Master Beekeeping: Schedule and Prepare for

Your Exams

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

This course also provides information to help you prepare for your exam, including general descriptions of each evaluation component, practice quizzes, copies of previous exams, and more. The individual components of the exam are housed in their own courses, as follows:

Master Beekeeping Written Exam

A written examination demonstrating comprehension and application of knowledge learned in coursework. The written examination can be completed either online (within this course) or in person at Dyce Lab, Cornell University, in Ithaca, New York; you will choose the format when you schedule your exam. 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.

Master Beekeeping Oral Exam

Delivery of a 15-minute oral presentation demonstrating applied knowledge of beekeeping and research beyond the information provided in the coursework. This can be completed either remotely using video conference technology or in person at Dyce Lab; you will choose the format when you schedule your exam. Your research topic must be approved by the course facilitator and the oral presentation must be accompanied by visual slides. Students will be evaluated on the following criteria:

• The ability to locate, critically evaluate, and interpret the scientific literature and other information sources

• The presentation's informational content 

• The presentation's organization 

• Communication skills 

• The presentation's level of appropriateness for the audience

• The ability to answer follow-up questions from the facilitator 

Students must score 70% or higher on their oral examination in order to pass this component of the final examination.

Master Beekeeping Field Exam

An evaluation of fieldwork demonstrating application of effective management techniques learned in the coursework. This can be completed either remotely using video-recording technology or in person at Dyce Lab; you will choose the format when you schedule your exam. Students are expected to supply 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 Exams, all four courses — Honey Bee Evolution, Biology, and Behavior; The Science and Art of Beekeeping; Managing Pests and Diseases; and The Rewards and Contributions of Beekeeping — must be completed.

These exams will allow you to demonstrate your skills and advanced knowledge and receive valuable feedback. Students who receive a passing grade on all three components of the exam will receive the Cornell University Master Beekeeping Certificate.