Training

The UT Austin Mass Spectrometry Facility offers graduate students, post docs, and select undergraduate students access to any of our three walk-up instruments. You can learn more about these instruments on our Instruments page.

If you are associated with FRI and need training, please see the bottom of the page.

*If you do not show up for the scheduled training time, we will not reschedule the training solely for you. We will inform you when the next available training is arranged.*

(Applies to both Welch 4.218 and NHB 5.342 instruments)

Step 1 (NHB): If you are planning to use the instrument in NHB 5.342, make sure that you have key card access to the outer doors of NHB, as well as to the 5th floor through the elevators. If you do not currently have access, then your PI will need to request access for you by sending your eID to the NHB building manager and cc'ing Ian Riddington.

Step1 (Welch): If you are planning to use the instrument in Welch 4.218, you will need the code for the door keypad. Please ask for the code at the in-person training.

Step 2: Download and complete this LC/MS Online Training PowerPoint.

Step 3: Complete the short quiz at the end of the PowerPoint.

Step 4: E-mail massspec@cm.utexas.edu with the secret pass phrase shown on the last slide, along with your PI's name, your department, and a few options of times that work for you to get the in person training. Also tell us if you will mainly be using the instrument in Welch or in NHB.

Step 5: We will contact you to schedule the time and location of your in-person training. In this short (< 30 min.) session we will set up your account, explain sample submission, and go over brief data analysis instructions. You will be able to use the instrument immediately afterwards.

Please follow these documents when running LC/MS samples:

Guidelines for running Walk-Up LC/MS Samples

How to analyze Walk-Up LC/MS samples using ChemStation

Step 1: To use the instrument in Welch 4.218,  you will need the code for the door keypad. Please ask for the code at the in-person training.

Step 2: Download and complete this GC/MS Online Training PowerPoint.

Step 3: Complete the short quiz at the end of the PowerPoint.

Step 4: E-mail massspec@cm.utexas.edu with the secret pass phrase shown on the last slide, along with your PI's name, your department, and a few options of times that work for you to get the in person training.

Step 5: Come to WEL 4.218 at the specified time for a short (< 30 min.) hands-on training session. In this session we will set up your account, explain sample submission, and go over brief data analysis instructions. You will be able to use the instrument immediately afterwards. 

Please follow these documents when running GC/MS samples:

Guidelines for running Walk-Up GC/MS Samples

How to run samples on the Agilent 5977 Walk-Up GC/MS (download to see images)

How to analyze Walk-Up GC/MS samples using MassHunter (download to see images)

Contact the Proteomics Facility to schedule MALDI training.

Here are their instructions for self-service training.

Please visit the MALDI page for more tips and instruction on running MALDI samples.

• We do not offer training for each individual FRI student. We will however train FRI mentors and research educators, who can then run the student's samples themselves.

• When submitting samples, please try one sample first to verify that the target is observed and that the selected method works for the sample before running a larger batch/series of samples.

• Please let your students know that if they need help from the MSF staff to analyze and discuss their data they must first e-mail us to set up a time to meet.