The course provides theoretical and practical aspects of seawater/brackish water desalination technologies. Fundamental thermodynamic and transport processes which govern the creation of fresh water from seawater and brackish ground water will be discussed. The technologies of existing and future desalination systems will be discussed, with a focus on membrane-based separation and thermal separation: technological, economic, and environmental factors which limit the performance or the affordability of these systems will be highlighted. Emerging materials and technologies for desalination will be considered.