Cornell Master Beekeeping

Exam Series

Cornell Course

This course enables you to schedule the evaluation components required in order to earn the Cornell University Master Beekeeping Certificate. Although evaluations can be scheduled in advance (and are held in the U.S. summer months), students must complete all required coursework prior to completing their evaluations.

Components that will be evaluated include:

• A written examination demonstrating comprehension and application of knowledge learned in coursework. The written examination will be administered online. The written exam consists of multiple-choice, short-answer, and long-answer questions. Students must score 70% or higher on their written examination in order to pass this component of the final examination.
   
• Delivery of a 15-minute oral presentation demonstrating applied knowledge of beekeeping and research beyond the information provided in the coursework. (May be completed remotely using video conference technology or in person at Dyce Lab). Research topic must be approved by course facilitator and the oral presentation must be accompanied by visual slides. Students will be evaluated on the following criteria:
  • Their ability to locate, critically evaluate, and interpret the scientific literature and other information sources
  • The presentation's informational content 
  • The presentation's organization 
  • Their communication skills 
  • The presentation's level of appropriateness for the audience
  • Their ability to answer follow-up questions from the instructor 
• Students must score 70% or higher on their oral examination in order to pass this component of the final examination.
   
• An evaluation of fieldwork demonstrating application of effective management techniques learned in the coursework (completed at Dyce Lab in the U.S. summer months or virtually due to COVID-19 travel restrictions). Students will demonstrate these skills one-on-one with the facilitator on Dyce Lab honey bee hives or with their own hives via video (if virtual option is chosen). Students are expected to bring their own protective gear. Thin medical gloves are permitted, but leather gloves are not. Examples of techniques to be demonstrated include (but are not limited to) the following:
  • Performing a split
  • Performing a merge  
  • Making a nuc
  • Performing proper inspections
  • Identifying pests and diseases
  • Monitoring for pests and diseases
  • Handling queens
  • Assessing the nutrition of the colony
  • Troubleshooting issues
• Students must score 70% or higher on their field examination in order to pass this component of the final examination.

In order to enroll in Cornell Master Beekeeping Exam Series, all four courses, PTRENT001, PTRENT002, PTRENT003, PTRENT004 must be completed.