This course covers the basic principles of genetics with emphasis on the classical principles of inheritance. Mendel's Laws of Heredity, molecular genetics and population genetics, the cell and cell division, gene and genetic material, chromosome changes and mutation. The objective of the course is the explanation of the basic principles of inheritance as well as the application of genetic principles in the improvement of plants and animals. It will aim at enabling students to: a. Identify the hereditary material and the nature of its chemical and structural properties.b. Study the organization of the genes into chromosomes and the transmission of the chromosomes from parents to progeny either by sexual or asexual reproduction.c. Attempt the analysis of the interactions of the different genes and the environment to produce the characteristics of the individual.d. Study the different types of genetic diversity that can occur and the consequences of this diversity to the individual and to the population.Students taking this course for the first time are required to take the lecture and the corresponding lab course concurrently. If the lab or lecture component of the course has been successfully completed previously with a passing and transferable grade or better, then the corresponding lab or lecture course that was not successfully completed previously may be retaken separately.