Introduction to Medical Mycology
A structured introduction to the fungi that cause human disease, how infections develop and how they are recognised and studied.
Programme identification
- 1.1Programme name
- Introduction to Medical Mycology
- 1.2Type of qualification
- Course
- 1.3Provider / endorsing institution
- Fungaris – International Institute of Mycology, School of Medical, Veterinary & One Health 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)
- 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
Introduction to Medical Mycology gives health and laboratory professionals a clear map of the fungi that cause human disease. Over six live modules, students move from the basic biology of yeasts and moulds to the way infections are classified, the host defences that normally keep fungi in check and the risk factors that allow them to cause harm. Superficial, subcutaneous and systemic mycoses are compared side by side, followed by an overview of how infections are recognised in the laboratory and which antifungal classes exist.
Fungal infections are increasingly recognised as a global health concern, yet they remain under-taught in many health curricula. This course suits nurses, biomedical scientists, pharmacy staff and life-science graduates who want a structured, reliable foundation before specialising. Sessions are taught by a tutor selected for working experience in mycology, drawing on real laboratory and public health examples. For the final project, each student prepares an illustrated reference guide that profiles a group of medically important fungi, their typical infections and their public health relevance.
2.2Why it matters / what need it meets
It meets a practical need: applied, up-to-date knowledge in one health, useful in areas such as hospital and diagnostic laboratories, public health agencies, pharmaceutical industry, academic research.
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 structured introduction to the fungi that cause human disease, how infections develop and how they are recognised and studied.
3.2Specific objectives
- Build the foundations: Fungal biology for health professionals; Classification of human fungal infections.
- Put them into practice: Host defences and risk factors; Superficial, subcutaneous and systemic mycoses.
- Apply everything to a real case: Overview of diagnosis and antifungal classes; Medical mycology in public health.
- Complete a final project reviewed by your tutor.
3.3Competences you will gain
- Distinguish yeasts, moulds and dimorphic fungi by their key biological features.
- Classify human fungal infections by depth of tissue involvement.
- Explain how host defences and risk factors shape susceptibility to fungal disease.
- Outline the main laboratory approaches used to recognise fungal infections.
- Describe the major antifungal drug classes and their general targets.
Student profile
4.1Who it is for (entry profile)
Healthcare, laboratory and life-science professionals.
4.2Entry requirements
No prior mycology knowledge is required; a basic understanding of biology or a health-related background is helpful.
4.3Career paths (exit profile)
- Laboratory assistant in a microbiology or mycology department
- Infection prevention support officer
- Medical science liaison trainee in antifungal therapeutics
- Health educator producing fungal disease awareness materials
- Research assistant in a medical mycology group
- Public health officer with a fungal disease brief
Outcomes depend on your experience and on your local market.
Study plan
5.1Overall structure (modules and workload)
| Module | Title | Phase | Topics | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Fungal biology for health professionals | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 02 | Classification of human fungal infections | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 03 | Host defences and risk factors | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 04 | Superficial, subcutaneous and systemic mycoses | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 05 | Overview of diagnosis and antifungal classes | Application & project | 3 | 12 |
| 06 | Medical mycology in public health | 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.
- Yeasts, moulds and dimorphism
- Fungal cell structure and growth
- Reproduction and spores
- Classification by tissue depth
- Primary and opportunistic pathogens
- Naming conventions and taxonomy changes
- Innate barriers and immune cells
- Immunosuppression and underlying conditions
- Healthcare-related risk factors
- Infections of skin, hair and nails
- Implantation mycoses
- Invasive and disseminated infections
- Specimens, microscopy and culture
- Antigen and molecular tests
- Main antifungal drug classes
- Global burden of fungal disease
- Priority pathogens and surveillance
- Awareness and prevention messages
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
An illustrated reference guide profiling a group of medically important fungi, their infections and their public health relevance.
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 short exercises at the end of each module. The final project is reviewed by the tutor 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 One Health 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 Introduction to Medical Mycology?
No prior mycology knowledge is required; a basic understanding of biology or a health-related background is helpful.
How is Introduction to Medical 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 short exercises at the end of each module. The final project is reviewed by the tutor with written feedback.
What is the final project?
An illustrated reference guide profiling a group of medically important fungi, their infections and their public health relevance.
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 Introduction to Medical Mycology?
The natural next step is Diploma in Medical Mycology Foundations.
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.
From our species guide.
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).