This course provides a broad introduction to the history of biological weapons and their current threat to national and global security. We will begin with a survey of the profound impact that disease has had on human history.  From there we will analyze several of the most significant potential biological warfare agents in detail.  We will then look at the history of biological warfare and the most significant biological weapon programs.  We will conclude by looking at the greatest risks that biological agents pose today, including terrorism, new disease outbreaks, and the risks associated with recent breakthroughs in biology and medicine.