500- and 600-Level Courses
ENT 518 INSECT NATURAL HISTORY (2) Experiential learning in field ecology to highlight insect dynamics, diversity and adaptations in terrestrial and aquatic habitats, with opportunities to augment personal collections.
ENT 520 FRONTIERS IN INSECT SCIENCE (4) This graduate course is designed to provide an overview of the diversity of subjects that fall within the subject of entomology. Faculty will present a range of topics covering both basic background information and cutting edge research currently being conducted in the Entomology Department. Each session will include presentation and discussion of challenge questions relevant to the subject under review.
ENT 539 CHEMICAL ECOLOGY (3) Interactions of insects with environmental chemicals, including natural and synthetic compounds; host findings and other behavior modifying cues.
ENT 543 BIOLOGICAL CONTROL AND PATHOLOGY OF INSECTS (3) Arthropod population control by entomogenous insects and microorganisms. Prerequisite: consent of program.
ENT 590 ENTOMOLOGY WEEKLY SEMINAR (1)
ENT 596 INDIVIDUAL STUDIES (1-9)
ENT 597 SPECIAL TOPICS (1-9)
ENT 597A INSECT BIODIVERSITY AND EVOLUTION (4) This course is designed to teach graduate students about insect taxonomy, evolutionary relationships, collection and preservation techniques, morphology, and natural history. We’ll focus mostly on adult forms and emphasize insects found in Pennsylvania. In the lab, students will learn how to handle specimens, how use diagnostic keys, and how identify insects by sight. Collection techniques will be honed during multiple field trips. (More information)
ENT 522 CRITICAL THINKING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (6)
ENT 597B CONCEPTS AND TECHNIQUES IN MOLECULAR ECOLOGY (4) This course will provide students with substantial expertise in the application of molecular and genomic techniques to study evolutionary and ecological questions. Topics will include phylogenetics, population genetics, quantitative genetics, and functional genomics in ecological and agricultural systems. We will use examples from the recent literature to highlight these concepts, including studies on the evolution of pesticide resistance in insect populations, the use of quantitative genetics and genomics to identify genes regulating ecological adaptations in plants and complex behavior in insects, and the use of next generation sequencing to characterize novel pathogens and symbionts in insect species. The course will integrate lectures, molecular wet lab work, and statistical and computational analysis. In addition to developing a strong understanding of molecular techniques, students will also gain fundamental knowledge of the mechanisms by which genes and gene pathways can alter ecologically-important traits related to fitness, how genetic variation and evolutionary forces lead to adaptation, and learn approaches for identifying functionally relevant genes/gene networks. The course is open to graduate students and upper-level undergraduates. Grades will be based on participation in discussions/labs/problem solving sessions, data analysis assignments, and an open-book take home final exam.
ENT 597D INSECT CHEMICAL ECOLOGY (3) Discussion of basic evolutionary and applied aspects of chemical signaling affecting insect behavior, physiology, interactions with plants and other organisms.
ENT 597F FIELD COMMUNITY ECOLOGY (2) Experiential learning in field ecology, biodiversity and environmental assessment in terrestrial and aquatic habitats, with opportunities to augment personal collections.
ENT 597G APPLIED STATISTICAL TECHNIQUES (1-3) Biostatistical methods course designed for graduate students in entomology and other agricultural sciences. The goal of this course will be to provide the tools to effectively design and analyze quantitative studies.
ENT 530 ADVANCED TOPICS IN ENTOMOLOGY (1) This seminar class is a reading/small-group discussion class about current issues in entomology.
ENT 600 THESIS RESEARCH
