Course Syllabus
Title of Course [Native Bee Biology and Identification]
Prefix and Number [ENTOM465/565]
Semester and Year [Spring 2026]
Number of Credit Hours [3]
Prerequisites [none]
Course Details
Day and Time: Tuesdays & Thursdays 12:05p - 1:20p
Meeting Location: 354 Food Science and Human Nutrition (FSHN)
Instructor Contact Information
Instructor Name: Silas Bossert
Instructor Contact Information: 266 FSHN, (509)-335-8385, silas.bossert@wsu.edu
Instructor Office Hours: Tuesdays 2:30 – 4pm, and by appointment
TA Name: [tbd]
TA Contact Information: [office location, phone, email]: [tbd]
TA Office Hours: [click here for best practices] [tbd]
Course Description
Immerse yourself in the world of native bees! This class provides a comprehensive introduction into the study and identification of native bees, with a focus on species that can be found in the Pacific Northwest. Students will get a sound understanding of native bee biology and their distribution and will learn to identify common genera of bees that are found in Washington State. The class will include lectures and engaging identification exercises using stereomicroscopes. This class is beginner friendly, and no previous entomology experience is needed. Hence, no course prerequisites.
Course Materials
Books: Bees of the Pacific Northwest: Key to Genera (Hymenoptera: Anthophila) [will be provided for free]
Other Materials: Identification literature and additional readings will be provided to the students at no cost.
Fees: n/a
|
Course Learning Outcomes (students will be able to:) |
Activities Supporting the Learning Outcomes | Assessment of the Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
| Students will have a sound understanding of native bee biology and their distribution in both time and space | Lectures, reading assignments and in-class activities | In-class activities and quizzes |
| The students will be able to quickly identify common genera of bees that are found in the Pacific Northwest | Joint identification exercises through guided identification over TV screen; individual identification exercises using the primary identification key | Evaluation of correct identifications during class; in-class ad-hoc quizzes, mid-term and final exam on identification of native bee genera |
| Students will become familiar with the identification literature that permits identification of native bee genera of the North American continent |
Hands-on usage of identification keys for bees from the Pacific Northwest, exposure to identification literature for all bee genera of North America |
In-class activities and both mid-term and final exam on identification of native bee genera |
| Dates | Lesson Topic | Assignment | Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Week 1 |
(Jan 13) Introduction / Overview of Class / Introductory Lecture: ‘What are Bees and what are Pollinators’. (Jan 15) Lecture: Introduction into native Bee Biology. |
Read chapter 1.1 'Is this a Bee?' of the 'Bees in your Backyard' [will be provided through canvas] | In-class quiz activity through blooket [not graded}. |
| Week 2 Jan. 20 & 22 |
(Jan 20) How to use a Stereo Microscope & Identification of the major Body Regions of a Bee and the ‘Metasoma’ (Morphology 1). (Jan 22) Morphology 2: Morphology Lab Exercise – the ‘Mesosoma’, Wings & Head. |
Self-guided study of bee morphology using a pinned bee specimen, stereomicroscope, and the handout on bee morphology. *ENTOM565: Additional reading: Chapter 3, 'The Solitary Bee Life Cycle' of 'The Solitary Bees' [will be provided through canvas]. |
In-class quiz activity through blooket [not graded}; collective repetition of morphological terminology. |
| Week 3 Jan. 27 & 29 |
(Jan 27) Introduction to Bee Identification Keys, Guided Identification Exercise 1: Antophora, Guided Identification Exercise 2: Agapostemon. Guided Identification Exercise 3: Halictus. (Jan 29) Guided Identification Exercise 4: Nomada. Guided Identification Exercise 5: Separate Bees from Wasps. Then: Identification of the 10 most common Bee Genera from the Pacific Northwest (1). |
Thorough introduction into the usage of taxonomic identification keys. A total of 5 in-class identification activities are guided by the instructor showing morphological characters of bees using the microscope-TV screen setup. | Understanding the principles of an identification key will be assessed based on the results that students will provide: correct identification of genera or not, correct assessment of presence or absence of morphological characters. |
| Week 4 Feb. 3 & 5 |
(Feb. 3) Identification of the 10 most common Bee Genera from the Pacific Northwest (2). (Feb. 5) Quiz 1 recap. Then: Identification of the 10 most common Bee Genera from the Pacific Northwest (3). |
Following the lecture modules, students will identify specimens of bees that are unknown to them to the genus level. The focus lies on the 10 common bee genera of the Pacific Northwest, which will be repeated throughout the semester and are the principle subject of the mid term and final exam. The Feb. 5 session will include a section on repeating the content for the first quiz. | Feb. 5 repetition session will reflect on content from the three previous weeks and will provide the students with the opportunity to prepare for quiz 1. |
| Week 5 Feb. 10 & 12 |
(Feb. 10) Quiz 1. Then: Lecture: Bees and Plants. (Feb. 12) Introduction into Bee Phylogeny and Phylogenetic thinking Challenge. Then: Identification of the 10 most common Bee Genera from the Pacific Northwest (4). |
Following quiz 1 and the lecture on bees & plants, we will continue and finalize the module on the 10 common bee genera from the Pacific Northwest. Additional reading: Chapter 1.6 'What do bees eat?' of the 'Bees in your Backyard' [will be provided through canvas]. *ENTOM565: Additional reading: Chapter 12, 'Bees and Plants: Love Story, Arms Race, or Something in Between?' of TSB [will be provided through canvas]. |
Written quiz, reflecting content covered thus far, with a focus on morphology. |
| Week 6 Feb. 17 & 19 |
(Feb. 17) Lecture and Identification Exercises: Family Apidae (1). (Feb. 19) Lecture and Identification Exercises: Family Apidae (2). |
Being now trained in identification keys and the usage of stereo microscopes, the students will put their new knowledge to work through identification exercises on the genera of Apidae from the PNW. | In-class quiz activity through blooket [not graded}; identification assessments: correct identification of genera or not, correct assessment of presence or absence of morphological characters. |
| Week 7 Feb. 24 & 26 |
(Feb 24) Lecture and Identification Exercises: Family Apidae (3); Practice for Mid Term Quiz. (Feb 26) MID TERM PRACTICAL. |
Continuation of identification exercises of the family Apidae, including a revisit of the genera that are common. This will prepare for the mid term practical. | Mid term exam: a practical assessment of identification skills for three genera of bees for undergraduate students, and four genera for graduate students. Assessment of hands-on identification using microscopes. |
| Week 8 Mar. 3 & 5 |
(Mar 3) The Sociality Special: Lecture on Sociality in Insects and Beyond [guest lecture]. (Mar 5) Lecture: Sociality in Bees. Then: Exercise Comparisons of Workers and Queens. |
Guest lecture of sociality specialist. Discussion activity on sociality in insects and beyond. *ENTOM565: Additional reading: Chapter 1.5, 'Bee Sociality' in the 'The Bees in your Backyard' [will be provided through canvas]. |
In-class quiz activity through blooket [not graded}; collective repetition of terminology on sociality. |
| Week 9 Mar. 10 & 12 |
(Mar 10) Lecture and Identification Exercises: Families Megachilidae & Melittidae (1). (Mar 12) Lecture and Identification Exercises: Families Megachilidae & Melittidae (2). |
Identification exercises for the family Megachilidae, including a revisit of the genera that are common. | In-class quiz activity through blooket [not graded}; identification assessments: correct identification of genera or not, correct assessment of presence or absence of morphological characters. |
| Week 10 Mar. 24 & 26 |
(Mar 24) Lecture and Identification Exercises: Families Andrenidae & Colletidae (1). (Mar 26) Quiz 2 recap. Then: Lecture and Identification Exercises: Families Andrenidae & Colletidae (2). |
Identification exercises for the families Andrenidae and Colletidae, including a revisit of the genera that are commonly found in the PNW. | In-class quiz activity through blooket [not graded}; identification assessments: correct identification of genera or not, correct assessment of presence or absence of morphological characters. |
| Week 11 Mar. 31 & Apr. 2 |
(Mar 31) Quiz 2. Then: Lecture: Native Bee Conservation. (Apr 2) Tour of the M.T. James Museum [Museum Staff will lead Tour]. |
Group discussion on the value of natural history collections in the 21st century. *ENTOM565: Additional reading: Chapter 14, 'Threats to Solitary Bees and Their Biological Conservation' of of TSB [will be provided through canvas] |
Written quiz, reflecting content covered thus far. |
| Week 12 Apr. 7 & 9 |
(Apr 7) Discussion: Improving Native Bee Conservation. Then: Species Identification Exercise: Bumblebees (1). (Apr 9) Lecture and Species Identification Exercise: Bumblebees (2). |
Species identification exercises for PNW bumblebees, including most of the species that occur in the state. | Identification assessments: correct identification of bumblebee species. |
| Week 13 Apr. 14 & 16 |
(Apr 14) Lecture and Identification Exercises: Family Halictidae (1). (Apr 16) Lecture and Species Identification Exercise: Halictus. |
Genus identification exercises for Halictidae, including all genera of the PNW. Species identification exercises for the genus Halictus, including all species that occur in the state. | Identification assessments: correct identification of genera and Halictus species, accompanied by detailed explanation. |
| Week 14 Apr. 21 & 23 |
(Apr 21) Weather dependent: GOOD: Field Collecting Trip with Demonstration of Collecting Techniques. BAD: Demonstration of Pinning and Labeling Techniques. (Apr 23) Weather dependent: GOOD: Field Collecting Trip with Demonstration of Collecting Techniques. BAD: Demonstration of Pinning and Labeling Techniques. |
Pinning and labelling practical exercise; students will pin their own specimens. *ENTOM565: Expectation to collect, pin and properly label 5 specimens of bees collected in week 14. |
Assessment of pinning quality, label completeness and ability to recognize bees in the field. |
| Week 15 Apr. 28 & 30 |
(Apr 28) Practical Exam Preparation: Practical Recap. (Apr 30) Practical Exam. |
n/a | The final exam will be a practical assessment of the student's ability to recognize the common bee genera that occur in the PAaific Northwest. |
Expectations for Student Effort
For each hour of lecture equivalent, students should expect to have a minimum of two hours of work outside of class.
Grading
| Type of Assignment (tests, papers, etc) | Points | Percent of Overall Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Participation / Attendance | 28 (1 point / session, except midterm and final practical exam) | 28 |
| Quiz 1 (5 questions for ENTOM465, 7 for ENTOM565) | 18 | 18 |
| Quiz 2 (5 questions for ENTOM465, 7 for ENTOM565) | 18 | 18 |
| Mid Term Practical Exam (identification of 3 specimens for ENTOM465, 4 for ENTOM565) | 12 | 12 |
| Final Practical Exam (identification of 6 specimens for ENTOM465, 8 for ENTOM565) | 24 | 24 |
| Grade | Percent | Grade | Percent |
|---|---|---|---|
| A |
100-93 |
C | 76-73 |
| A- | 92-90 | C- | 72-70 |
| B+ | 89-87 | D+ | 69-67 |
| B | 86-83 | D | 66-60 |
| B- | 82-80 | F | <60 |
| C+ | 79-77 |
Attendance and Make-Up Policy
There are a total of 28 course meetings for this class aside of the midterm exam and the final exam. Course meeting attendance is expected and contributes to the participation points of the course grade. Students will be given 1 point for each attended session and 2 bonus points. This means that a student can miss at most 2 sessions in order to get full points for attendance. However, in the event a student is unable to attend a class, it is the responsibility of the student to inform the instructor as soon as possible, explain the reason for the absence (and provide documentation, if appropriate), and make up class work missed within a reasonable amount of time, if allowed. Exceptions will need to be discussed directly with the instructor. Missing class meetings may result in reducing the overall grade in the class. Make-up exams will be scheduled on a case-by-case basis.
Academic Integrity Statement
All members of the university community share responsibility for maintaining and promoting the principles of integrity in all activities, including academic integrity and honest scholarship. You are responsible for reading WSU's Academic Integrity Policy, which is based on Washington State law. If you cheat in your work in this class you will:
-Be asked to meet with me to discuss your work. Failure to attend this meeting will result in an immediate report to the Center for Community Standards
-Be reported to the Center for Community Standards
-Have the right to appeal my decision
-Not be able to drop the course of withdraw from the course until the appeals process is finished
If you have any questions about what you can and cannot do in this course, ask me.
If you want to ask for a change in my decision about academic integrity, use the form at the Center for Community Standards website. You must submit this request within 21 calendar days of the decision.
University Syllabus
Students are responsible for reading and understanding all university-wide policies and resources pertaining to all courses (for instance: accommodations, care resources, policies on discrimination or harassment), which can be found in the university syllabus: https://syllabus.wsu.edu/university-syllabus/.