CourseEmerging

Aquatic & Marine Fungi

The diversity, ecology and sampling of fungi in freshwater, marine and coastal habitats, one of mycology's least explored frontiers.

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Level

Course

Modules

Duration

3 months · 72 h

Next start

January 11, 2027

Fee

$450

Format

Live online

Certificate

Course Certificate

Language

English US

School

Fungal Science

Program identification

1.1Program name: Aquatic & Marine Fungi
1.2Type of qualification: Course
1.3Provider / endorsing institution: Fungaris – International Institute of Mycology, School of Mycology & Fungal Science. A Fungaris program 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 program, not an official university degree).
1.6Language: English
1.7Start and end dates / intake: Next intake: January 11, 2027 to April 2, 2027. Enrollment closes on January 4, 2027. Following intake: March 8, 2027. How intakes work →

marine fungiaquatic fungi coursefreshwater hyphomyceteschytrids ecologyocean mycology

Overview

2.1Program description

Aquatic & Marine Fungi explores fungi living in rivers, lakes, estuaries and the sea, one of the least explored areas of mycology. You will learn why aquatic fungi were overlooked for so long, how freshwater hyphomycetes with their distinctive tetraradiate spores drive leaf litter decomposition in streams, and which fungi colonize driftwood, marine sediments and seaweeds. The course gives special attention to chytrids and other zoosporic fungi, which parasitize algae and connect microbial food webs, and to the methods used to sample, bait and culture aquatic fungi.

Aquatic fungi influence nutrient cycling, water quality and the health of algal and amphibian populations, yet they remain largely absent from monitoring programs. This course suits aquatic ecologists, marine biologists and mycologists who want to add fungi to their studies. The final module introduces molecular surveys that reveal hidden diversity. For the final project you will design a sampling study of aquatic fungi in a freshwater or coastal habitat, specifying methods, identification approach and expected ecological insights.

2.2Why it matters / what need it meets

It meets a practical need: applied, up-to-date knowledge in fungal science, useful in areas such as freshwater and marine research, environmental monitoring, water management, conservation.

Mycology is moving fast and good practical training is still scarce. This program gives you a structured path, taught live by people who work in the field, so you can apply what you learn with judgment and safety.

Objectives and competences

3.1General objective

To finish the program able to apply its content professionally and with judgment. In short:

The diversity, ecology and sampling of fungi in freshwater, marine and coastal habitats, one of mycology's least explored frontiers.

3.2Specific objectives

Build the foundations: Fungi in Water: An Overlooked Diversity; Freshwater Hyphomycetes and Leaf Litter Decomposition.
Put them into practice: Marine Fungi of Wood, Sediments and Algae; Chytrids and Zoosporic Fungi in Aquatic Food Webs.
Apply everything to a real case: Sampling, Baiting and Culturing Aquatic Fungi; Molecular Surveys of Aquatic Fungal Communities.
Complete a final project reviewed by your instructor.

3.3Competences you will gain

Describe the diversity and adaptations of freshwater and marine fungi.
Recognize freshwater hyphomycetes and explain their role in decomposition.
Explain how chytrids influence aquatic food webs.
Apply sampling, baiting and culturing methods for aquatic fungi.
Interpret molecular surveys of aquatic fungal communities.

Student profile

4.1Who it is for (entry profile)

Aquatic ecologists, marine biologists and mycologists.

4.2Entry requirements

Basic biology or ecology knowledge is recommended. Microscope access is helpful for spore identification exercises but not essential.

4.3Career paths (exit profile)

Freshwater ecologist including fungal indicators
Marine biology research assistant
Water quality monitoring technician
Environmental consultant in aquatic habitats
Graduate researcher in aquatic mycology

Sectors

freshwater and marine researchenvironmental monitoringwater managementconservation

Outcomes depend on your experience and on your local market.

Study plan

5.1Overall structure (modules and workload)

Module	Title	Phase	Topics	Hours
01	Fungi in Water: An Overlooked Diversity	Foundations	3	12
02	Freshwater Hyphomycetes and Leaf Litter Decomposition	Foundations	3	12
03	Marine Fungi of Wood, Sediments and Algae	Practice	3	12
04	Chytrids and Zoosporic Fungi in Aquatic Food Webs	Practice	3	12
05	Sampling, Baiting and Culturing Aquatic Fungi	Application & project	3	12
06	Molecular Surveys of Aquatic Fungal Communities	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.

5.3Company placement

This program does not include a company placement. Practice is built into every module through exercises, case studies and the final project.

5.4Final project

A sampling study design for aquatic fungi in a freshwater or coastal habitat, with methods and identification approach.

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 instructor 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 and a final project reviewed by the instructor.

40%Participation and module exercises

60%Final project

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 instructor.

Teaching team

8.1Academic direction

At Fungaris, the Fungal Science school coordinates the content and quality of this program. The academic director of each intake is named in the intake guide.

8.2Faculty

Taught by professionals who work in the field. The instructor for each intake is confirmed before the start.

Meet our faculty →

Certificate

9.1Certificate awarded

Course Certificate

On completing the program and its project, Fungaris issues a Course Certificate. Fungaris certificates are the institute's own. Whether an employer, school or authority recognizes them depends on that organization 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 enrollment

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

Enrollment for the intake starting on January 11, 2027 is open until January 4, 2027, or until the group is full (maximum 20 students).

10.4Fee and payment options

Fee: $450

Full payment before the start: $360 (20% reduction).
40% reservation ($180) and 3 monthly installments of $90.

Fees and financing →

10.5Grants, discounts and funding

Discounts: 10% for Fungaris alumni and 15% for groups of three or more people from the same organization. Discounts cannot be combined with each other or with the full-payment reduction.

Your employer can pay for the program 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 canceling, withdrawing or moving to a later intake are explained in our cancellation policy and in your enrollment 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 Aquatic & Marine Fungi?

Basic biology or ecology knowledge is recommended. Microscope access is helpful for spore identification exercises but not essential.

How is Aquatic & Marine Fungi 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 and a final project reviewed by the instructor.

What is the final project?

A sampling study design for aquatic fungi in a freshwater or coastal habitat, with methods and identification approach.

What certificate do I get?

What can I study after Aquatic & Marine Fungi?

The natural next step is Diploma in Applied Mycology.

11.2Alumni testimonials

We only publish verified testimonials from real students. This program does not have any published yet; they will appear here once its first intakes finish.