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Graduate Program in Entomology
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Course Descriptions

  1. 16:370:501 (Fall) Case Studies in Vector Borne Diseases (4)

    Lec. 2 hrs. Prerequisite: 01:119:101-102 or equivalent.

    Discussions of the basic ecological and evolutionary principles underlying the current upsurge of infectious diseases, especially those transmitted by insect vectors (such as malaria, Lyme disease and West Nile virus).

  2. 16:370:502 (Fall in odd-numbered years) Pollination Ecology (3)

    Lec. 3 hrs. Prerequisite: General Ecology or permission of the instructor.

    This course explores pollination ecology from the perspectives of both insects and plants, using this field of research as a tool for understanding basic concepts in ecology, entomology, and evolution. Topics covered include plant breeding systems, pollinator natural history, mutualism, indirect interactions, plant-pollinator networks, agricultural pollination, ecosystem services and economic valuation, pollinator decline and conservation, and methods for research. Classes alternate lectures with discussion of readings from the primary scientific literature. All assigned readings are provided as pdfs. 10-page research paper and presentation.

  3. 16:370:504 (Spring) Mosquito Biology (3)

    Lec. 2 hrs., lab. 3 hrs. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.

    The biology, physiology, and behavior of mosquitoes on a worldwide basis; emphasis on current techniques used in field and laboratory investigations.

  4. 16:370:505 (Spring) Advanced Aquatic Entomology (4)

    Advanced Aquatic Entomology provides an overview of generic identification for all aquatic insect groups, including species level identification for orders most commonly used in environmental monitoring and in the determination of ecological values.

  5. 16:370:506 (Spring) Integrated Pest Management (4)

    Prerequisite: A background in entomology or other pest sciences and ecology. Recommended: Statistics Students who lack background in these areas must obtain permission from the instructor.

    A systems approach for measuring major ecological processes, such as development, mortality, and dispersal, presented as a means for evaluating pheromones, biocontrol, and cultural and pesticidal strategies in major crops.

  6. 16:370:507 (Fall) Biological Control of Insect Pests (3)

    Prerequisite: General ecology.

    The concepts and methods involved in the control of harmful insects and mites through the use of parasites, predators, and pathogens.

  7. 16:370:508 (Fall) Urban Entomology (3)

    Lec. 3 hrs.

    Learn about common insects and other arthropods in urban environments. This course will introduce their biology, ecology, health risks, and management strategies. To learn more, click here.

  9. 16:370:509 (Fall) Molecular Entomology (3)

  11. Lec. 3 hrs.

    This course will introduce students to concepts of molecular entomology and novel techniques routinely used in research to investigate the molecular mechanisms of insect systems.

    16:370:511 (Fall & Spring) Principles of Systematics (3)

    Lec. 2 hrs., lab. 3 hrs.

    Taxonomy, species concepts, methods of contemporary systematic research, and zoogeographic analysis.

  12. 16:370:515 (Fall) Insect Morphology (4)

    Lec. 3 hrs., lab. 3 hrs. Prerequisite: 11:370:381 or equivalent. Required core course.

    Physiology and functional morphology, including response systems, sensory systems, energy utilization, transport and secretion, and renewal systems.

  13. 16:370:516 (Spring) Insect Physiology and Biochemistry (4)

    Lec. 3 hrs, Lab 3 hrs. Prerequisites: 11:370:381 Insect Biology or equivalent, 11:115:403, 404 General Biochemistry or equivalent, consent of instructor. Required core course for Entomology graduate students.

    Physiology and biochemistry of insect systems including maintenance, circulation, energy metabolism, homeostasis, sensory systems, communication systems, and defense systems.

  14. 16:370:517 (Fall) Insect-Plant Biochemical Interactions (3)

    Prerequisites: Consent of Instructor; Biology: 01:119:115&116, Chemistry: 01:160: 307 or 308, Biochemistry: 01:694:301 or equivalents.

    Biochemistry and physiology of interactions between herbivorous insects and their host plants, coevolutionary adaptations to toxic phytochemicals; pollination; descriptive chemistry of plant compounds & explanation of characteristics and biologically active features of the molecules, metabolic and target site physiological defenses.

  15. 16:370:519 (Fall) Insect Behavior (3)

    Prerequisite: Background in entomology and/or animal behavior.

    Insect behavior from a functional standpoint: stimuli and responses; adaptive significance and evolutionary context; underlying physiological mechanisms.

  16. 16:370:520 (Fall) Insect Field Ecology and Natural History (3)

    Prerequisite: General Ecology.

    Experiential learning in field ecology to highlight insect dynamics, diversity and adaptations in terrestrial and aquatic habitats, with opportunities to augment personal collections

  17. 16:370:522 (Spring) Toxicology of Pesticides (3)

    Lec. 2 hrs. Prerequisite: 11:119:101-102, one term of organic chemistry and consent of instructor.

    Developing and using synthetic insecticides; environmental effects; evolution of insecticide resistence; role of insecticides in IPM programs; descriptive chemistry of insecticides; metabolism of insecticides; mode of action of insecticides.

  18. 16:370:524 (Fall) Insect Taxonomy (4)

    Lec. 2 hrs., lab. 6 hrs. Required core course.

    Insect systematics, identification, natural history, and evolution. Emphasizes North American insects at the family level.

  19. 16:370:525:01 (Spring) Insect Ecology (3)

    Prerequisite: General ecology.

    This course uses the dominant form of life on earth, the insects, as a means for exploring basic concepts in ecology and evolution. Topics include insect diversity and biogeography; herbivores and herbivory; mutualism; natural enemies; biodiversity and ecosystem function; the history of human-insect interactions; and insect conservation. (Crosslisted with 16:215:599).

  20. 16:370:601,602 Special Topics in Entomology (BA,BA)

    Each term, faulty members arrange a series of topics in specialized fields of entomology.

  21. 16:370:603,604 Seminar in Entomology (3)

    Required core course (1,1)

    Discussion and critique of presentations by guest speakers.

  22. 16:370:605 (Fall & Spring) Insect Collection (1)

    Prerequisite 16:370:524 (1)

    Students make a properly curated, labeled, and identified insect collection.

  23. 16:370:701,702 Research in Entomology (BA,BA)