PHP-50306 The Magic of Mushroom and Mould Biology
Course
Credits 6.00
| Teaching method | Contact hours |
| One day excursion | 8 |
| Individual Paper | 3 |
| Lectures | 22 |
| Practical intensively supervised | 40 |
| Field Practical | 4 |
| Course coordinator(s) | prof. dr. ir. FPM Govers |
| Lecturer(s) | prof. dr. P Crous |
| prof. dr. ir. FPM Govers | |
| Examiner(s) | prof. dr. P Crous |
| prof. dr. ir. FPM Govers |
Language of instruction:
English
Assumed knowledge on:
The basics of fungal biology as provided in basic courses in the B1 and B2 phases of the BSc Study Programmes BBI, BBN, BBT, BLT, BML and BPW.
Continuation courses:
PHP-30806 Molecular Aspects of Bio-interactions; ENT-30306 Ecological Aspects of Bio-interactions; MIB-30806 Applied Molecular Microbiology; PHP-30306 Plant-Microbe Interactions; Thesis in Phytopathology, Soil Quality, Genetics, Food Microbiology, Toxicology, Nature Conservation and Plant Ecology a.o.
Contents:
The course features the exciting world of the Fungal Kingdom and focuses on the impact that fungi have on society and biology. Fungi have numerous beneficial effects and uses but can also be harmful or even deadly, or cause strange effects, such as making male pigs transsexual. They can be consumed (mushrooms) but also cause disastrous diseases on plants (e.g. Dutch elm disease) and humans (e.g. Cryptococcosis). They can produce useful compounds such as antibiotics, but also very toxic and hallucinogenic compounds such as alcohol or LSD. Higher fungi have cultural value as they are an integral part of nature and beloved by humans. Lectures covering the various aspects are given by experts in this specific discipline.
Learning outcomes:
After this course students are able to:
- illustrate the impact of fungi on ancient and contemporary societies;
- demonstrate detailed understanding of the development and application of scientific thought and methodology using examples from the Kingdom Fungi;
- provide a broad perspective of fungal adaptations to their unique niches, their interactions with the environment, and their interdependence with other organisms;
- to distinguish important groups of fungi.
Activities:
- lectures;
- literature discussions;
- case study;
- excursion to CBS (Utrecht) and mushroom excursion.
Examination:
- written essay (based on a case study);
- essay defence;
- literature discussions and assignments.
Literature:
Book:
Hudler, G.W. (1998). Magical mushrooms, mischievous molds : [the remarkable story of the fungus kingdom and its impact on human affairs. Princeton, US: Princeton University Press. 248p.
Further reading material is provided on Blackboard.