Agriculture & Food Science - Bees Pollination & People
This module examines the most important insect pollinators and gives an insight into their taxonomy, biology and ecological role.
Duration
Autumn Trimester - September to December
MODE OF DELIVERY: Face-to-Face
Eligibility
Not applicable to this module.
Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
Careers / Further progression
Open Learning means you can fit university around your life. Whether you're looking to progress your career, or you've just finished school and wondering if university is for you, Open Learning fits around your schedule and gives you all the benefits of being a full-time student, without the full-time commitment.
Open Learning allows you to select the modules you wish to study, set the pace of your study, and whether you undertake the module assessment. It also can lead to undergraduate degree entry in UCD if you are taking the Certificate in Open Learning (30 credits) or if you are a Mature Student you can take one module (5 credits) in lieu of the MSAP exam.
There are 14 Progression Pathways to choose from Students who earn 30 credits (6 x 5 credit modules) receive a NFQ Level 7 Certificate in Open Learning. This can be used to apply through the CAO for dedicated places on 14 different UCD degree programmes depending on Grade Point Average (GPA) and modules completed.
Further information
TRIMESTER: Autumn
To get started, you need to first complete and submit an online pre-registration form. Applications will reopen again on 8 August 2023.
This module examines the most important insect pollinators and gives an insight into their taxonomy, biology and ecological role. The focus will be on bumble bees, solitary bees and honey bees. It will provide the student with an understanding of the variation in their biology and provide them with knowledge of specific pollinator species. The module will also identify human activities that affect (improve or impair) survival of pollinating insects. Emphasis is placed on the honey bee because of its importance, both as a honey producer and as a pollinator of cultivated crops. Beekeeping is described in some detail with practical demonstrations of management, and every student will have an opportunity to handle honeybee colonies in an apiary.
Apiary practical sessions will be arranged for groups of 10 at a time (protective clothing provided), depending on student and staff availability. This year it is looking unlikely that it will be possible to operate apiary visits because of having to share beesuits will constitute a risk for vectoring viral infection. However, there will still be a practical based in Rosemount Environmental Research Station. The video project will also be arranged in small groups and will make use of student’s own mobile phone video recorders.
The lectures will be delivered by UCD staff as well as invited speakers, who will cover topics such as pollinator ecology (bumblebees, honey bees and solitary bees), pests and diseases of honeybees and other pollinators. These guest lecturers will come from backgrounds such as the National Biodiversity Data Centre, Crop Policy Production and Safety Division of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the Teagasc Bee Disease Diagnostic Service at Oak Park and the Federation of Irish Beekeepers Associations.
Topics covered will include:
Evolutionary history, biology and taxonomy of pollinating Hymenoptera;
Evolution of sociality and the super-organism concept;
Pollination biology and bee botany;
The organisation of honey bee colonies including sex determination and reproduction;
Threats to pollinating insects (including chemicals, parasites and diseases);
The importance of beekeeping and beekeeping practices to human society – past and present;
Practical apiculture (colony management/manipulation, honey production, colony reproduction, queen rearing);
Products and ecosystem services of pollinators.
We have a dedicated team who supports the Open Learning programme:
Jenny Doyle, Centre Operations Manager - jennifer.doyle@ucd.ie
Lucy and Ciarán are members of our Operations Team and they can also help you with your queries. Get in touch with us by emailing all@ucd.ie