This course provides attendees with a basic working knowledge of the design of high power diode laser systems operating in the power range of 500 to 4000 watts. The course describes the building blocks of a complete system: semiconductor lasers, cooling/packaging, micro- and macro-optics, beam delivery fiber, and power supplies. The course also identifies the inter-dependencies of these building blocks and describes the inevitable trade-offs of different designs. At the completion of the course, attendees will have the knowledge to confidently specify or assemble systems for their own applications. Many practical and useful examples are included throughout.