Introduction to Fungal Biotechnology
An overview of how fungi are used in industry, from food fermentation and enzymes to mycoprotein, pharmaceuticals and biomaterials.
Program identification
- 1.1Program name
- Introduction to Fungal Biotechnology
- 1.2Type of qualification
- Course
- 1.3Provider / endorsing institution
- Fungaris – International Institute of Mycology, School of Fungal Biotechnology & Biomaterials. 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 a guided tour of how fungi earn their place in industry. You start with the biology that makes yeasts and molds such productive organisms, follow the story from bread, beer and penicillin to modern enzyme plants, and learn how fermentation works in liquid culture and on solid substrates. From there you survey the main product families, including enzymes, organic acids, pharmaceuticals, mycoprotein and fermented foods, before looking at mycelium materials and other emerging frontiers.
Fungal biotechnology sits at the center of current efforts to build a bio-based economy, yet newcomers often find the field fragmented and full of jargon. This course gives beginners, students and career changers a clear map of the territory, the vocabulary to read industry news critically and a realistic sense of where different roles fit. Sessions are taught live by professionals working in the sector. For the final project, each student prepares a structured profile of one fungal product, tracing its organism, production process, market and main open challenges.
2.2Why it matters / what need it meets
It meets a practical need: applied, up-to-date knowledge in biotechnology, useful in areas such as Industrial biotechnology, Food and beverage, Biomaterials, Pharmaceuticals.
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:
An overview of how fungi are used in industry, from food fermentation and enzymes to mycoprotein, pharmaceuticals and biomaterials.
3.2Specific objectives
- Build the foundations: Fungal Biology for Biotechnologists; A Short History of Industrial Mycology.
- Put them into practice: Fermentation Basics: Yeasts and Filamentous Fungi; Fungal Products: Enzymes, Acids, Drugs and Food.
- Apply everything to a real case: Mycelium Materials and New Frontiers; Careers, Companies and the Bioeconomy.
- Complete a final project reviewed by your professor.
3.3Competences you will gain
- Explain how yeasts and filamentous fungi differ as production organisms.
- Describe the main stages of a fungal fermentation process.
- Classify fungal products by organism, process and end market.
- Read industry news on fungal biotech with a critical eye.
- Identify roles and organizations in the fungal bioeconomy.
Student profile
4.1Who it is for (entry profile)
Beginners, students and career changers.
4.2Entry requirements
No prior knowledge of biology or chemistry is required. A computer with a stable internet connection is all you need.
4.3Career paths (exit profile)
- Entry-level laboratory assistant in a fermentation company
- Junior analyst covering industrial biotechnology
- Science communicator or writer on fungal biotech
- Business development assistant at a biotech start-up
- Foundation for further study in bioprocessing or biomaterials
Outcomes depend on your experience and on your local market.
Study plan
5.1Overall structure (modules and workload)
| Module | Title | Phase | Topics | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Fungal Biology for Biotechnologists | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 02 | A Short History of Industrial Mycology | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 03 | Fermentation Basics: Yeasts and Filamentous Fungi | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 04 | Fungal Products: Enzymes, Acids, Drugs and Food | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 05 | Mycelium Materials and New Frontiers | Application & project | 3 | 12 |
| 06 | Careers, Companies and the Bioeconomy | 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.
- Yeasts, molds and mushrooms compared
- Hyphae, spores and fungal growth
- Fungal metabolism in brief
- Ancient fermentations: bread, beer and soy
- Penicillin and the antibiotic era
- Citric acid and the first enzyme plants
- How a fermentation works
- Submerged versus solid-state culture
- Yeasts and filamentous fungi as workhorses
- Industrial enzymes and organic acids
- Fungal-derived drugs and compounds
- Fermented foods and mycoprotein
- Mycelium composites and leather-like sheets
- Living materials and fungal electronics
- Separating promise from hype
- Mapping companies and value chains
- Roles in R&D, production and quality
- Planning your next learning step
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 structured profile of one fungal product covering its organism, production process, market and open challenges.
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 and short exercises at the end of each module. The final project is reviewed by the professor with written feedback.
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 Biotechnology at Fungaris 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 professor of 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. 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 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 Introduction to Fungal Biotechnology?
No prior knowledge of biology or chemistry is required. A computer with a stable internet connection is all you need.
How is Introduction to Fungal Biotechnology 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 and short exercises at the end of each module. The final project is reviewed by the professor with written feedback.
What is the final project?
A structured profile of one fungal product covering its organism, production process, market and open challenges.
What certificate do I get?
On completing the program 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 Introduction to Fungal Biotechnology?
The natural next step is Diploma in Mycelium Biomaterials.
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 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 
BiotechnologyMycelium Materials Explained: Packaging, Leather and PanelsFrom compostable packaging to acoustic panels and leather alternatives: a clear, honest guide to how mycelium materials are grown and where they really work.Read the article 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).