Training is an essential component of the FEMR mission. The objectives of the training programs are to enable users to carry out procedures for sample preparation and advanced imaging in state-of-the-art electron microscopes for multiple applications.
The training program is implemented through two types of activities:
- Training workshops and specialized EM courses
The FEMR organizes specialized workshops that bring together experts and trainees to discuss traditional and cutting-edge applications in electron microscopy. Check the Resources section to see a list of upcoming training workshops. In addition, multiple undergraduate and graduate programs in the Faculties of Medicine, Science, and Engineering at McGill offer specialized courses in electron microscopy. Check the McGill website for the calendar and content of these courses. - Instrument and equipment training
Training sessions focus on practical principles and aspects of operating and optimizing procedures of the electron microscope and other required skills to acquire high-quality EM images. Introductory general training sessions on instruments are offered without charge on Tuesday mornings throughout the month (see Table 1; see also Training Request Form for dates and times). Advanced (obligatory) one-to-one training sessions follow the introductory training. Depending upon individual requirements, this may require multiple training sessions.
Electron microscopes are specialized instruments easily damaged by improper or negligent use. Over 250 investigators rely on these instruments in their research programs. As a user of the research infrastructure of the FEMR, you must keep in mind that bringing one of the instruments down by improper operation affects the experiments of other users. The training sessions are standardized to minimize instrument downtime caused by improper or negligent operation and ensure users receive identical training. A client can download the protocols for operating instruments and sample preparation from the Protocols page. These practices facilitate the safe operation of the instrument and minimize downtime for all users.
Table 1 - Schedule of General Training Sessions Offered Each Month
| Week | Instrument | Instructor | Building/Room |
| 1 | FEI Tecnai 12/Tecnai G2 Spirit TEM - operation, sample loading, etc. | Jeannie Mui or S Kelly Sears | Strathcona Anatomy & Dentistry Building, Room B/29 |
| 1 | FEI Quanta 450 FE-ESEM and Leica EM ACE600 Sputter Coater | David Liu or Angel Valdez | W.H. Wong Building, Room 0360; Strathcona Anatomy & Dentistry Building, Room B/25 |
| 2 | FEI Tecnai G2 F20 Cryo-STEM and Gatan Cryo-holder Model 626 | Kaustuv Basu or Corbin Black |
Strathcona Anatomy & Dentistry Building, Room B/31 |
| 2 | Thermo Scientific Talos 200 kV TEM for Materials Science - Part 1 | David Liu or Angel Valdez | Strathcona Anatomy & Dentistry Building, Room B/30 |
| 3 | FEI Tecani G2 F20 Cryo-STEM - Operation |
Kaustuv Basu or Corbin Black |
Strathcona Anatomy & Dentistry Building, Room B/31 |
| 4 | Thermo Scientific Talos 200 kV TEM for Materials Science - Part 2 | David Liu or Angel Valdez | Strathcona Anatomy & Dentistry Building, Room B/30 |
| 4 | FEI Vitrobot Mk IV | Kaustuv Basu or Corbin Black |
Strathcona Anatomy & Dentistry Building, Room B/25 |
Please complete and submit the Training Request Form to reserve your place in a training session. The web form indicates the session and month you wish to attend.
User Levels - Independent Users (Level 1) and Supervised Users (Levels 2 & 3)
A user is not permitted to operate a microscope outside of the operations described in the standardized protocol without previous consultation with staff. Microscopes are aligned regularly by staff, and these alignments are saved and retrieved as part of the standard operating procedure of the microscope. Performing direct alignments in an unsupervised manner on any microscope is not permitted. A user who improperly misaligns any microscope is charged the cost of realigning the microscope. Trainees and researchers interested in learning microscope alignment procedures are encouraged to book one-to-one training by emailing stephen.sears [at] mcgill.ca (S. Kelly Sears).
|
User Level |
Description |
| Level 1 | A Level 1 user is a fully-trained, independent user with unrestricted access to instruments and equipment on which they are trained. A user requesting Level 1 access must have at least 35 hours of experience in the previous six months. Maintaining Level 1 access requires a minimum of five hours per month or 35 hours every six months. |
| Level 2 | A Level 2 user can use instruments and equipment without supervision but only when staff can assist if necessary. This usually corresponds to weekdays between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm unless prior arrangements are made. |
| Level 3 | After completing the general and advanced one-to-one training, a Level 3 user can book instruments and equipment in consultation with and under staff supervision. This practice ensures the user becomes more familiar with the operation of the instrument and enables staff to evaluate their progress. It typically requires two to three sessions. |
Dedicated staff operate the FEI Titan Krios cryo-STEM, Helios Nanolab 660 DualBeam, and Hitachi Ethos NX5000 FIBSEM - usually, no training is provided. Trainees are, however, encouraged to become more familiar with the operation of these instruments by performing their experiments in conjunction with staff. A user who wishes to become a more proficient or advanced user in the instrument operation should discuss their level of interest during the Assessment Interview, which permits staff to customize the session to meet the user's expectations. However, learning to operate the Krios is a lengthy process and typically requires many sessions to watch and learn.
Refresher Training
If you do not regularly use the research infrastructure, you may require refresher training. This training aims to ensure you know how to operate the equipment correctly and inform you of any recent changes in operating procedures. There are no technical fees for refresher training.