Crystals are of fundamental importance to the understanding of physics and chemistry of materials. This course will introduce the basic science behind making crystalline materials and the characterization of such materials. Lectures will cover phase diagram, crystal growth mechanisms, crystal growth techniques and equipment, and their merits and limitations. Basic characterization for crystals such as X-ray diffraction will be covered. Accompanying the lectures are unique opportunities for students to fabricate crystals in laboratory sessions. Practical laboratories include solid state synthesis, solution phase crystal growth, chemical vapor transport or deposition, seeding and flux growth, flux growth, and optical floating zone growth will be covered. Specialists will be invited to give lectures on selected topics.