This course will examine the morphology, physiology and (where applicable) behaviour of organisms that thrive in environments that most living organisms could not survive. Collectively referred to as "extremophiles", these organisms will be studied in relation to (1) the type of extreme environment they exist in, (2) why the particular conditions are so difficult for other life forms, and (3) how the particular extremophiles has evolved and/or adapted to allow it to exist under the conditions described.