ALMA: Galaxies and AGN

With the ability to see into optically obscured regions with more than an order of magnitude better sensitivity and spatial resolution relative to current (sub)mm telescopes, ALMA will provide a unique look into the physics of galaxy formation and active galactic nuclei. In this paper I summarize the ALMA potential for studying star forming galaxies and active galactic nuclei from the nearby universe to the epoch of formation of the first luminous objects.