PLPA 2015 - Mushrooms, Molds, and Molecules

Spring. 3 credits. Letter grades only.

Fulfills 3 credits of introductory biology for selected majors in ARTS and CALS. Limited to 30 students per sec.

B. G. Turgeon, T. E. Pawlowska.

PLPA 2015 is a three-credit course, in two parts. The one-credit Mushrooms, Molds, and Molecules portion of the course is offered in partnership with the two-credit Magical Mushrooms, Mischievous Molds, PLPA 2010, portion of the course offered by Professor George Hudler. Students in Mushrooms, Molds and Molecules participate in a weekly 50-minute lecture/discussion section which provides in-depth exposure to some of the issues raised in the Magical Mushrooms, Michievous Molds lectures. In Mushrooms, Molds, and Molecules, experts emphasize that fungi produce myriads of molecules that are beneficial to other organisms (e.g., antibiotics, immune-suppressants, biocontrol agents) or to themselves (e.g. for communication, development, reproduction, nutrient gathering, stress reduction), or detrimental to other organisms (e.g. toxins, poisons, allergens, hallucinogens). Although this course will be more in-depth than Magical Mushrooms, Mishievous Molds, it does not assume a scientific background, and there are no prerequisites. Testing and other course requirements for Mushrooms, Molds and Molecules are in addition to those for Magical Mushrooms, Mischievous Molds, although there is only one final grade.

Outcome 1: Evaluate scientific data.

Outcome 2: Appreciate broad concepts in biology.

Outcome 3: Appreciate the myriad activities of fungi.

Outcome 4: Appreciate that fungi make a huge diversity of chemicals and that these broker interactions with other organisms, with other fungi and with the environment.

Outcome 5: Appreciate that fungi have both beneficial and detrimental activities.

Outcome 6: Provide more in-depth knowledge of topics introduced in PLPA 2010, Magical Mushrooms, Mischievous Molds, offered by George Hudler.