Theory information will be made available for download 2 weeks before the course. Attendees will be expected to complete the theory in their own time BEFORE the practical commences.Practical laboratory sessions will total approximately nine hours (3 hours optical microscopy, 6 hours confocal and multiphoton microscopy). Training will be conducted on instruments at both the UWA campus and the QEII site. Times will be advised to attendees shortly before the course. WHO SHOULD ATTEND THIS COURSE?Researchers, PhD and Hons students in the biological, biomedical and physical sciences intending to use optical or confocal microscopy facilities at the UWA Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation and Analysis (both UWA campus and QEII sites). COURSE OUTLINE:This course will present an introduction to optical and confocal microscopy. While theory material will be covered, the emphasis will be on achieving basic competency in operation of the instruments. Optical Microscopy: microscope design, brightfield, phase contrast, darkfield, differential interference contrast (DIC), and polarisation microscopy. Fixation, staining and processing will also be covered. Confocal Microscopy: fluorescence and optical filters, optical probes, applications, 3D optical imaging and reconstruction, imaging software, issues for sample preparation, special techniques. Multiphoton Microscopy: use of the multiphoton microscope, special considerations. Attendees will receive training sessions on the optical, confocal and multiphoton microscopes. WHAT SHOULD YOU KNOW BEFORE THE COURSE?Attendees are expected to be familiar with the basic principles and applications of optical and fluorescence microscopy before attending the course. Some of this material will be available in the theory component that must be covered before the practical sessions are commenced. WHAT WILL YOU LEARN ON THIS COURSE?Attendees will learn basic optical, confocal and multiphoton microscope operation skills including:
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS WORKSHOP?Detailed information on sample preparation techniques for biological and materials specimens is not included. TEACHING MATERIALS :Theory material will be provided as a downloadable file available two weeks prior to the start of the course. Additional supporting documentation may be provided during the practical sessions. Attendees are expected to be familiar with basic principles and applications of optical microscopy before attending the course. The following are highly recommended -
ASSESSMENT:A short written test will assess understanding of the basic theory underlying instrument operation. This will be conducted prior to the practical sessions and is a prerequisite for admission to the practical sessions. Practical assessment will take place during the training labs on the instruments. HOW DO I REGISTER & WHAT DOES IT COST?Places on this course are available to students and researchers with a demonstrated need for access to Optical and Confocal facilities. For new users of CMCA facilities, you should first complete the online user registration process. You will then meet with Centre staff in a 'new user meeting' to discuss your training needs and will be allocated a place on this course if it is appropriate for your project. For existing users of CMCA facilities, you should contact the CMCA office to request a place on the course, explaining why this is required for your project. You will be allocated a place on the course if you have a demonstrated need for this training. For Curtin students and researchers wishing to attend training at CMCA but acces facilities at Curtin, please contact Arie van Riessen, Applied Physics, Curtin University to request a place on this training course. Attendance is free for UWA and Curtin staff and students who are registered users. For UWA non-registered users and Murdoch and Edith Cowan people (NCC Partners) this course is $495 (inc. GST). All other interested participants will be allocated a place only if maximum numbers are not reached, and a cost of $565 (inc. GST) will apply. Any enrollee who fails to cancel their attendance more than 24h in advance will be charged a $55 (inc. GST) no show fee. |