Chemistry, Biology and Ecology of Truffle-Forming Fungi
Syllabus, Bachelor's level, 3FN010
This course has been discontinued.
- Code
- 3FN010
- Education cycle
- First cycle
- Main field(s) of study and in-depth level
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry G2F, Pharmaceutical Sciences G2F
- Grading system
- Pass with distinction (VG), Pass (G), Fail (U)
- Finalised by
- The Educational Board of Pharmacy, 7 February 2018
- Responsible department
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences
Learning outcomes
On completion of the course the student should:
• be able to account for the truffle life form, its evolution, distribution, life cycles and the
species richness of truffles.
• be able to account for what distinguishes basidiomycete and ascomycete truffles, as well
as macroscopically and microscopically be able to identify certain selected species/genera
from both groups.
• be able to account for the ecology of a truffle biotope, and how this knowledge is applied
in truffle cultivation.
• be able to account for specialized metabolites from truffles and to understand their
function, biological activity and application in pharmacy and gastronomy from a
historical, contemporary and future perspective.
Content
The course treats the truffle life form, evolutionary aspects, species richness, distribution and life
cycles (e.g. sexual and asexual reproduction). Differences between the main groups of truffles,
such as basidiomycete and ascomycete truffles (so called false and true truffles respecitively), are
assessed as well as basic macroscopic and microscopic identification of selected species with
focus on economically important species. Specialized metabolites from truffles, their function,
biological activity and application in pharmacy and gastronomy, is enlightened from a historical,
contemporary and future perspective. Further, the ecology of a truffle biotope, and how this
knowledge is applied in truffle cultivation, is studied.
Instruction
Teaching is conducted through lectures, seminars, group exercises, laborative work and fieldtrip/study visit to a natural truffle biotope and truffle orchard on Gotland, as well as writing a literature based scientific essay.
The course is taught in English.