Short Training Courses

The Australian Centre for Microscopy & Microanalysis offers a range of training courses. We also have excellent online training modules available in the use of the following instruments via the MyScope interactive training resource:

Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM): ACMM customised module
Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM)
X-ray defraction (XRD)
Scanning Probe and Atomic Force Microscopy
Confocal Microscopy
Microanalysis

Our experts in sample preparation run dedicated hand-on workshops which are listed below. Upon successful completion of these courses a certificate is provided.

In addition, we offer specialised workshops, based on demand, in a wide range of microscopy techniques. Customised courses can be arranged for people with specific needs and limited time.

The basic fee for each course (excluding GST) is shown in the timetable below.

• Students, general, academic and research staff of the University of Sydney are charged a discounted flat rate as outlined.
• Australian publicly funded organisations (e.g. all other Australian universities) receive a 25% discount.
• Commercial clients are charged the full rate.

To enrol in a course please refer to the Accessing the ACMM page. Enrolments close two weeks before the course starts. Cancellations must be notified one week in advance, as otherwise a cancellation fee may apply. Please give as much notice as possible of any cancellation, as others may be able to benefit from the available space.

For more information about short training courses contact .

UNDERGRADUATE TEACHING, LAB VISITS AND DEMONSTRATIONS

Information for undergraduate unit co-ordinators

The ACMM offers specialised workshops, based on demand, in a wide range of microscopy techniques. Customised courses can be arranged if you have specific needs and limited time. If you would like to book a visit and/or demonstration at the ACMM as part of your undergraduate subject, please email our Administrative Assistant at with the following information:

• Proposed date/s of visit/demonstration
• Unit name and code
• Topics to be covered
• Name of instrument/s to be booked
• Number of students
• Number of ACMM technical and/or academic staff requested to be available
• Amount of instrument time, face-to-face technical staff time and face-to-face academic staff time requested
• Internal Responsibility Code (RC) and Project Code (PC) to be charged

Once your request is received, you will be contacted by a member of staff to confirm your booking and plan your visit.

The fee for instrument time and staff time is $120 per hour.

Example: a 2 hour demonstration and 5 hours of instrument time will cost $840

Timetable for 2013 - Training courses and workshops

Biological Specimen Preparation, TEM & SEM

Semester 2: 24th - 28th June
Convener:
This workshop provides theoretical background knowledge and hands-on practical experience in routine specimen preparation techniques for transmission and scanning electron microscopy. It has been divided into 3 modules:

Students must elect the modules that they would like to attend. During the workshop, students are encouraged to ask questions and discuss their individual projects. They will also be given an introduction in how to analyse and recognise cellular features within electron micrographs.

Materials Specimen Preparation, TEM & SEM

Semester 2: 30 September & 1 October
Convener:
This workshop gives practical training in the preparation of a wide range of materials for electron microscopy, including metals, semiconductors, powders, ceramics and thin films. It trains users in the preparation of plan and cross-view sections for studying the microstructure of materials, using a wide range of preparation techniques including sectioning, grinding and polishing epoxy blocks, electropolishing, ion milling and FIB techniques.

Introduction to IMOD modelling for Biologists: 3-D transmission electron microscopy (TEM)

Dates: we invite you to express your interest, course runs subject to demand
Convener:
Increasingly electron microscopy is becoming tomography, generating three-dimensional structural information about samples at the nanoscale. The challenge to produce the 3-D models of biological samples from the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images. Even after extensive training on how to collect TEM tomograms, the raw tilt series may end up in storage without any further use. To address this problem, the ACMM offers the Introduction to IMOD, the most commonly used reconstruction software in electron tomography (http://bio3d.colorado.edu/imod/).
This popular course was run twice in 2012 and the ACMM may offer it again if there is sufficient demand. If you would like to attend the IMOD introductory course, please send your request to:

Cell Culture Workshop

Semester 1: 6 February
Convener:
An introduction to aseptic technique, maintaining cell cultures, determining cell viability, precautionary measures for preventing contamination and working in PC2 laboratories. This half day workshop aims to provide a strong basis for new Users, Honours, PhD students and research staff in cell culture experimental skills which are critical to their research projects.

Basic Principles of Fluorescence and Confocal Microscopy

Semester 1: 5 & 6 March
Convener:
This two day workshop aims to give participants a theoretical background in light, fluorescence and confocal microscopy. Topics include the basics of light and fluorescence microscopy, fluorophores, filter sets, basic concepts of confocal microscopy, and image acquisition/analysis. Furthermore, special attention will be paid to associated specimen preparation during the course of the lectures and a tour of the facilities will be offered towards the end of the workshop.