Recent developments in the field of marine microbial ecology and will give an overview on structure and function of microbial communities in the oceans including discussions on novel methods, results and hypotheses. Among the topics covered are: Photoheterotrophic bacteria, Marine Bacteria and the Carbon Cycle, UV radiation effects on Microbes and Microbial Processes, Uptake and Regeneration of Inorganic Nutrients by Marine Heterotrophic Bacteria, Bacterivory: Interactions between Bacteria and their Grazers, Symbiosis and Mixotrophy Among Pelagic Microorganisms, Marine Viruses and their ecological impact, Global Ocean Survey of Marine Metagenomics, Single cell activity in marine bacterioplankton. As a Ph.D. level course, assessment of students and participation expectations will be commensurate with the level of student experience.