PATH/PBIO/ANTH 3010

FUNGI: FRIENDS AND FOES

The object of this course is to introduce students to the numerous ways that fungi influence their lives. Upon successful completion of the course students should have a good understanding of the basic biology of fungi, their importance in various ecosystems and their and direct and indirect impacts upon human affairs.

Instructor:
Charles W. Mims
4303 Miller Plant Sciences Building
2-1291; cwmims@uga.edu

COURSE POLICIES AND GRADING

Grading:

4 lecture exams (100 points each) = 400 points
Grading Scale: 90 - 100 = A
80 - 89 = B
70 - 79 = C
60 - 69 = D
59 & below = F

Note!! Because there is no textbook for this course it is essential for you to attend class regularly. If you miss class be sure and get the notes from someone. Test questions will come not only from the information presented in the overheads used in class but also from additional verbal information presented during lectures.

Makeup Exams:

Each student is eligible to take one makeup exam for a missed exam (exam 1, 2 or 3 only). All makeup exams will be given on next to last day of class at the end of the semster. Test 4 will be given during the time scheduled for the final exam for the course. Note: All questions regarding grades on Tests 1, 2 and 3 must be resolved before taking test 4. Also, please keep your graded tests 1-3 in case a question arises regarding your final grade.

Copies of overheads used in class can be downloaded from the website shown below:

http://www.plant.uga.edu/labrat/fungifriendfoes.htm

All students are responsible for maintaining the highest standards of honesty and integrity in every phase of their academic careers. The penalties for academic dishonesty are severe and ignorance is not an acceptable defense.

TOPIC OUTLINE

• Introduction: course outline, requirements, testing, grading, etc.
• Importance of fungi in ecosystems and an overview of their direct and indirect impacts on humans
• Characteristics of fungi and a brief introduction to the major groups of fungi
• Fungi as agents of decay
• Ecology of wood rotting fungi and their use in industry and in bioremediation efforts
• Historical uses of fungi by humans and the folklore of fungi
• Use of hallucinogenic mushrooms in primitive cultures (i. e., ethnomycology)
• Introduction to mushrooms and mushroom identification
• Poisonous and edible mushrooms
• Nutritional and medicinal values of edible mushrooms
• Commercial production of edible mushrooms
• Fungi as mutualists: mycorrhizae, lichens, endophytes and fungus-insect relationships
• Fungi as plant pathogens
• The disease cycle and Koch’s postulates
• Late blight of potato: historical and current perspectives
• Downy mildew of grapes and Bordeaux mixture
• Ergot of rye and ergotism in humans and animals
• Rust and smut fungi and their impacts on crops: historical and current perspectives
• Introduced fungal pathogens: Dutch elm disease, chestnut blight, oak decline, karnal bunt, etc.
• Southern leaf blight of corn and the hazards of monoculture
• Control of fungal diseases of plants; introduction to fungicides and ecological concerns
• Transgenic plants and disease resistance
• Post-harvest diseases and an introduction to mycotoxins
• Mycotoxins: historical and current perspectives
• Fungi as biological control agents
• Fungi as sources of antibiotics and the problem of antibiotic resistance
• Biopharmaceutins of fungal origin
• Fungi as human pathogens: introduction to medical mycology
• Ringworm diseases, subcutaneous/systematic infections, yeast infections, fungi and AIDS, etc.
• Fungi and allergies: fungi and sick building syndrome
• Introduction to fermentation: baking and brewing
• Beer and wine making
• Mushroom tea: fact versus fiction
• Use of fungi in the production of meat substitutes
• Fungi and cheese making
• Fungi as experimental organisms
• Industrially important fungi