Academic Programs Catalog

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.

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: