Biological Sciences 321LE - Conference Course: 'Through the Microscopic Lens'

How do you see the invisible? From viruses to pollen to cells breaking away from a tumor, the natural world is full of things that can be transparent, tiny, and fragile. To explore these worlds, scientists employ a wide variety of microscopes and it is important to understand how they work. What are the basic techniques in light and electron microscopy? What information is obtainable from these different instruments? In this seminar class, we will explore multiple microscopy applications. This class will focus on both optical (light, epifluorescence, and confocal) and electron (scanning and transmission) microscopy. We will use foundational texts and current scientific literature to learn how these techniques are used to answer a variety of scientific questions. Students will gain experience in both oral and written presentations and may never look at things the same way again.

Prereq: 8 credits in a STEM subject.