PP (PB, MB) 575 - INTRODUCTION TO MYCOLOGY
Course Syllabus — Fall 2010
Lectures: Tuesday & Thursday 11:45AM - 1:00PM (1406 GA)
Laboratory: Wednesday 12:25 - 3:10 PM (1418 GA)
Instructors:
Larry F. Grand
1410 Gardner Hall
515-2667
larry_grand@ncsu.edu
Marc A. Cubeta
225 Partners III
513-1227
marc_cubeta@ncsu.edu
Teaching Assistant:
Kathleen Pitcher
513-4840
kathleen.pitcher@gmail.com
Rcommended text: C.J. Alexopoulos, C.W. Mims and M. Blackwell. 1996. Introductory Mycology.
Fourth Edition. J. Wiley & Sons. New York. 859 pp. ~$146.95 new. ISBN 0-471-52229-5
Grading. Course grades will be determined by:




Two lecture exams (100 pts. each = 200 pts.)
Laboratory midterm practicum (100 pts.)
Report on a fungal genus, with written and oral components (100 pts.)
Fungal collection (100 pts.)
Letter grades will be assigned as follows:
A+ 98-100%
B+ 87-89
A
94-97
A- 90-93
B
83-86
B- 80-82
C+ 77-79
D+ 67-69
C
D
73-76
C- 70-72
F <60
63-66
D- 60-62
Fungal genus paper and symposium. In consultation with the instructors, each student will
select one genus and develop a synoptic report on it. The report will be submitted to the
instructors in pdf format by 19 Nov 2010. Each student will then give an oral presentation on his
or her selected genus during a special "Genus Symposium" at 2:00pm on 03 Dec 2010 at a
location to be determined. Total points for the paper and presentation will be 100. Following the
symposium, a reception (with food and drink) will be held at Dr. Grand's home at 6:00pm.
Directions will be provided. See below for further details on what is expected in these reports.
Final exam. In view of the Genus Symposium, no final exam will be given.
Fungus collection. Each student will make a collection of 25 genera of fungi using standard
collection and preservation procedures. All materials for collecting and preserving will be
provided. (100 pts.) Collections are due 19 Nov 2010. Additional details are given below.
Attendance policy. Students are expected to attend all lectures and laboratories. Exceptions for
official university functions will be accepted pending prior notification to the instructor, as will
medical excuses with written verification by an appropriate medical professional.
Field trips: There will be two required Saturday field trips. Dates will be determined in
consultation with the students. Tentative dates are posted on the Laboratory Outline below.
Transportation will be provided from campus.
Academic Integrity: Students are expected to comply with the Code of Student Conduct. See:
www.ncsu.edu/policies/student_services/student_discipline/POL11.35.1.php
PP575 Introduction to Mycology
Fall 2010 Syllabus
Page 1 of 6
Fungal Genus Written Report
1. Choose a genus. If you don't have something in mind, consider:
o genera represented in Alexopoulos readings but not covered in lecture
o a genus you have collected or presented in a mycological identification book
o asking Dr. Grand or Dr. Cubeta for a suggestion
2. VERY VERY IMPORTANT, IMPERATIVE, AND MANDATORY:
Get approval from Dr. Grand or Dr. Cubeta for your genus.
3. The report itself will include the following data:
A. A detailed mycological description of the genus not to exceed two typewritten sheets of
paper. This may include a brief historical account as well as a physical description.
Please use a 12-point font, single-spaced, with one-inch margins.
B. An annotated bibliography on a separate page.
a. The bibliographic citations should follow the format used in the journal Mycologia.
b. Two lines below each reference, notations should be made. These are to include
any information the student feels is important in that particular reference. It should
also include a critique if appropriate (e.g., poor paper, no illustrations, keys difficult
to understand, etc.) The following is an example of a bibliographic citation with
comment or critique.
Coker, W.C. 1945. A New species of Lysurus. Mycologia 35:781-783.
Describes L. pusillus from South Carolina. Good description, fair handdrawn illustrations. No references.
4. The report will be submitted as a pdf file through the course web site on WolfWare, and is
due 19 Nov 2010. Instructors or support staff will then make all reports available from
the Genus Reports page on the course web site.
Fungal Genus Oral Presentation
Eash student will prepare a 10-15 minute presentation highlighting important features of the
fungal genus he or she chose to investigate, subject to the following guidelines:
1. All oral presentations will be given during our "Genus Symposium", scheduled for Friday
03 Dec 2010 at 2:00pm. The location will be announced later in the semester.
2. The format of your oral presentation is at your discretion. Drs. Grand and Cubeta may
have digital images or herbarium specimens you can use. Feel free to consult with them
about the resources available to you.
3. No additional written product is required at the time of the oral presentation, but if you do
develop brief handouts or keys, we can reproduce them for distribution to the class.
The following rubric will be used when grading reports and presentation.
ELEMENT
ASPECT
1. Taxonomy &
Nomenclature
WRITTEN
REPORT 2. Distinguishing
(20 pts.)
features
3. Ecological
significance
PP575 Introduction to Mycology
TO INCLUDE (FOR EXAMPLE)
 Currently accepted taxonomic status (this may be a little
uncertain for some genera)
 Nomenclatorial history
 Relationship to other genera already studied
 Important mycological figures associated with the study of this
genus
 How this genus is separated from other, similar genera
 Important characteristics (morphologically, biochemically, etc.)
 Features to use in identifying species within the genus
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
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Habitat
Life style
Unique features in the life cycle
Implications for animals, plants, ecology
Fall 2010 Syllabus
Page 2 of 6
Rubric for grading Genus Reports, continued
4. PowerPoint
design
(20 pts.)
ORAL
PRESENTATION
(80 pts.)
 Choice of background
 Text fonts
 Image size and selection
5. Presentation
(20 pts.)
 Modulation
 Flow
 Mannerisms and use of pointer
6. Organization
(20 pts.)
 Logical progression of information
 Selection of key features
7. Question &
Answer
(20 pts.)
 How are questions handled
 Quality of answers
 Succinctness of answers
Fungal Specimen Collection
A fungus collection is required in PP 575. The following criteria apply.
1.
At least 25 different genera must be represented. Identification to species is not
required but is highly recommended.
2. A semi-permanent slide showing diagnostic features is required for each specimen.
NOTE: Some specimens may not require a slide. Slide holders will be provided.
3. Any fungus is acceptable in the collection.
4. Cultures are acceptable, as well as pressed or dried specimens.
5. Specimens (except cultures) should be prepared in standard herbarium form. Large
specimens should be placed in paper bags. Small specimens or pressed specimens
should be placed in coin envelopes or folded herbarium "packets" in the standard
manila envelope. Paper bags, paper for packets, and coin and manila envelopes will
be provided.
6. Specimens of large fruiting bodies must be frozen at least three (3) days at -25C in
the freezer in 1418 GA, then dried in the herbarium dryer in 3419 GA and placed in
a zippered plastic bag (provided).
7. Two copies of the completed standard herbarium label must be attached with paper
clips on the outside of each specimen container. Templates of both field and
herbarium labels can be downloaded from our Links page on the course Wolfware
site. Please note that space for the items on the bottom line is limited, so type
them below the headings "Collector", "Determined by" and "Date."
8. Currently accepted fungal names and authorities are to be listed as found in Index
Fungorum, which is accessible from our Links page.
9. References used in identification should be put on a separate small piece of paper
and included with the collection.
10. A typed list of all specimens in alphabetical order should accompany the collection.
Authorities for fungi are not required on the list.
11. Collections will be turned in by 19 Nov 2010.
PP575 Introduction to Mycology
Fall 2010 Syllabus
Page 3 of 6
PP575 — Lecture Outline 2010
DATE
TOPIC OR ACTIVITY
INSTR.
Aug 19 Introduction and significance of fungi (Ch 1)
Cubeta
Aug 24 Characteristics of fungi; classification & nomenclature (Chs 2 and 3)
Cubeta
Aug 26 Basidiomycota: ecology, physiology, cellular structures, genetics, role as
plant pathogens and relationship to other taxa. Class Teliomycetes, Order
Ustilaginales (smut fungi), Genera Tilletia, and Ustilago (Chs 16 and 21)
Grand
Aug 31 Basidiomycota, Teliomycetes; Order Urediniales (rust fungi); Genera
Puccinia, Gymnosporangium, Cronartium, and Uromyces (Chs 16 and 20)
Grand
Sep 2
Basidiomycota, Hymenomycetes; Orders Tremellales, Auriculariales,
Dacrymycetales, Septobasidiales; Genera Tremella, Auricularia,
Dacrymyces, Terana, and Exobasidiium (Chs 17 and 22)
Grand
Sep 6
LABOR DAY
Sep 7
Basidiomycota, Hymenomycetes; Orders Agaricales and Aphyllophorales; Grand
Genera Amanita, Armillaria, Pleurotus, Boletus, Lactarius, Russula, Suillus,
Strobilomyces, Coprinus, Agaricus, Polyporous, Fomes, Phellinus,
Ganoderma, Trametes, Hydnum, Hericium, and Clavaria (Chs 17 and 22)
Sep 9
Basidiomycota, Hymenomycetes; Transitional groups; Cantharelloid clade; Cubeta
Genera Botryobasidium, Burgoa, Ceratobasidium, Sistotrema,
Thanatephorus, Tulasnella, and Uthatobasidium (Chs 17 and 22)
Sep 14 Basidiomycota, Gasteromycetes; Orders Phallales, Lycoperdales,
Sclerodermatales, Hymenogastrales, Niduriales; Genera Phallus, Clathrus,
Mutinus, Lycoperdon, Calvatia, Pisolithus, Rhizopogon, Astraeus,
Geastrum, Scleroderma, Cyathus, and Crucibulum (Ch 18)
Grand
Sep 16 EXAM 1
Sep 21 Basidiomycota, Ectomycorrhizae (Ch 18)
Grand
Sep 23 Ascomycota: ecology, physiology, cellular structures, genetics, role as
Cubeta
plant pathogens and in the food industry, relationship to other taxa. Class:
Archiascomycetes (yeast fungi); Orders Saccharomycetales,
Schizosaccharomycetales; Genera Saccharomyces, Candida, Pichia,
Diplodascus, and Schizosaccharomyces (Chs 9 and 10)
Sep 28 Ascomycota, Archiascomycetes (yeast & filamentous); Order Taphrinales;
Genus Taphrina (Chs 9 & 10)
Cubeta
Sep 30 Ascomycota (filamenous), Plectomycetes; Orders Eurotiales, Onygenales;
Genera Eurotium, Eupenicillium, Talaromyces, Gymnoascus, and
Myxotrichum (Chs 8 and 11)
Cubeta
Oct 5
Grand
Oct 7-10
Ascomycota, Plectomycetes and their anamorphs (Chs 8 & 11)
FALL BREAK (no class)
PP575 Introduction to Mycology
Fall 2010 Syllabus
Page 4 of 6
PP575 Lecture Outline 2010, continued
Oct 12
Ascomycota; Orders Erisiphiales and Laboulbeniales, Genera: various
powdery mildew genera and Laboulbenia (Ch 15)
Grand
Oct 14
Ascomycota, Pyrenomycetes and their anamorphs; Orders Hypocreales,
Microscales, Phyllachorales, Ophiostomatales, Diaporthales, Xylariales,
Sordariales; Genera Hypomyces, Nectria, Claviceps, Ceratocystis,
Ophiostoma, Gaeumannomyces, Cryphonectria, Xylaria, Neurospora,
Hypoxylon, Biscogniauxia, Sordaria, and Chaetomium (Ch 12)
Grand
Oct 19
Ascomycota, Pyrenomycetes and their anamorphs (Ch 12)
Grand
Oct 21
EXAM 2
Oct 26
Ascomycota, Loculoascomycetes; Orders Dothideales, Pleosporales;
Genera Mycosphaerella, Capnodium, Scorias, Cochliobolus, Setosphaeria,
Leptosphaeria, and Botryosphaeria (Ch 14)
Grand
Oct 28
Ascomycota, Loculoascomycetes continued (Ch 14)
Cubeta
Nov 2
Ascomycota, Discomycetes; Orders Rhytismatales, Helotiales, Pezizales,
Lecanorales; Genera Rhytisma, Lophodermium, Leotia, Geoglossum,
Parmelia, Usnea, Cladonia, Peziza, Tuber, Scutellinia, Morchella, and
Hevella (Ch 13)
Cubeta
Nov 4
Ascomycota, Discomycetes; Genera Sclerotinia and Monilinia (Ch 13)
Cubeta
Nov 9
Chytridiomycota: ecology, physiology, cellular structures, genetics and
relationship to other fungi; Orders Spizellomycetales, Chytridales,
Blastocladiales; Genera Olpidium, Synchytrium, Allomyces,
Coelomomyces, and Physoderma (Ch 4)
Cubeta
Nov 11 Zygomycota and Glomeromycota: ecology, physiology, cellular structures, Cubeta
genetics, role in recycling of organic matter, mycorrhizal relationships, and
relationships with other taxa; Classes Zygomycetes and Trichomycetes;
Genera Mucor, Phycomyces, Rhizopus, Choanephora, Glomus,
Entomophthora, and Harpella (Chs 5 and 6)
Nov 16 Straminopiles: general characteristics and relationship to fungi; Phylum
Oomycota; Genera Pythium and Phytophthora (Ch 23)
Cubeta
Nov 18 Straminopiles: general characteristics and relationship to fungi; Phylum
Oomycota; Orders Saproleginales, Lagenidiales, Peronosporales; Genera
Peronospora, Pseudoperonospora, and Saprolegnia (Ch 23)
Cubeta
Nov 23 TBA
Nov 24-28
THANKSGIVING BREAK
Nov 30 Labyrinthulomycota; Genus Labyrinthula (Chs 24, 26, and 29)
Cubeta
Dec 2
Cubeta
Plasmodiophoromycota and Myxomycota (Chs 24, 26, and 29)
Fri. Dec 3 Genus Symposium
PP575 Introduction to Mycology
Students
Fall 2010 Syllabus
Page 5 of 6
PP575 — Laboratory Outline 2010
DATE
SUBJECT OR ACTIVITY
INSTR.
Aug 18
Introduction to lab safety, course objectives, resources
Aug 25
Isolation and staining techniques, collection, documentation Grand/Cubeta
and preparation of specimens
Sep 1
Examples of Teliomycetes, smut and rust fungi
Grand/Cubeta
Sep 8
Examples of Hymenomycetes
Grand/Cubeta
Sep 15
Examples of Gasteromycetes
Grand/Cubeta
Sep 22
Required Saturday Field Trip to Schenck Forest
Grand/Cubeta
Sep 29
Examples of ectomycorrhizae and Ceratobasidales
(endomycorrhizae)
Grand/Cubeta
Oct 6
Examples of Archiascomycetes: Taphrinales,
Saccharomycetales, and Schizosaccharomycetales
Grand/Cubeta
Oct 13
Examples of Plectomycetes and their anamorphs:
Eurotiales, Penicillium and Aspergillus
Grand/Cubeta
Oct 16
Required Saturday Field Trip to White Pines Nature
Preserve (Chatham Co.)
Grand/Cubeta/
Vilgalys
Oct 20
Examples of Plectomycetes: Erysiphiales & Laboulbeniales
Grand/Cubeta
Oct 27
Examples of seven orders of Pyrenomycetes
Grand/Cubeta
Nov 3
Examples of Loculoascomycetes
Grand/Cubeta
Nov 10
Examples of Discomycetes
Grand/Cubeta
Nov 17
Lab Practicum
Grand/Cubeta
Dec 1
Examples of Chytridiomycota, Oomycota, and Zygomycota
Grand/Cubeta
Nov 26-28
Grand/Cubeta
THANKSGIVING BREAK
Last update: 23 Mar 2010
PP575 Introduction to Mycology
Fall 2010 Syllabus
Page 6 of 6