College(Interdeptmnt) Courses 321 - Fundamentals of Microscopy

Microscopes are important tools used by technicians, medical professionals, and scientists to investigate interesting scientific questions and solve real-world problems. This course covers important microscopy basics including scale, the relationship between reality and the image, and the kind of information that can be captured with different types of microscopes. This course combines lecture and hands-on laboratory activities allowing students the opportunity to explore the basic principles of visible light, fluorescence, and electron microscopy. We will gain practical hands-on experience with the many forms of microscopy and learn the procedures and tools of the trade necessary to become a proficient microscopist. All students will be trained on at least one research-grade microscope during the semester and the major assignment for this course will be a final portfolio of micrographs created by each student.

Prereq: 8 credits in STEM subjects.