Biology of Fungi

Catalog description

BIOL 425 / PPEM 425 (4 cr.) is a lecture and laboratory survey of the diversity of Fungi, consisting of two 75-minute lecture and two 180-minute laboratory/field activity periods per week. The course moves from branch to branch in the Fungal tree of life, covering aspects of ecology, morphology, physiology and life history, as well as current and historical importance to human affairs in medicine, agriculture and industry. Topics covered as students move through the Fungal tree include: 1) Macrofungi seen in the field; 2) Fungal evolution; 3) Fungal reproduction and dispersal; 4) Fungal growth, development and structure; 5) Fungal genetics and genomics; 6) Fungi as mutualistic symbionts of plants, animals and other organisms; 7) Fungal diseases of plants, animals and humans; 8) Fungi as toxin producers; 9) Fungi as sources of food, pharmaceuticals and enzymes; and 10) Fungi as research organisms used to understand basic biological processes. Some laboratory sessions consist of field trips to local forests to observe and collect Fungi for observation in the laboratory.