Indoor Fungi & Building Mycology
Mold and wood-decay fungi in buildings: identification, moisture causes, sampling, health considerations and remediation principles.
Program identification
- 1.1Program name
- Indoor Fungi & Building Mycology
- 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 →
Overview
2.1Program description
Indoor Fungi & Building Mycology focuses on the molds and wood-decay fungi that grow in buildings and the moisture problems that allow them to thrive. You will learn how building materials, condensation, leaks and ventilation interact to create fungal habitats, and how to recognize common indoor genera such as Aspergillus, Penicillium, Cladosporium, Stachybotrys and Chaetomium. A dedicated module covers dry rot, wet rots and other timber decay fungi. You will then study air, surface and material sampling, interpretation of laboratory results and the principles of exposure assessment.
Damp and mold affect homes, schools, offices and heritage buildings, and decisions about them carry health, legal and financial consequences. Building surveyors, indoor air quality consultants and conservators need sound mycological knowledge to avoid both under- and over-reaction. The course explains health considerations without making medical claims, and sets out remediation and prevention principles grounded in moisture control. For the final project you will prepare an investigation and remediation outline for a real or case-study building, from moisture diagnosis to sampling strategy and recommendations.
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 building surveying and construction, indoor environmental consultancy, heritage conservation, housing and environmental health.
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:
Mold and wood-decay fungi in buildings: identification, moisture causes, sampling, health considerations and remediation principles.
3.2Specific objectives
- Build the foundations: Moisture, Materials and Fungal Growth in Buildings; Common Indoor Molds and Their Identification.
- Put them into practice: Dry Rot, Wet Rot and Timber Decay Fungi; Air, Surface and Material Sampling.
- Apply everything to a real case: Health Effects and Exposure Assessment; Remediation Principles and Prevention.
- Complete a final project reviewed by your instructor.
3.3Competences you will gain
- Diagnose moisture conditions that lead to fungal growth in buildings.
- Recognize common indoor mold genera and wood-decay fungi.
- Plan air, surface and material sampling with clear objectives.
- Interpret laboratory reports on indoor fungal samples critically.
- Outline remediation and prevention strategies based on moisture control.
Student profile
4.1Who it is for (entry profile)
Building surveyors, iaq consultants and conservators.
4.2Entry requirements
No prior mycology is required; experience in buildings, housing or conservation is helpful. No special equipment is needed.
4.3Career paths (exit profile)
- Building surveyor specializing in damp and decay
- Indoor air quality consultant
- Heritage conservator dealing with biodeterioration
- Remediation project supervisor
- Environmental health officer
Outcomes depend on your experience and on your local market.
Study plan
5.1Overall structure (modules and workload)
| Module | Title | Phase | Topics | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Moisture, Materials and Fungal Growth in Buildings | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 02 | Common Indoor Molds and Their Identification | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 03 | Dry Rot, Wet Rot and Timber Decay Fungi | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 04 | Air, Surface and Material Sampling | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 05 | Health Effects and Exposure Assessment | Application & project | 3 | 12 |
| 06 | Remediation Principles and Prevention | 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.
- Water activity in building materials
- Condensation, leaks and rising damp
- Ventilation and building physics
- Primary, secondary and tertiary colonizers
- Recognizing common genera
- Mold on gypsum, wood and textiles
- Serpula lacrymans biology
- Brown and white rots in timber
- Distinguishing decay types on site
- Air sampling methods
- Surface and bulk sampling
- Reading laboratory reports
- Allergens, toxins and irritants
- Exposure assessment approaches
- Communicating risk to occupants
- Moisture control first
- Containment and removal methods
- Verification and long-term prevention
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 investigation and remediation outline for a real or case-study building with fungal and moisture problems.
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, case-based module exercises 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 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.
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 Indoor Fungi & Building Mycology?
No prior mycology is required; experience in buildings, housing or conservation is helpful. No special equipment is needed.
How is Indoor Fungi & Building Mycology 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, case-based module exercises and a final project reviewed by the instructor.
What is the final project?
An investigation and remediation outline for a real or case-study building with fungal and moisture problems.
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 Indoor Fungi & Building Mycology?
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.
11.3Admissions contact
Write to info@fungaris.institute or use the contact form. Admissions answers in your language.
Read before you start.
Fungal ScienceMushroom Microscopy for Beginners: Equipment and TechniquesA microscope opens a hidden world of spores, basidia and cystidia. Here is the equipment you need, the basic techniques and the safety rules for reagents.Read the article 
Fungal ScienceHow to Become a Mycologist: Paths, Skills and CareersFungi are moving from niche to mainstream, in food, materials, medicine and conservation. Here is how people actually build a career working with them.Read the article 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 installments. All prices are stated in US dollars (USD).