Course Description

Understanding fungi is critical for a more complete picture of both natural history, as well as historical and current human affairs. Students learn the major groups of fungi most of which are beneficial to humans. Students learn the influence of fungi on historical and cultural activities including art and food. Students also examine the direct involvement of fungi on industrial processes and current medical and biotechnological processes. Students explore the role of fungi as it relates to soil fertility and best practices in agriculture and environmental sustainability. Students will connect fungi to the world around them.

General Education Theme Area(s)

This is a General Education course that supports learning in the following theme area(s): Arts in Society , Science and Technology , Social and Cultural Understanding

Essential Employability Skills

This course contributes to your program by helping you achieve the following Essential Employability Skills:

EES 1 Communicate clearly, concisely and correctly in the written, spoken and visual form that fulfills the purpose and meets the needs of the audience. (A)
EES 2 Respond to written, spoken or visual messages in a manner that ensures effective communication. (A)
EES 7 Analyze, evaluate and apply relevant information from a variety of sources. (T, A)
EES 8 Show respect for diverse opinions, values, belief systems and contributions of others. (T, A)
Assessment Levels —T: Taught A: Assessed CP: Culminating Performance 

Course Learning Requirements / Embedded Knowledge and Skills

When you have earned credit for this course, you will have demonstrated the ability to:

1. Compare major groups of fungi and their impact on current human affairs.

  • Summarize the differences between plants and fungi.
  • Identify the different levels of hierarchy in the classification of fungi.
  • Define true fungi.
  • Differentiate between characters that classify the three major groups of fungi, Zygomycota, Ascomycota and Basidiomycota.

2. Summarize the roles of fungi in natural systems.

  • Differentiate  between beneficial and parasitic fungal activities in natural habitats.
  • Assess the role of fungi both in soil structure and in soil health.
  • Summarize the role of mycorrhizae in food acquistion of plants.
  • Explain the importance of soil dwelling fungi on forest ecosystems.
  • Describe the different mechanisms that fungi use to disperse spores.

3. Explore the industrial application of fungi and their bi-products.

  • Explain how processing of fungal bi-products is associated with food biotechnology.
  • Describe the role of yeast fungi in food development.
  • Define the role of fungi in industrial fermentation.
  • Summarize the role of biological controls in the framework of integegrated pest management (IPM).

4. Contrast the historical use of fungi in different cultures.

  • Differentiate between fungi used in various ceremonial activities.
  • Summarize the significance of fungi in cultural practices.
  • Explore the impact of fungal use on the historical record.
  • Illustrate the uses of fungi within the creative arts.

5. Select, critically assess and document information using accepted citation principles.

  • Locate, summarize and support viewpoints with facts.
  • Identify and document primary and secondary literary sources.
  • Document all findings using accepted principles of citation.
  • Identify arguments unsupported by accepted principles of citation.

Pre-defined Evaluation / Earning Credit

The following list provides evidence of this course's learning achievements and the outcomes they validate:

Assignment(s) (30%)

Validates Outcomes:  CLR 2, CLR 4, CLR 5, EES 1, EES 7

Quiz(zes) (25%)

Validates Outcomes:  CLR 1, CLR 2, CLR 3, CLR 4, CLR 5, EES 7

Case Study(ies) (15%)

Validates Outcomes:  CLR 2, CLR 4, CLR 5, EES 1, EES 7

Discussion Forum (30%)

Validates Outcomes:  CLR 1, CLR 2, CLR 3, CLR 4, CLR 5, EES 1, EES 2, EES 8

Learning Resources

On-line class discussions
Assignments
Case Study
Quizzes

Learning Activities

  • Observing/matching fungi with specific traits.
  • Connecting specific fungi with the historical record.
  • Resarch to connect fungi to world affairs.

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition

Students who wish to apply for Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) need to demonstrate competency at a post-secondary level in all outlined course learning requirements. Evidence of learning achievement for PLAR candidates includes:

  • Challenge Exam
  • Other: Interview with experienced Instructor

Other Information

Students are required to respect the confidentiality of employer, client and/or patient information, interactions, and practices that occur either on Algonquin College premises, or at an affiliated clinical/field/co-op placement site. Concerns regarding clients, patients, and/or employer practices are to be brought to the attention of the program coordinator, or designated field/clinical/co-op placement supervisor so that they may be resolved collaboratively. Such concerns are not to be raised publically either verbally, in writing, or in electronic forums. These matters are to be addressed through established program communication pathways.

Grade Scheme

Final Grade Mark Equivalent Numeric Value Final Grade Mark Equivalent Numeric Value
A+ 90% - 100% 4.0 A 85% - 89% 3.8
A- 80% - 84% 3.6 B+ 77% - 79% 3.3
B 73% - 76% 3.0 B- 70% - 72% 2.7
C+ 67% - 69% 2.3 C 63% - 66% 2.0
C- 60% - 62% 1.7 D+ 57% - 59% 1.4
D 53% - 56% 1.2 D- 50% - 52% 1.0
F 0% - 49% 0 FSP 0 0

Course Related Information

Please refer to the Course Section Information (CSI) / weekly schedule for specific course-related information as provided by your professor.

Program Information

College Related Information

Algonquin College’s policies have been developed to ensure the health, safety and security of all students, faculty and staff, and the proper and fair operation of the College as an academic institution and employer.  Please refer to the Algonquin College Policies website for the most current policy information available at http://www.algonquincollege.com/policies/.

Students are especially encouraged to be aware of the following College expectations

Academic Integrity 
Algonquin College is committed to the highest standards of academic integrity, and students are expected to uphold these standards as part of the learning process. Any academic work submitted by a student is expected to be their own work, unless designated otherwise and all sources must be attributed. All students should be familiar with the Algonquin College policy AA48: Academic Integrity .  In some courses, online proctoring may be used to discourage cheating. Additional information can be found at https://www.algonquincollege.com/studentsupportservices/student-learning-kit/preparing-to-learn-online/. Students with any questions about the course expectations for academic dishonesty and plagiarism are encouraged to speak to their professor.

Centre for Accessible Learning
Students with visible and/or non-visible disabilities are encouraged to register with the Centre for Accessible Learning (CAL) in order to be eligible for appropriate learning supports and/or accommodations.  Students are strongly encouraged to make an appointment at the Centre for Accessible Learning as early as possible when starting a program. Once your needs are identified, a Letter of Accommodation (LOA) will be issued which you can share with your professors. If you are a returning student, please ensure that professors are given a copy of your LOA each semester.

College Email
Students at Algonquin College are provided with a college email account. This is the address that will be used when the College, your professors, or your fellow students communicate important information about your program or course activities.  Your network credentials can be found in the ACSIS portal and you are expected to check your Algonquin email regularly and to use it to send and receive college-related email. Support is available through the college Information Technology Service (ITS) at: https://www.algonquincollege.com/its/

Retroactive Accommodations
Students are expected to meet evaluation and completion deadlines as stated in course outline and course section information documents. In circumstances where evaluation and/or completion deadlines are missed or student performance has been affected by a temporary or permanent disability (including mental health), interim or retroactive accommodations may be considered. In such instances, please consult your course faculty member. For other situations where deferral of evaluations may be warranted, please consult Algonquin College Policy AA21: Deferred Evaluation.

Student Course Feedback
Algonquin College’s invites students to share their course experience by completing a student course feedback survey for each course they take. For further details consult Algonquin College Policy AA25: Student Course Feedback.

Use of Mobile Devices in Class
With the proliferation of small, personal mobile devices used for communications and data storage, Algonquin College believes there is a need to address their use during classes and examinations. During classes, the use of such devices can be  disruptive and disrespectful to others. During examinations, the use of such devices may facilitate cheating. For further details consult Algonquin College Policy AA32: Use of Mobile Devices in Class

Technology Requirements
As Algonquin College continues to respond to public health guidelines, many courses will be offered through remote delivery. As such, students will be required to have access to a computer and to the internet. There may also be additional technology-related resources required to participate in a course that are not included in the course materials fee, such as headphones, webcams, specialized software, etc. Details on these requirements can be found in the Course Section Information of the course outline for each course available on Brightspace.

Transfer of Credit
It is the student’s responsibility to retain course outlines for possible future use to support applications for transfer of credit to other educational institutions.