400-Level Courses
ENT 402 BIOLOGY OF ANIMAL PARASITES (3) An introduction to animal parasitology. Emphasizes principles, economic importance, host/parasite interactions, epizootiology, zoonoses, control and taxonomy. Prerequisites: BIOL 101 GN, 102 GN. (ENT/V SC)
ENT 410 INSECT STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION (3) Integrated physiology and anatomy of insects; emphasis on unique adaptations, genetic regulation of development, insects as model systems, environmental physiology. Prerequisite: BIOL 110, BIOL 220W, BIOL 230W, BIOL 240W
ENT 420 INTRODUCTION TO POPULATION DYNAMICS (3) Principles of population regulation, demographic analysis, modeling of dynamic processes are discussed; laboratories involve the exploration of population growth models. Prerequisite: BIOL 110, BIOL 220W
ENT 425 FRESHWATER ENTOMOLOGY (3) Collection and identification of insects and other arthropods in freshwater ecosystems; field study of habitats.
ENT 430 (B M B;BIOL) DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY (3) Molecular and genetic analyses of mechanisms involved in differentiation and determination in biological systems. Prerequisite: BIOL 222; B M B 252 or BIOL 230W
(AGECO/SCIED 457) INTRODUCTION TO INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT (3) Ecological basis for pest management; principles underlying selected management tactics including application and efficacy; development of pest management systems. Prerequisite: 6 credits of life sciences
ENT 496 INDEPENDENT STUDIES (1-18)
ENT 497 SPECIAL TOPICS (1-9)
ENT 445 EVOLUTION AND INSECT SOCIETIES - Spring (3) The formation of social groups is one of the major transitions in evolution. Insects represent an ideal model system in which to study the evolution of societies and social behavior. There have been multiple independent evolutions of sociality across different lineages, and the scale and diversity of social behaviors is remarkable. In this course, we will discuss the basic principles of evolutionary biology, and use these to understand the evolution of complex social behavior in the bees, ants and wasps. Topics will include natural selection, multi-level selection theory, sociogenomics, host-parasite interactions, extended phenotypes, male-female conflict, cooperation and conflict within social groups, division of labor, mating structures, and communication systems.
ENT 497A THE EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY OF INSECTS - Fall (3) Insects are the dominant animal life on the planet. In this course we will take a systematic view of insect diversity. We will integrate phylogenetics, functional morphology, alpha-taxonomy, paleobiology, ecology and behavior to understand why insect diversity is so great. This is a 3-credit course taught by Dr. David Hughes. The six-digit schedule number to register for the course is 766456. The meeting times are on Tuesdays and Thursdays 2:30-3:45 p.m.
ENT 497B SENSORY BIOLOGY of INSECTS (3) The goal of this course is to give students an understanding of insect sensory systems that contribute to the behaviors that we see insects performing for their survival and reproduction. Students will gain knowledge about the sensory mechanisms underlying mate-finding and courtship, host-finding and oviposition, and feeding/recruitment. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the neuroethology of insect orientation, communication, learning, and in particular cases, the evolutionary pressures that may have shaped these behaviors and their underlying sensory systems. Selected systems will be studied with regard to what is known about signal acquisition, signal processing, and signal classification for chemical, visual, mechanoreceptive/auditory, and thermosensory stimuli. This is a 3-credit course taught by Prof. Tom Baker. (Syllabus)
ENT497D INSECT CONNECTIONS FOR EDUCATORS Course content tailored to meet the needs of future elementary teachers. Learn life science concepts using insects as models. Participate in inquiry-based science lessons that model effective teaching strategies. Design and teach science lessons to children. Explore the many connections between insects and culture (e.g., art, music, poetry). Can be used to fulfill any of the general education natural science requirements (GN) for elementary education (EKED) majors.
ENT 497F INSECT BIODIVERSITY SCIENCE (4) This course takes a new integrated approach to the study of insect biodiversity by the synthesis of relevant contemporary scientific disciplines related to biodiversity, namely taxonomy, community ecology, and resources management.
