term and is proficiency-oriented.
It takes the novice about 10 hours of practice on the SEM to become fairly competent and many more to become an expert. Practice is essential. As this is a short summer term we will have to carefully schedule student time on the microscope. You may not be able to get prime times and will probably have to perform at least some of your research at out of class times. You are required to attend class every day! Should a student miss more than 2 class periods he/she will be asked to drop the class! I reserve the right to hold a written or oral final examination.
Supplies: There is no book requirement for this course . You are asked to provide your own latex or plastic gloves. The gloves should be powder-free and comfortable. You will be using these extensively throughout the term. You are also required to provide safety goggles, lab coat and recordable CD's. You will turn in one CD at the end of the term but may want to make a copy for your records and sponsoring faculty member. The hard drive of the computer will be cleared of all student micrographs no later than 1 week after the term has ended. If you are working with a bacterial sample it may be helpful to purchase a box of flat toothpicks.
Micrograph Requirement: Each student is required to save at least 50 digital electron micrographs on CD for grading. The magnifications of these will include 10 complete view micrographs (this may range from about 800-2000X), 10 at 3000X, 10 at 8000, 10 at 15,000 and 10 at 20,000 (or higher). These will be graded on focus, brightness, contrast, stigmation and sample preparation.
Publication Style Requirement: In addition, each student is required to submit a report in the form of a publication ready draft. The format will follow the guidelines of the Alabama Academy of Science publication. You should have a faculty mentor helping you shape the experimental design, if not, I will be happy to help all I can. I would prefer the projects to try to answer some biological question and not be a simple collection of specimens.
Jan 6th First Day of Class (Lab Scheduling, Lab Safety, and SEM Overview)
Jan 8th First lecture Light microscopy and advances in Microscopy
Jan 13th Last day to register or add a course Turning on the SEM, changing samples, getting an image
Jan 15th Sample preparation cont. (Selecting appropriate operating conditions, sample preparation).
Jan 20th Last day to select a project and submit a specimen prep. protocol (Critical Point Drying) (Obtaining Digital Images)
Jan 21 Last day to withdraw/drop and receive 80% refund on tuition.
Jan 22ed Library preparation day
Jan 27th Draft outline of materials and methods (Due)
Sputter Coating.
Feb 12 Materials and Methods Due
Feb 17 Into to X-ray maping
Feb 19th Rough Draft of the Introduction
March 4th Last day to withdraw/drop without academic penalty,
March 5th Open Lab Time
March 17 Open Lab Time
March 19 Open Lab Time
March 24-28 Spring Break
Monday April 21st Final Exams
Grading Scale:
250 points from the 50 Micrographs
200 points from the paper
100 exam on microscopic concepts
50 points participation
600
540-600 A
480-539 B
420-479 C
360-419 D
359 & below F
Graduate Students are required to develop a powerpoint presentation on a specific topic to be assigned on an individual basis and present this information to the class.
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