Master’s Degree in Entomology and Nematology, Specializing in Beekeeping
Our 30-credit master’s degree in entomology and nematology with a specialization in beekeeping is designed for students interested in starting or advancing their career in the apiculture industry.
During this online program, you’ll gain in-depth entomology knowledge essential for current and aspiring beekeepers. Not to be confused with UF’s Honey Bee Research and Extension Lab’s Master Beekeeper Program, which is intended to mentor new beekeepers, our online master’s degree in beekeeping offers a more formal education, giving students the opportunity to pursue a prestigious graduate degree while learning about apiculture theory, honey bee biology and the basics of starting a beekeeping business.
In addition to completing the required credits for the master’s degree program, MS students specializing in beekeeping will also complete our 15-credit Graduate Certificate in Beekeeping as part of their MS program. Additional elective course options include Insect Toxicology, Insect Physiology, Social Insects and Agricultural Ecology Principles and Applications. Your committee supervisor can help you decide which courses might be useful to you based on your desired professional and academic goals. Please contact Dr. Georgette Kluiters or refer to the master’s degree handbook for more information.
In addition to aspiring beekeepers, this program may be of interest to those currently working or seeking employment in the following careers:
- Veterinarian
- Ecologist
- Biologist
- Postsecondary teacher
- Consultant
- Research scientist
Upon completion of the program, transcripts will read:
Master of Science in Entomology and Nematology, Graduate Certificate in Beekeeping
Beekeeping Courses
Required
| Course Name | Credits | Fall | Spring | Summer |
| ENY 5006 Graduate Survey of Entomology | 3 | X | X | X |
| ENY 5006L Graduate Survey of Entomology Lab | 3 | X | X | X |
| ENY 6166 Insect Classification | 3 | X | X | |
| ENY 6203 Insect Ecology and ENY 6203L Insect Ecology Lab | 4 | X | ||
| ENY 6651C Insect Toxicology (Available Even Years Only) OR | 3 | X | ||
| IPM 5305 Principles of Pesticides | 3 | X | ||
| STA 6093 Introduction to Applied Statistics for Agricultural and Life Sciences | 3 | X | X | |
| ENY 6905 Capstone Project | 2-3 | X | X | X |
| ENY 6931 – Seminar in Science Communication | 1 | X | ||
| To add the certificate in beekeeping | ||||
| ENY 6572 Apiculture 1 | 3 | X | X | X |
| ENY 6575 Apiculture 2 | 3 | X | ||
| ENY 6576 Honey Bee Biology | 3 | X | ||
| And choose at least 2 credits from the following: | ||||
| ENY 6401 Ecology and Conservation of Pollinators (In-Person Only) | 3 | X | ||
| ENY 6401 Insect Physiology | 3 | X | ||
| ENY 6934 Social Insects (Must Attend Synchronously) | 3 | X | ||
| ENY 6934 The Business of Beekeeping | 3 | X | ||
| ALS 5156 Agricultural Ecology Principles and Applications | 3 | X | X | |
| HOS 5117C Environmental Plant Identification and Use (In-Person Only) | 3 | X | ||
| Other applicable courses from ENY or other majors for remaining credits |
Specialization Option
By earning your master’s degree with a specialization in beekeeping, you’ll also be completing our 15-credit Graduate Certificate in Beekeeping. Please contact Dr. Georgette Kluiters or refer to the master’s degree handbook for more information.
Elective Courses
Choose from the following elective courses to fulfill remaining credits:
| Course Name | Credits | Fall | Spring | Summer |
| ALS 6166 Exotic Species and Biosecurity Issues | 3 | X | ||
| ALS 6935 Topics in Biological Invasions | 3 | X | ||
| ALS 6942 Principles of Plant Pest Risk Assessment and Management | 3 | X | ||
| ENY 5160C Survey of Science with Insects | 3 | X | ||
| ENY 5212 Insects and Wildlife | 3 | X | ||
| ENY 5223C Biology and Identification of Urban Pests | 3 | X | ||
| ENY 5226C Principles of Urban Pest Management | 3 | X | ||
| ENY 5241 Biological Control (Live Attendance Required; Available Even Years Only) | 4 | X | ||
| IPM 6021 Insect Pest and Vector Management | 3 | X | ||
| ENY 5405 Insects as Vectors of Plant Pathogens (Available Even Years Only) | 3 | X | ||
| ENY 5516 Turf and Ornamental Entomology | 3 | X | ||
| ENY 5566 Tropical Entomology (Live Attendance Required; Available Odd Years Only) | 3 | X | ||
| ENY 5567 Tropical Entomology Lab (Live Attendance Required; Available Odd Years Only) | 2 | X | ||
| ENY 6572 Apiculture I | 3 | X | X | X |
| ENY 6166 Insect Classification | 3 | X | X | |
| ENY 6203 Insect Ecology and Laboratory | 3 | X | ||
| ENY 6203L Insect Ecology Laboratory | 1 | |||
| ENY 6206 Ecology of Vector-borne Diseases | 2 | X | ||
| ENY 6401 Insect Physiology | 3 | X | ||
| ENY 6575 Apiculture II | 3 | X | ||
| ENY 6593 Advanced Mosquito Biology | 3 | X | ||
| ENY 6651C Insect Toxicology (Available Even Years Only) | X | |||
| ENY 6665 Advanced Medical and Veterinary Entomology | 3 | X | ||
| ENY 6665L Advanced Medical and Veterinary Lab | 1 | X | ||
| ENY 6821 Insect Microbiology (Available Even Years Only) | 3 | X | ||
| ENY 6576 Honey Bee Biology | 3 | X | ||
| NEM 5004C Graduate Survey of Nematology | 3 | X |
Admission Requirements
Master’s Degree:
- A bachelor’s degree in a science field from a regionally accredited university. If your undergraduate degree is not in a science field, it should be supplemented with the following coursework:
- One year (two semesters) of general biology
- At least one semester of general chemistry
- Algebra and trigonometry
- At least one semester of physics (recommended)
- Introductory statistics (recommended)
- An upper-division undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Acceptable TOEFL scores (international students only)
- Three letters of recommendation from individuals in a position to evaluate your academic potential*
- A resume/CV*
- A statement of purpose, written by the student, which should indicate previous training and experience, interests, and educational and career goals as an entomologist or nematologist*
Pursuant to Florida Statute, your application requires inclusion of all post-high school education and employment, as well as information about ongoing international affiliations and research funding. Please ensure this information is included on your curriculum vitae (CV) or résumé.
* These materials can be appended to your online application.
For more information about admission requirements, please visit the admissions page.
Requirements to Earn Degree
Our online, non-thesis entomology master’s degree requires 30 credit hours of coursework. At least 15 of these 30 credits must be earned through graded courses in the Entomology & Nematology major at the 5000 level. Six of these 30 credits may be S/U graded. One or two minors of at least 6 credits each may be chosen but are not required. Six credits outside the major may be courses numbered 3000 and 4000. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required in the major, the minor and to graduate. No grade below a “C” will count toward your degree. Students must be enrolled for a minimum of 3 credit hours of coursework to graduate during spring or fall semesters and for 2 credit hours to graduate in a summer semester.
Transferring Credits Toward the Master’s Degree
Up to 15 credits earned in your UF certificate program or up to 6 credits (two courses) earned as a non-degree seeking student can be transferred to the master’s degree. For credits to transfer, you must apply and be admitted to the master’s degree program and have earned a grade of “B” or higher in the course(s). International students will also need to have acceptable TOEFL scores. Successful completion of courses taken as a non-degree seeking student or in the graduate certificate program does NOT guarantee acceptance into the master’s degree program.
Final Examination
The final examination consists of both written and oral components and is usually given in the last semester of the program. The exam may contain questions from subject matter covered in any of the required courses taken during the program. The written exam will be taken on a computer and will be proctored using an online proctoring service such as ProctorU. The oral exam will be conducted via Skype or Zoom, at a time convenient to the student and their committee members.
Distance Program Coordinator
The distance coordinator for this program is Dr. Georgette Kluiters.
Library Access
Students taking UF Entomology and Nematology courses can use their Gatorlink account to access their online courses, UF libraries and billing.
