Morphology, metabolism, growth, nutrition, and genetics of microorganisms including bacteria, viruses, fungi, algae, and protozoa, as a background for the discussion of the role of microorganisms in disease. Topics include the disease process leading to infections of the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and urogenital systems; blood, skin, wound, nosocomial, and opportunistic infections. Natural and acquired immunity, physical and chemical methods of control, chemotherapy and antibiotic therapy in disease treatment. Laboratory exercises include the handling and cultivation of microorganisms, differential staining and the diagnostic bacteriology of clinically relevant gram positive and gram negative bacteria.