1. Fundamentals of microscopy and principles of optics. Electromagnetic spectrum, wavelength. Reflection and refraction. Resolution. Lenses and aberrations. 2. Principles of optical microscopy. The optical microscope: Mechanical and optical components. Magnification vs. resolution. Focal length and working distance. Types of illumination. Brightfield microscopy. Darkfield microscopy. Phase contrast. Polarised light Interferential contrast. 3. Sample preparation for optical microscopy. Fixation and preservation of the sample. Types of staining. Sample embedding and mounting. 4. Fluorescence microscopy/confocal microscopy. Fluorescence properties. Fluorescence microscopes. Characteristics of fluorochromes. Characteristics of conventional and spectral confocal microscopy. Applications of confocal microscopy. 5. Image acquisition. Capture parameters. 6. 3D confocal microscopy and analysis. Image resolution. Image processing. 3D reconstruction. Types of projections. 7. In vivo confocal microscopy. Incubation systems. Environmental conditions. Autofluorescence. Phototoxicity. Uptake conditions. Live cell labelling. Applications. 8. Sample preparation for fluorescence. Types of fixation. Marking protocols Mounting of samples. 9. Fundamentals of electron microscopy. Electromagnetic lenses. Vacuum systems. Types of filaments. 10. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Column and lens types. Imaging detectors. X-ray Scattering Spectroscopy (EDS). Environmental microscopes. Examples and applications. 11. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Column and electromagnetic lenses. Aberrations. Detection systems. CCD cameras. Analytical detectors. 12. Sample preparation for SEM and TEM. Metallisation: Sputtering and evaporation. Critical point drying. Staining methods.

Classroom lectures. Face-to-face classes: reduced (workshops, seminars, case studies). Student individual work. Laboratory session. Final exam. Seminars and lectures supported by computer and audiovisual aids. Practical learning based on cases and problems, and exercise resolution. Individual and group or cooperative work with the option of oral or written presentation. Individual and group tutorials to resolve doubts and queries about the subject. Internships and directed laboratory activities.