We describe methods and apparatus for high-speed high-contrast imaging one-, two- and three-dimensional imaging enabled by differential interference contrast time encoded amplified microscopy of transparent media without the need for chemical staining, that are suitable for a broad range of applications from semiconductor process monitoring to blood screening. Our methods and apparatus build on a unique combination of serial time-encoded amplified microscopy (STEAM) and differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy. These methods and apparatus are ideally suited for identification of rare diseased cells in a large population of healthy cells and have the potential to revolutionize blood analysis and pathology including identification of cancer cells, such as Circulating Tumor Cells (CTC) in early stage disease.