Overview

TA Instruments Theory and Applications Courses are free one-day lecture-based courses designed to familiarize the user with an understanding of the specific TA instrument technology, method development, operating techniques, and applications.  

Courses are offered for multiple product lines including thermal analyzers and rheometers. Please refer to the Course Outline section below for further information on the specific instruments covered in each course.  

Who Should Attend?

Theory and Applications Courses are valuable for new or existing customers looking for basic instrumental theory, calibration information, and/or diverse application examples. It is recommended that users have a minimum of two months’ experience using the instruments to get the most benefit from these courses.  

Course Schedule

All Theory and Applications Courses are held at the TA Instruments training facility in New Castle, Delaware unless otherwise noted on the schedule. Courses are scheduled at regular intervals, sometimes in conjunction with Hands-on Training courses. For more information and to register for Hands-on Training Courses, please click here.

*Registration for 2025 course dates will open in January 2025

DSC Theory and Applications Lecture

  • December 4, 2024 | Register
  • March 12, 2025
  • May 21, 2025
  • September 17, 2025

DMA Theory and Applications Lecture

  • December 5, 2024 | Register
  • February 25, 2025
  • May 6, 2025
  • September 9, 2025

TGA Theory and Applications Lecture

  • December 3, 2024 | Register
  • March 11, 2025
  • May 20, 2025
  • September 16, 2025

Rheology Theory and Applications Lecture

  • December 6, 2024 | Register
  • March 25, 2025
  • May 13, 2025
  • September 23, 2025

Registration and Logistics

Please proceed to the registration form below to reserve a seat. Class size is limited. Registration will close 5 business days prior to the start of the scheduled course. Once the registration request is received, a confirmation email will be sent to confirm your seat for the selected courses and dates. For additional information or questions, please email ta_training_courses@waters.com. 

Course Outlines

Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC) Basic

This lecture-based course covers theory applicable to all Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC) instruments, but is mainly designed around the Discovery 25xx instruments. The course will cover:

  • Theory of operation
  • Instrumentation
  • Calibration
  • Experimental parameters
  • Maintenance and troubleshooting
  • Applications

Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA)

This lecture-based course covers theory applicable to all Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) instruments, but is mainly designed around the Discovery 55xx instruments. The course will cover:

  • Theory of operation
  • Instrumentation
  • Calibration
  • Experimental parameters
  • Maintenance and troubleshooting
  • Applications

Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA)

The lecture-based course covers theory applicable to all Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) instruments (including previous generation instrument models), but is mainly designed around the DMA 850.  The course will cover:

  • Theory of operation
  • Instrumentation
  • Calibration
  • Experimental parameters
  • Maintenance and troubleshooting
  • Applications

Rheology

The lecture-based course covers theory applicable to all rheometer instruments, but is mainly designed around the Discovery Hybrid (DHR) instruments. The course will cover:

  • Theory of operation
  • Instrumentation
  • Calibration
  • Experimental parameters
  • Maintenance and troubleshooting
  • Applications