This course is typically limited to participation by State metrologists on a first-come, first-served basis as it is a requirement for NIST WMD recognition of their laboratory. If space is available, other metrologists are welcome.

The Basic Metrology Seminar-States is a two-week, "hands-on" seminar. It incorporates approximately 30 percent lectures and 70 percent demonstrations and laboratory work in which the trainee performs measurements by applying procedures and equations discussed in the classroom. The seminar focuses on the understanding and application of the procedures, the equations, and calculations involved, including calculation of standard deviations and uncertainties, error analysis, the operation of the laboratory equipment, and review of publications, standards, specifications, and tolerances relevant to the measurements likely to be performed by the metrologist. The first week is dedicated to mass measurement, while the second week is split between length and volume measurements. The entire seminar incorporates statistical analysis and process measurement control methods.

As a result of the Basic seminar, a metrologist should 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 extensively due to the lack of time and the extensiveness and complexity of the subject. Basic Laboratory Auditing Program (LAP) problems are assigned at the completion of the course. Acceptable completion of the problems is required for NIST Weights and Measures Division laboratory recognition in support of medium accuracy mass calibrations, volume transfer calibrations and length calibrations.

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

A NOTEBOOK PC MAY NOT BE USED DURING THE BASIC SEMINAR!!!
A scientific calculator (minimum 10 digits) and familiarity with its operation is required.

Basic Mass - Industry

The Basic Mass - Industry seminar is a 1-week, "hands-on" seminar. It incorporates approximately 30 percent lectures and 70 percent demonstrations and laboratory work in which the trainee performs measurements by applying procedures and equations discussed in the classroom. The seminar focuses on the understanding and application of the procedures, the equations, and calculations involved, including calculation of standard deviations and uncertainties, error analysis, the operation of the laboratory equipment, and review of publications, standards, specifications, and tolerances relevant to the measurements likely to be performed by the metrologist. The week is dedicated to mass measurement. The entire seminar incorporates statistical analysis and process measurement control methods.

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

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

A NOTEBOOK PC MAY NOT BE USED DURING THE BASIC SEMINAR!!!
A scientific calculator (minimum 10 digits) and familiarity with its operation is required.

Intermediate Mass and Gravimetric Volume

Before attending the Intermediate seminar, a metrologist must have completed the Basic Metrology seminar and State participants must have completed required Basic LAP problems.
An understanding of the Basic seminar material is assumed for the Intermediate seminar, which is primarily a classroom seminar, although demonstrations and hands-on exercises are used. The Intermediate seminar is generally open to all interested parties; however, State metrologists are given priority in attendance due to legal metrology obligations. This seminar should provide metrologists with a thorough understanding of the theory and concepts behind the procedures and equations used in mass, and volume calibrations. Derivation of many of the equations is demonstrated to provide the metrologists with an understanding of the physics behind the corrections made in high precision calibration.

Topics covered in the Intermediate seminar are air buoyancy corrections in mass calibration, statistics, measurement assurance and measurement control, gravimetric calibration of glassware and metal standards, and an introduction to mass measurement weighing designs. Air buoyancy corrections and the calculation of air density are covered in detail because these calculations are required in all high precision mass and gravimetric volume calibrations.

After this seminar, the metrologist should have a complete understanding of the theory behind the test procedures and the corrections involved in high precision calibration. The metrologist should be able to compute the magnitude of corrections before performing a calibration to determine if a correction is significant or negligible. This knowledge permits the metrologist to perform the highest precision calibrations possible using the available standards and laboratory equipment.

Intermediate LAP problems are assigned to State metrologists at the completion of the course. Acceptable completion of the problems is required for NIST Weights and Measures Division laboratory recognition of the State laboratory in support of fine accuracy mass calibrations and gravimetric volume calibrations.

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

Legal/Laboratory Metrology - Spanish

Metrology courses taught in the Spanish language will include both legal and laboratory metrology applications. The agenda will vary for each course depending on the needs of potential participants. Special requests will be considered based on the expertise of available trainers.

The first Spanish language seminar was offered April 17 - 21, 1995, and covered topics on 1) mass calibration of field standard test weights; 2) examination and test procedures for small capacity scales; and 3) an introduction to NIST Handbook 44, "Specifications, Tolerances, and Other Technical Requirements for Weighing and Measuring Devices." The seminars include hands-on applications 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 additional information regarding laboratory and legal metrology seminars. Most of the available laboratory metrology seminars and many of the legal metrology seminars noted in the "Weights & Measures Quarterly" calendar can be taught in the Spanish language. If you are interested in attending a metrology seminar taught in the Spanish language, please send a letter indicating your preferred topics; a specific agenda 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-Rom is available by e-mail request to owm@nist.gov.

Advanced Mass Seminar

Before attending the Advanced Mass Seminar, a participant must have attended the Intermediate seminar and have completed all required LAP problems. Ideally, the participant will have experience in performing mass calibrations at the high precision calibration level and will have a working knowledge of basic statistics, air buoyancy concepts, and measurement assurance and control. An understanding of the materials presented in the Basic and Intermediate Seminars is assumed.

The materials presented during the Advanced Mass Seminar include extensive discussion of the theory, mathematics and statistics behind the concepts and use of advanced weighing designs, associated uncertainties and measurement control. Individualized Lab Wizard software is distributed and Mass Code data files and software operation are covered. Review of Mass Code reports is covered, as are required modification of mass code report templates to individualize generated reports to the issuing laboratory policies. Additional technical topics that impact mass measurements, such as density and magnetism, are covered. All Advanced mass reference materials are provided. This course is coordinated and staffed by the NIST Weights and Measures Division, the NIST Mass Group, and the NIST Statistical Engineering Division.

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

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

Advanced Hands-on Mass Seminar

The Advanced Hands-On Mass seminar is a follow-up seminar to the Advanced Mass seminar where theory and concepts are presented. The Advanced Hands-On Mass Seminar was developed to provide hands-on training due to the learning curve associated with using weighing designs, new software, and laboratory automation. The seminar is somewhat unstructured and is adjusted based on the specific needs of the participants and on previous training and current requirements. A fixed agenda is not established, but definite topics will be covered to ensure consistency.

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