Biology 341 Electron Microscopy
Usual Meeting Times: Mondays 1-3:50,
Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:30- 10:50 (B10).
Reference Texts used in past: Flegler, Heckman & Klomparens.
1993. Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscopy.
Freeman
Press. Anderson & Thomas. 1993. Jeol JSM-6100 Tutorial.
Grading: 55% lab assignments & participation
5% Take-home essays
40% independent project
EM Log time: a minimum of 25 hours required
Usual Weekly Schedule:
Week #1: Orientation session; introduction to the Jeol SEM &
TEM; photomicrography; Reading assignment for week 1: Chapters 1, 2, &
9 in Flegler.
Week #2: Meet in room B10 for tutorial work on the SEM (including
frame-store), bulk sample preparation, dark
room work. Reading Assignment for week two: Chapters 7, 5 and 3 in Flegler.
Week #3: SESAME; demonstration of fixation, dehydration, critical
point drying, mounting and coating of samples for SEM; help with assignments;
individual checkout tests on the SEM.
Week #4: Backscatter/atomic contrast detection, stereo microscopy,
particulate and replica preparation techniques; practice techniques.
Week #5: Cryofracture and vapor fixation prepartion techniques, imaging
at low voltage; demonstration of standand TEM preparation of biological
samples and preparation of samples by shadow-casting or replica technique
for TEM. Reading assignment: Chapter 6 in Flegler.
Week #6: TEM observations of samples prepared last week; general
and individual discussions about independent projects; help with assignments.
Reading assignment: Chapter 4 in Flegler.
Week #7: One page proposal for independent work due; help with
assignments; Short essays due.
Week #8: Independent project work begins in earnest; EDS demonstration,
mapping, qualitative and quantitative x-ray determinations. Reading assignment:
Chapter 8 in Flegler.
Final Weeks: Project check-ins. Demo of a STEM (Prof Cote).
Last Week: Poster presentation.
Students may work in a small group on the first set of assignments,
but must get plenty of hands-on experience.
Biology 341 laboratory Assignments
1. Magnification
2. Probe current
Due after 4 weeks
3. Aperature
4. kV
5. Working distance
Due after 6 weeks
6. Digitizer
7. - 9. Three of the following:
Backscatter/atomic contrast
Due after 8 weeks
A stereo pair set
Particulate sample
Replicate or shadow-cast sample
Critical point vs. air-dried set
Cryofracture sample
Vapor fixation sample
Low voltage image
10. "Best" high magnification Due after 10 weeks