Advanced Methods in Light Microscopy
PhD School at the Faculty of SCIENCE at University of Copenhagen
This is a toolbox course where 80% of the seats are reserved to PhD students enrolled at the Faculty of SCIENCE at UCPH and 20% og the seats are reserved to PhD students from other Danish Universities/faculties (except CBS).
Anyone can apply for the course, but if you are not a PhD student at a Danish university (except CBS), you will be placed on the waiting list until enrollment deadline. After the enrollment deadline, available seats will be allocated to applicants on the waiting list.
The course is free of charge for PhD students at Danish universities (except CBS).
All other participants must pay the course fee (except if you are a master’s student from a Danish University).
The aim of the course is to introduce PhD students to the professional use of research microscopes. The teachers are members of the Center for Advanced Bioimaging (CAB) Denmark. Where relevant, preparation methods for the respective microscope type and hands-on at the instruments are included.
The course covers various light microscopic methods (bright field, phase contrast, fluorescence, polarisation, differential contrast).
The optical and technical background is thoroughly discussed (resolution, Köhler illumination, wave optics, diffraction, amplitude and phase specimens, birefringence), and measuring methods and the effects of different instrument settings are practiced. Please note that confocal microscopy will be theoretically introduced, but that training at the instrument is not part of this course.
The participants are requested to come with their own specimens and will learn how these can optimally be imaged and documented.
Learning outcomes
Intended learning outcome for the students who complete the course:
Knowledge:
• Understanding all optical principals used in light microscopy
• Understanding the background of super-resolution microscopy
Skills:
• Handling and optimal setting of different research microscopes
• Working with simple vital staining methods
• Optimising digital camera settings for micrographs
• Using image processing and analysis software
Competences:
• Select appropriate imaging modalities to visualize molecular or cellular structures and processes;
Target Group
PhD students within Life and Biomedical Sciences
Recommended Academic Qualifications
Candidate
Research Area
All research areas using light microscopic imaging
Teaching and Learning Methods
Lectures, hands-on microscopes, working in 2-person teams (circa 50% practical work)
Type of Assessment
Submission of a report where the results of the microscope work are collected and the content of the images, scale bare and method used are documented
Literature (optional)
Course manual (distributed before the start of the course)
Textbook (for students planning to use microscopy as a major source of their project): Douglas M Murphy and Michael W Davidson (2013) Fundamentals of Light Microscopy and Electronic Imaging, Wiley- Blackwell
Course director / Course coordinator
Alexander Schulz, Professor, als@plen.ku.dk
Dates
15.09.2024, at: 09:00 - 26.09.2024, at: 16:00
Expected frequency
Once per year
Course location
PLEN-CPSC Ø-labs, CAB
Registration
Deadline for registration: 18 August 2025
Seats to PhD students from other Danish universities will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis and according to the applicable rules.
Applications from other participants will be considered after the deadline for registration
Cancellation policy
• Cancellations made up to two weeks before the course starts are free of charge.
• Cancellations made less than two weeks before the course starts will be charged a fee of DKK 3.000
• Participants with less than 80% attendance cannot pass the course and will be charged a fee of DKK 5.000
• No-show will result in a fee of DKK 5.000
• Participants who fail to hand in any mandatory exams or assignments cannot pass the course and will be charged a fee of DKK 5.000
Course fee and participant fee
PhD courses offered at the Faculty of SCIENCE have course fees corresponding to different participant types.
In addition to the course fee, there might also be a participant fee.
If the course has a participant fee, this will apply to all participants regardless of participant type - and in addition to the course fee.