An overview will be presented of the exciting science enabled by ALMA
in the field of low- and high-mass star- and planet formation.  This
includes the coldest pre-stellar cores, the deeply embedded protostars
and their outflows, the young disks around pre-main sequence stars,
and the debris disks around mature stars.  The importance of Spitzer
Space Telescope data in providing unbiased samples of sources for ALMA
will be emphasized. Examples of recent Spitzer `Cores to Disks' Legacy
program results and (sub)millimeter data will be presented and the
synergy with other major facilities will be mentioned. Finally, an
overview of the status of ALMA will be given.