Genetics is the study of genes, genetic variation, and heredity, which all have at their core nucleic acid sequences. The field of genetics examines how genetic information is transmitted from parent to offspring or from cell to cell, and the term genetics also broadly encompasses the use of mutant organisms to assign biological functions to DNA sequences. With advances in DNA sequencing methods, genome-wide analyses have become common. Genomics studies include investigations of the structure and evolution of entire genomes and the simultaneous examination of the role of each gene of an organism’s genome in a particular biological process or response, e.g., identifying all of the genes that are activated in response to infection with a particular pathogen. Because all biological processes are carried out by the products of genes, genetics is relevant to every life form on Earth, and sequencing technologies are driving a growing role for genetics in research and in human society, e.g., in the identification of linkage between genes and disease risk.<br><br>The Genetics and Genomics concentration provides preparation for graduate study in many areas of biological science, as well as professional study in medical school or other post-graduate programs. Graduates with a BS degree may pursue careers in medicine, genetic counseling, biotechnology, bioinformatics, forensics, or work as technicians in university, hospital, government, or industrial research laboratories.