Mycoremediation: Cleaning Soil and Water with Fungi
How fungi degrade, transform or capture pollutants, and how to design, monitor and evaluate realistic mycoremediation projects.
Programme identification
- 1.1Programme name
- Mycoremediation: Cleaning Soil and Water with Fungi
- 1.2Type of qualification
- Course
- 1.3Provider / endorsing institution
- Fungaris – International Institute of Mycology, School of Fungal Ecology & Regenerative Agriculture. 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
Fungi can break down, transform or immobilise a surprising range of pollutants, but turning that ability into a working clean-up project is far from straightforward. This course starts with bioremediation principles and the oxidative enzymes, such as laccases and peroxidases, that allow white rot fungi to attack complex molecules. It then examines hydrocarbons, pesticides and other organic pollutants, followed by heavy metals, where biosorption and mycorrhiza-assisted phytoremediation play a role. Later modules cover the design of field beds and water treatment systems.
Public interest in nature-based remediation is high, and practitioners need to separate promising results from overstatement. The course is aimed at environmental professionals and land restorers who want a realistic grounding before proposing fungi for a site. Monitoring, evidence and limits receive a dedicated module. In the final project, students prepare an outline mycoremediation plan for a described contaminated site, specifying target pollutants, the fungal approach, monitoring parameters and the conditions under which it should be combined with or replaced by other methods.
2.2Why it matters / what need it meets
It meets a practical need: applied, up-to-date knowledge in ecology, useful in areas such as environmental consultancy, contaminated land remediation, water and wastewater management, public and community restoration projects.
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:
How fungi degrade, transform or capture pollutants, and how to design, monitor and evaluate realistic mycoremediation projects.
3.2Specific objectives
- Build the foundations: Principles of Bioremediation and the Role of Fungi; Fungal Enzymes and Pollutant Degradation.
- Put them into practice: Hydrocarbons, Pesticides and Organic Pollutants; Heavy Metals: Biosorption and Mycorrhizal Phytoremediation.
- Apply everything to a real case: Designing Field and Water Treatment Systems; Monitoring, Evidence and Limits of Mycoremediation.
- Complete a final project reviewed by your tutor.
3.3Competences you will gain
- Explain how fungal oxidative enzymes degrade complex organic pollutants.
- Distinguish degradation, transformation and immobilisation of contaminants.
- Assess whether a contaminated site is suitable for a fungal approach.
- Outline a field bed or water treatment design using mycelium.
- Plan monitoring that can verify or refute remediation claims.
Student profile
4.1Who it is for (entry profile)
Environmental professionals and land restorers.
4.2Entry requirements
No prior mycology is required; a basic understanding of environmental science or chemistry will make the enzyme and pollutant modules easier.
4.3Career paths (exit profile)
- Environmental consultant evaluating nature-based remediation
- Project officer for land restoration schemes
- Technician in bioremediation trials
- Community or NGO coordinator for site clean-up projects
- Environmental compliance officer assessing remediation options
Outcomes depend on your experience and on your local market.
Study plan
5.1Overall structure (modules and workload)
| Module | Title | Phase | Topics | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Principles of Bioremediation and the Role of Fungi | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 02 | Fungal Enzymes and Pollutant Degradation | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 03 | Hydrocarbons, Pesticides and Organic Pollutants | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 04 | Heavy Metals: Biosorption and Mycorrhizal Phytoremediation | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 05 | Designing Field and Water Treatment Systems | Application & project | 3 | 12 |
| 06 | Monitoring, Evidence and Limits of Mycoremediation | 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.
- Bioremediation, phytoremediation and natural attenuation
- Why fungi suit recalcitrant pollutants
- Regulatory context for site clean-up
- Laccases, peroxidases and cytochrome P450s
- Co-metabolism and extracellular attack
- Laboratory evidence versus field conditions
- Petroleum hydrocarbons and PAHs
- Pesticide residues in soils
- Dyes, solvents and other organics
- Biosorption by fungal biomass
- Mycorrhizae in metal-tolerant plants
- Stabilisation versus extraction
- Mycelial beds and windrows
- Bioreactors and filtration units
- Substrate, spawn and moisture management
- Sampling and analytical monitoring
- Interpreting degradation data
- Known limits and failure modes
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 outline mycoremediation plan for a described contaminated site, including monitoring and exit criteria.
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 evaluated through participation in live sessions, case-based exercises in each module and a final remediation plan 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 Ecology 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 Mycoremediation: Cleaning Soil and Water with Fungi?
No prior mycology is required; a basic understanding of environmental science or chemistry will make the enzyme and pollutant modules easier.
How is Mycoremediation: Cleaning Soil and Water with Fungi taught?
Live online, in 6 modules with a working professional, a small group and a final project.
How am I assessed?
Progress is evaluated through participation in live sessions, case-based exercises in each module and a final remediation plan reviewed by the tutor.
What is the final project?
An outline mycoremediation plan for a described contaminated site, including monitoring and exit criteria.
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 Mycoremediation: Cleaning Soil and Water with Fungi?
The natural next step is Diploma in Mycorrhizal Agriculture.
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.
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).