Master in Molecular & Applied Mycology
Advanced training linking molecular and genomic tools with real-world applications of fungi in health, food, agriculture and biotechnology.
Programme identification
- 1.1Programme name
- Master in Molecular & Applied 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 Molecular & Applied Mycology links molecular and genomic tools to the practical uses of fungi in health, food, agriculture and biotechnology. The first half builds a strong molecular base: the molecular biology of fungi, fungal genetics and model organisms, molecular identification and diagnostics, genomics and bioinformatics, transcriptomics and functional genomics, and genome editing and strain engineering. The second half applies those tools to secondary metabolites and natural products, food and fermentation, agriculture and crop protection, medical mycology and antifungal resistance, and to quality, biosafety and regulation.
Industry and research increasingly need scientists who can move from genome to product: identifying the genes behind a useful trait, engineering a strain and understanding the regulatory path. This programme suits life-science graduates and industry scientists who want that combination. Teaching is live and led by professionals from research and industry. The programme ends with an applied research project in which you address a real molecular or biotechnological question, design the study, analyse data and present results in a professional report with recommendations for application.
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 industrial biotechnology, food and alternative proteins, agriculture and crop protection, pharmaceutical and diagnostic industry.
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:
Advanced training linking molecular and genomic tools with real-world applications of fungi in health, food, agriculture and biotechnology.
3.2Specific objectives
- Build the foundations: Molecular Biology of Fungi; Fungal Genetics and Model Organisms; Molecular Identification and Diagnostics; Fungal Genomics and Bioinformatics.
- Put them into practice: Transcriptomics and Functional Genomics; Genome Editing and Strain Engineering; Secondary Metabolites and Natural Products; Fungi in Food and Fermentation.
- Apply everything to a real case: Fungi in Agriculture and Crop Protection; Medical Mycology and Antifungal Resistance; Quality, Biosafety and Regulation; Applied Research Project.
- Complete a final project reviewed by your tutor.
3.3Competences you will gain
- Apply molecular, genetic and genomic methods to fungal research questions.
- Develop and validate molecular diagnostic assays for fungi.
- Analyse genomic and transcriptomic data to study gene function.
- Plan genome editing and strain engineering strategies responsibly.
- Navigate quality, biosafety and regulatory requirements for fungal products.
Student profile
4.1Who it is for (entry profile)
Life-science graduates and industry scientists.
4.2Entry requirements
A life-science degree or a prior diploma in molecular mycology, or equivalent laboratory experience, is expected. A computer able to run analysis software is needed.
4.3Career paths (exit profile)
- Molecular mycologist in biotechnology
- Strain engineering scientist
- Fermentation and bioprocess scientist
- Molecular diagnostics specialist
- Research scientist in crop protection
- Regulatory and biosafety specialist
Outcomes depend on your experience and on your local market.
Study plan
5.1Overall structure (modules and workload)
| Module | Title | Phase | Topics | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Molecular Biology of Fungi | Foundations | 3 | 36 |
| 02 | Fungal Genetics and Model Organisms | Foundations | 3 | 36 |
| 03 | Molecular Identification and Diagnostics | Foundations | 3 | 36 |
| 04 | Fungal Genomics and Bioinformatics | Foundations | 3 | 36 |
| 05 | Transcriptomics and Functional Genomics | Practice | 3 | 36 |
| 06 | Genome Editing and Strain Engineering | Practice | 3 | 36 |
| 07 | Secondary Metabolites and Natural Products | Practice | 3 | 36 |
| 08 | Fungi in Food and Fermentation | Practice | 3 | 36 |
| 09 | Fungi in Agriculture and Crop Protection | Application & project | 3 | 36 |
| 10 | Medical Mycology and Antifungal Resistance | Application & project | 3 | 36 |
| 11 | Quality, Biosafety and Regulation | Application & project | 3 | 36 |
| 12 | Applied 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.
- Gene structure and regulation
- Protein expression and secretion
- Molecular laboratory methods
- Fungal life cycles and mating
- Classical genetic analysis
- Yeast and filamentous model systems
- Barcoding and sequence identification
- qPCR and diagnostic assays
- Assay validation
- Genome sequencing and assembly
- Annotation pipelines
- Comparative genomics
- RNA-seq and expression analysis
- Proteomics and metabolomics
- Gene function studies
- CRISPR systems for fungi
- Metabolic engineering
- Strain improvement and scale-up
- Biosynthetic gene clusters
- Heterologous expression
- Discovery and screening
- Fermentation organisms
- Spoilage and mycotoxin control
- Mycoprotein and novel foods
- Pathogen genomics
- Biocontrol and biostimulants
- Fungicide resistance
- Pathogens and virulence
- Molecular diagnostics in the clinic
- Mechanisms of antifungal resistance
- Biosafety and containment
- Quality management systems
- Regulation of GMOs and novel products
- Project design
- Experimental or data work
- Reporting and application plan
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 applied molecular or biotechnological research project with a professional report and application plan.
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
Assessment combines participation in live sessions, practical and data assignments in every module, and an applied 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 Molecular & Applied Mycology?
A life-science degree or a prior diploma in molecular mycology, or equivalent laboratory experience, is expected. A computer able to run analysis software is needed.
How is Master in Molecular & Applied Mycology taught?
Live online, in 12 modules with a working professional, a small group and a final project.
How am I assessed?
Assessment combines participation in live sessions, practical and data assignments in every module, and an applied research project reviewed by the tutor.
What is the final project?
An applied molecular or biotechnological research project with a professional report and application plan.
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).