Mycology

Catalog description

This course will survey the diversity of fungi and fungal-like organisms, focusing on their taxonomy, biology, ecology, evolution, and relationship with humans. Students will explore fungi in both the laboratory and the field, with a hands-on approach centered around observing and collecting fungi, microscopic analysis, culturing fungi, as well as the molecular identification and phylogenetics. There will be several field trips to local forests to collect fungi for documentation and identification. Students will leave this course with a broad understanding of fungi, their diversity, and the skills to collect, culture and identify fungi using microbiological and molecular techniques. Prerequisites: BIOL 113 and 114. Offered regularly in fall.