Mycorrhizal Symbiosis: Fundamentals
The main mycorrhizal types, how nutrient and carbon exchange works, and the methods used to study these partnerships.
Programme identification
- 1.1Programme name
- Mycorrhizal Symbiosis: Fundamentals
- 1.2Type of qualification
- Course
- 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)
- 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
This course introduces the biology of mycorrhizal symbiosis, the partnerships between fungi and the roots of most land plants. You will compare arbuscular, ecto-, ericoid and orchid mycorrhizas, follow how colonisation builds the symbiotic interface, and examine how phosphorus, nitrogen and carbon are exchanged between partners. The course then looks at the role of mycorrhizas in forests and farms and at the field and laboratory methods used to study them.
Mycorrhizas sit at the centre of debates about soil health, forest resilience and sustainable agriculture, and they are frequently misrepresented in popular media. A solid grasp of the fundamentals lets you judge claims about inoculants and networks on their merits. The course suits ecologists, foresters, agronomists and biology graduates. The final project is a critical literature review on one mycorrhizal question of your choice, assessing the methods, the strength of the evidence and what remains uncertain.
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 forestry, agriculture and horticulture, ecological research, environmental consultancy.
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:
The main mycorrhizal types, how nutrient and carbon exchange works, and the methods used to study these partnerships.
3.2Specific objectives
- Build the foundations: Arbuscular, ecto-, ericoid and orchid mycorrhizas; Colonisation and the symbiotic interface.
- Put them into practice: Nutrient and carbon exchange; Mycorrhizas in forests and agriculture.
- Apply everything to a real case: Field and laboratory methods; Reading the mycorrhizal literature critically.
- Complete a final project reviewed by your tutor.
3.3Competences you will gain
- Distinguish the main mycorrhizal types by structure and host range.
- Explain nutrient and carbon exchange between plant and fungal partners.
- Describe standard field and laboratory methods for studying mycorrhizas.
- Evaluate claims about mycorrhizal inoculants against published evidence.
- Write a critical review of a mycorrhizal research question.
Student profile
4.1Who it is for (entry profile)
Ecologists, foresters and biology graduates.
4.2Entry requirements
Basic biology at secondary-school level is enough; no specialist knowledge of fungi is required.
4.3Career paths (exit profile)
- Research assistant in soil or forest ecology
- Forestry or nursery advisor on mycorrhizal practice
- Technical staff at an inoculant producer
- Agronomy field technician
- Science communicator on soil biology
Outcomes depend on your experience and on your local market.
Study plan
5.1Overall structure (modules and workload)
| Module | Title | Phase | Topics | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Arbuscular, ecto-, ericoid and orchid mycorrhizas | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 02 | Colonisation and the symbiotic interface | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 03 | Nutrient and carbon exchange | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 04 | Mycorrhizas in forests and agriculture | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 05 | Field and laboratory methods | Application & project | 3 | 12 |
| 06 | Reading the mycorrhizal literature critically | 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.
- Arbuscular mycorrhizas and Glomeromycota
- Ectomycorrhizal fungi and their hosts
- Ericoid and orchid associations
- Recognition and early colonisation
- Arbuscules, Hartig nets and coils
- Regulation of colonisation by the plant
- Phosphorus and nitrogen transfer
- Carbon cost to the plant
- Context dependence: mutualism to parasitism
- Mycorrhizas in forest dynamics
- Mycorrhizas in crops and soils
- Commercial inoculants and their evidence
- Root staining and colonisation counts
- Molecular identification of partners
- Isotope and pot experiments
- Evaluating experimental design
- Common pitfalls in mycorrhizal studies
- Writing a critical review
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 critical literature review on one mycorrhizal research question, assessing methods and evidence strength.
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, module exercises such as short reading analyses and a final 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 Computing 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 Mycorrhizal Symbiosis: Fundamentals?
Basic biology at secondary-school level is enough; no specialist knowledge of fungi is required.
How is Mycorrhizal Symbiosis: Fundamentals 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, module exercises such as short reading analyses and a final project reviewed by the tutor.
What is the final project?
A critical literature review on one mycorrhizal research question, assessing methods and evidence strength.
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 Mycorrhizal Symbiosis: Fundamentals?
The natural next step is Diploma in Fungal Electrophysiology and Bioelectronics.
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).