نظرة عامة على البرنامج

Master Level Beekeeping Course

The Master course is the third and final level in the University of Montana's Master Beekeeping curriculum. It offers a more detailed look into bee flight, anatomy, and reproduction, discusses bee pheromones and genetics, and provides templates for record-keeping for improved bee management. The course also covers hive products, bee nutrition, selection of apiary locations, and basic principles for conducting original experiments. Students will be introduced to the use of Excel spreadsheets for research and managerial applications. The course capstone is completion of a literature-based or experimental-based research project and delivery of a final technical report.

Course Details

• Dates: June 15 - August 14, 2026
• Instructors: Jerry Bromenshenk, Scott Debnam, and Phillip Welch
• Registration Fee: $495
• Location: The course meets fully online.

Course Description

The course is structured with weekly topics, discussion forums, assignments, and quizzes. However, there are no scheduled class meeting times when all students need to be logged in and "attending" the course at the same time. Instead, students work on the course at whatever times best fit their schedule. Participants must have access to an internet-connected computer and should allow for 5-7 hours per week of study time. The course is taught online through the University of Montana's online learning system.

Prerequisites

• Successful completion of the University of Montana's Apprentice Level Beekeeping Course (or test out of the Apprentice course)
• Successful completion of the University of Montana's Journeyman Level Beekeeping Course

Required Course Materials

• The Hive and the Honey Bee, Joe Graham, Editor, 2015 Revision, ISBN 978- (Hardcover), available through Dadant.
• The Craft of Research, 4th Edition, W.C. Booth, et al., 2016, ISBN-13: (Paperback), available through Amazon and other online retailers. eBook versions are also acceptable.

Course Policies

Enrollment & Payment

Beekeeping courses are dependent upon a minimum number of registered students to run. If the minimum enrollment is not met, the course will be cancelled and registrants fully refunded. Courses are limited to a maximum enrollment with registration on a first-come, first-served basis. Once a course is full, students will be added to a waitlist and notified if an opening becomes available. Registration fees vary by course, and full payment is required at the time of registration.

Refunds

Students will receive full refunds for cancellations received up to one week before the course start date. Refunds are generally not provided for cancellations received after a course begins.

ADA Accommodations

The University of Montana will provide reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities. To request an accommodation, students should contact Student Support Services at least two weeks before a course starts.

Academic Credit and Certification

Upon successful completion of the course, 4.5 CEUs (Continuing Education Units) will be awarded and a certificate issued. The course offers optional academic credit and has been approved for three credits through the University of Montana Division of Biological Sciences as BIOB 325 Master Level Beekeeping. Students who opt to take the course for academic credit must pay an additional $135 credit recording fee at the time of registration. Students must be a minimum of age 16 in order to register for the credit section. This course is eligible for the Hives for Heroes Bee U Scholarship for military, veterans, and first responders.