1. History of microscopy, emergence of the compound microscope, evolution of microscopy concepts. 2. Geometrical optical foundations of the microscope. Abbe theory of imaging. Resolution of a microscope based on diffraction 3. Construction of the compound microscope, analysis of the optical system. Specific properties of the objective and ocular. Role of the immersion. 4. Aberrations and defects of imaging, field of view, depth of field. Optical design principles 5. Illumination systems, Köhler illumination, techniques: dark field, oblique. Role of apertures. 6.Phase contrast and polarization microscopy – physical background and technical realization 7.Practical use of the optical microscope, demonstration in laboratory 8. Theoretical and practical limits of the resolution increase. 9. Capture and evaluation of the images, principles and methods for image processing 10. Newer microscopy techniques: confocal, X-ray, fluorescence, UV, multiphoton microscopy 11. Discussion of confocal and multiphoton microscopy techniques, laboratory practice, sample preparation 12. Scanning and transmission electron microscopes, discussion of achievable parameters, demonstration in laboratory 13. Practical imaging work with two-photon and Raman microscopes 14. Discussion of tunneling and atomic force microscopy principles, parameters, demonstration in laboratory