diff --git a/tests/core_tests.py b/tests/core_tests.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..6ef33b086f346cc678170775a1b03c1709d16079
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/core_tests.py
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
+"""
+Testing suite for the core functionality
+"""
+
diff --git a/tests/sample_test_local.py b/tests/sample_test_local.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..7232f18a1677a11f1508d9836f9cdbe3e0c9dbac
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/sample_test_local.py
@@ -0,0 +1,53 @@
+import unittest
+import os
+import sys
+
+class TestBasicFunction(unittest.TestCase):
+
+    def SetUp(self):
+        modPath = os.path.abspath(os.getcwd())
+        sys.path.insert(0, modPath)
+    
+    def test_running(self):
+        print("Running sample_test.py")
+        self.assertTrue(True)
+    
+    def test_python_imports(self):
+        import numpy, scipy, matplotlib, vtk, AmpScan.core
+        s = str(type(numpy))
+        self.assertEqual(s, "<class 'module'>")
+        s = str(type(scipy))
+        self.assertEqual(s, "<class 'module'>")
+        s = str(type(matplotlib))
+        self.assertEqual(s, "<class 'module'>")
+        s = str(type(vtk))
+        self.assertEqual(s, "<class 'module'>")
+        s = str(type(AmpScan.core))
+        self.assertEqual(s, "<class 'module'>", "Failed import: AmpScan.core")
+
+    @unittest.expectedFailure
+    def test_failure(self):
+        s = str(type("string"))
+        self.assertEqual(s, "<class 'module'>")
+
+    def test_rotate(self):
+        stlPath = os.path.abspath(os.getcwd()) + "/sample_stl_sphere_BIN.stl"
+        from AmpScan.core import AmpObject
+        Amp = AmpObject(stlPath)
+        s = str(type(Amp))
+        self.assertEqual(s, "<class 'AmpScan.core.AmpObject'>", "Not expected Object")
+        with self.assertRaises(TypeError):
+            Amp.rotateAng(7)
+            Amp.rotateAng({})
+
+    def test_trim(self):
+        # a new test for the trim module
+        stlPath = os.path.abspath(os.getcwd()) + "/sample_stl_sphere_BIN.stl"
+        from AmpScan.core import AmpObject
+        Amp = AmpObject(stlPath)
+        #with self.assertRaises(TypeError):
+            #Amp.planarTrim([], plane=[])
+        
+
+if __name__ == '__main__':
+    unittest.main()