Phycology Foundations Plus Course Bundle
Online Course Information
This combined program contains three (3) courses.
- Foundation: Introduction to Microscopy
- Foundation: Introduction to Phycology for Analysts, and
- Intermediate: Identification of Potentially Toxic Cyanophyta
This combined program provides a comprehensive course in the setup and operation of a brightfield and phase contrast microscope, and then lays the foundation for understanding the dynamics between natural and artificial aquatic systems and phytoplankton populations, and for the impact they have on each other, and for developing fundamental identification skills in an analytical context. The identification course then begins teaching the recognition of common, potentially toxic taxa, as the most important taxa that analysts must be able to recognise to species level.
Approach of this Course
This course is designed as an introduction to microscopy and analytical phycology. The first course is designed to provide the concepts and context required to learn the basics of identification, and the environmental factors analysts need to be aware of for analysis and interpretation.Â
The identification course covers the common potentially toxic species encountered during analysis, and how to recognise them by their morphology.Â
What will I learn in this course?
The Foundation: Introduction to Microscopy course explores the history and power of microscopy, how human vision and the optics of a microscope work together, and how they form the foundational knowledge for understanding how to optimise a microscope, interpret what we see during examination of samples, and troubleshoot the setup of the microscope.
The practical portion of the course guides the analyst through the components, their functions, and how they work together, before a step-by-step setup of a brightfield microscope with additional elements that extend to phase contrast microscopy.
The Foundation: Introduction to Phycology for Analysts Course is dual-purpose; it is intended to provide new phycology analysts with the foundational material as a primer for microscopic identification of cyanobacteria and eukaryotic algae, and to prepare them for analysis by understanding the environmental forces that influence the phytoplankton and analysis, and that, in this analysis, context is everything!
This course also serves a purpose for experienced analysts working towards professional development and senior analysts for the interpretation and signing of reports for an accredited laboratory by reinforcing those concepts needed to critically evaluate analytical data.
The Intermediate: Identification of Potentially Toxic Cyanophyta is the first critical foray into cyanobacterial identification. In most accredited environments, potentially toxic species must be reliably identified to the species level. In introducing these taxa first, it provides an opportunity to develop close observation and information gathering skills required for analysis, and serves as a baseline for all future taxon comparison, to keep the potentially toxic species at the forefront of the analyst’s mind.
Who is it for?
This program is designed for early-career technicians, scientists, students, or water professionals and laboratories that are developing analytical services in phycology. Particularly for laboratories, this is a way to introduce new analysts to the field, assess their suitability, gauge their interest and aptitude in microscopy and phycology, and to refresh or document the professional development of more experienced analysts for accredited environments.
Contents
- Downloadable textbooks specifically written for each course.
- Videos and written content for each unit, with analytical needs in mind, designed for effective learning and practical applications.
- Unit and final assessments to help review and enhance the learning experience.
- Certificate download for training records upon completion.
Benefits
- Self-paced learning.
- Comprehensive guides to help develop understanding and competency.
- Build confidence in skills for identifying phytoplankton and interpreting results in an analytical setting.
- Unlimited learning support via direct messaging within the platform and email.
- Additional VOIP live training sessions are available for purchase separately upon request (subject to availability and time differences).
- The subscription is for an initial 1-year of access and may be extended. Full fee payment for the course is required, regardless of the chosen payment option. Cancellation allowed at any time, once the full fee balance is paid.
Course Outline
Milestone 1: Course Instructions & Downloads
- Lesson 1: Meet your Trainer
- Lesson 2: Course Instructions & Downloads
Milestone 2: Microscopy: What, When, How?
- Lesson 1: Microscopy: What, When, How?
- Lesson 2: The History of Microscopes
- Lesson 3: How Our Vision & Microscopes Work
Milestone 3: Anatomy of a Microcscope & Setup
- Lesson 1: Components, Functions & Basic Sample Preparation
- Lesson 2: Microscope Setup: Preliminary Checks
- Lesson 3: Microscope Setup: Basic Dos & Don’ts
- Lesson 4: Microscope Setup: Light Path Alignment (Kohler Illumination & Phase Annuli)
- Lesson 5: Microscope Setup: Focus the Field (Brightfield & Phase Contrast)
- Lesson 6: Microscope Setup: Coverslip Correction (Phase Correction Ring)
Milestone 4: Calibration & Troubleshooting
- Lesson 1: Calibration of the Eyepiece Micrometer
- Lesson 2: Calibration of Camera Software
- Lesson 3: Troubleshooting Microscope Setup
Milestone 5: Ergonomics
- Lesson 1: Ergonomics in Microscopy
- Lesson 2: Neutral Sitting Position
- Lesson 3: Management of Health
Milestone 1: Course Instructions & Downloads
- Lesson 1:Â Meet your Trainer
- Lesson 2: Course Instructions & Downloads
Milestone 2: Introduction to Phycology
- Lesson 1:Â Study of Phycology & Unique Environments
- Lesson 2: Natural vs. Artificial Water Columns & DO
- Lesson 3: Turnover
- Lesson 4: Black Water & Avian Botulism
- Lesson 5: Human Influences & Climate Change
Milestone 3: Eukaryotic Algae
- Lesson 1: Eukaryotic Algae Ecology, Biology & Metabolism
- Lesson 2: Eukaryotic Internal & External Cell Structure
Milestone 4: Cyanobacteria
- Lesson 1: Cyanobacterial Cell Biology & Photosynthesis
- Lesson 2: Nutrient Acquisition & Response
- Lesson 3: Mobility, Movement, Reproduction, & Genetic Diversity
- Lesson 4: Toxins, Taste and Odour Compounds
- Lesson 5: Cyanobacterial Morphology
Milestone 5: Interactions, Bloom Dynamics, Monitoring & Mitigation
- Lesson 1: Cyanobacterial Bloom Dynamics
- Lesson 2: Monitoring, Sampling & Mitigation
Milestone 1: Course Instructions & Downloads
- Lesson 1: Meet your Trainer
- Lesson 2: Course Instructions & Downloads
Milestone 2: Introduction to Potentially Toxic Cyanophyta
- Lesson 1:Â Introduction to Potentially Toxic Cyanobacteria
Milestone 3: Heterocystous Potentially Toxic Taxa
- Lesson 1:Â Raphidiopsis
- Lesson 2: Umezakia
- Lesson 3: Dolichospermum
- Lesson 4: Nostoc
- Lesson 5: Nodularia
- Lesson 6: Heteroscytonema
Milestone 4: Non-Heterocystous Potentially Toxic Taxa
- Lesson 1:Â Phormidium
- Lesson 2: Limnothrix, Geitlerinema & Anagnostidinema
Milestone 5: Colonial Potentially Toxic Taxa
- Lesson 1:Â Microcystis
Milestone 6: Marine Potentially Toxic Taxa
- Lesson 1:Â Trichodesmium
- Lesson 2: Lyngbya Morphotypes
Course Fee Options:
About the fee options:
For individuals, we offer three (3) payment options for this course, so you can choose the one that is most convenient for you. Upon signing up, payments can be made via PayPal or Credit Card. Payments are directly debited. Please also note that the course information and materials you receive under each fee option below are exactly the same.
If you are buying for your team or need a formal quote for purchasing, please follow the link below the pricing boxes.
$59.75 AUD / month
Total Price: $717.00 AUD per year
- One (1) Seat
- After the full course fee for the first year is paid, the subscription may be cancelled at any time thereafter. The remainder of the course fee becomes immediately due if cancellation occurs within the first 12 months.
Additional video training calls available upon request (additional fees).
$170.29 AUD / 3 months
Total Price: $681.16 AUD per year (5% Discount)
- One (1) Seat
- After the full course fee for the first year is paid, the subscription may be cancelled at any time thereafter. The remainder of the course fee becomes immediately due if cancellation occurs within the first 12 months.
$645.30 AUD / year
Total Price: $645.30 AUD per year (10% Discount)
- One (1) Seat
- Access to the course will remain active for the full 12 months of the subscription. At the end of the subscription period, options include renewing for another 12 months, changing the payment plan, or cancelling the subscription.