The intent of this course is to introduce students to basic tactics used by microbial pathogens to establish infectious diseases. As such, students should understand that most of the principles detailed in the course will be encountered several times during the next year of studies, particularly in the Infectious Diseases unit. The topics covered in this course deal selectively with important pathogens because Medical Microbiology will not be the only exposure of the student to infectious agents. As examples, HIV is only covered in two lectures, but you will have other opportunities to review the basics of disease caused by this virus.