Academic Programs Catalog

College of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Undergraduate Program

The Department of Entomology offers a Bachelor of Science degree. The program emphasizes developing strengths in the biological, chemical, and physical sciences as necessary to work in modern entomology. Entomology courses provide students with an understanding of the structure, classification, identification, function, biology, ecology, and management of beneficial and harmful insects, and the communities and ecosystems where they occur. A minor in Entomology is also available.
 

Entomology

The undergraduate program in Entomology leads to the Bachelor of Science degree. Courses are designed to give the student an understanding of the structure, classification, identification, function, biology, ecology, and management of beneficial and harmful arthropods, and the communities and ecosystems where insects occur. 

There are opportunities for undergraduate Entomology students to carry out research projects in department laboratories.  Students may also gain work experience in the diverse areas of entomology through employment. Internships and study abroad opportunities are also available, and are strongly encouraged.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Entomology

  1. The University requirements for bachelor's degrees as described in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog; 120 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Science degree in Entomology.

    The University's Tier II writing requirement for the Entomology major is met by completing Entomology 479. This course is referenced in item 3. below.

    Students who are enrolled in the Entomology major may complete an alternative track to Integrative Studies in Biological and Physical Sciences by completing Entomology’s mathematics and chemistry requirements and Biological Science 162. These courses meet the laboratory requirement.
  2. The requirements of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources for the Bachelor of Science degree.

    The credits earned in certain courses referenced in requirement 3. below may be counted toward College requirements as appropriate.
  3. The following major requirements:
    a. All of the following courses (47 credits):
    BS 161 Cell and Molecular Biology 3
    BS 162 Organismal and Population Biology 3
    BS 172 Organismal and Population Biology Laboratory 2
    CEM 141 General Chemistry 4
    CEM 143 Survey of Organic Chemistry 4
    CEM 161 Chemistry Laboratory I 1
    CSS 210 Fundamentals of Soil Science 3
    ENT 404 Fundamentals of Entomology 3
    ENT 479 Organic Pest Management (W) 3
    GEO 221 Introduction to Geographic Information 3
    GEO 221L Introduction to Geographic Information Laboratory 1
    IBIO 355 Ecology 3
    IBIO 355L Ecology Laboratory (W) 1
    MTH 124 Survey of Calculus I 3
    PHY 231 Introductory Physics I 3
    PHY 232 Introductory Physics II 3
    PHY 251 Introductory Physics Laboratory I 1
    PLB 218 Plants of Michigan 3
    b. One of the following courses (3 credits):
    MTH 126 Survey of Calculus II 3
    STT 421 Statistics I 3
    Higher equivalent course substitutions may be made for Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics courses with advisor approval.
    c. A minimum of 16 credits of course work in entomology as approved by the student's academic advisor.


Minor in Entomology

The Minor in Entomology, which is administered by the Department of Entomology, is designed to serve students in other fields who desire additional training in the insect sciences. It provides an introduction to a range of entomological knowledge, including insect identification, ecology, and management.

The minor is available as an elective to students who are enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs at Michigan State University other than the Bachelor of Science Degree in Entomology.  With the approval of the department and college that administers the student’s degree program, the courses that are used to satisfy the minor may also be used to satisfy the requirements for the bachelor’s degree.

Students who plan to complete the requirements for the minor should consult an undergraduate advisor in Entomology.

Requirements for the Minor in Entomology

Complete 15 credits from the following:

1. The following course (3 credits):  
  ENT 404 Fundamentals of Entomology 3
2. Complete 12 credits from the following:  
  ENT 205 Pests, Society and Environment 3
  ENT 364 Turfgrass Entomology 3
  ENT 407 Diseases and Insects of Forest and Shade Trees 4
  ENT 410 Apiculture and Pollination 2
  ENT 422 Aquatic Entomology 3
  ENT 460 Medical Entomology 3
  ENT 469 Biomonitoring of Streams and Rivers 3
  ENT 470 General Nematology (W) 3
  ENT 477 Pesticides in Pest Management 3
  ENT 478 Integrated Pest Management (W) 3
  ENT 479 Organic Pest Management (W) 3
  Other Entomology courses may be used in fulfillment of  this  requirement with approval from the Entomology undergraduate advisor.