BIOLOGY 946 SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPE

COURSE DESCRIPTION:  The course is a comprehensive introduction to the theory and use of scanning electron microscope and its techniques for students from a variety of disciplines, including but not limited to biology, chemistry, art, and human environmental science.  Theory and application will be taught together.  Topics covered will include history of SEM, electron optics (gun, lenses, probes, current), electron beam interactions (scattering and volume), image processing and optimization, critical point drying, and sputter coating.  The course is primarily an instrumentation course and students will gain a hands-on knowledge of the SEM scope and support equipment.  A successful student project is required.

COURSE OBJECTIVE: 

• Students will gain a working knowledge of SEM microscope.
• Students will become proficient in following techniques for specimen preparation:
• Critical point drying and use
• Sputter coating and its use
• Students will learn the theory behind the instruments but will also learn the instruments by completing a class project requiring their use.
• Each student will select a biological for SEM study.
• Each student will prepare their specimen by performing each of the following steps:
• Fixation and Transfer
• Critical point drying
• Mounting and grounding the specimen
• Sputter Coating
• Each student will use the Jeol SEM Microscope to take a set of digitized photomicrographs.
• The photomicrographs will be displayed with explanation.
• The student will present a poster display either at the NC Academy of Science Annual Meeting or on the day Celebrating Student Achievement.

TOPICS, TECHNIQUES, AND APPLICATIONS:

• History of SEM
• Electron optics (gun)
• Electron optics (electromagnetic lenses)
• Electron detector and signal processing
• Electron beam interactions (secondary electrons, etc.)
• Electron image optimization
• Specimen preparation (fixation, fluid transfers, and critical point drying)
• Specimen preparation (sputter coating)
• Hands on application using the SEM microscope
• Hands on application using the critical point dryer.
• Hands on application using the sputter coater
• Student prepare selected specimens
• Students use the critical point dry
• Student use sputter coater
• Students use scanning electron microscope and generate a collection of digitized images
• Students prepare poster session of micrographs and present posters