The College of Microscopy Modern Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM) course covers the theory and principles of polarized light microscopy more thoroughly than the Special Applications courses. The students learn time honored and highly specialized PLM methods that can be successfully applied to virtually all materials problem solving situations... MORE >

Identification of crystalline materials with the polarized light microscope is of importance for those working in forensics, soil science, pharmaceuticals, environmental analyses, and earth sciences. This class introduces the student to a range of methods used for the identification of crystalline materials... MORE >

This class is an advanced continuation of the Techniques of Optical Crystallography (COM160) course, with emphasis given to practical laboratory identification of a variety of unknown comminuted mineral grains using the Becke line immersion method with calibrated refractive index liquids... MORE >

Construction, alignment, and set up of the four-axis universal stage, and techniques of measuring planar and optical directions of crystalline materials in thin section using three axes of rotation, is addressed in this class... MORE >

The College of Microscopy SEM course emphasizes hands-on learning. Using five SEM and EMA instruments, students have the opportunity to study their own samples, or test samples provided by our staff, under the direction of McCrone scientists with over 40 years of combined SEM/EDS/WDS experience... MORE >

The scanning electron microscope (SEM) is a fantastic tool for clearly visualizing small-scale materials of interest utilizing electron imaging. Better yet, it is also possible to acquire very detailed information about chemistry, crystal structure, texture, fabric, and developmental history... MORE >

Microanalyses using an electron microprobe can be very difficult. Learning how to operate an electron microprobe is only part of the battle. Learning how to get good results is much more difficult. This course explores the many variables that impact the quality of microprobe analyses... MORE >

This course in Transmission Electron Microscopy is designed to provide practical, hands-on learning for new and experienced operators. The course utilizes lectures, demonstrations and direct student participation, using a JEOL JEM-3010 300 kV, LaB6 TEM... MORE >

This College of Microscopy course focuses on isolating, mounting, and handling 1-100 µm sized particles without the use of micromanipulators. Methods for isolating contaminants from liquids, solids or on surfaces are covered. Preparation methods for further analysis by PLM, IR, Raman, SEM and TEM are demonstrated and discussed... MORE >

Taught by McCrone Associates' Cleanroom staff, specialized techniques will be demonstrated for isolating and mounting contaminants from pharmaceutical and medical devices... MORE >

Taught by McCrone Associates' Cleanroom staff, specialized techniques will be demonstrated for isolating and mounting contaminants from real-world samples of polymers, paints and coatings... MORE >

Taught by McCrone Associates' Cleanroom staff, specialized techniques are demonstrated for isolating and mounting small particles and microtraces from examples of trace evidence... MORE >

Taught by McCrone Associates' Cleanroom staff, specialized techniques will be demonstrated for isolating and mounting contaminants from real-world samples of microelectronic devices and failed components... MORE >

The College of Microscopy offers this Special Applications course as an initial introduction to microscopical trace evidence examination. This course introduces the student to the principles and practical use of the stereomicroscope and polarized light microscope for the analysis of common microscopic trace evidence (hairs, fibers, paint, and glass)... MORE >

The College of Microscopy offers this Special Forensics course as an initial introduction to forensic hair comparisons. This course introduces the student to the principles and practice of forensic hair comparisons using microscopy and DNA analysis... MORE >

The College of Microscopy Fiber Microscopy Course introduces the principles and practice of polarized light microscopy (PLM) to the identification of natural and man-made fibers. The course will be useful to anyone from a variety of sciences needing to identify fibers: pharmaceutical, textile, conservation, archaeological, and forensic... MORE >

The Electrostatic Detection Apparatus (ESDA), used for indented writing detection, and the Video Spectral Comparator (VSC), for UV/IR imaging in reflection/absorption and fluorescence modes, are two of the most important instruments used in the examination of questioned documents... MORE >

The stereomicroscope is one of the most important tools used by the Forensic Document Examiner (FDE). This workshop provides a strong foundation in the workings of the stereomicroscope and presents a number of practical exercises to enhance the professional Forensic Document Examiner's proficiency... MORE >

The College of Microscopy Forensic Soil Examination course covers the forensic examination and comparison of soil. The class emphasizes methods and procedures used in the forensic community for soil analysis. Part 1 covers the forensic aspects of soil analysis, sample handling and processing with only an introduction to mineral identification... MORE >

Most pharmaceutical products are specified to be essentially free of visible particles and there are limits on the number of sub-visible particles allowed. The FDA requires that contamination problems are fully investigated in a timely fashion. This course teaches an analytical approach that utilizes microscopical examination coupled with sample isolation, preparation, and analytical methods optimized for small particles, to successfully identify particulate contamination for regulatory compliance... MORE >

The College of Microscopy's USP 788 course covers the United States Pharmacopeia National Formulary Method {788} Particulate Matter in Injections, Microscopic Particle Count Test. This one-day course provides students with a hands-on understanding of the method as well as instruction on how to prepare samples for counting, and performing microscopic particle counts... MORE >

The College of Microscopy is pleased to offer a Special Applications course in paint materials identification for conservation professionals in paintings and architecture. The focus of this course is the identification of pigments using polarized-light microscopy (PLM). A practical, introduction to PLM methods is taught using many examples from the world of pigments... MORE >

The College of Microscopy is pleased to offer a Special Applications course in the microscopical identification of conservation materials. This course introduces the student to methods of conservation material identification using materials across all conservation specialties including pigments, paper, fibers, object materials, architectural materials, and inks... MORE >

The College of Microscopy's "White Powders" course teaches students how to identify white powders using several microscopical identification techniques including: polarized light microscopy (PLM), fluorescence microscopy, spot tests, solubility tests, flame tests, and thermal microscopy. Each student uses the latest Olympus BX51 microscopes during the course... MORE >

Freeze-drying, as a unit operation in the production of parenteral products, is becoming more prevalent as many of the new molecular entities coming out of discovery do not have sufficient shelf life in the solution state. Freeze-dry microscopy, as part of a complete thermal analysis study, is an invaluable tool in the characterization of the thermal properties of your formulation allowing you to save a significant amount of time in money both in process development and in commercial manufacturing... MORE >

This course focuses on the optical characterization of opaque minerals using a polarized light microscope and vertically incident light. Samples studied will be mostly ore minerals, but the general principles and techniques can be applied across a broad spectrum of metallurgical and other materials... MORE >

Images from a variety of microscope technologies provide a wealth of information about structure, but require processing and measurement to extract the meaningful information. This hands-on workshop deals with all phases of quantitative and computer-assisted imaging from processing through measurement and stereological interpretation... MORE >

This hands-on workshop deals with the challenges associated with archiving and managing all the digital images and digital files that your organization creates on a daily basis; images that document your work, data basing, communication through reports and presentations, making measurements and perform specific image analysis routines... MORE >

The College of Microscopy course in Infrared Microscopy is designed to provide practical instruction in "real world" use of the FTIR microscope. This course assumes basic knowledge of infrared spectroscopy and operation of an FTIR microscope. There is a brief discussion of infrared theory, and a heavy emphasis on using FTIR microscopy in problem-solving applications... MORE >

The College of Microscopy course in Raman microspectroscopy is designed to provide practical instruction in "real world" use of the Raman microscope. The class utilizes demonstrations and laboratory exercises supplemented with lectures... MORE >

The College of Microscopy is offering this exciting new course on the application of traditional and new methods and techniques of identifying body fluids and sperm in criminal sexual assault evidence. This course introduces DNA analysts, serologists, and biologists to best practices for the identification of human body fluids, blood, saliva, semen, and sperm... MORE >

The College of Microscopy offers this Special Forensics course as an initial introduction to forensic hair identification for DNA analysts and others responsible for the identification of hairs. This course introduces the student to the principles and practice of human and animal hair identification using microscopy and DNA analysis... MORE >

The College of Microscopy is pleased to offer a course in chemistry specifically for the conservation professional. The course is designed as a week-long intensive chemistry review for conservation professionals who would like to refresh their knowledge of chemical concepts... MORE >

The course is designed to give a brief introduction to the potential hazards and risk involved in working in a laboratory, handling chemicals, and operating equipment, including how to prevent laboratory accidents, how to minimize exposure to potential hazards and how to safely dispose of materials... MORE >

The College of Microscopy’s Microscopy Workshop is designed to help High School and Middle School science teachers understand and develop microscopy skills, lessons, and experiments to use in their classrooms. Through collaboration with Concordia University, Chicago, College of Microscopy is able to offer three (3) graduate credits for this 38 contact-hour course. If you are interested in taking the Workshop for graduate credit, please contact College of Microscopy registrar or Concordia University enrollment and tuition information..... MORE >

The College of Microscopy’s Forensic Workshop is designed to help High School and Middle School science teachers develop forensic science lessons to use in their classrooms. The teachers will learn time-honored and specialized forensic science methods... MORE >