Principles of microbiology including the structure, classification, cultivation, and distribution of microorganisms, use of microbes in biotechnology, properties of pathogenic microbes, and host defense.

Principles of the molecular genetics of bacteria including, horizontal gene transfer mechanism, gene expression and genetic modifications.

Principles of virology will be covered including the structure and classification of bacteriophages, zoonotic and human viruses. Special emphasis is given to emerging viruses, human pathogens and their use as WMDs.

Structure and function of cells and their organelles. Nucleic acids; DNA replication, transcription, and translation; regulation of gene expression; recombinant DNA.

Principles and application of modern molecular biology methods.