In this course you will learn about the different classes of DNA in cell organelles such as mitochondria and plastids and other types of organelles. Even though organelle genomes are very small in size (less than 0.01% of the nuclear genome in comparison), they still play an important functional role in the life of the cell. Several genetic mutations in the mitochondrial DNA can lead to genetic illnesses, for example. These organelles produce energy and sugar for the cell. The student will learn how to analyze them from a functional and origins point of view. Important aspects of organelle DNA is its gene content, gene order, DNA sequence and GC%. Gene order can tell us which organelle genomes are similar to one another by discerning gene loss and rearrangement events. Software such as MITOS2, CREx, ODL (Organelle DNA Lineages), GenomeVx and different organelle genome databases will be covered. These software visualize the organelle DNA sequence and gene content. The databases contain all sorts of relevant information on the organelles of a given species. The student will learn how to use and mine these databases for data. Only a basic knowledge of how to use the Internet and basic molecular biology is needed for the course.