Academic Programs Catalog

College of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Graduate Study

The Department of Entomology offers Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degree programs.  Many of the courses offered  by the department are important to other disciplines in the biological and agricultural sciences in the College of Natural Science and College of Agriculture and Natural Resources section of this catalog.

Students enrolled in the Master of Science degree program in the Department of Entomology may elect a specialization in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior (EEBB). Students enrolled in the Doctor of Philosophy degree program may pursue a dual degree in EEBB. For additional information refer to the statement on Interdepartmental Degree Programs in the College of Natural Science section of this catalog or contact the Department of Entomology.

 


Entomology - Master of Science

Faculty and facilities are available for study in many subject areas, including apiculture and pollination, aquatic systems, behavior, insect biochemistry, biological control, bionomics, ecology, insect economics, forest entomology, medical entomology, morphology, nematology, population dynamics, insect physiology, pest management on many kinds of crops, plant disease vectors, systematics, systems science, environmental and analytical toxicology, and urban and ornamental entomology. Combinations of many of these specialized subject areas are necessary for all programs of study. Regardless of specialization, the student's education must provide broad training in related sciences.
Graduate students in entomology look forward chiefly to college teaching; research work in some of the many areas where insects affect our crops and our lives; professional employment with state, federal, or private agencies or companies; or employment as pest management consultants.

Master of Science

In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Admission

A bachelor's degree with a 3.00 grade–point average for the last two years of study is required for admission to the master's program. Although the applicant need not have an undergraduate major in entomology for regular admission, training should have been received in the physical and biological sciences equivalent to that required of an undergraduate entomology major at Michigan State University. Students without a general entomology background should complete ENT 404 Fundamentals of Entomology during their first year. Graduate Record Examination General Test scores are required. Applicants with a good academic record but with deficiencies in physics, chemistry, mathematics, or the biological sciences may be accepted on a provisional basis until deficiencies have been rectified by collateral course work. 

Requirements for the Master of Science Degree in Entomology

The master’s degree program in entomology is available under either Plan A (with thesis) or Plan B (without thesis). A total of 30 credits is required for the degree under Plan A or Plan B. The student’s program of study must be approved by either the student’s guidance committee (Plan A) or the student’s major professor (Plan B) and is planned on an individual basis by the student, the student’s major professor, and the student’s guidance committee.

Requirements for Both Plan A and Plan B
The student must:

  1. Complete at least 6 credits in entomology courses at the 400-level or above. More than half of the 30 credits required for the degree must be at the 800-level or above.

Additional Requirements for Plan A

  1. Complete at least 6, but not more than 10 credits of Entomology 899.
  2. Successfully write and defend the master's thesis research with a departmental seminar.

Additional Requirements for Plan B

  1. Complete 3 to 5 credits of a research project in ENT 898 and present a departmental seminar.
  2. Pass a final oral examination. 



 


Entomology - Doctor of Philosophy

The Department of Entomology aspires to develop not only capable entomologists but also capable scholars. Scholarly potential is sought in the prospective student, and course and research programs are designed to round out the student's knowledge and bring it to the stage of development where the student can work creatively in the field.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Admission

A bachelor’s degree with a 3.00 grade–point average for the last two years of study is required for admission to the master’s program. The applicant need not have an undergraduate major in entomology for regular admission, but should have a background in biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, and general entomology equivalent to that required of an undergraduate entomology major at Michigan State University. Students without a general entomology background should complete ENT 404 Fundamentals of Entomology during their first year. Graduate Record Examination General Test scores are required. Applicants with a good academic record but with deficiencies may be accepted on a provisional basis until deficiencies have been remediated. Collateral course work does not count towards the requirements for the degree.

Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Entomology

The student’s program of study is planned on an individual basis by the students, the student’s major professor, and the student’s guidance committee. Students must take 9 entomology course credits and complete a minimum of 24 credits of ENT 999 Doctoral Dissertation Research. Within 18 months of matriculation, students must pass a doctoral qualification examination which primarily consists of the defense of a dissertation proposal. Written and oral comprehensive examinations are required after completing course work, covering specific disciplinary areas related to thesis research and broader general knowledge of entomology and related sciences.  After completing research, doctoral students are required to write and defend a dissertation with a departmental seminar.