PLSCI 2010

Magical Mushrooms, Mischievous Molds

Course Description

Course information provided by the 2025-2026 Catalog.

Presentation of the fungi and how they shape our civilizations and the natural world in which we live. Fungi play important roles in pressing issues in agriculture, food security, climate, disease, and environment. This class emphasizes the significance of fungi as decayers of organic matter, as pathogens and symbionts of plants and animals, as food, and as sources of mind-altering chemicals.

Forbidden Overlaps PLSCI 2010, PLSCI 2013

Distribution Requirements (OPHLS-AG)

Last 4 Terms Offered 2025SP, 2024SP, 2023SP, 2022SP

Outcomes

• Describe the properties of fungi and relate them to their abilities and their contributions to ecosystems.
• Discuss positive and negative effects of fungi on food and agriculture and evaluate their impacts on global food security.
• Explain how fungal toxins, allergens, and diseases affect human health.
• Apply evolutionary concepts and knowledge of fungal life cycles to devise ways to manage disease progress.
• Describe fungal foods, biochemicals, and materials and explain how they may contribute to environmental sustainability.
• Compare lichen and mycorrhizal symbioses and discuss their contributions to carbon cycling and climate.
• Communicate information about a wide range of fungi and their impacts to diverse audiences.

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