Fungal Electrophysiology & Mycelial Signalling
A critical look at early research on electrical activity, signalling and information transfer in mycelial networks, and how to study them.
Programme identification
- 1.1Programme name
- Fungal Electrophysiology & Mycelial Signalling
- 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
Fungal Electrophysiology & Mycelial Signalling takes a careful, evidence-based look at a young and much-discussed field. You will begin with established knowledge of fungal signalling, including calcium waves, pheromones and nutrient sensing, before examining research reporting electrical potentials and spike-like activity in mycelium. The course explains how such activity is measured, with electrodes, amplifiers and controls, and how nutrients and chemical signals move through mycelial networks. A dedicated module separates solid evidence from popular exaggeration about fungal communication and intelligence.
Public interest in talking mycelium and fungal networks often outpaces the data, and researchers need both openness and rigour to make progress. This course suits researchers, biophysicists and curious scientists who want to understand what is known, what is speculative and how to test it. Live sessions analyse recent papers and their methods. For the final project you will design an experiment to test a specific claim about electrical or chemical signalling in mycelium, including set-up, controls, analysis plan and possible alternative explanations.
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 academic research, biophysics and bioelectronics, science communication, biomaterials and unconventional computing.
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:
A critical look at early research on electrical activity, signalling and information transfer in mycelial networks, and how to study them.
3.2Specific objectives
- Build the foundations: Signalling in Fungi: Established Knowledge; Electrical Potentials and Spiking in Mycelium.
- Put them into practice: Measuring Electrical Activity: Electrodes and Set-ups; Nutrient and Chemical Signal Transport in Networks.
- Apply everything to a real case: Separating Evidence from Hype; Open Questions and Experimental Design.
- Complete a final project reviewed by your tutor.
3.3Competences you will gain
- Summarise established mechanisms of signalling in fungal cells.
- Explain how electrical activity in mycelium is recorded and analysed.
- Identify artefacts and confounders in electrophysiology experiments.
- Evaluate claims about mycelial networks against published evidence.
- Design controlled experiments to test signalling hypotheses.
Student profile
4.1Who it is for (entry profile)
Researchers, biophysicists and curious scientists.
4.2Entry requirements
A science background with basic physics and biology is recommended. No equipment is needed, although simple electronics experience helps.
4.3Career paths (exit profile)
- Research assistant in fungal biophysics
- Graduate researcher in mycelial networks
- Laboratory scientist in bio-inspired computing
- Science journalist covering fungal research
- Science advisor reviewing research claims
Outcomes depend on your experience and on your local market.
Study plan
5.1Overall structure (modules and workload)
| Module | Title | Phase | Topics | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Signalling in Fungi: Established Knowledge | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 02 | Electrical Potentials and Spiking in Mycelium | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 03 | Measuring Electrical Activity: Electrodes and Set-ups | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 04 | Nutrient and Chemical Signal Transport in Networks | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 05 | Separating Evidence from Hype | Application & project | 3 | 12 |
| 06 | Open Questions and Experimental Design | 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.
- Calcium signalling in hyphae
- Pheromones and chemical cues
- Signal transduction pathways
- Membrane potentials in fungi
- Reported spiking patterns
- Possible biological functions
- Electrode types and placement
- Amplifiers and data acquisition
- Controls and noise reduction
- Translocation in mycelial cords
- Network architecture and flow
- Common mycorrhizal network evidence
- Reading claims critically
- Artefacts and confounders
- Communicating uncertainty
- Unresolved research questions
- Hypothesis-driven experiment design
- Reproducibility and open 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 controlled experimental design to test a specific claim about signalling in mycelium.
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, paper analyses in each module and a final project 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 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: £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 Electrophysiology & Mycelial Signalling?
A science background with basic physics and biology is recommended. No equipment is needed, although simple electronics experience helps.
How is Fungal Electrophysiology & Mycelial Signalling 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, paper analyses in each module and a final project reviewed by the tutor.
What is the final project?
A controlled experimental design to test a specific claim about signalling in mycelium.
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 Electrophysiology & Mycelial Signalling?
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 pounds sterling (GBP).