Recording Electrical Activity in Fungi: Electrodes and Instrumentation
Hands-on design of low-noise recording setups for mycelium, from electrode choice to shielding, data loggers and experimental controls.
Programme identification
- 1.1Programme name
- Recording Electrical Activity in Fungi: Electrodes and Instrumentation
- 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 practical course shows how to build a recording setup capable of measuring electrical activity in mycelium without fooling yourself. You will compare electrode types and placements, choose amplifiers and data loggers with suitable sampling rates, and tackle noise through shielding and grounding. The course then covers controlling temperature, humidity and light during long recordings, designing sham and control experiments, and managing data so it can be shared openly.
Fungal electrophysiology is a young research area in which many signals reported are close to the noise floor, so instrumentation quality largely determines whether results are believable. Low-cost electronics make experiments accessible, but also make mistakes easy. This course suits lab researchers, electronics hobbyists and engineers who want to contribute credible data. For the final project you design, assemble and characterise a recording rig, documenting its noise floor, a control recording without living mycelium and a short recording from a live culture, with all data and settings published in a structured format.
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 academic research, bioelectronics R&D, scientific instrumentation, open hardware and citizen science.
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:
Hands-on design of low-noise recording setups for mycelium, from electrode choice to shielding, data loggers and experimental controls.
3.2Specific objectives
- Build the foundations: Electrode types and placement in mycelium; Amplifiers, data loggers and sampling rates.
- Put them into practice: Noise, shielding and grounding; Environmental control during recordings.
- Apply everything to a real case: Designing controls and sham experiments; Data management and open sharing.
- Complete a final project reviewed by your tutor.
3.3Competences you will gain
- Choose and place electrodes appropriately for mycelium recordings.
- Specify amplifiers and loggers with suitable gain and sampling rates.
- Reduce noise using shielding, grounding and good cable practice.
- Design control and sham experiments to rule out artefacts.
- Publish recording data with complete, reusable metadata.
Student profile
4.1Who it is for (entry profile)
Lab researchers, electronics hobbyists and engineers.
4.2Entry requirements
Basic electronics, such as using a multimeter and reading simple circuits, is recommended; components for a low-cost rig are needed for practical work.
4.3Career paths (exit profile)
- Research assistant in bioelectronics or electrophysiology
- Instrumentation technician in a biology lab
- Hardware developer for biosignal acquisition tools
- R&D engineer on biohybrid sensing projects
- Open hardware and citizen science contributor
Outcomes depend on your experience and on your local market.
Study plan
5.1Overall structure (modules and workload)
| Module | Title | Phase | Topics | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Electrode types and placement in mycelium | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 02 | Amplifiers, data loggers and sampling rates | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 03 | Noise, shielding and grounding | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 04 | Environmental control during recordings | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 05 | Designing controls and sham experiments | Application & project | 3 | 12 |
| 06 | Data management and open sharing | 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.
- Needle, surface and differential electrodes
- Electrode materials and polarisation
- Placement in substrate and fruiting bodies
- Input impedance and gain
- Choosing a data logger
- Sampling rate and resolution
- Sources of electrical noise
- Faraday cages and shielding
- Grounding and reference electrodes
- Temperature and humidity logging
- Light and vibration control
- Long-duration recording practice
- Dead and sterile substrate controls
- Sham electrodes and blank channels
- Blinding and randomisation
- File formats and metadata
- Data repositories and licences
- Documenting a recording rig
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 characterised recording rig with noise floor measurements, a control recording and a live mycelium recording, published with metadata.
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, practical exercises in each module 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 Recording Electrical Activity in Fungi: Electrodes and Instrumentation?
Basic electronics, such as using a multimeter and reading simple circuits, is recommended; components for a low-cost rig are needed for practical work.
How is Recording Electrical Activity in Fungi: Electrodes and Instrumentation 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, practical exercises in each module and a final project reviewed by the tutor.
What is the final project?
A characterised recording rig with noise floor measurements, a control recording and a live mycelium recording, published with metadata.
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 Recording Electrical Activity in Fungi: Electrodes and Instrumentation?
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.
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).