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:
- 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
- Complete at least 6, but not more than 10 credits of Entomology 899.
- Successfully write and defend the master's thesis research with a departmental seminar.
Additional Requirements for Plan B
- Complete 3 to 5 credits of a research project in ENT 898 and present a departmental seminar.
- Pass a final oral examination.