Program Overview
The Entomology department offers M.S. and Ph.D. programs with research specializations in various areas. The M.S. program requires a thesis and 36 quarter-units of coursework, while the Ph.D. program typically requires an M.S. degree. The department also offers an integrated 5-year plan for students to earn both a B.S. and M.S. in Entomology. Graduates are prepared for careers in entomology or further medical or doctoral studies.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The Department of Entomology offers programs leading to the M.S. or Ph.D. degree in Entomology, with research specialization in the following areas: arthropod vectors of plant pathogens, behavior, biochemistry and physiology, biological control, chemical control, ecology and evolution, integrated pest management, insect-plant interactions, medical and veterinary entomology, molecular entomology, nematology, neuroscience, pathology, pesticide toxicology, pollination biology, systematics and urban entomology.
Assessment:
The Department of Entomology has a new degree program that allows students to obtain both a Bachelor's (B.S.) degree in Entomology and an Master's (M.S.) degree in Entomology through an integrated 5-year plan of study. The Master's (M.S.) Degree is a thesis-based program requiring a minimum of 36 quarter-units of graduate and upper division undergraduate courses. Students defending their thesis in an oral examination administered by the student's guidance committee. Graduate students pursuing a Ph.D. in Entomology usually have received the M.S. degree, but some students are admitted directly into the Ph.D. program without an M.S.
Teaching:
The department offers various courses covering topics such as:
- ENTM 201 (Structure and Function of Insects)
- ENTM 202 (Molecular Biology, Systematics, and Behavior)
- ENTM 203 (Ecology, Population Genetics, and Pest Management)
- ENTM 100 (General Entomology)
- BCH 100 (Elementary Biochemistry) The department encourages students to begin their studies in the Fall quarter to complete the normal sequence of graduate core courses.
Careers:
The program prepares students for careers that require knowledge of entomology and for pursuing subsequent medical or doctoral degrees.
Other:
Students are required to take the following courses: ENTM 201 (Structure and Function of Insects), ENTM 202 (Molecular Biology, Systematics, and Behavior), and ENTM 203 (Ecology, Population Genetics, and Pest Management). Normally, these courses will be taken during the first year. Students who can demonstrate that they have had equivalent, graduate-level courses elsewhere may petition the Instruction and Student Affairs Committee (ISAC) to waive taking one or more of these courses.
