Advanced-level discussions of topics in prokaryotic and eukaryotic molecular biology and genetics. Emphasis is placed on original research papers and extensive reading together with critical thinking is required. Part I (weeks 1-8) topics include the genetic code, mutagenesis, chromosomes, DNA replication, recombination, repair, and transposition, and gene structure, function, and regulation in bacteriophage and bacteria. Part 2 (weeks 9-12) focuses on classical and modern genetic tools and the logical framework used to study gene function in cell, developmental, disease biology of multicellular model organisms.