This book presents a systematic exposition of the various applications of closure operations in commutative and noncommutative algebra.  In addition to further advancing multiplicative ideal theory, the book opens doors to the various uses of closure operations in the study of rings and modules, with emphasis on commutative rings and ideals. Several examples, counterexamples, and exercises further enrich the discussion and lend additional flexibility to the way in which the book is used, i.e., monograph or textbook for advanced topics courses.