This course teaches basic concepts in microbiology from a practical perspective. Through a combination of lectures and hands-on experimental work in the laboratory, it showcases applications of microbiology in the environmental sciences.

The course covers qualitative (chemistry and microbiology) and quantitative aspects of drinking water from the resource to the tap. Natural processes, anthropogenic pollution, legislation of groundwater and surface water and of drinking water as well as water treatment will be discussed for industrialized and developing countries.