Master in Space Mycology
Fungi for and in space: spaceflight biology, crew habitats, biomanufacturing, mycelium architecture and planetary protection.
Programme identification
- 1.1Programme name
- Master in Space Mycology
- 1.2Type of qualification
- Master
- 1.3Provider / endorsing institution
- Fungaris – International Institute of Mycology, School of Fungal Computing, Bioelectronics & Space 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)
- 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
This master covers fungi for and in space, combining spaceflight biology, crewed habitats, biomanufacturing, mycelium architecture and planetary protection. Across twelve modules you study space environments and life, fungal physiology under spaceflight conditions, extremophiles, melanin and radiation biology, astrobiology, and microbial monitoring in crewed vehicles. You then examine planetary protection and policy, bioregenerative life support, biomanufacturing, mycelium construction, space bioprocess engineering and mission design with analogue research.
Space mycology is a research frontier with a solid core of monitoring data and spaceflight experiments, surrounded by promising but unproven ideas. The programme teaches you to tell these apart and to design work that moves the field forward. It suits graduates in life sciences, aerospace or architecture. The master's thesis is an independent project, either an experimental or analogue study, or a detailed mission concept, developed with professorial supervision and presented with a technology readiness assessment.
2.2Why it matters / what need it meets
It meets a practical need: applied, up-to-date knowledge in fungal computing, useful in areas such as Space agencies and commercial space, Astrobiology research, Aerospace R&D, Space architecture.
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:
Fungi for and in space: spaceflight biology, crew habitats, biomanufacturing, mycelium architecture and planetary protection.
3.2Specific objectives
- Build the foundations: Space environments and life; Fungal physiology under spaceflight conditions; Extremophiles, melanin and radiation biology; Astrobiology and the limits of life.
- Put them into practice: Microbial monitoring in crewed vehicles; Planetary protection and policy; Bioregenerative life support; Fungal biomanufacturing in space.
- Apply everything to a real case: Mycelium materials and in-situ construction; Space bioprocess engineering; Mission design and analogue research; Master's thesis project.
- Complete a final project reviewed by your professor.
3.3Competences you will gain
- Explain fungal physiology under spaceflight and radiation conditions.
- Design microbial monitoring and control for crewed vehicles.
- Apply planetary protection policy to biological mission elements.
- Design fungal biomanufacturing and life support components.
- Evaluate mycelium construction concepts using readiness levels.
Student profile
4.1Who it is for (entry profile)
Graduates in life sciences, aerospace or architecture.
4.2Entry requirements
Prior completion of a related course or diploma, or a degree or professional experience in life sciences, aerospace or architecture, is expected.
4.3Career paths (exit profile)
- Research associate in space biology
- Life support or bioprocess engineer
- Planetary protection specialist
- Concept engineer in mission design
- Analogue mission scientist or coordinator
- Science communicator on space exploration
Outcomes depend on your experience and on your local market.
Study plan
5.1Overall structure (modules and workload)
| Module | Title | Phase | Topics | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Space environments and life | Foundations | 3 | 36 |
| 02 | Fungal physiology under spaceflight conditions | Foundations | 3 | 36 |
| 03 | Extremophiles, melanin and radiation biology | Foundations | 3 | 36 |
| 04 | Astrobiology and the limits of life | Foundations | 3 | 36 |
| 05 | Microbial monitoring in crewed vehicles | Practice | 3 | 36 |
| 06 | Planetary protection and policy | Practice | 3 | 36 |
| 07 | Bioregenerative life support | Practice | 3 | 36 |
| 08 | Fungal biomanufacturing in space | Practice | 3 | 36 |
| 09 | Mycelium materials and in-situ construction | Application & project | 3 | 36 |
| 10 | Space bioprocess engineering | Application & project | 3 | 36 |
| 11 | Mission design and analogue research | Application & project | 3 | 36 |
| 12 | Master's thesis 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.
- Radiation and gravity environments
- Atmospheres and pressure
- Habitability concepts
- Microgravity and growth
- Metabolic and genetic responses
- Spaceflight experiment results
- Extremophile biology
- Melanin and protection
- Radiation biology methods
- Origins and limits of life
- Biosignatures
- Fungi in astrobiology
- Station monitoring programmes
- Sampling and identification
- Control and habitat design
- Planetary protection categories
- Crewed missions and contamination
- International policy
- Closed-loop life support
- Roles of fungi
- Analogue experiments
- Food and protein production
- Pharmaceuticals and enzymes
- Waste as feedstock
- Regolith composites
- Growing habitat structures
- Readiness and testing
- Microgravity bioreactors
- Mass and energy budgets
- Process control and automation
- Mission architecture
- Analogue facilities and campaigns
- Requirements and risk
- Thesis proposal
- Research or concept development
- Thesis presentation
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 independent thesis consisting of an experimental or analogue study, or a detailed mission concept with readiness assessment.
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 professor 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 sessions, case and design exercises in each module and a master's thesis reviewed by the professor.
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 professor.
Teaching team
8.1Academic direction
The Fungal Computing at Fungaris 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 professor of 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. Accreditations are assessed according to the training completed and the local regulations of 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 Space Mycology?
Prior completion of a related course or diploma, or a degree or professional experience in life sciences, aerospace or architecture, is expected.
How is Master in Space 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 sessions, case and design exercises in each module and a master's thesis reviewed by the professor.
What is the final project?
An independent thesis consisting of an experimental or analogue study, or a detailed mission concept with readiness assessment.
What certificate do I get?
On completing the programme and its project, Fungaris issues a Master Certificate. Accreditations are assessed according to the training completed and the local regulations of 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.
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).