Unconventional Computing: Principles and Living Substrates
An introduction to computing beyond silicon, from chemical and slime-mould computing to reservoir computing and living substrates.
Programme identification
- 1.1Programme name
- Unconventional Computing: Principles and Living Substrates
- 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 unconventional computing, the study of how information can be processed by physical, chemical and biological systems rather than conventional silicon chips. You will examine what counts as computation, explore reaction-diffusion chemistry and slime mould experiments with Physarum, and learn the principles of reservoir computing with physical systems. The course then assesses living substrates, including fungi, and closes with how such systems should be benchmarked.
Interest in alternative computing is growing because of energy limits in conventional hardware and curiosity about how living systems process information. Much of this work is still exploratory, and the course is clear about the gap between laboratory demonstrations and useful machines. It suits computer scientists, physicists and bioengineers seeking a well-grounded overview. In the final project you choose an unconventional computing proposal from the literature and evaluate it against standard benchmarks, considering speed, energy, error rates and reproducibility, and recommending what experiment would test it best.
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, Computing R&D, Innovation and technology scouting, Science communication.
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:
An introduction to computing beyond silicon, from chemical and slime-mould computing to reservoir computing and living substrates.
3.2Specific objectives
- Build the foundations: What counts as computation?; Chemical and reaction-diffusion computing.
- Put them into practice: Slime mould computing: lessons from Physarum; Reservoir computing with physical systems.
- Apply everything to a real case: Living substrates: promise and limits; Benchmarking unconventional computers.
- Complete a final project reviewed by your professor.
3.3Competences you will gain
- Define computation in physical and information-theoretic terms.
- Explain how reaction-diffusion and slime mould systems solve problems.
- Describe how a physical reservoir computer is trained and evaluated.
- Assess the realistic limits of living computing substrates.
- Benchmark an unconventional computer against conventional baselines.
Student profile
4.1Who it is for (entry profile)
Computer scientists, physicists and bioengineers.
4.2Entry requirements
Basic programming and mathematics at undergraduate level are helpful; no biology background is needed.
4.3Career paths (exit profile)
- Research assistant in unconventional computing
- R&D engineer exploring novel hardware
- Science communicator on emerging computing
- Graduate researcher preparing a doctoral proposal
- Technology scout for innovation teams
Outcomes depend on your experience and on your local market.
Study plan
5.1Overall structure (modules and workload)
| Module | Title | Phase | Topics | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | What counts as computation? | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 02 | Chemical and reaction-diffusion computing | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 03 | Slime mould computing: lessons from Physarum | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 04 | Reservoir computing with physical systems | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 05 | Living substrates: promise and limits | Application & project | 3 | 12 |
| 06 | Benchmarking unconventional computers | 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.
- Turing machines and beyond
- Analogue versus digital computation
- Physical definitions of computing
- Reaction-diffusion systems
- Belousov-Zhabotinsky experiments
- Chemical logic and pattern formation
- Physarum shortest-path experiments
- Network optimisation by slime moulds
- What Physarum can and cannot do
- Principles of reservoir computing
- Physical reservoirs in practice
- Training readouts
- Biological substrates under study
- Fungal and bacterial proposals
- Limits of speed and stability
- Benchmark tasks for computation
- Energy and error metrics
- Comparing with silicon baselines
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 benchmark-based evaluation of one published unconventional computing proposal, with a recommended test experiment.
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 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, analytical exercises in each module and a final project 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
Course Certificate
On completing the programme and its project, Fungaris issues a Course 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).
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 Unconventional Computing: Principles and Living Substrates?
Basic programming and mathematics at undergraduate level are helpful; no biology background is needed.
How is Unconventional Computing: Principles and Living Substrates 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, analytical exercises in each module and a final project reviewed by the professor.
What is the final project?
A benchmark-based evaluation of one published unconventional computing proposal, with a recommended test experiment.
What certificate do I get?
On completing the programme and its project, Fungaris issues a Course Certificate. Accreditations are assessed according to the training completed and the local regulations of each country.
What can I study after Unconventional Computing: Principles and Living Substrates?
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).