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Course Info for BIOL - 211 - 01, Summer 2026
Class number: 1043 Title: Electron Microscopy Department: Biology
Career: Undergraduate Component: Lecture Session: First Quarter
Instructor's Permission Required: No Grading Basis: Graded Units: 1.00
Enrollment limited to 8 Current enrollment: 3 Available seats: 5
Start date: Monday, May 18, 2026 End date: Thursday, June 18, 2026 Mode of Instruction: In Person
Schedule: TR: 2:00PM-5:50PM, LSC - 327 Instructor(s): Swart, Chris
Prerequisite(s): Prerequisite: C- or better in Biology 182L and Biology 183L or Permission of Instructor.
Distribution Requirement: Meets Natural Science Requirement
Course Description:
An introduction to the theory and practice of Transmission (TEM) and Scanning (SEM) electron microscopy as applied to biological tissues. Lectures address the fundamental principles of electron optics, image formation, and signal detection that enable visualization of biological structures at nanometer-scale resolution. TEM is used to examine internal cellular ultrastructure, while SEM reveals three-dimensional surface morphology. The course will include Hands-on training in specimen preparation (fixation, embedding, sectioning, and staining for TEM; coating and mounting for SEM), instrument operation, and digital image acquisition and analysis. Students will develop the ability to interpret cell and tissue ultrastructure in the context of cell biology and physiology. Prerequisite: C- or better in Biology 182 and 183 or consent of instructor. (1.0 course credits)