Apiculture

Code: ZOO14068I

3 ECTS

Duration: 15 weeks/78 hours

Scientific Area: Animal Science

Teaching languages: Portuguese

Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese

Presentation

Sustainable Development Goals

Erradicação da pobreza - Acabar com a pobreza em todas as suas formas, em todos os lugares

Fome zero e agricultura sustentável - Acabar com a fome, alcançar a segurança alimentar e melhoria da nutrição e promover a agricultura sustentável.

Educação de qualidade - Assegurar a educação inclusiva, e equitativa e de qualidade, e promover oportunidades de aprendizagem ao longo da vida para todos.

Vida terrestre - Proteger, recuperar e promover o uso sustentável dos ecossistemas terrestres, gerir de forma sustentável as florestas, combater a desertificação, deter e reverter a degradação da Terra e deter a perda da biodiversidade.

Learning Goals

Understand the origin, evolution and distribution of the genus Apis. Know what Apis mellifera L. colonies are, how they behave and reproduce. Be aware of the basic principles of production, processing and quality assessment of honey bee products/services. Capacitate to act in the field of the main threats that honey bee colonies face and comprehend the resulting implications for beekeeping economy, the environment and the safety of the products/services it generates.

Elements of evolution, diversity and biogeography of the genus Apis.
Principles of queen, worker, drone and immature forms' anatomy.
Life in society and ways of intra-colonial communication.
Substitution of individuals and reproduction of colonies.
Foraging and regulation of resource harvesting.
Main production systems, bee products and pollination services.
Technological processing and quality control of the main bee products/services.
Main threats faced by colonies, especially regarding honey bee pathology, predation and intoxication.

Teaching Methods

Teaching methods:
Teaching will be based on theoretical/practical classes, where presentation, contextualisation, practical application and discussion of subjects will be integrated into joint sessions in the classroom, apiary or laboratory. Guidance for student self-learning in areas they individually consider of potentially greater professional relevance or personal interest will be assured.
Assessment:
One written test and one oral workgroup communication. Alternatively, a single final written examination.