CourseEstablished

Introduction to Fungal Ecology

An accessible overview of how fungi interact with plants, animals, microbes and their environment across the world's ecosystems.

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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

Ecology

Program identification

1.1Program name: Introduction to Fungal Ecology
1.2Type of qualification: Course
1.3Provider / endorsing institution: Fungaris – International Institute of Mycology, School of Fungal Ecology & Regenerative Agriculture. 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 →

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Overview

2.1Program description

This course offers an accessible tour of fungal ecology for anyone who wants to understand what fungi actually do in the world around them. It starts with fungal lifestyles and functional guilds, then follows decomposers through the carbon cycle and explores the symbioses that link fungi with plants, algae and animals, including mycorrhizae, lichens and endophytes. A module on pathogens and parasites shows how fungi also regulate populations of plants, insects and other organisms.

Fungi have gained a much higher public profile through documentaries, books and debates about climate and biodiversity, and many professionals now want a reliable foundation rather than popular myths. The course suits beginners, students and environmental professionals moving into the topic. Later modules compare fungal communities across forests, grasslands, deserts and cities and consider how fungi respond to global change. For the final project, students produce an illustrated profile of the fungal community in a habitat they can visit, describing the guilds present and their likely ecological roles.

2.2Why it matters / what need it meets

It meets a practical need: applied, up-to-date knowledge in ecology, useful in areas such as Environmental education, Nature conservation, Science communication, Ecological consultancy.

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 accessible overview of how fungi interact with plants, animals, microbes and their environment across the world's ecosystems.

3.2Specific objectives

Build the foundations: Fungal Lifestyles and Functional Guilds; Decomposers and the Carbon Cycle.
Put them into practice: Symbioses: Mycorrhizae, Lichens and Endophytes; Fungi as Pathogens and Parasites.
Apply everything to a real case: Fungal Communities Across Ecosystems; Fungi in a Changing World.
Complete a final project reviewed by your professor.

3.3Competences you will gain

Classify fungi into the main functional guilds.
Explain the role of decomposer fungi in the carbon cycle.
Describe how mycorrhizae, lichens and endophytes function as symbioses.
Recognize how pathogenic fungi influence plant and animal populations.
Compare fungal communities across different ecosystems.

Student profile

4.1Who it is for (entry profile)

Beginners, students and environmental professionals.

4.2Entry requirements

No prior knowledge is required; the course starts from first principles and suits complete beginners.

4.3Career paths (exit profile)

Environmental educator or nature guide
Assistant in ecological survey teams
Science communicator on fungi and nature
Volunteer coordinator for biodiversity recording
Foundation for further study in applied fungal ecology

Sectors

Environmental educationNature conservationScience communicationEcological consultancy

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 Lifestyles and Functional Guilds	Foundations	3	12
02	Decomposers and the Carbon Cycle	Foundations	3	12
03	Symbioses: Mycorrhizae, Lichens and Endophytes	Practice	3	12
04	Fungi as Pathogens and Parasites	Practice	3	12
05	Fungal Communities Across Ecosystems	Application & project	3	12
06	Fungi in a Changing World	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

An illustrated profile of the fungal community and guilds in a habitat the student can visit.

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

Assessment is based on participation in live sessions, short exercises after each module and a final habitat profile reviewed by the professor.

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 professor.

Teaching team

8.1Academic direction

The Ecology 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.

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 Introduction to Fungal Ecology?

No prior knowledge is required; the course starts from first principles and suits complete beginners.

How is Introduction to Fungal Ecology taught?

Live online, in 6 modules with a working professional, a small group and a final project.

How am I assessed?

Assessment is based on participation in live sessions, short exercises after each module and a final habitat profile reviewed by the professor.

What is the final project?

An illustrated profile of the fungal community and guilds in a habitat the student can visit.

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 Ecology?

The natural next step is Diploma in Mycorrhizal Agriculture.

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.