This course is typically limited to participationby State metrologists on a first-come, first-served basis as itis a requirement for NIST WMD recognition of their laboratory. Ifspace is available, other metrologists are welcome.

The Basic Metrology Seminar-States is a two-week,"hands-on" seminar. It incorporates approximately 30 percentlectures and 70 percent demonstrations and laboratory work in whichthe trainee performs measurements by applying procedures and equationsdiscussed in the classroom. The seminar focuses on the understandingand application of the procedures, the equations, and calculationsinvolved, including calculation of standard deviations and uncertainties,error analysis, the operation of the laboratory equipment, and reviewof publications, standards, specifications, and tolerances relevantto the measurements likely to be performed by the metrologist. Thefirst week is dedicated to mass measurement, while the second weekis split between length and volume measurements. The entire seminarincorporates statistical analysis and process measurement controlmethods.

As a result of the Basic seminar, a metrologistshould be able to perform tolerance testing and calibration of mass(without air buoyancy corrections), length, and volume standards.Air buoyancy concepts are introduced but are not covered extensivelydue to the lack of time and the extensiveness and complexity ofthe subject. Basic Laboratory Auditing Program (LAP) problems areassigned at the completion of the course. Acceptable completionof the problems is required for NIST Weights and Measures Divisionlaboratory recognition in support of medium accuracy mass calibrations,volume transfer calibrations and length calibrations.

The suggested minimum requirements for a metrologistattending the Basic seminar are a working knowledge of algebra,basic knowledge of physics and statistics, completion of the BasicMass Metrology CD-Rom (NISTIR 1001) and some laboratory experience.NBS Handbook 145/NIST IR6969 is used as the main text in the BasicMetrology Seminar - States and includes most procedures currentlyin use in the State weights and measures laboratories.

A NOTEBOOK PC MAY NOT BE USED DURING THE BASICSEMINAR!!!
A scientific calculator (minimum 10 digits) and familiarity withits operation is required.

Basic Mass - Industry

The Basic Mass - Industry seminar is a 1-week,"hands-on" seminar. It incorporates approximately 30 percentlectures and 70 percent demonstrations and laboratory work in whichthe trainee performs measurements by applying procedures and equationsdiscussed in the classroom. The seminar focuses on the understandingand application of the procedures, the equations, and calculationsinvolved, including calculation of standard deviations and uncertainties,error analysis, the operation of the laboratory equipment, and reviewof publications, standards, specifications, and tolerances relevantto the measurements likely to be performed by the metrologist. Theweek is dedicated to mass measurement. The entire seminar incorporatesstatistical analysis and process measurement control methods.

As a result of the Basic seminar, a metrologistshould be able to perform tolerance testing and calibration of mass(without air buoyancy corrections) standards. Air buoyancy conceptsare introduced but not covered extensively due to the lack of timeand the extensiveness and complexity of the subject.

The suggested minimum requirements for a metrologistattending the Basic seminar are a working knowledge of algebra,basic knowledge of physics and statistics, completion of the BasicMass Metrology CD-Rom (NISTIR 1001) and some laboratory experience.NBS Handbook 145/NIST IR6969 is used as the main text in the BasicMetrology Seminar - Industry and includes most procedures currentlyin use in the State weights and measures laboratories.

A NOTEBOOK PC MAY NOT BE USED DURING THE BASICSEMINAR!!!
A scientific calculator (minimum 10 digits) and familiarity withits operation is required.

Intermediate Mass and Gravimetric Volume

Before attending the Intermediate seminar, a metrologistmust have completed the Basic Metrology seminar and State participantsmust have completed required Basic LAP problems.
An understanding of the Basic seminar material is assumed for theIntermediate seminar, which is primarily a classroom seminar, althoughdemonstrations and hands-on exercises are used. The Intermediateseminar is generally open to all interested parties; however, Statemetrologists are given priority in attendance due to legal metrologyobligations. This seminar should provide metrologists with a thoroughunderstanding of the theory and concepts behind the procedures andequations used in mass, and volume calibrations. Derivation of manyof the equations is demonstrated to provide the metrologists withan understanding of the physics behind the corrections made in highprecision calibration.

Topics covered in the Intermediate seminar areair buoyancy corrections in mass calibration, statistics, measurementassurance and measurement control, gravimetric calibration of glasswareand metal standards, and an introduction to mass measurement weighingdesigns. Air buoyancy corrections and the calculation of air densityare covered in detail because these calculations are required inall high precision mass and gravimetric volume calibrations.

After this seminar, the metrologist should havea complete understanding of the theory behind the test proceduresand the corrections involved in high precision calibration. Themetrologist should be able to compute the magnitude of correctionsbefore performing a calibration to determine if a correction issignificant or negligible. This knowledge permits the metrologistto perform the highest precision calibrations possible using theavailable standards and laboratory equipment.

Intermediate LAP problems are assigned to Statemetrologists at the completion of the course. Acceptable completionof the problems is required for NIST Weights and Measures Divisionlaboratory recognition of the State laboratory in support of fineaccuracy mass calibrations and gravimetric volume calibrations.

A NOTEBOOK PC IS NOT REQUIRED FOR THE INTERMEDIATESEMINAR BUT MAY BE USED and is recommended!!!
A scientific calculator (minimum 10 digits) and familiarity withits operation is required.

Legal/Laboratory Metrology - Spanish

Metrology courses taught in the Spanish languagewill include both legal and laboratory metrology applications. Theagenda will vary for each course depending on the needs of potentialparticipants. Special requests will be considered based on the expertiseof available trainers.

The first Spanish language seminar was offeredApril 17 - 21, 1995, and covered topics on 1) mass calibration offield standard test weights; 2) examination and test proceduresfor small capacity scales; and 3) an introduction to NIST Handbook44, "Specifications, Tolerances, and Other Technical Requirementsfor Weighing and Measuring Devices." The seminars include hands-onapplications in both the classroom and in the laboratory. Text(s)and handouts are in English and instruction is in Spanish.

Please feel free to contact us for additionalinformation regarding laboratory and legal metrology seminars. Mostof the available laboratory metrology seminars and many of the legalmetrology seminars noted in the "Weights & Measures Quarterly"calendar can be taught in the Spanish language. If you are interestedin attending a metrology seminar taught in the Spanish language,please send a letter indicating your preferred topics; a specificagenda will be developed and circulated to interested metrologists.

Also available is the Basic Mass Metrology CD-Rom(NISTIR 1001) translated into Spanish. The Spanish language CD-Romis available by e-mail request to owm@nist.gov.

Advanced Mass Seminar

Before attending the Advanced Mass Seminar, aparticipant must have attended the Intermediate seminar and havecompleted all required LAP problems. Ideally, the participant willhave experience in performing mass calibrations at the high precisioncalibration level and will have a working knowledge of basic statistics,air buoyancy concepts, and measurement assurance and control. Anunderstanding of the materials presented in the Basic and IntermediateSeminars is assumed.

The materials presented during the Advanced MassSeminar include extensive discussion of the theory, mathematicsand statistics behind the concepts and use of advanced weighingdesigns, associated uncertainties and measurement control. IndividualizedLab Wizard software is distributed and Mass Code data files andsoftware operation are covered. Review of Mass Code reports is covered,as are required modification of mass code report templates to individualizegenerated reports to the issuing laboratory policies. Additionaltechnical topics that impact mass measurements, such as densityand magnetism, are covered. All Advanced mass reference materialsare provided. This course is coordinated and staffed by the NISTWeights and Measures Division, the NIST Mass Group, and the NISTStatistical Engineering Division.

Advanced LAP problems are assigned to State participantsat the completion of the course. Acceptable completion of the problemsis required for NIST Weights and Measures Division laboratory recognitionof a State laboratory in support of extra fine accuracy mass calibrations.

PARTICPANTS ARE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE A NOTEBOOKPC FOR THE ADVANCED MASS SEMINAR!!!
Availability of a scientific calculator (minimum 10 digits) andfamiliarity with its operation is recommended.

Advanced Hands-on Mass Seminar

The Advanced Hands-On Mass seminar is a follow-upseminar to the Advanced Mass seminar where theory and concepts arepresented. The Advanced Hands-On Mass Seminar was developed to providehands-on training due to the learning curve associated with usingweighing designs, new software, and laboratory automation. The seminaris somewhat unstructured and is adjusted based on the specific needsof the participants and on previous training and current requirements.A fixed agenda is not established, but definite topics will be coveredto ensure consistency.

PARTICIPANTS ARE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE A NOTEBOOKPC FOR THE ADVANCED MASS HANDS-ON SEMINAR!!!
Advanced Mass reference notebooks will not be provided sincethis course is designed for previous attendees. Attendees of theAdvanced Hands-on seminar should bring any documentation they mayneed with them to the seminar.