Light microscopy is used in nearly all forms of biological research. For the past half century, these tools have gone from simple devices for magnifying the cellular world to very complex machines capable of seemingly defying the laws of physics. This course introduces light microscopy with an emphasis on practical applications for life scientists. The physics of light and image formation are covered in addition to a discussion of modern imaging modalities used in today's research. These include fluorescence, multiphoton, super resolution, single molecule, and force microscopy.