I am looking to buy an inexpensive (hopefully) microscope so I can check the quality of semen received, and semen I am sending out. Not having any science background, I have no idea what I should be looking for. What is the magnification needed to get a good look at sperm? And, will a child's chemistry set type microscope do the job?

I believe that a childs microscope will do that.

I got mine on ebay similar to this one

I am hoping to find one a bit less expensive. What magnification is the best to look at sperm?

Hi!
I got this one at Walmart and picked up at my local store. It was under $100 and worked great for checking semen and vaginal smears.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=2689654

Can you tell me what the proper magnification should be (for sperm)?

Lets add worms/parasites to that list to.