Before you begin…

These courses are aimed at:

• scientists, technicians, and consultants seeking to develop, expand or reinforce their knowledge of cyanobacteria, phytoplankton and water quality
• secondary and tertiary students and teachers wanting to find out more about cyanobacteria, phytoplankton and water quality (foundation subjects recommended)
• Anyone that wants to learn about standard brightfield or phase microscopy and ergonomics
• Anyone that wants to learn more about quality assurance or systems (any industry)

Please note: the courses are offered in ENGLISH ONLY, and the taxa presented are planktonic cyanobacteria and phytoplankton taxa (benthic taxa are not specifically covered) commonly observed in Australia, with samples sourced mainly from within Queensland.  If you are joining us from overseas, the material covered may still be relevant, as many of the taxa are cosmopolitan.  Also, for overseas learners, I urge you to look for additional regional references and articles, in addition to the material presented, to ensure you are learning in an appropriate regional context. If you have any questions about additional references, please contact us at training@jarvishuntconsultancy.com.au.

The aim is to provide you with a solid foundation in the subjects offered. For the phytoplankton and cyanobacterial identification and enumeration techniques, the material is presented from a production or routine monitoring or analytical laboratory perspective and is based on preserved specimens.

Below is a recommended minimum specification for a microscope and list of equipment that we use to assist you to examine your own samples.

This delivery is an entirely online format, and we recognise with this subject matter, nothing is better than time spent down the microscope, looking at samples. The units are designed as stand-alone courses, but it is assumed you have a microscope and access to samples, and you will spend time at the microscope so you can get the most out of this material.

Microscope

• Any compound light microscope, fitted with phase contrast filters and annuli
• Phase 1 x10 magnification long working distance objective
• Phase 1 or 2 x40 magnification long working distance objective
• Phototube or c-mount and camera attached for taking photos (highly recommended)

Equipment

• Sedgewick Rafter or similar counting chamber (glass or plastic)
• 24 x 60mm disposable coverslips
• 1mL plastic disposable pipettes
• Acidified Lugol’s Iodine
• Scissors
• DI or RO water
• 70% ethanol
• Small toothbrush (cleaning slides)
• Glass wipes (lint free)

How the training works…

You may enrol in single units to suit your needs, or one of our packages containing units that work as a cohesive body of learning.  All online training is self-paced and you will have access to your course for one year from the date of enrolment. We use Cloud Assess software to host our learning materials and assessment, and there is a range of help videos to help navigate the system.  But, if you are having any issues, all our online training is supported via email.  Please contact us at training@jarvishuntconsultancy.com.au if you have any questions.

You will select and pay for the courses online and can be assured the system is secure.  You will then be invited to create and confirm your Cloud Assess account.  Once you have done this for one course, you will not have to recreate the account again.  Also, if you completed a course and don’t use your account for a while and find you can no longer log in, just drop us a line, and we’ll be happy to reactivate your account for you.

IMPORTANT!  You can work through the assessments at your own pace and can come back to it at any time, but please, ensure you SAVE before exiting the system.  You also need to SAVE before you SUBMIT.

Upon completion of your training, you will receive a report for your own records and you will be sent a feedback form. We greatly appreciate you taking time to complete the feedback form, as we aim to provide high-quality training materials, and we need your assistance in the continuous quality improvement process we apply to all our work at JHC.  If you ever need another copy of your training records, just ask.  We’ll be happy to send you another copy.

If you would like some more information on which courses would suit your needs, please use our contact form or email us at training@jarvishuntconsultancy.com.au, to get in touch.  We’d be happy to discuss your needs with you.

For those of you within Australia, JHC can also come to you! Providing customised, in-person training, or remotely via video.  Keep an eye on our website too, as we hope to organise and hold workshops in the future. Please call us, or get in touch via our contact form, and we’ll get back to you.

We hope you enjoy our training courses. Happy learning!