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Graduate Program in Entomology
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Insect Structure and Function, Part II: Physiology and Biochemistry (16:370:516)

  1. Semester Offered: Every even-numbered Spring semester, together with undergraduate course 11:370:404
  2. Period: Lectures: T, TH 2 (10:55 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.) in Thompson Hall, Room 201; Labs: T 3,4,5 (12:35 – 5:15 p.m.)
  3. Location: Old Blake Hall, Room 101
  4. Credits: 4
  5. Format: Lectures, laboratory exercises, and discussions.
  6. Pre-requisites and Other Registration Restrictions: 11:370:381 Insect Biology or equivalent, 11:115:403, 404 General Biochemistry or equivalent, consent of instructor.
  7. Text: Chapman, Simpson, Douglas, 2013. "The Insects: Structure and Function", 5th Edition, 900+ pp. Cambridge University Press;  papers from the current literature; the entire course content and schedules will be available on a Rutgers Canvas website

Description

This is a equired core course for Entomology graduate students.

The subject of insect physiology and biochemistry will be discussed in the following categories:

  1. The flow of nutrients through the insect, their capture, digestion, absorption, intermediary metabolism, energy metabolism, detoxification, excretion and electrolyte homeostasis.
  2. Circulation and gas exchange
  3. Embryology, development and reproduction
  4. Neurophysiology
  5. Communication including mechanical (tactile, acoustic, visual) and chemical (hormones, pheromones, allomones, kairomones, necromones) systems in terms of both signal sending and receiving mechanisms.

Learning Objectives

  1. To understand principles and specific adaptations related to the physiology and biochemistry of insects
  2. To pose and test hypotheses and to critically evaluate scientific data and theories
  3. To understand some of the methods and techniques used to study insect physiology and biochemistry

Testing and Grading

  1. Class participation is expected and will represent 10% of your final grade.
  2. There will be 4 online quizzes accounting for 40% of your final course grade
  3. Comprehensive lab reports accounting for 50% of your final grade

Instructor

Dr L. B. Brattsten
Thompson Hall, Room 133
848-932-8166, 732-921-0131
lb.brattsten@rutgers.edu
Office Hours: by appointment