Diploma in Unconventional and Fungal Computing
Theory and experiment in computing with physical and living substrates, culminating in a critically evaluated fungal computing study.
Programme identification
- 1.1Programme name
- Diploma in Unconventional and Fungal Computing
- 1.2Type of qualification
- Diploma
- 1.3Provider / endorsing institution
- Fungaris – International Institute of Mycology, School of Fungal Computing, Bioelectronics & Space Mycology. 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)
- 6 months (24 weeks) · 192 hours in total · 8 modules of 24 hours · 24 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 25 June 2027. Enrolment closes on 4 January 2027. Following intake: 12 April 2027. How intakes work →
Overview
2.1Programme description
This diploma covers the theory and experimental practice of computing with physical and living substrates, with fungi as the central case study. You begin with the foundations of computation and complexity, move through physical and analogue computing, and compare biological and chemical paradigms. Dedicated modules cover reservoir computing in theory and practice, mycelium as a computing substrate, benchmarks and reproducibility, and hybrid silicon–biological architectures.
Fungal computing is a research frontier: published demonstrations are few, replication is limited, and no fungal system yet competes with conventional hardware on practical tasks. This makes rigorous methods the most valuable contribution a newcomer can make. The programme trains you to design experiments that could genuinely confirm or refute claims. It suits computer scientists, physicists and bioengineers. The capstone is a fungal computing study in which you define a task, run or simulate experiments on mycelium data, compare against baselines and critically evaluate the result, including what it would take to scale.
2.2Why it matters / what need it meets
It meets a practical need: applied, up-to-date knowledge in fungal computing, useful in areas such as computing R&D, academic research, bioelectronics, technology analysis.
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:
Theory and experiment in computing with physical and living substrates, culminating in a critically evaluated fungal computing study.
3.2Specific objectives
- Build the foundations: Foundations of computation and complexity; Physical and analogue computing; Biological and chemical computing paradigms.
- Put them into practice: Reservoir computing theory and practice; Mycelium as a computing substrate; Benchmarks, noise and reproducibility.
- Apply everything to a real case: Hybrid silicon–biological architectures; Capstone fungal computing study.
- Complete a final project reviewed by your tutor.
3.3Competences you will gain
- Explain computation formally and in physical systems.
- Compare chemical, biological and physical computing paradigms.
- Implement and evaluate a reservoir computing readout.
- Design fungal computing experiments with benchmarks and baselines.
- Critically assess claims of computation in living substrates.
Student profile
4.1Who it is for (entry profile)
Computer scientists, physicists and bioengineers.
4.2Entry requirements
Some basics in programming and undergraduate mathematics are expected; prior biology is not required.
4.3Career paths (exit profile)
- Research assistant in unconventional computing
- Doctoral candidate in biocomputing
- R&D engineer in novel computing hardware
- Data scientist working with physical systems
- Technology analyst on emerging computing
- Science communicator on computing futures
Outcomes depend on your experience and on your local market.
Study plan
5.1Overall structure (modules and workload)
| Module | Title | Phase | Topics | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Foundations of computation and complexity | Foundations | 3 | 24 |
| 02 | Physical and analogue computing | Foundations | 3 | 24 |
| 03 | Biological and chemical computing paradigms | Foundations | 3 | 24 |
| 04 | Reservoir computing theory and practice | Practice | 3 | 24 |
| 05 | Mycelium as a computing substrate | Practice | 3 | 24 |
| 06 | Benchmarks, noise and reproducibility | Practice | 3 | 24 |
| 07 | Hybrid silicon–biological architectures | Application & project | 3 | 24 |
| 08 | Capstone fungal computing study | Application & project | 3 | 24 |
| Total | 192 |
8 modules × 24 hours = 192 hours: 48 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.
- Models of computation
- Complexity classes and limits
- Information and physical computing
- Analogue computers past and present
- Neuromorphic and optical approaches
- Energy efficiency arguments
- DNA and molecular computing
- Reaction-diffusion and chemical logic
- Slime mould and cellular computing
- Echo state networks and liquid state machines
- Physical reservoir requirements
- Training and evaluating readouts
- Electrical properties of mycelium
- Published fungal computing experiments
- Encoding inputs in living media
- Standard benchmark tasks
- Handling noise and variability
- Replication and open data
- Interfacing biology with silicon
- Hybrid system architectures
- Scalability constraints
- Defining the task and baselines
- Running or simulating experiments
- Critical evaluation and write-up
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 fungal computing study with a defined task, baselines and a critical evaluation of results.
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 8 hours a week for 24 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, analytical and coding exercises in each module and a capstone study reviewed by the tutor.
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 Computing 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
Diploma Certificate
On completing the programme and its project, Fungaris issues a Diploma 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).
- A short CV or a description of your experience in the field.
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: £1,120
- Full payment before the start: £896 (20% reduction).
- 40% reservation (£448) and 6 monthly instalments of £112.
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 Diploma in Unconventional and Fungal Computing?
Some basics in programming and undergraduate mathematics are expected; prior biology is not required.
How is Diploma in Unconventional and Fungal Computing taught?
Live online, in 8 modules with a working professional, a small group and a final project.
How am I assessed?
Progress is assessed through participation in live sessions, analytical and coding exercises in each module and a capstone study reviewed by the tutor.
What is the final project?
A fungal computing study with a defined task, baselines and a critical evaluation of results.
What certificate do I get?
On completing the programme and its project, Fungaris issues a Diploma 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 Diploma in Unconventional and Fungal Computing?
The natural next step is Master in Fungal Bioelectronics and Computing.
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.
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 pounds sterling (GBP).