First and foremost, read our lab policy . It explains the important safety considerations as well as the protocol for working in a shared research environment. Since any member of the GMU community can sign up for the instruments at SRIF, the availability of the instruments can be very competitive, especially late in the semester. Therefore, careful planning of your project is essential. Be prepared to work hard and work independently, especially if your project is an ambitious one.
Instrumental analysis requires patience and techniques that only practice can teach.
Long hours of observation may be involved. Things do not always go as expected and they rarely go according to a predetermined schedule. Be sure you have adequate time to do the work and have an alternate plan ready in case you reach one of the infamous dead ends. With that said, keep in mind that the rewards of a successful project are great. The techniques you will learn are applicable in the many scientific career paths in today's job market.