How to Attend the Free Scanning Electron Microscopy Workshop at Texas A&M's Microscopy and Imaging Center

Updated

The Microscopy and Imaging Center (MIC) at Texas A&M University hosts a free Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) workshop on November 3–4, 2026, and you can attend if you are a Texas A&M student or researcher new to SEM. The workshop runs 10:00 am–4:00 pm and 1:00 pm–4:00 pm across the two days in ILSB 1143 and online via Zoom, and you register through the link on the MIC website. Hands-on sessions are capped at 5 registrants each, so early registration matters if you want the practical portion rather than only the talks.

Who the workshop is for

The MIC states the workshop is intended for students and researchers who are new to scanning electron microscopy. It is free of charge for Texas A&M University participants. If you already run SEM routinely, the presentation content (basic principles, resolution and contrast, sample prep) will likely be below your level, and the limited hands-on seats are better left to newcomers.

If you are outside Texas A&M, the page only documents free participation for Texas A&M participants; it does not state terms for other attendees, so confirm with the MIC before planning to attend.

What the workshop covers

The presentations cover three areas:

  • Basic principles of SEM imaging
  • Factors affecting resolution and contrast
  • Basic sample preparation techniques

The format combines presentations with hands-on sessions. Presentations are accessible both in person and online via Zoom; hands-on sessions are in person and limited to 5 registrants each.

How to register and attend

  1. Confirm your eligibility. You should be a Texas A&M student or researcher new to SEM.
  2. Go to the MIC website (microscopy.tamu.edu) and find the workshop listing under the news/events area on the homepage.
  3. Use the "Register Here" link in that listing to sign up. Register early if you want a hands-on seat, since each session holds only 5 people.
  4. Choose your mode. Attend in person at ILSB 1143 for the full experience including hands-on work, or join the presentations via Zoom if you only need the talks.
  5. Check the schedule. Sessions run 10:00 am–4:00 pm and 1:00 pm–4:00 pm on November 3–4, 2026; confirm which block your session falls in when you register.

Verification: After registering, you should receive confirmation from the MIC. If you registered for a hands-on session, confirm your seat is held, since capacity is 5 per session.

Common pitfalls

  • Waiting too long to register. The 5-person hands-on cap fills quickly; the presentation portion via Zoom has no stated cap, so you can still attend the talks if hands-on seats are gone.
  • Assuming the workshop replaces instrument training. The page describes it as an introduction for newcomers; access to specific instruments like the Leica SP8 confocal, FEI Quanta 600 FE-SEM, TFS Helios 5 CX DualBeam CRYO FIB-SEM, or JEOL 1200 EX TEM is a separate matter you should raise with MIC staff.
  • Showing up without confirming the room. The location is listed as ILSB 1143, but verify the room and time in your registration confirmation in case of changes.

Why the MIC is worth knowing beyond the workshop

The MIC describes its mission as promoting cutting-edge research in basic and applied sciences through research and development activities, and its instruments support work across campus and beyond—data acquired at the MIC appears in publications such as Macromolecular Materials and Engineering cover art featuring TEM work. If the workshop leaves you wanting instrument access, the center's instrument list and cited-research page are the natural next stops on the site.