Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: analyze DNA and RNA replication, types and structure, prokaryotic transcription, eukaryotic transcription, the genetic code, and protein synthesis; examine the basic principles of genetics, properties of alleles, Mendel's laws, complementation tests, exceptions to simple dominance, polygenic traits, epistasis, and heredity; compare and contrast invertebrate and vertebrate model organisms, the pattern formation in the basic body plan, and the different types of genes; analyze the theory of evolution, the Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium, natural selection, inbreeding, genetic fitness, and speciation; summarize what causes mutations, including mutagens, irradiation, and DNA base excision repair; breakdown human genetics research, including pedigrees, population genetics, genetic disorders, sex chromosomes, and genetic testing; review topics related to comparative genomics, such as homology, prokaryotes, eukaryotes, and chromosomes; and relate the polymerase chain reaction, cloning, genetic modification, and the Human Genome Project.