Fungal Degradation of Plastics & Emerging Pollutants
Early-stage research on fungi that attack plastics, PFAS, pharmaceuticals and microplastics, and what realistic applications may emerge.
Programme identification
- 1.1Programme name
- Fungal Degradation of Plastics & Emerging Pollutants
- 1.2Type of qualification
- Course
- 1.3Provider / endorsing institution
- Fungaris – International Institute of Mycology, School of Fungal Ecology & Regenerative Agriculture. 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
Reports of fungi that degrade plastics, PFAS or pharmaceuticals regularly make headlines, but the underlying research is mostly at an early stage. This course offers a grounded review of that frontier. It begins with the challenge posed by persistent pollutants and then examines fungi reported to attack polyethylene, polyurethane, polystyrene and other polymers, the enzymes and mechanisms proposed, and the fungal response to pharmaceuticals, PFAS and other emerging contaminants.
With growing regulatory focus on microplastics and forever chemicals, there is strong interest in biological solutions, and also a real risk of overstatement. The course suits environmental scientists and researchers who want to understand what is genuinely known and how claims are tested. A central module covers verifying degradation, including mass balance, analytical chemistry and controls for physical breakdown, and the final module discusses the steps from laboratory to treatment systems. In the final project, students critically evaluate a published degradation claim and propose an improved experimental design that would provide stronger evidence.
2.2Why it matters / what need it meets
It meets a practical need: applied, up-to-date knowledge in ecology, useful in areas such as environmental research, water and wastewater treatment, plastics and materials innovation, environmental policy.
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:
Early-stage research on fungi that attack plastics, PFAS, pharmaceuticals and microplastics, and what realistic applications may emerge.
3.2Specific objectives
- Build the foundations: The Challenge of Persistent Pollutants; Fungi Reported to Degrade Plastics.
- Put them into practice: Enzymes and Mechanisms of Polymer Breakdown; Pharmaceuticals, PFAS and Other Emerging Contaminants.
- Apply everything to a real case: Testing and Verifying Degradation Claims; From Laboratory to Treatment Systems: Prospects.
- Complete a final project reviewed by your tutor.
3.3Competences you will gain
- Explain why persistent pollutants resist biological degradation.
- Summarise current evidence on fungi reported to degrade plastics.
- Describe enzymes and mechanisms proposed for polymer breakdown.
- Apply criteria to verify or challenge degradation claims.
- Outline realistic pathways from laboratory findings to treatment systems.
Student profile
4.1Who it is for (entry profile)
Environmental scientists and researchers.
4.2Entry requirements
A basic background in biology or chemistry is recommended; the course is suited to those comfortable with scientific literature.
4.3Career paths (exit profile)
- Environmental research scientist
- Research assistant in biodegradation studies
- Technical analyst for remediation innovation
- Environmental policy adviser on emerging contaminants
- Science writer covering pollution 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 | The Challenge of Persistent Pollutants | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 02 | Fungi Reported to Degrade Plastics | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 03 | Enzymes and Mechanisms of Polymer Breakdown | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 04 | Pharmaceuticals, PFAS and Other Emerging Contaminants | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 05 | Testing and Verifying Degradation Claims | Application & project | 3 | 12 |
| 06 | From Laboratory to Treatment Systems: Prospects | 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.
- Persistence and bioaccumulation
- Microplastics in soil and water
- Why biological treatment is difficult
- Polyurethane and polyester-degrading fungi
- Claims for polyethylene and polystyrene
- Marine and soil isolates
- Surface colonisation and biofilms
- Hydrolases and oxidative enzymes
- From polymer to mineralisation
- Pharmaceuticals in wastewater
- PFAS and fungal transformation
- Pesticide metabolites and other contaminants
- Mass loss versus true degradation
- Analytical chemistry and isotope tracing
- Controls and reproducibility
- Bioreactors and pre-treatment roles
- Scale-up barriers
- Realistic timelines and research priorities
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 critical evaluation of a published fungal degradation claim with an improved experimental design.
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
Students are assessed through participation in live sessions, literature-based exercises in each module and a final critical evaluation 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 Ecology 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: £340
- Full payment before the start: £272 (20% reduction).
- 40% reservation (£136) and 3 monthly instalments of £68.
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 Fungal Degradation of Plastics & Emerging Pollutants?
A basic background in biology or chemistry is recommended; the course is suited to those comfortable with scientific literature.
How is Fungal Degradation of Plastics & Emerging Pollutants taught?
Live online, in 6 modules with a working professional, a small group and a final project.
How am I assessed?
Students are assessed through participation in live sessions, literature-based exercises in each module and a final critical evaluation reviewed by the tutor.
What is the final project?
A critical evaluation of a published fungal degradation claim with an improved experimental design.
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 Fungal Degradation of Plastics & Emerging Pollutants?
The natural next step is Diploma in Mycorrhizal Agriculture.
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.
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).