Airborne Fungal Spores Course
The only course you’ll ever need to master fungal spore sampling, identification, enumeration and data interpretation
The objective of the fungal spores identification course is to equip participants with skills necessary to identify and differentiate airborne fungal spores from other airborne non-fungal particles. The first topic covers basic fungal classification to enable course participate link various categories of spores such basidiospores, ascospores and mitospores with the fungal groups that produce them.
Airborne fungal spore sampling methods are discussed including the equipment and references materials used in the sampling and analyses of airborne fungal spores. At the conclusion of the course, the participants should be able to collect air samples, prepare them and analyse them for fungal spore types and counts and be able to interpret the laboratory report for their clients.
Background Information
Spores of many fungal species have been documented as important causes of allergy when inhaled. Airborne fungal spores are commonly trapped from the air to evaluate the potential human exposure to fungal allergens. Fungal spore trapping is also commonly used in crop disease outbreak predictions so that suitable control measures can be undertaken in advance to avoid crop losses.
Identification and enumeration of airborne fungal spores are highly specialized skills. The purpose of this course is to help participants develop the competence to accurately identify and enumerate the wide variety of airborne spore types and differentiate them from other biological and non-biological particles.
This course is designed to help fungal spore analysts learn necessary skills including: air sampling methods, sampling protocols, sample preparation, spore identification, counting procedures, conversions to concentration per cubic meter of air and proper reporting methods. Though the course is designed for beginners, it will greatly help those who have analyzed spores for a few months to a year to expand their knowledge and improve their skills. Air sampling will focus on Air-O-Cells and other impaction-type spore traps.
Upon completion of the Fungal Spore Sampling, Identification, Enumeration and Data Interpretation course, participants will have the necessary skills to prepare samples for analysis, accurately count and identify a variety of spore types, and calculate airborne spore concentrations. These skills will be useful for those intending to analyze, monitor, or study indoor or outdoor airborne fungal spore concentrations. The course is also useful to environmental consulting firms that would like to set up in-house fungal identification laboratories.
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Course Objectives and Learning Outcomes
After successfully completing this course, participants will be able to:
- Differentiate Zygomycetes, Ascomycetes and Basidiomycetes
- Describe the lifecycle, modes of transport, reproduction, and methods of dispersal of fungal spores.
- Differentiate indoor-relevant and outdoor-relevant genera
- Describe the health effects that may result from exposure to airborne fungal spores.
- Sample air for airborne fungal spores
- Calibrate microscopes for fungal spore measurements and enumeration
- Identify, categorize and enumerate various types of airborne fungal spores.
- Differentiate fungal spores from non-fungal spores
- Interpret fungal spore data
- Practice hands-on application of acquired knowledge within the course, with the availability of expert assistance.
Topics covered in the course
The course mold inspection, identification and control course has 8 topics and each topic has its own quiz. The 8 topics are:
- Important Groups Of Indoor Fungi
- Equipment and Other Materials
- Air Sampling For Fungal Spores
- Sample Handling
- How to identify fungal spores
- How to Analyze Non-viable Samples
- How to Report Analytical Results
- How To Interpret Laboratory Reports
Who might benefit from Airborne Fungal Spore Sampling, Identification, Enumeration and Data Interpretation course?
You may benefit from this course if you are:
- A company considering starting their own in-house laboratory
- A laboratory analyst
- A person considering aerobiology as a career
- A microbiologist who would like to start their own lab
- An industrial hygiene consultant who would like to be analyzing their own samples
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How long does it take to complete the online mold training course?
The course can be finished within 3 days. However, to make it flexible and convenient to fit into your busy schedule, we don’t limit the time you take to complete the course. You can complete the course in 3 days or week if you wish.
How is the online mold training course taught?
The course consists of interactive slide presentations. We have included some audio. You can mute the audio and read through the slides if you want. Towards the end of each topic is a quiz to evaluate your understanding of each topic. The final score is the average of all the 8 topics.
Are certificates awarded?
Upon successful completion, a certificate is prepared and mailed to the course participant. Be sure to send us your mailing address after you complete the course.
How to register for the course
Enroll in 4 Easy Steps
Step 1: Create New Account (see the link below). After completing the registration, an email will be immediately sent to your email address.
Step 2: Confirm registration. Read your email, and click on the web link it contains. Your account will be confirmed and you will be logged in.
Step 3: Select a course.
Step 4: Pay for the course by credit card. Your information is secure. After successfully paying for the course, you are now enrolled and have access to the full course. The courses are available 24/7 from anywhere with access to internet connection. Enjoy!