This course is an introductory survey to the various microorganisms, prions, viruses, bacteria, protozoans, and multicellular parasites, their structures, physiology, identification, with the various medical and non-medical implications in our daily lives. Lecture topics include prokaryotic cell structure and function, biochemical processes, physical and chemical factors that affect cell growth, classification and identification, physical and chemical methods of control. A major portion of the course deals with the pathogenic properties of microorganisms and the body's defense mechanisms including the functions of the immune systems. Laboratory topics include bacterial culture and staining, metabolism and biochemical reactions, physiological characteristics, patient specimen collection and processing as done in a microbiology laboratory and pathogen identification and antibiotic sensitivity determination.