Electrical Signaling in Mycelium: An Introduction
What is known, and not yet known, about membrane potentials and spike-like electrical activity recorded in fungal mycelium.
Program identification
- 1.1Program name
- Electrical Signaling in Mycelium: An Introduction
- 1.2Type of qualification
- Course
- 1.3Provider / endorsing institution
- Fungaris – International Institute of Mycology, School of Fungal Computing, Bioelectronics & Space Mycology. 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 →
Overview
2.1Program description
This course is an honest introduction to an emerging research area: electrical activity in fungal mycelium. You will start with well-established membrane physiology and ion transport, trace the history of fungal electrophysiology, and then examine recent recordings of spike-like activity and the interpretations offered for them. Possible functions, such as coordinating transport and growth, are discussed alongside artefacts, controls and competing explanations.
Claims that fungi communicate electrically, or even use a kind of language, have attracted wide media attention, but the underlying evidence is still limited and debated. This course separates what is measured from what is speculated, so that you can follow the field with informed skepticism. It suits biologists, engineers and curious scientists who want a reliable starting point. In the final project you write an evidence brief on one published claim about fungal electrical signaling, evaluating the methods, controls and alternative explanations, and stating clearly what the data do and do not support.
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, science communication and media, bioelectronics R&D, education.
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:
What is known, and not yet known, about membrane potentials and spike-like electrical activity recorded in fungal mycelium.
3.2Specific objectives
- Build the foundations: Membrane potentials and ion transport in fungi; History of fungal electrophysiology.
- Put them into practice: Spike-like activity: observations and interpretations; Possible functions: transport, growth and coordination.
- Apply everything to a real case: Artefacts, controls and competing explanations; Open questions and reading the evidence.
- Complete a final project reviewed by your instructor.
3.3Competences you will gain
- Explain how membrane potentials arise in fungal cells.
- Summarize the history and current state of fungal electrophysiology.
- Distinguish measured observations from interpretation in published studies.
- Identify likely artefacts and missing controls in electrical recordings.
- Write a balanced evidence brief on a contested scientific claim.
Student profile
4.1Who it is for (entry profile)
Biologists, engineers and curious scientists.
4.2Entry requirements
No prior knowledge of electrophysiology is required; basic biology or physics at secondary-school level is helpful.
4.3Career paths (exit profile)
- Research assistant in fungal electrophysiology
- Science journalist or communicator on fungal research
- Laboratory technician supporting bioelectronics projects
- Educator developing frontier science content
- R&D team member exploring biological sensing
Outcomes depend on your experience and on your local market.
Study plan
5.1Overall structure (modules and workload)
| Module | Title | Phase | Topics | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Membrane potentials and ion transport in fungi | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 02 | History of fungal electrophysiology | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 03 | Spike-like activity: observations and interpretations | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 04 | Possible functions: transport, growth and coordination | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 05 | Artefacts, controls and competing explanations | Application & project | 3 | 12 |
| 06 | Open questions and reading the evidence | 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.
- Proton pumps and membrane voltage
- Ion channels in fungal membranes
- Measuring membrane potential
- Early recordings in the twentieth century
- Action potential-like events in hyphae
- Revival of interest in recent decades
- Recordings from fruiting bodies and mycelium
- Spike shapes, rates and trains
- Interpretations in the literature
- Electrical signals and nutrient transport
- Links to growth and branching
- Hypotheses about coordination
- Electrode and moisture artefacts
- Necessary control experiments
- Non-biological explanations
- What the evidence currently supports
- Unanswered research questions
- Writing an evidence brief
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
An evidence brief evaluating one published claim about electrical signaling in fungi.
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, short evidence-reading exercises in each module and a final project reviewed by the instructor.
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 Computing 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.
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 Electrical Signaling in Mycelium: An Introduction?
No prior knowledge of electrophysiology is required; basic biology or physics at secondary-school level is helpful.
How is Electrical Signaling in Mycelium: An Introduction 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, short evidence-reading exercises in each module and a final project reviewed by the instructor.
What is the final project?
An evidence brief evaluating one published claim about electrical signaling in fungi.
What certificate do I get?
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.
What can I study after Electrical Signaling in Mycelium: An Introduction?
The natural next step is Diploma in Fungal Electrophysiology and Bioelectronics.
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.
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 installments. All prices are stated in US dollars (USD).