Journeyman Level Beekeeping
Aug. 30 - Oct. 30
Register now to reserve your seat
$430
College credit option available for an additional fee (see below).
Online
You can take this course from anywhere around the world
Course Overview
Take on advanced knowledge to promote healthy, happy, and productive bees in your hives.
Participants will delve into the life and ecology of the honey bee, including critical relationships with plants, other pollinators, and pests, as well as learning critical scientific and commercial skills for monitoring your bees and selling their products. By the end of the course, students will understand the honey bee's place in their ecosystems and how their unique traits interact with the world both inside and outside the hive.
Student Testimonials
“Great course for those wanting to approach beekeeping from a scientific point of view… for people wanting to be beekeepers and not bee-havers.” – Chris Banks, Chapmansboro, TN
“I am a very satisfied student of your course. I loved every single day of it, even the days where I was pushed completely out of my comfort zone as a learner, which I appreciated.” – Mary Blazensky, Paso Robles, CA
“Great course, excellent instructor interaction, with a professional instructional staff. It is a useful, practical course while being intellectually (over)stimulating. I can appreciate the science behind it all and it helped me to expand my journey into apiculture.” – R. “Bob” Groezinger, Patterson, NY
Schedule and Timing
| Semester(s) Offered | Length | Estimated Weekly Workload |
|---|---|---|
| Spring, Fall | 9 weeks | 8-10 hours |
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
You must have successfully passed Apprentice Level Beekeeping or the Apprentice Test-Out to participate in this course. You will be required to complete scientific assignments which require studying elements of a living hive with a microscope. We strongly encourage a minimum 1-year break between the Apprentice and Journeyman courses to practice and apply the skills you've learned, including successfully overwintering a colony.
Required Course Materials
Beekeeping in Western Canada
John Gruszka, Editor, Alberta Agriculture, 1998
ISBN: 0773261397 (Spiral-bound)
Available at: Biodiversity Heritage Library (free online) / Worker & Hive
Pollinator Protection: A Bee & Pesticide Handbook
Carl A. Johnansen and Daniel F. Mayer, Wicwas Press, 2013
ISBN: 9781878075314
Available at: Wicwas Press / Amazon
Microscope
You must provide your own microscope; many options are available, but it must have 400x magnification and backlighting. Additional features such as binocular optics and mechanical stages are not required but may be helpful. Here are some recommendations for every budget:
| Budget | Microscope | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Bare bones | Emarth Compound Microscope | Monocular lens, up to 1000x magnification |
| Mid-range | AmScope M150C Monocular Compound Microscope | Monocular lens, up to 1000x magnification |
| Top end | AmScope B120C-E1 Binocular Compound Microscope | Binocular lens, mechanical stage, digital camera, up to 2500x magnification |
Certificates, CEUs, and Credits
Successful completion of this course requires a cumulative final grade of 70% or higher, and will grant:
- A digital certificate of completion
- 4.5 Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
- A Journeyman 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:
| Transcript Title | Semester Credits |
|---|---|
| BIOB 225 Journeyman Level Beekeeping | 3 undergraduate |
If you are interested in receiving credit, please email ExtendedLearningSupport@umontana.edu to initiate the registration and payment process.