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)
Aim and Content
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:
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, Biomedical, Biochemical and Food Sciences
Recommended Academic Qualifications
Passed Bachelor in Biological, Biomedical, Chemical or Computer Sciences
Research Area
Imaging research in all topics of the target group
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
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,
Course coordinator
Alexander Schulz (Professor)
Dates
21.09.-02.10.2026
Expected frequency
Once a year
Course location
Lectures in lecture halls art Fbg Campus, Hands-on In CPSC Exercise lab C
Course fee
• Participant fee: DKK 750
• PhD student enrolled at SCIENCE: DKK 0
• PhD student from Danish PhD school Open market: DKK 0
• PhD student from Danish PhD school not Open market: DKK 4.800
• PhD student from foreign university: 4.800
• Master's student from Danish university: DKK 0
• Master's student from foreign university: DKK 4.800
• Non-PhD student employed at a university (e.g., postdocs): DKK 4.800
• Non-PhD student not employed at a university (e.g., from a private company): DKK 13.440
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.
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.