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BIO311

Mycology

  • Sciences
  • 300 level
  • 2 credit units
  • 58 pages
  • 7 units

This course introduces students to the fascinating world of mycology. It covers the classification, characteristics, and economic importance of fungi. Students will learn about the major classes of fungi, their reproductive strategies, and their roles in both causing diseases and providing benefits to humans. The course also explores the structure and classification of major fungal groups, providing a comprehensive understanding of these diverse organisms.

About this course

Difficulty
Intermediate
Study hours
52 hours
Maths
None
Content
Theoretical
Practical work
No
How it is assessed
  • In Text Questions
  • Self Assessment Exercises
  • Tutor Marked Assignments
  • Final Examination

What you'll read

The real module and unit structure of BIO311, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.

One paragraph, so you can see how it reads

BIO311 · UNIT 1 MAJOR CLASSES OF FUNGI

Fungi (Singular, fungi) are groups of eukaryotic organisms that are of great practical and scientific interest to biologist. Fungi have a diversity of morphological appearances depending on the species. The classification of Fungi, like that of bacteria is designed mainly for practical application but also bear some relation to phylogenetic considerations.

What you should be able to do

  1. Explain the classification of fungi
  2. Describe the major classes of fungi
  3. Explain the types of reproduction in fungi
  4. Describe the harmful and beneficial importance of fungi to man
  5. Identify fungal diseases in humans
  6. Discuss the economic importance of fungi

What it prepares you for

Careers
  • Mycologist
  • Medical Technologist
  • Food Microbiologist
  • Environmental Scientist
Where it is applied
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Agriculture
  • Food Production
  • Healthcare

Where it gets hard

The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.

  • Module 2: Characteristics, Structure and Classification of Major Fungal Groups

    Unit 1: Important Classes of Fungi

    Requires understanding of the structural features of different fungal classes and their reproductive mechanisms.

  • Module 4: Mycology

    Unit 2: Fungal Diseases in Man; Systemic (Deep) Mycoses

    Understanding the pathogenesis and treatment of various systemic mycoses requires knowledge of medical terminology and fungal biology.

A suggested way through it

Suggested

13 weeks, about 58 hours in total. Yours will differ.

  1. Week 1Module 1: General Classification of Fungi
    • Unit 1: Major Classes of Fungi · 2 hours

      Read about the general characteristics used in classifying fungi.. Understand the nomenclature of fungi.. Differentiate between the various taxa and their endings..

    • Unit 2: Modern Classification of Fungi · 2 hours

      Study the modern classification of fungi.. Differentiate between lower and higher fungi.. Identify members of the various classes of fungi..

  2. Week 2Module 2: Characteristics, Structure and Classification of Major Fungal Groups
    • Unit 1: Important Classes of Fungi · 4 hours

      Describe the structural features of Chytridiomycetes, Oomycetes, Ascomycetes and Basidiomycetes.. Describe the different types of spores produced by each group.. List the various orders in each class of fungi..

  3. Week 3Module 3: Reproduction in Fungi
    • Unit 1: Asexual Reproduction in Fungi · 3 hours

      Explain different types of asexual spores in fungi.. Understand the role of the mycelium in reproduction of fungi.. Describe how asexual reproduction occurs in fungi..

  4. Week 4Module 3: Reproduction in Fungi
    • Unit 2: Sexual Reproduction in Fungi · 3 hours

      Explain the process of sexual reproduction in fungi.. Describe the different types of spores involved in sexual reproduction of fungi.. Explain the significance of sexual spores in sexual reproduction of fungi..

  5. Week 5Module 4: Mycology
    • Unit 1: Fungal Diseases in Man · 4 hours

      Study the causes of mycosis.. Differentiate between superficial and subcutaneous mycoses.. Identify the organisms involved in superficial mycoses.. Understand the pathogenesis of different fungal diseases..

  6. Week 6Module 4: Mycology
    • Unit 2: Fungal Diseases in Man; Systemic (Deep) Mycoses · 4 hours

      Study the meaning of systemic mycoses.. Know the different diseases caused by fungi.. Differentiate between mould and yeast.. Know the drug of choice for the different fungi diseases..

  7. Week 7Module 4: Mycology
    • Unit 3: Beneficial Importance of Fungi · 4 hours

      Understand the process involved in wine production and the organisms involved.. Know the process of beer making and the organisms involved.. Know the process of bread making and the organisms involved..

  8. Week 8Module 1: General Classification of Fungi
    • Unit 1: Major Classes of Fungi · 4 hours

      Revise Module 1 Units 1 and 2. Attempt all TMAs. Read all references.

    • Unit 2: Modern Classification of Fungi · 4 hours

      Revise Module 1 Units 1 and 2. Attempt all TMAs. Read all references.

  9. Week 9Module 2: Characteristics, Structure and Classification of Major Fungal Groups
    • Unit 1: Important Classes of Fungi · 4 hours

      Revise Module 2 Unit 1. Attempt all TMAs. Read all references.

  10. Week 10Module 3: Reproduction in Fungi
    • Unit 1: Asexual Reproduction in Fungi · 4 hours

      Revise Module 3 Units 1 and 2. Attempt all TMAs. Read all references.

    • Unit 2: Sexual Reproduction in Fungi · 4 hours

      Revise Module 3 Units 1 and 2. Attempt all TMAs. Read all references.

  11. Week 11Module 4: Mycology
    • Unit 1: Fungal Diseases in Man · 4 hours

      Revise Module 4 Units 1, 2 and 3. Attempt all TMAs. Read all references.

  12. Week 12Module 4: Mycology
    • Unit 2: Fungal Diseases in Man; Systemic (Deep) Mycoses · 4 hours

      Revise Module 4 Units 1, 2 and 3. Attempt all TMAs. Read all references.

  13. Week 13Module 4: Mycology
    • Unit 3: Beneficial Importance of Fungi · 4 hours

      Revise Module 4 Units 1, 2 and 3. Attempt all TMAs. Read all references.

Preparing for the exam

What to do
  • Create detailed notes summarizing the characteristics of each fungal class (Units 1-2).
  • Draw diagrams illustrating asexual and sexual reproduction processes (Units 3-4).
  • Develop flashcards for fungal diseases, their causative agents, and treatments (Units 5-6).
  • Review the economic importance of fungi, focusing on specific examples (Unit 7).
  • Practice answering past TMA questions to improve exam technique.
  • Allocate specific study time for each module, focusing on areas of weakness.

Questions students ask about this course

What is BIO311 about?

This course introduces students to the fascinating world of mycology. It covers the classification, characteristics, and economic importance of fungi. Students will learn about the major classes of fungi, their reproductive strategies, and their roles in both causing diseases and providing benefits to humans. The course also explores the structure and classification of major fungal groups, providing a comprehensive understanding of these diverse organisms.

How many units does BIO311 have?

BIO311, Mycology, has 7 units across 4 modules, over 58 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.

How many credit units is BIO311?

BIO311 carries 2 credit units, at 300 level in Sciences.

Is BIO311 hard?

BIO311 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical work.

How long does BIO311 take to study?

About 52 hours of study, spread across its 7 units.

How is BIO311 assessed?

BIO311 is assessed by In Text Questions, Self Assessment Exercises, Tutor Marked Assignments and Final Examination.

What can I do with BIO311?

Mycologist, Medical Technologist, Food Microbiologist and Environmental Scientist.

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