This course covers the design and use of refractive optics to transform the transverse intensity profile of a laser beam. Typically, beam shaping is used to convert the Gaussian profile emitted by a stable resonator or single-mode fiber to a more uniform, flat-top profile, but the formalism used is general enough to accomodate other profile transformations as well. The course describes the advantages of beam shaping and presents an overview of the many possible methods to perform the intensity profile transformation. It procedes to a detailed study of refractive beam shaping, including the choice of a suitable output intensity profile, limitations on beam shaping imposed by diffraction, and the calculation of the necessary aspheric refractive surfaces. Finally, we discuss practical issues pertaining to the use of beam shaping optics, such as input beam preparation, alignment of the beam shaping elements, diagnostics, propagation effects, dispersion, and the resizing and relaying of the output beam.