Apprentice Level Beekeeping Course

Course Overview

Just like wax in a hive, the Apprentice Level is the foundation for all other courses in our program. We strongly believe all beekeepers need this fundamental knowledge and skillset before progressing to higher levels.

Course Description

Participants will learn the basics of keeping honey bees, including bee biology, care of bees throughout the year, and how to recognize and treat common honey bee ailments and pests. This course also covers the history of bees and state and federal bee laws. By the end of this course, participants will be able to manage honey bee colonies for maximum bee health and honey production. To gain the most benefit from the course, students should have entry-level experience with handling bees.

Schedule and Timing

This course is open for fixed dates, with new lectures and coursework due each week. You can find the times that work best for you each week to complete the coursework, but you must meet all of the deadlines outlined in the syllabus.

Structure and Location

This course is taught fully online through Canvas, the University of Montana’s online learning system. You must have access to an internet-connected computer to complete coursework. Instructions for logging in will be sent to your email address approximately one week before the class begins. Visit our FAQs for more information.

Prerequisites

There are no formal prerequisites for this course, although students will gain the most from this course if they have entry-level experience with honey bees.

Please review the general learning requirements in our FAQs.

Required Course Materials

Storey's Guide to Keeping Honey Bees, 2nd Edition: Honey Production, Pollination, Health
Malcom T. Sanford and Richard E. Bonney, Storey Publishing 2018
ISBN: 9781612129785 (Paperback)

Available at: Amazon / Barnes & Noble

Other materials will be provided in class as needed.

Certificates, CEUs, and Credits

Successful completion of this course requires a cumulative final grade of 80% or higher, and will grant:

• A digital certificate of completion
• 0 Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
• An Apprentice Beekeeper decal sticker, with a form to order more

If you have registered and paid for an additional Extended Credit Registration Fee, you will also receive the following on a University of Montana transcript: