The University of Galway, also known as National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG), is a public research university located in Galway, Ireland. It was founded in 1845 as Queen's College, Galway, and became a constituent college of the National University of Ireland in 1908.

The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines, including arts, business, law, medicine, engineering, and science. NUIG is known for its strengths in research, particularly in the areas of biomedicine, environmental science, and human rights.

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The main aim of this course is to provide quality third level education on bees and beekeeping. This course may be of interest primarily to beekeepers or those considering becoming a beekeeper. It will also be of interest to anyone who has an interest in entomology, pollinators and the decline of bees and pollinators more generally. In this course students will learn about Entomology (the world of insects) including the diversity of insects, their structure and general biology and their importance to humans. Of course, a lot of focus will be placed on the honeybee. We will also study the complex behaviour of social insects (bees, wasps and ants) and how this is relevant to beekeeping. Honeybee health is of huge importance globally right now and one module will cover this in detail while another will investigate the evolution of the insect group that contains bees. In addition to these topics, practical modules will take students from the basics of learning how to be a beekeeper through to some advanced elements of this area including bee breeding, and the production of honey and other bee products. Show less

Year 1
Entomology
This module is the study of insects including their relationships to humans and the environment. It will include focus on insect systematics and diversity, insect anatomy and physiology, their general biology and importance in agriculture including beekeeping, industry, and forensics.

Behaviour in Social Insects
This module introduces students to the world of life inside a social insect colony. Focused primarily on the honeybee, but including elements of other social insects, this module covers material relating to bee communication, including; pheromones, waggle dance, grooming and other hygienic behaviours, defence and reproductive behaviours amongst others.

Fundamentals of Beekeeping
This module will introduce the student to the basic principles of beekeeping including; what types of honeybees are involved and where to get bees, types of hives, boxes and equipment needed to keep bees, how to inspect a colony, treatment options for pests and diseases, how to catch, mark and clip queens and manage swarming, basic queen rearing and harvesting honey, and preparing the colonies for winter.

Year 2
Genetics and Evolution of Hymenoptera
This module will provide detailed information for students on Mendelian genetics, chromosomes, meiosis and mitosis. We will introduce students to the particular genetics associated with the hymenoptera including genetic aspects of asexual/sexual phases in the life cycle, inheritance in the honeybee, the genetic basis of sex determination including parthenogenesis. The module will also apply evolutionary genetics knowledge to give an outline account of the the evolution of the honeybee as a social insect and its subsequent evolution into multiple strains globally.

Honeybee Health
This module will introduce students to the factors impacting honeybee health. This includes bee-related factors that regulate honeybee health such as social immunity, influence of microbiome and plant-bee interactions. It will then introduce students to the factors that negatively affect bee health including diseases, pathogens and poisons, habitat decline, and other human influences.

Advanced Beekeeping
This module will develop the students’ knowledge of honey production and its preparation for show and sale. it will also deepen the students’ knowledge on apiary management including inspections, state of the art equipment and honey products and managing hygiene and disease.

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The National University of Ireland Galway, commonly known as University of Galway or simply NUI Galway, is a public research university located in Galway, Ireland. It was founded in 1845 as Queen's College Galway and became a university in 1908. NUI Galway is one of Ireland's leading universities, with a strong focus on research and innovation, and a reputation for excellence in teaching and learning. The university has five colleges - Arts, Social Sciences, and Celtic Studies; Business, Public Policy and Law; Engineering and Informatics; Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences; and Science. NUI Galway offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in a wide range of disciplines, including humanities, social sciences, science and technology, medicine, nursing, and business. NUI Galway is known for its research excellence, with particular strengths in areas such as biomedical science, environmental science, humanities and social sciences, and information technology. The university has several research institutes and centers focused on these areas, and has established partnerships with leading research institutions around the world. The university is located on a beautiful campus on the banks of the River Corrib, just a short walk from the vibrant city center of Galway. With its lively cultural scene, excellent restaurants and pubs, and easy access to the stunning natural beauty of the west coast of Ireland, Galway is a popular destination for students from around the world.

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You will need to book the accommodation after you have been accepted.

You can choose to live on campus or off campus in private accommodation.

How to book:

• Make a booking online after you have been accepted (in this case please let us know your choice when you apply).
• Register when you arrive - its not possible to reserve a room before arriving. You can arrive a few days before and book it

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