COURSE OUTLINE & SYLLABUS

This course is designed for working analysts with moderate experience and goes beyond the basics to deal with the problems encountered on the job. The introductory course (IAQ 1630) concentrated on the ecology and health effects of fungi, the 3 major fungus groups, and the most common spores, whereas this course (1631) identifies less common ascospores, basidiospores, mitospores, and other spores using current and classic mycological literature. Some important genera such as Cladosporium and Aspergillus will be examined at the species level.

It will emphasize the process of identification as well as the introduction of new images and will encourage the establishment of digital image files to organize identified unidentified spores and particles for exchange with each other. Group interaction is encouraged.

Enrollees are encouraged to bring interesting or difficult samples for class examination. Counting methods and problems will be discussed along with discussion of any mold related topic or problem that is of interest to the group. A microscope video camera will be used to examine samples in class and enrollees are encouraged to bring digital cameras with microscope attachments if they have them.

4.5 CM credits

Prerequisite: Course 1630 or equivalent

Day 1:
Microscope review, review of fungus biology, ecology, and health effects,

Examination of air samples to practice particle identification,

PowerPoint presentations on Ascomycete and Basidiomycete groups and genera will be followed by examination of specimens and spores on slides,

A discussion of literature and internet sources for ascospore and basidiospore identification will follow.

Day 2:
PowerPoint on mitosporic fungi (Deuteromycetes) followed by examination of specimens and slides.

A discussion of literature and internet sources for identification of mitospores will follow.

Day 3:
Discussion of species of Cladosporium, Aspergillus, Stachybotrys and other important genera,

Counting protocols and problems, work on problems brought by enrollees.

Class structure will be flexible enough to work on specific needs of the enrollees.

Note: This course runs 8:00 am to 5:00 pm on all three days.