Microstrip Gas Chambers (MSGC’s), Small Gap and Groove detectors with an optional GEM foil are a recent development of gaseous micro-pattern detectors providing a cost efficient solution for a tracking detector. They provide good spatial resolution(∼35&hthinsp;&mgr;m)and can operate in high radiation environments (up to∼104&hthinsp;particles/mm2). The laboratory course on micro pattern detectors tried to give an understanding of the layout and basic functioning of these detectors. ©2000 American Institute of Physics.