Lectures and discussions covering the basic nature and characteristics of viruses from a general biological point of view: viruses of bacteria, animals and plants, physical-chemical properties; host cell-viral interactions; mode of replication of DNA and RNA viruses, tumor viruses. Not open to students with credit in BIOL 512. Prerequisite: BSCI 400, BIOL 400, or BIOL 401 with a grade of C- or higher, or consent of instructor.