Laboratory studies constitute an integral and important aspect in the study of science subjects. Botany in particular is a subject heavily oriented on practical study. A proper comprehension of the subject matter is possible only in the laboratory. Laboratory manuals play an important role in helping the students to properly guide them in purpose of study, scope of study and details required for a practical study. Practical manual of algae aims to provide the students all they need to know about the practical aspects such as morphological characters, internal structure if any and systematic identification. A number of labelled diagrams included in the text are meant to help the student's comprehension of the subject. This manual "Algae - A Practical Approach" deals with all the basic requirements in the botany laboratory that a student should know. The working of compound microscope, the most important tool in the laboratory is explained in great detail in the introduction, along with various procedures of study such as section cutting, staining, mounting, etc., working principles of electron microscopy and material preparation for scanning and transmission electron microscopic studies. General characters and classification of algae with all essential descriptions and identification of representative members of various classes of algae have been provided in this manual. With the increased awareness of importance of laboratory studies, this manual should serve as an important aid to help students familiarize themselves with laboratory methods in botany.