Optical microscopy for heritage materials

Programme info

Micro-credential: Optical microscopy for heritage materials

Programme info

Micro-credential: Optical microscopy for heritage materials


Course content

The optical microscope (OM) is a daily tool for every heritage caretaker, who employs this for researching, monitoring as well as documenting conservation treatments. During this course, we will therefore extensively discuss all theoretical and operational aspects and put these into practice. The course is divided into four parts:

Part 1: Introduction to OM:

  • Components of the OM;
  • Functioning of the OM;
  • Types of OM used in heritage care;
  • Place of the OM in the material-technical research methodology.

Part 2: Sample extraction

  • When to sample: methodological and deontological considerations;
  • How to sample: an overview of common methods and tools by object type;
  • Where to sample: principles for a thoughtful sample location;
  • Protocols and reporting: the sample form.

Part 3: Sample preparation

  • Overview of methods and materials for preparation.

Part 4: Prepared samples and cross-sections under the OM

  • Best practices for safe and ergonomic use of an OM;
  • Best practices for micrography of both sample and sample location;
  • Contrast methods for specific materials.

All the theoretical aspects mentioned above, are also practiced during on-campus tutorials, for which attendance is compulsory.

Practical organisation

The course consists of lectures and practical sessions, organized weekly on campus. The lectures are recorded if proper recording infrastructure is available in the designated classrooms.Attendance is compulsory for the practical sessions. The practicals incrementally build on each other: students take a sample and then prepare them step by step to finally include the obtained results in the sample form. By consequence, a student who is absent during a practical cannot proceed to the next practical and cannot submit a final product for the practicum. For that reason, attendance is mandatory.

Learning outcomes

This micro-credential focuses on the following learning outcomes.

1. The participant is familiar with the most commonly used types of optical microscopes within the heritage field, and their characteristic properties.

2. The participant comprehends the components of an optical microscope, their operation and the differences between the most commonly used types.

3. The participant can use an optical microscope correctly, can make micrographic images and has used a number of types himself in a heritage context.

4. The participant understands the possibilities, applications and limitations of optical microscopy within the heritage field and can situate its use within a general research methodology.

5. The participant is familiar with the process of sample extraction on heritage objects and can carry this out independently.

6. The participant is familiar with the most common methods of preparing samples for further research (with optical microscope and analytical techniques), can select the appropriate method and is able to carry this out independently.

7. The participant is familiar with protocols, reporting of sample research, editing sample forms, and can draw these up independently.

Assessment

Examination

• Written without oral explanation
• Electronic
• Closed book
• Multiple choice questions
• Open questions 

Continuous assessment

• Assignments (no 2nd exam opportunity possible) 

Participants must succeed for each part of the examination.