This course will provide students with the skills to prepare thick and thin samples for Light Microscopy (LM), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) experiments. Case studies will be used to exemplify good and bad sample preparation techniques. A range of techniques that will be suitable for plant materials and animal tissues will be covered in this course. Particular emphasis will be given to avoid the introduction of artefacts during specimen preparation and to recognise artefacts.

This course will be disseminated across the internet, with access to Skype and a sample preparation laboratory essential for student participation. 

On satisfying the requirements of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to: 

1. prepare a wide range of specimens for use in LM, TEM and SEM. (LO1)

2.  to select the appropriate specimen preparation method for their intended microscopic mode. (LO2)

3.  to establish a specimen preparation facility in their respective laboratories. (LO3)

(1) A mid-term exam (20%); (LO 2)

(2) An assessable project report (60%) on a material and selected specimen preparation technique chosen by the student; and (LO1,2,3)

(3) An oral presentation (20%) on research findings. (LO1,2,3)

Average weekly workload will be 2 hours of demonstrations. A larger practical session in the last weeks will require up to sixty hours of hands-on work at the students’ home laboratories.

• Prerequisite is at least a Bachelors degree or equivalent work experience at the discretion of the Program Convener;

Students are assumed to have a Bachelors degree or equivalent, with entry to the degree at the discretion of the Program Convener.

To be confirmed.

Students must have access to computers with fast internet connection, webcams, temporary LifeSize license (which we will arrange) and Skype in order to access remote learning resources. Electron microscope sample preparation facilities appropriate for the microscopes and specimen types to be used by the student should also be available at the students’ home laboratories.