Fungi along with plants and animals comprise the three big groups of complex organisms. Fungi are inextricably woven into the lives of plants and animals as symbionts, parasites and recyclers. When plants first colonized land, fungi were with them as symbionts, and many animals, from ants to rumen herbivores to humans depend on fungi for food or help with digestion. Almost all biomass is recycled by microbes, and fungi are experts at recycling the most prevalent of biopolymers, cellulose and lignin. Parasitic fungi bedevil agriculture and, with the rise of immunocompromised or immunosuppressed humans, are now a terrible challenge for medicine. Biology of Fungi will introduce to you all the groups of fungi in lecture and lab, and will emphasize the connections between fungi and other organisms. Basic aspects of reproduction, development and evolution are featured in the course. Two field trips highlight industrial uses of fungi, and a weekend foray will sample the diversity of mushrooms in nature. Students interested in basic biology, medicine, plant biology or forestry should not miss this course.

John Taylor joined the Berkeley faculty in 1980. Currently, he teaches:

• Biology of Fungi, PMB 110 and 110L
  
• Diversity of Plants and Fungi, PMB C102 and C102L (= CIB101 and 101L)
  
• Critical Thinking in Microbiology, PMB220.
  
• Seminar in Microbial Evolution, PMB290.

Student evaluations: 6.5 out of 7

In 1994, his students nominated him for, and he was awarded, the Weston Prize for teaching given by the Mycological Society of America.

Comments for PMB 110/110L:

• “This is the best course that I have taken in my four years here. It was fun, and the instructor really interacts with the students. Professor Taylor is approachable and he never hesitates to stick around when one has a question. I appreciated Professor Taylor coming in during labs to help us, and he always makes sure to talk with everyone.” --IB senior.
  
  
• Definitely the best organized, most informative, and most interesting class I’ve taken at Berkeley” –PMB senior.
  
  
• “This is a great class, well taught, and I would recommend it to anyone.” IB senior.
  
  
• “This class has been one of the most exciting and well taught classes I’ve had here at Cal.” ESPN junior.