An introduction to the diversity of microbial agents that can impact the public health and environmental systems. The course is structured to detail the microbial hazards found in waters, soils and air. Molecular biology techniques and the current regulatory methods for investigating pathogens and the surrogate indicators will be discussed. Treatment and engineering strategies are discussed. The latter part of the course serves to provide an introduction to Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment (QMRA). The concepts related to exposure assessment and risk characterization will be included. Practical lab classes will be incorporated as soon as student laboratories are available. This course also includes practical lab component where some of the fundamental principles taught during lectures will be recapped.