Plant Biology: Advanced Mycology

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Instructor will contact students about meeting location Prerequisites: PBIO 2770 or BCOR 2300 or BCOR 2500 or BCOR 2 Open to Degree and PACE students Special Topics courses cannot carry CC designations

Advanced mycology will probe into some of the unique aspects of fungi that have enabled this group of creatures to achieve its great prominence amongst eukaryotes. Fungi are critical and essential components of all ecosystems in their roles as decomposers, pathogens, and mutualists. We will explore: 1) the unique nature and qualities of the fungal mycelium, 2) the process and elements that enable absorptive heterotrophy as a nutritional mode, 3) the peculiar sex life and genetics of basidiomycete and ascomycete fungi, and 4) the potential adaptive value of fungal toxins that include cell-destroying amatoxins, animal neurotransmitter mimics such as muscarine, and hallucinogens such as psilocybin. Readings will be from the required course textbook (paperback and/or digital): 21st Century Guidebook to Fungi, 2nd Edition (2020) by David Moore, Geoffrey D. Robson, Anthony P. J. Trinci. Cambridge University Press. ISBN-13: 978-1108745680. You will also read extensively from the primary scientific literature in assigned readings.

Advanced mycology combines lecture and discussion formats and employs literature-based investigation by students, with instructor guidance. Students are expected to read assigned sections of the text, approximately two-four papers per week, participate in discussion of those papers. Each student will at least 2-3 times, lead the discussion of the day's papers/topic. Each student will also join the leader in presenting that day's papers/topic. Students should expect to spend at least 6 hours per week outside of class reading and investigating the topics of the week, and more before days when they will lead or co-lead discussion. A final end-of-term project will be assembled that ties together multiple elements of the course. After completing this course, students will be able describe the fundamentals of fungal growth and development, the gathering of nutrients by the fungal thallus, aspects of sexuality in dikaryotic fungi, genetic aspects of fungal pathogenicity in plants, and the activities and possible roles played by various fungal toxins. Further, students will develop skills in analyzing and presenting information gathered from the primary scientific literature, including analysis of data and claims made by authors.

Grading (weights may be adjusted): Weight Pre-Class Quizzes 15% Attendance and Participation: 30% Effectiveness as discussion leader/co-leader 40% End-of-Term project: 15%