Dr Wilko Ahlrichs Dr Mona Hoppenrath Dr Alexander Kieneke

It is not enough to know, one must also apply; it is not enough to want, one must also do." (Johann Wolfgang Goethe);

The introduction to scientific work is a central concern of our universities. We are convinced that this can be taught most effectively through accompanied research-oriented learning. For us lecturers, this form of teaching is also extremely attractive because we get personal contact with the participants and can pass on our enthusiasm more easily, but above all it is great fun to carry out the projects together. The participants in our "Microscopic Anatomy" course get a detailed insight into the research process and also into the projects and working methods of us lecturers.

Our biological research focus is on the morphology, systematics and evolution of microscopic organisms. These organisms are not so easily accessible to everyday experience, although they can be found everywhere. Many people are initially sceptical about getting involved with such small organisms. After our course, however, there are few who are not enthusiastic, and many continue on to training modules and bachelor theses because they have experienced how creative, successful and personally rewarding research in this area can be.

We use a range of high-tech equipment and techniques in the course to visualise the structures. Knowledge of these devices and methods is in high demand on the labour market and can be very useful when looking for a job later on.

The aim of our accentuation module is to allow participants to take part in a self-contained research process. This is divided into several sections: (1) the acquisition of knowledge about the biology of the organisms to be analysed, (2) the preparative processing, (3) the function and operation of the equipment (microscopes), (4) the documentation and interpretation of the results and finally (5) their communication in the form of presentations, posters and protocols in the form of a scientific publication.

The course is organised according to this structure, with the focus at the beginning on imparting knowledge and at the end on working independently on a scientific project in small groups.

We start the course in the field. The primary aim here is to train our perception to find organisms and learn about their environment. The organisms are first examined live. Everyone will be amazed at the variety of forms and beauty of the organisms. We instructors constantly accompany the course participants during this phase, pointing out certain phenomena or pointing out unresolved questions.

The live examination is followed in several lectures by an introduction to preparation methods and how the equipment works. Over the course of many years, improved scripts have been made available for this part, which guide the participants in detail through the subsequent work steps. The scripts are designed for use in the practical course, but are also "reference works" for the daily research work in our working groups.

We then carry out exemplary preparations together for all the types of microscopy covered. After the organisms have been prepared, sometimes in elaborate steps lasting several days, the objects are microscoped and documented in the form of photos, so-called digital image stacks and hand drawings. These special methods and techniques are only taught to students at very few universities and are generally only accessible to postgraduates.

The results are regularly discussed in seminars. Among other things, it is important to us that previously acquired basic knowledge of cell biology is refreshed and that the participants initially try to interpret the smallest structures themselves. Although these structures are known in principle from textbooks, many are surprised by the dimensions of cell nuclei, for example. We give an overview of the basics of cell biology and tissue science and try to broaden the participants' perception of ultrastructure. In addition to photomicrography using LM, SEM and TEM, digital image stacks are created on the CLSM. On the basis of these image stacks, the musculature of a rotifer, for example, is reconstructed in three dimensions with the help of special programmes. This is a technically difficult process that requires a great deal of abstraction. With the help of detailed instructions and assistance from us lecturers, the participants learn the reconstruction step by step. They are also sensitised to the limitations of the methods.

Following the introduction to the methods and equipment, each group can work on their own research topic and apply the methods they have learnt. This involves working very independently, including handling sensitive equipment such as the electron microscope. A high sense of responsibility is demanded of the course participants.

From our own research experience and many years of teaching, we know how important the hours of independent, intensive work can be for a later scientific career.

In addition to well-founded data collection and interpretation, it is also important for a career as a scientist to communicate the results of their work appropriately, which in the case of natural scientists is achieved primarily through short presentations, posters and publications. In the practical course, posters and presentations are given top priority, whereby we prefer commonly used programmes such as PowerPoint to more professional, but very expensive programmes and focus on content and formal criteria.

The preparation of the poster is a main focus of the module. It and the oral presentation take place in several steps and are marked at the end. Several interim reports and the presentation of a first draft discussed in advance with a lecturer make it possible to make suggestions for improvement on an ongoing basis and to learn from the mistakes and progress of others. The suggestions are incorporated, after which the content and form are essentially finalised. In the second presentation, eye contact, pronunciation, posture, sentence structure etc. are now the focus of criticism.

In a third round, the participants are required to limit the short presentation to three minutes and deliver it freely, followed by the final presentation. One person from each group is selected at random to present the poster. This final round will be marked.

Following the poster, a protocol in the form of a scientific publication is written on the basis of the hypotheses and illustrations. The drafts are read and intensively discussed by us lecturers. The finished protocol will be marked and made available to all participants as a PDF.

Throughout the course, the individual preliminary stages of the presentation of results are documented by the participants. This allows participants to track their own learning progress afterwards.

The "Microscopic Anatomy" of organisms is our personal research interest. We therefore endeavour to provide above-average supervision, but also expect above-average commitment from the course participants.

Your lecturers

Dr Wilko Ahlrichs Dr Mona Hoppenrath Dr Alexander Kieneke