Course code LauZ6132
Credit points 7.50
Apiculture Science and Beekeeping
Total Hours in Course200
Number of hours for lectures40
Number of hours for seminars and practical classes20
Number of hours for laboratory classes20
Independent study hours120
Date of course confirmation18.02.2016
Responsible UnitInstitute of Soil and Plant Science
Course developers
Marta Liepniece
Mg. agr.
Dace Siliņa
Dr. agr.
Course abstract
Provides in-depth understanding of the honey bee (Apis mellifera) anatomy and physiology, its physiological needs in relation to the ecological conditions. Students acquire genetic basis of bee breeding - scientific explanation of the variation and heredity, gene expression in the bees ontogenesis, understands the choice of bee breeding methods. Students acquire targeted beekeeping methods, bee species and their suitability for a particular type of beekeeping; technologies of providing the bee feed basis; bee diseases and pests and their control method.
Learning outcomes and their assessment
• knowledge of bee biology, breeding, pest and disease control and targeted choice of beekeeping’ methods, technologies of providing the bee feed basis; knowledge of the appropriate choice of the method defined research objective;
• skills to scientifically explain the variation and heredity expression on bees ontogenesis, understand targeted bee breeding methods; to be able to choose targeted beekeeping methods in a given situation; determine the natural food base in bee apiary location and calculate the cultivable area for nectar-plants; to choose methods of bee research in various situations and to unleash the creative thinking of new research methods to develop the use of modern technical resource;
• competence to manage production and advisory work; carry out scientific research using various bee breeding methods; analyze scientific literature on bee biology, breeding and beekeeping; formulate and justify the problems in the beekeeping sector.
Compulsory reading
1. Dade H.A. Anatomy and Dissection of the Honeybee. Oxford: Alden press, 2009. 196 p.
2. Seeley T.D. The wisdom of the hive the social physiology of honey bee colonies. Havard: President and Fellows of Harvard College, 1995. 318 p.
3. Rinderer Th. Bee Genetics and Breeding: Northern Bee Books. Oxford: Alden press, 2008. 444 p.
4. The hive and the honey bee. Edited by Joe M. Graham. Printed in the USA by Bookmasters, inc., Manssfield, OHIO, 2003.
Further reading
1. Pollen and Bee pollen of some plant species. Ed. by J. Brindza, V. Brovarskyi. Ukraine, Kyiv: Publisher Korsunskiy vidavnichiy dim “Vsesvit”, 2013. 137 p.
2. Ritmanis Z. Medus un citi biškopības produkti. Rīga: Nordik, 2004. 264 lpp.
3. Kornets A. Bišu slimības. Rīga: Zvaigzne, 1980. 207 lpp.
Periodicals and other sources
1. Biškopis. ISSN 9741407-221008
2. Journal of Apicultural Science. ISSN 0021-8596