Honey Bee Biology and Beekeeping

ENT 322 (3 credits)

Instructor: Dr. Ramesh Sagili

Department of Horticulture
Oregon State University
4105 A Agriculture and Life Sciences Building
ramesh.sagili@oregonstate.edu
Phone: 541-737-5460

Course description:

In this introduction to the fascinating honey bee and its biology, honey bees are
used as model organisms to illustrate general principles of biology, entomology,
and sociobiology. Students will learn the basics of beekeeping, have an
opportunity to manipulate honey bee colonies, and gain hands-on experience,
prevailing winter weather permitting.

Course Objectives:
 Expose students to the biology, behavior, and ecology of honey bees
 Enrich student understanding of basic biology, entomology, and
sociobiology using honey bees as a model
 Provide basic information on beekeeping

Measurable Learner Outcomes: After completing the course, students should

be able to:
 Understand basic biology, behavior and challenges facing honey bees.
 Recognize the role and importance of honey bees to our ecosystem, food
security and economy.
 Understand basics of successful beekeeping and be able to establish a
honey bee colony.

Learning resources:

 Learning material will be provided each week on the course Canvas

(Instructure) site.

Required reading:

 Honey Bee Biology and Beekeeping by Dewey M Caron and Lawrence J

Connor, Wicwas Press

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Course Content and Lecture Schedule:

Lecture # Date / Day Topic

1 April 2 M Introduction / Bee classification / Honey bee species

2 April 4 W Honey bee caste / Division of labor
3 April 6 F Honey bee external anatomy
4 April 9 M Honey bee internal anatomy
5 April 11 W Honey bee nest
6 April 13 F Communication: Dance language / Pheromones
7 April 16 M Communication: Dance language / Pheromones
8 April 18 W Orientation and navigation
9 April 20 F First midterm exam 100 points

MID TERM 1 April 23 M Reproduction: Swarming

10 April 25 W Reproduction: Swarming (continued)
11 April 27 F Reproduction: Honey bee mating / Genetics
12 April 30 M Guest Lecture (TBA)
13 May 2 W Honey bee pests and pathogens
14 May 4 F Honey bee pests and pathogens (cont.)
15 May 7 M Colony Collapse Disorder / Honey bee IPM
16 May 9 W Pollination and bee conservation
17 May 11 F Pollination and bee conservation (cont.) / Pesticides and
pollinators
18 May 14 M Second midterm exam 100 points

MID TERM 2 May 16 W Beekeeping / getting started / basics of management

19 May 18 F Apiary visit (Oak Creek Center for Urban Horticulture)
20 May 21 M Beekeeping / getting started/ basics of management (cont.)
21 May 23 W Spring colony management
22 May 25 F Fall colony management
Holiday May 28 M Memorial Day
23 May 30 W Winter colony management
24 June 1 F Apiary visit (Oak Creek Center for Urban Horticulture)
25 June 4 M Group activity / Discussion: Promoting honey bee health
26 June 6 W Honey bee hive products
27 June 8 F Video (History of beekeeping / Bee keeping equipment)
Project Reports Due
FINAL JUNE 14 Final Exam 200 points
(Thursday) ALS Building Room 4000
2 pm

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Grading

Two written mid-term examinations and a final examination will be given.

Grades will be based on:

Exams

Midterm I 20%
Midterm 2 20%
Final 40%
Project 20%

Grades will be assigned according to the following scale:

90 - 100 % = A
80 - 89 % = B
70 - 79 % = C
60 - 69 % = D
Below 60 = F

Course Policies:
Exam Policies — Preparing makeup exams requires a significant effort on
the part of the instructor. Consequently, makeup exams will not routinely be
given. Makeup exams will be given only for missed exams due to extreme
circumstances or excused in advance by the instructor. For missed exams
that can be anticipated ahead of exam time, advance permission from the
instructor to miss the exam will be necessary. Regrades of exams will be
performed when there is an error and the student requests it. All requests for
re-grading must be made within 3 class days of the day the exam is returned.
After that period of time, grades will be fixed and will not be changed.
Incompletes — I give Incomplete (I) grades only in emergency cases
(usually only for a death in the family, major illness or injury, or birth of your
child).

Statement Regarding Students with Disabilities:

Accommodations are collaborative efforts between students; faculty and

Disability Access Services (DAS) with accommodations approved through
DAS are responsible for contacting the faculty member in charge of the
course prior to or during the first week of the term to discuss
accommodations. Students who believe they are eligible for accommodations
but who have not yet obtained approval through DAS should contact DAS
immediately at 541-737-4098.

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Expectations for Student Conduct:

Student conduct is governed by the university’s policies, as explained in the

Office of Student Conduct: information and regulations.

In an academic community, students and faculty, and staff each have

responsibility for maintaining an appropriate learning environment. Students,
faculty, and staff have the responsibility to treat each other with understanding,
dignity and respect. Disruption of teaching, administration, research, and other
institutional activities is prohibited by Oregon Administrative Rule 576-015-0015
(1) and (2) and is subject to sanctions under university policies, OSU Office of
Student Conduct.

Academic Integrity — Students are expected to comply with all regulations

pertaining to academic honesty, defined as: An intentional act of deception in
which a student seeks to claim credit for the work or effort of another person
or uses unauthorized materials or fabricated information in any academic
work. For further information, visit Avoiding Academic Dishonesty, or contact
the office of Student Conduct and Mediation at 541-737-3656.

Conduct in the classroom — Students are expected to conduct themselves

in compliance with the university's regulations regarding civility. Students will
be expected to treat all others with the same respect as they would want
afforded themselves. Disrespectful behavior to others or disruptive behaviors
in the course is unacceptable and can result in sanctions as defined by
Oregon Administrative Rules Division 015 Student Conduct Regulations.

Student Assistance:

Contacting the instructor — Office hours are Monday’s and Wednesday’s

from 11 am to noon or by appointment. E-mail is the best way to reach me.
My e-mail is: ramesh.sagili@oregonstate.edu

Course Evaluation:

OSU Student Evaluation of Teaching — Course evaluation results are

extremely important and are used to help me improve this course and the
learning experience of future students. Results from the 19 multiple choice
questions are tabulated anonymously and go directly to instructors and
department heads. Student comments on the open-ended questions are
compiled and confidentially forwarded to each instructor, per OSU
procedures. You will login to “Student Online Services” to respond to the
online questionnaire. The results on the form are anonymous and are not
tabulated until after grades are posted.