Master in Fungal Biotechnology
A comprehensive advanced program spanning fungal biology, genetics, fermentation, bioprocess engineering, products and regulation, with a capstone project.
Program identification
- 1.1Program name
- Master in Fungal Biotechnology
- 1.2Type of qualification
- Master
- 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)
- 10 months (40 weeks) · 432 hours in total · 12 modules of 36 hours · 40 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: February 1, 2027 to November 19, 2027. Enrollment closes on January 25, 2027. Following intake: October 4, 2027. How intakes work →
Overview
2.1Program description
This master is a comprehensive, advanced program covering the whole of fungal biotechnology. Over twelve modules you deepen your knowledge of fungal biology and physiology, genetics and genomics, and strain engineering and synthetic biology. You then study fermentation science, bioreactor and solid-state process engineering, and downstream processing, before applying this to industrial enzymes and organic acids, fungal foods and mycoprotein, mycelium materials, and environmental and agricultural applications. A module on regulation, biosafety and techno-economics ties these together.
Fungal biotechnology is diversifying quickly, and organizations need professionals with both depth and breadth: people who can move between strain, process, product and market questions. The program suits graduates and professionals seeking advanced expertise, whether to lead technical teams, start ventures or prepare for research. Live sessions are taught by professionals from industry and research. The program culminates in a capstone research or industry project in which each student tackles a substantial problem, from defining the question to presenting results to the instructor.
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 alternative proteins, biomaterials, environmental and agricultural biotechnology.
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:
A comprehensive advanced program spanning fungal biology, genetics, fermentation, bioprocess engineering, products and regulation, with a capstone project.
3.2Specific objectives
- Build the foundations: Advanced Fungal Biology and Physiology; Fungal Genetics and Genomics; Strain Engineering and Synthetic Biology; Fermentation Science.
- Put them into practice: Bioreactor and Solid-State Process Engineering; Downstream Processing; Industrial Enzymes and Organic Acids; Fungal Foods and Mycoprotein.
- Apply everything to a real case: Mycelium Materials; Environmental and Agricultural Applications; Regulation, Biosafety and Techno-Economics; Capstone Research or Industry Project.
- Complete a final project reviewed by your instructor.
3.3Competences you will gain
- Integrate biology, genetics and engineering to solve fungal process problems.
- Design strain improvement and process development strategies.
- Evaluate fungal products across food, enzymes, materials and environment.
- Assess regulatory, biosafety and economic feasibility of projects.
- Lead an independent research or industry project to completion.
Student profile
4.1Who it is for (entry profile)
Graduates and professionals seeking advanced expertise.
4.2Entry requirements
Applicants should have completed a related course or diploma, a degree in a life science or engineering subject, or have equivalent professional experience in biotechnology.
4.3Career paths (exit profile)
- R&D manager in industrial biotechnology
- Senior bioprocess scientist
- Technical lead at a fungal biotech start-up
- Consultant in fungal biotechnology
- Research scientist in a public or private institute
- Founder of a fungal technology company
Outcomes depend on your experience and on your local market.
Study plan
5.1Overall structure (modules and workload)
| Module | Title | Phase | Topics | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Advanced Fungal Biology and Physiology | Foundations | 3 | 36 |
| 02 | Fungal Genetics and Genomics | Foundations | 3 | 36 |
| 03 | Strain Engineering and Synthetic Biology | Foundations | 3 | 36 |
| 04 | Fermentation Science | Foundations | 3 | 36 |
| 05 | Bioreactor and Solid-State Process Engineering | Practice | 3 | 36 |
| 06 | Downstream Processing | Practice | 3 | 36 |
| 07 | Industrial Enzymes and Organic Acids | Practice | 3 | 36 |
| 08 | Fungal Foods and Mycoprotein | Practice | 3 | 36 |
| 09 | Mycelium Materials | Application & project | 3 | 36 |
| 10 | Environmental and Agricultural Applications | Application & project | 3 | 36 |
| 11 | Regulation, Biosafety and Techno-Economics | Application & project | 3 | 36 |
| 12 | Capstone Research or Industry Project | Application & project | 3 | 36 |
| Total | 432 |
12 modules × 36 hours = 432 hours: 80 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.
- Fungal cell biology
- Growth and differentiation
- Stress responses and physiology
- Genome organization
- Comparative genomics
- Gene regulation
- Classical strain improvement
- Genome editing
- Pathway engineering
- Fermentation types and modes
- Media design
- Kinetics and yields
- Bioreactor engineering
- Solid-state systems
- Scale-up principles
- Separation and recovery
- Purification operations
- Drying and formulation
- Enzyme production and application
- Organic acid processes
- Market dynamics
- Traditional fungal foods
- Mycoprotein production
- Precision fermentation
- Mycelium composites
- Sheets and leather-like materials
- Testing and standards
- Biocontrol and biofertilizers
- Mycoremediation
- Residue valorization
- Regulatory frameworks
- Biosafety and containment
- Techno-economic and life cycle analysis
- Defining the project question
- Methods and data collection
- Final report and presentation
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 capstone research or industry project addressing a substantial fungal biotechnology problem, presented in a final report and presentation.
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 11 hours a week for 40 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, exercises and assignments in each module, and a capstone 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 Biotechnology 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
Master Certificate
On completing the program and its project, Fungaris issues a Master 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).
- A short résumé or a description of your experience in the field.
10.3Deadlines
Enrollment for the intake starting on February 1, 2027 is open until January 25, 2027, or until the group is full (maximum 20 students).
10.4Fee and payment options
Fee: $3,350
- Full payment before the start: $2,680 (20% reduction).
- 40% reservation ($1,340) and 10 monthly installments of $201.
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 Master in Fungal Biotechnology?
Applicants should have completed a related course or diploma, a degree in a life science or engineering subject, or have equivalent professional experience in biotechnology.
How is Master in Fungal Biotechnology taught?
Live online, in 12 modules with a working professional, a small group and a final project.
How am I assessed?
Progress is assessed through participation in live sessions, exercises and assignments in each module, and a capstone project reviewed by the instructor.
What is the final project?
A capstone research or industry project addressing a substantial fungal biotechnology problem, presented in a final report and presentation.
What certificate do I get?
On completing the program and its project, Fungaris issues a Master 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.
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.
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).