Experimental Design & Research Methods in Mycology
Learn to plan sound mycological studies: framing hypotheses, controls and replication, growth and bioassays, field sampling designs and reproducible record-keeping.
Programme identification
- 1.1Programme name
- Experimental Design & Research Methods in Mycology
- 1.2Type of qualification
- Course
- 1.3Provider / endorsing institution
- Fungaris – International Institute of Mycology, School of Mycology & Fungal Science. A Fungaris programme of its own, not endorsed by a university.
- 1.4Mode of study
- Online, with live sessions in a small group, recordings and a virtual campus.
- 1.5Duration (hours / ECTS credits)
- 3 months (12 weeks) · 72 hours in total · 6 modules of 12 hours · 12 live sessions of 2 hours. ECTS credits: not applicable (Fungaris own programme, not an official university degree).
- 1.6Language
- English
- 1.7Start and end dates / intake
- Next intake: 11 January 2027 to 2 April 2027. Enrolment closes on 4 January 2027. Following intake: 8 March 2027. How intakes work →
Overview
2.1Programme description
This course is about designing mycological studies that produce results you and others can trust. Many fungal experiments fail not because of poor technique but because of weak design: missing controls, too few replicates, confounded treatments or samples collected in ways that cannot answer the question. You begin by turning broad research questions into testable hypotheses and clear predictions. You then learn the core principles of controls, replication, randomisation and blinding, and see how they apply to typical laboratory work with fungi, such as growth rate measurements, inhibition tests and other bioassays.
The second part of the course moves outdoors, covering sampling designs for fungal surveys and ecological studies, including the challenges of patchy and seasonal fruiting. You learn how pilot studies and simple power considerations help decide sample sizes, how common biases creep in and how to avoid them. Finally, you practise writing reproducible protocols and managing data so that a study can be checked and repeated. The course complements biostatistics training and suits students, early-career researchers and lab technicians. Sessions are taught live by experienced researchers. For the final project, each student writes a full study design for a mycological question of their choice.
2.2Why it matters / what need it meets
It meets a practical need: applied, up-to-date knowledge in fungal science, useful in areas such as research and academia, biotechnology, agriculture, environmental consultancy.
Mycology is moving fast and good practical training is still scarce. This programme gives you a structured path, taught live by people who work in the field, so you can apply what you learn with judgement and safety.
Objectives and competences
3.1General objective
To finish the programme able to apply its content professionally and with judgement. In short:
Learn to plan sound mycological studies: framing hypotheses, controls and replication, growth and bioassays, field sampling designs and reproducible record-keeping.
3.2Specific objectives
- Build the foundations: From Question to Testable Hypothesis; Controls, Replication and Randomisation.
- Put them into practice: Laboratory Growth Assays and Bioassays; Field Sampling Designs for Fungi.
- Apply everything to a real case: Pilot Studies, Power and Avoiding Bias; Reproducible Protocols and Data Management.
- Complete a final project reviewed by your tutor.
3.3Competences you will gain
- Translate research questions into testable hypotheses.
- Design experiments with appropriate controls and replication.
- Plan standard growth assays and bioassays with fungi.
- Choose suitable field sampling designs for fungal studies.
- Document protocols and data to support reproducibility.
Student profile
4.1Who it is for (entry profile)
Students, early-career researchers and lab technicians.
4.2Entry requirements
Basic knowledge of fungal biology and simple statistics is recommended. No laboratory access is required.
4.3Career paths (exit profile)
- Postgraduate researcher in mycology or microbiology
- Laboratory technician in research or industry
- Research assistant in fungal ecology
- Quality and method development scientist
- Foundation for doctoral research
Outcomes depend on your experience and on your local market.
Study plan
5.1Overall structure (modules and workload)
| Module | Title | Phase | Topics | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | From Question to Testable Hypothesis | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 02 | Controls, Replication and Randomisation | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 03 | Laboratory Growth Assays and Bioassays | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 04 | Field Sampling Designs for Fungi | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 05 | Pilot Studies, Power and Avoiding Bias | Application & project | 3 | 12 |
| 06 | Reproducible Protocols and Data Management | Application & project | 3 | 12 |
| Total | 72 |
6 modules × 12 hours = 72 hours: 24 hours of live sessions, and the rest for campus study, exercises and the final project.
5.2Content by module
Hover or tap a module to follow the path from the first session to the final project. Open a module to see the topics it covers.
- Framing a focused research question
- Hypotheses and predictions
- Choosing response variables
- Positive and negative controls
- True replicates and pseudoreplication
- Randomisation and blinding
- Measuring radial growth and biomass
- Inhibition and interaction assays
- Standardising media, inoculum and conditions
- Plots, transects and sampling units
- Dealing with patchy and seasonal fruiting
- Combining fruit body and DNA sampling
- Running a useful pilot study
- Sample size and power in practice
- Common sources of bias
- Writing a reproducible protocol
- Laboratory notebooks and metadata
- Organising and archiving data
5.3Company placement
This programme does not include a company placement. Practice is built into every module through exercises, case studies and the final project.
5.4Final project
A complete study design for a mycological question, including hypotheses, controls, sampling plan, protocol and data management outline.
Methodology
6.1How it is taught
- Live online sessions, usually weekly, with a working professional and a small group.
- Recordings of every session, so you can catch up if work or time zones get in the way.
- Exercises and real case studies in every module.
- Tutoring: your tutor answers questions and gives feedback on your exercises and project.
6.2Platform and resources
A Moodle virtual campus with session recordings, readings, exercises and forums for each module. You need a computer, an up-to-date browser and a stable connection; a webcam and microphone are recommended.
Technical requirements →6.3Estimated weekly workload
About 6 hours a week for 12 weeks: one 2-hour live session on a weekday evening, plus study and exercises on the campus at your own pace.
Assessment
7.1Assessment system and weighting
Progress is assessed through participation in live sessions and design exercises after each module. The final project is reviewed by the professor with written feedback.
7.2Requirements to pass
- Complete every module, by attending the live sessions or watching the recordings.
- Hand in the module exercises.
- Have your final project approved by your tutor.
Teaching team
8.1Academic direction
At Fungaris, the Fungal Science school coordinates the content and quality of this programme. The academic director of each intake is named in the intake guide.
8.2Faculty
Taught by professionals who work in the field. The tutor for each intake is confirmed before the start.
Meet our faculty →Certificate
9.1Certificate awarded
Course Certificate
On completing the programme and its project, Fungaris issues a Course Certificate. Fungaris certificates are the institute's own. Whether an employer, school or authority recognises them depends on that organisation and on local rules in each country.
9.2Issuing body / recognition
Issued by Fungaris (operated by Nexora Generation, S.L.) as a digital certificate. It is a Fungaris certificate of its own: it is not an official university degree and does not award ECTS credits.
About our certificates →Admission and enrolment
10.1Admission process (steps)
- Send your request through the form or write to admissions.
- Admissions reviews your profile and confirms the start date, the session schedule and the fee.
- You secure your place with full payment or a 40% reservation.
- You receive your campus access and welcome guide before the first session.
10.2Documents required
- A valid identity document.
- Contact and billing details (personal or company).
10.3Deadlines
Enrolment for the intake starting on 11 January 2027 is open until 4 January 2027, or until the group is full (maximum 20 students).
10.4Fee and payment options
Fee: $450
- Full payment before the start: $360 (20% reduction).
- 40% reservation ($180) and 3 monthly instalments of $90.
10.5Grants, discounts and funding
Discounts: 10% for Fungaris alumni and 15% for groups of three or more people from the same organisation. Discounts cannot be combined with each other or with the full-payment reduction.
Your employer can pay for the programme and receive the invoice in the company name. Whether a public or employer training budget can cover the fee depends on your country, so check with them.
10.6Cancellation policy
The conditions for cancelling, withdrawing or moving to a later intake are explained in our cancellation policy and in your enrolment confirmation. Nothing there limits your rights under the consumer law that applies to you.
Cancellation and refunds →Additional information
11.1Frequently asked questions
Do I need experience to study Experimental Design & Research Methods in Mycology?
Basic knowledge of fungal biology and simple statistics is recommended. No laboratory access is required.
How is Experimental Design & Research Methods in Mycology taught?
Live online, in 6 modules with a working professional, a small group and a final project.
How am I assessed?
Progress is assessed through participation in live sessions and design exercises after each module. The final project is reviewed by the professor with written feedback.
What is the final project?
A complete study design for a mycological question, including hypotheses, controls, sampling plan, protocol and data management outline.
What certificate do I get?
On completing the programme and its project, Fungaris issues a Course Certificate. Fungaris certificates are the institute's own. Whether an employer, school or authority recognises them depends on that organisation and on local rules in each country.
What can I study after Experimental Design & Research Methods in Mycology?
The natural next step is Diploma in Applied Mycology.
11.2Alumni testimonials
We only publish verified testimonials from real students. This programme does not have any published yet; they will appear here once its first intakes finish.
11.3Admissions contact
Write to info@fungaris.institute or use the contact form. Admissions answers in your language.
Read before you start.
Fungal ScienceMushroom Microscopy for Beginners: Equipment and TechniquesA microscope opens a hidden world of spores, basidia and cystidia. Here is the equipment you need, the basic techniques and the safety rules for reagents.Read the article 
Fungal ScienceHow to Become a Mycologist: Paths, Skills and CareersFungi are moving from niche to mainstream, in food, materials, medicine and conservation. Here is how people actually build a career working with them.Read the article Keep branching.
Join the next intake.
Pay in full with a 20% reduction, or reserve your place with 40% and pay the rest in monthly instalments. All prices are stated in US dollars (USD).