Master in Fungal Biodiversity Discovery & Systems Mycology
A research-led master at the frontier: uncovering undescribed fungi and modelling fungal systems with genomics, data science and AI.
Programme identification
- 1.1Programme name
- Master in Fungal Biodiversity Discovery & Systems Mycology
- 1.2Type of qualification
- Master
- 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)
- 10 months (40 weeks) · 432 hours in total · 12 modules of 36 hours · 40 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: 1 February 2027 to 19 November 2027. Enrolment closes on 25 January 2027. Following intake: 4 October 2027. How intakes work →
Overview
2.1Programme description
The Master in Fungal Biodiversity Discovery & Systems Mycology is a research-led programme at the frontier of fungal science. It starts from the scale of the unknown fungal kingdom and the gaps in current knowledge, then develops integrative taxonomy and species concepts, environmental genomics and dark taxa, long-read and single-cell sequencing, and culturomics and novel isolation methods. The programme then moves to systems thinking: fungal systems biology and network models, machine learning for biodiversity data, fungi in extreme and unexplored habitats, mycelial signalling and behaviour, biodiversity informatics and open data, and the ethics of access and benefit-sharing.
Most fungal species remain undescribed, and new technologies are changing how they are discovered and studied. This programme suits researchers and ambitious graduates who want to contribute to that discovery with rigour, combining field, laboratory and computational approaches. Teaching is live, seminar-based and led by active researchers. It culminates in a frontier research project in which you investigate undescribed diversity or a fungal system, apply advanced methods and present results as a manuscript-style report.
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 institutes and universities, biodiversity informatics, museums and culture collections, biotechnology and bioprospecting.
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 research-led master at the frontier: uncovering undescribed fungi and modelling fungal systems with genomics, data science and AI.
3.2Specific objectives
- Build the foundations: The Unknown Fungal Kingdom: Scale and Gaps; Integrative Taxonomy and Species Concepts; Environmental Genomics and Dark Taxa; Long-read and Single-cell Sequencing.
- Put them into practice: Culturomics and Novel Isolation Methods; Fungal Systems Biology and Network Models; Machine Learning for Biodiversity Data; Fungi in Extreme and Unexplored Habitats.
- Apply everything to a real case: Mycelial Signalling and Behaviour; Biodiversity Informatics and Open Data; Ethics, Access and Benefit-Sharing; Frontier Research Project.
- Complete a final project reviewed by your tutor.
3.3Competences you will gain
- Apply integrative taxonomy to discover and describe undescribed fungi.
- Use environmental, long-read and single-cell data to study dark taxa.
- Model fungal systems and networks using quantitative approaches.
- Apply machine learning to biodiversity and sequence data.
- Conduct ethical, open research respecting access and benefit-sharing rules.
Student profile
4.1Who it is for (entry profile)
Researchers and ambitious graduates.
4.2Entry requirements
A prior course or diploma in mycology or molecular biology, or equivalent research experience, is expected. Basic programming and a capable computer are needed.
4.3Career paths (exit profile)
- Fungal biodiversity researcher
- Taxonomist using genomic methods
- Biodiversity data scientist
- Systems biologist working on fungi
- Doctoral candidate in fungal discovery
- Bioprospecting scientist
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 Unknown Fungal Kingdom: Scale and Gaps | Foundations | 3 | 36 |
| 02 | Integrative Taxonomy and Species Concepts | Foundations | 3 | 36 |
| 03 | Environmental Genomics and Dark Taxa | Foundations | 3 | 36 |
| 04 | Long-read and Single-cell Sequencing | Foundations | 3 | 36 |
| 05 | Culturomics and Novel Isolation Methods | Practice | 3 | 36 |
| 06 | Fungal Systems Biology and Network Models | Practice | 3 | 36 |
| 07 | Machine Learning for Biodiversity Data | Practice | 3 | 36 |
| 08 | Fungi in Extreme and Unexplored Habitats | Practice | 3 | 36 |
| 09 | Mycelial Signalling and Behaviour | Application & project | 3 | 36 |
| 10 | Biodiversity Informatics and Open Data | Application & project | 3 | 36 |
| 11 | Ethics, Access and Benefit-Sharing | Application & project | 3 | 36 |
| 12 | Frontier Research Project | Application & project | 3 | 36 |
| Total | 432 |
12 modules × 36 hours = 432 hours: 80 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.
- Estimating fungal diversity
- Geographic and taxonomic gaps
- Priorities for discovery
- Species concepts in practice
- Combining lines of evidence
- Describing new species
- Environmental sequencing
- Detecting dark lineages
- Linking sequences to organisms
- Long-read barcoding
- Single-cell genome recovery
- Metagenome-assembled genomes
- High-throughput isolation
- Co-culture and microfluidics
- Culture conditions from ecology
- Metabolic and regulatory networks
- Mycelial network modelling
- Multi-omics integration
- Machine learning fundamentals
- Image and sequence classification
- Predictive distribution models
- Extremophile fungi
- Deep sea and subsurface habitats
- Undersampled tropical regions
- Signalling mechanisms
- Network foraging and behaviour
- Electrophysiology evidence
- Data standards and repositories
- Linking specimens, sequences and names
- Open science workflows
- Research ethics
- Nagoya Protocol and digital sequence information
- Equitable partnerships
- Proposal and methods
- Data generation and analysis
- Manuscript-style reporting
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 frontier research project on undescribed fungal diversity or a fungal system, reported in manuscript style.
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 11 hours a week for 40 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 seminars, assignments in every module, and a frontier research 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
Master Certificate
On completing the programme and its project, Fungaris issues a Master 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 1 February 2027 is open until 25 January 2027, or until the group is full (maximum 20 students).
10.4Fee and payment options
Fee: £2,520
- Full payment before the start: £2,016 (20% reduction).
- 40% reservation (£1,008) and 10 monthly instalments of £151.
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 Master in Fungal Biodiversity Discovery & Systems Mycology?
A prior course or diploma in mycology or molecular biology, or equivalent research experience, is expected. Basic programming and a capable computer are needed.
How is Master in Fungal Biodiversity Discovery & Systems Mycology taught?
Live online, in 12 modules with a working professional, a small group and a final project.
How am I assessed?
Progress is assessed through participation in live seminars, assignments in every module, and a frontier research project reviewed by the tutor.
What is the final project?
A frontier research project on undescribed fungal diversity or a fungal system, reported in manuscript style.
What certificate do I get?
On completing the programme and its project, Fungaris issues a Master 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.
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).