CEM6881 Scanning electron microscopy
Faculty of Engineering
CEM6881 Scanning electron microscopy is a level 6, 0-credit-point, postgraduate unit from the Faculty of Engineering, offered in 2026 in Semester 1 and Semester 2 at Clayton. It has no prerequisites.
- Credit points
- 0
- Offered in 2026
- Semester 1, Semester 2
- Clayton
- Assessment
- No exam
- 4 tasks
- Workload
- 120 hours
- per semester
This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before CEM6881
No prerequisites or corequisites besides the enrolment rules below.
After CEM6881
No unit lists CEM6881 as a prerequisite in the 2026 handbook.
Enrolment rules
You must be enrolled in the Engineering PhD program and with permission from the Faculty of Engineering.
This unit is available to you only if your research project requires training for independent operation of the scanning electron microscope (SEM) within the Monash Centre for Electron Microscopy (MCEM). This requirement will be determined by MCEM staff during a new project interview, which you must attend with your research supervisor(s) before enrolment. Please refer to the access section of the MCEM website to arrange the new project interview.
You must also attend the MCEM new user induction and sign the MCEM Safety Induction Checklist and User Agreement.
Overview
This unit is limited to those students whose research project requires scanning electron microscope (SEM) training (see rules section for details).
The scanning electron microscope (SEM) is an instrument that provides the unique ability to characterise the surface of materials at micrometre and nanometre scales. This unit is designed to offer both theoretical and practical training in operating a SEM, for those who need the technique for their research. The emphasis is to arm you with the skills necessary to both effectively operate the instrument AND make meaningful conclusions regarding the results generated.
Offerings in 2026
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Clayton | On campus |
| Second semester | Clayton | On campus |
Assessment
- Microscope licence testQuiz / TestThreshold hurdle10%
- Microscope familiarisationDemonstrationThreshold hurdle20%
- SEM theory testQuiz / TestThreshold hurdle20%
- Final reportWrittenThreshold hurdle50%
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Safely and independently operate a scanning electron microscope (SEM) at MCEM.
- 2
Understand how to tune microscope parameters to match the information required from their specimens.
- 3
Confidently be able to interpret the results from secondary electron, backscattered electron and energy dispersive X-ray data.
- 4
Be able to prepare samples for loading into the instrument.
Workload and teaching
- Teaching approachOnline learning
The minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 120 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities, independent study and independent operation of instruments. The unit requires on average one or two hours of scheduled activities per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of lectures, seminars, small group practical training, one-to-one practical training and online engagement.
Timetables for each learner will depend on the date they commence training, the availability of experimental facilities and individual progression. Learners will be provided with timetables by teaching staff.
Contacts
- Unit Coordinators
- Dr Tim Petersen
- Chief Examiners
- Dr Tim Petersen
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for CEM6881?
CEM6881 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.
When is CEM6881 offered?
In 2026, CEM6881 runs in Semester 1 and Semester 2 at Clayton.
How much work is CEM6881?
The handbook expects about 120 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.
Does CEM6881 have an exam?
No. CEM6881 has 4 assessment tasks and no exam.