Students whose research depends heavily on X-ray crystallography are encouraged to learn to collect, solve and refine their own structures. Structure solution and refinement is done with the SHELX software suite within OLEX2. Before you may operate the X-ray diffractometer, you must complete UVA’s Radiation Safety Training for the Safe Use of Analytical X-ray Equipment. You must also be up-to-date on your Chemical Safety and Waste Training. You will then get hands-on training with the diffractometer with supervision continuing until you have proven that you can safely operate the instrument and set up proper data collections independently. To get a more thorough background in X-ray crystallography, graduates students and upper-level undergraduates should consider taking CHEM5380, or attending a workshop like the American Crystallographic Association Summer School or the Canadian Chemical Crystallography Workshop.