course-details-portlet

TFY4265

Biophysical Micromethods

Credits 7.5
Level Second degree level
Course start Autumn 2025
Duration 1 semester
Language of instruction English
Location Trondheim
Examination arrangement Aggregate score

About

About the course

Course content

The course gives an introduction to different types of microscopy techniques that are important for studies of biological macromolecules, cells, and other soft materials. This includes classical optical microscopy, super-resolution microscopy, electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy.

The course provides an understanding of the function of the components that the instrumentation consists of, as well as a theoretical and practical understanding of how to operate the instrument, including calibration procedures and maintenance.

Furthermore, we will also have a session on image analysis.

Learning outcome

Knowledge:

The candidate should have knowledge about

  • properties of optical radiation and key interactions between light and matter that are relevant for the techniques presented in the course.
  • basic geometrical optics and wave optics.
  • the most central optical imaging techniques for biological samples (bright field microscopy and various contrast techniques, fluorescence microscopy, multiphoton microscopy, superresolution microscopy and others.)
  • other optical techniques used for biological samples like FCS, FRAP and FRET and others.
  • preparation of samples for optical techniques, including various staining procedures.
  • interactions between electrons and biological materials.
  • various electron microscopy techniques like SEM, TEM, STEM and analytic methods.
  • preparation of samples for electron microscopy.

Skills:

The candidate should have skills within the use of common microscopy techniques like bright field microscopy with various contrast mechanisms and confocal microscopy.

General competence:

The candidate should through the course develop competency in

  • searching and reading scientific literature.
  • oral presentation of scientific studies.
  • writing scientific texts.
  • collaboration.
  • preparation of scientific poster.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures and laboratory exercises. Expected workload in the course is 225 hours.

Joint lectures with FY8906.

Compulsory assignments

  • Laboratory exercises

Further on evaluation

The total grade in this course is based on an oral exam (60%) and a presentation of a scientific paper (40%). Lectures in English.

Lab exercises must be approved to have access the oral exam.

Required previous knowledge

Basic geometric optics.

Course materials

Detailed lecture notes with relevant references to scientific literature and online lectures.

The course will be recorded and the students will be able to follow the course by viewing the lectures.

The students are only required to attend the practicals, student presentations and oral exam in person.

Credit reductions

Course code Reduction From
SIF4071 7.5 sp
FY8906 7.5 sp Autumn 2010
FY8410 5 sp Autumn 2011
This course has academic overlap with the courses in the table above. If you take overlapping courses, you will receive a credit reduction in the course where you have the lowest grade. If the grades are the same, the reduction will be applied to the course completed most recently.

Subject areas

  • Biophysics and Medical Technology
  • Physics

Contact information

Course coordinator

Department with academic responsibility

Department of Physics

Examination

Examination

Examination arrangement: Aggregate score
Grade: Letter grades

Ordinary examination - Autumn 2025

Presentation
Weighting 40/100
Oral exam
Weighting 60/100 Examination aids Code E Date 2025-12-06 Time 09:00 Duration 1 hours

Re-sit examination - Summer 2026

Oral exam
Weighting 60/100 Examination aids Code E Duration 1 hours