Electroweak symmetry breaking and higgs physics

An introduction to electroweak symmetry breaking and Higgs physics is presented for the Standard Model and its supersymmetric extensions. A brief overview will also be given on strong interactions of the electroweak gauge bosons in alternative scenarios. In addition to the theoretical basis, the present experimental status of Higgs physics and implications for future experiments at the LHC and $e^+e^-$ linear colliders are discussed.