Information every graduate student will need—assistantships, teaching requirements, thesis research, and more.
Both the Master of Science (M.S.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees require satisfactory completion of the core courses, completion of a teaching assistant experience, and completion of training on Scholastic and Research Integrity. All students are expected to have had a least one statistics course as recommended by their committee. Both graduate degrees require a thesis which represents an original research contribution to the field.
Core Courses
- ENT 410 Insect Structure and Function (3 credits)
- ENT 522 Critical Thinking and Professional Development (4 credits)
- ENT 532 Insect Biodiversity and Evolution (4 credits)
Required Courses
- ENT 530 Advanced Topics Seminar series (2 credits for M.S., 4 credits for Ph.D.)
Teaching Assistant Experiences
M.S. minimum of one course; Ph.D. minimum of two courses.
Research Integrity
SARI - Scholastic and Research Integrity
- During the first year of enrollment, graduate students will be required to complete an online RCR training program provided by the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI). The Office for Research Protections (ORP) will provide the link to this training via the SARI Resource Portal on the ORP website (www.research.psu.edu/orp).
- Graduate students will also be required to engage in an additional 5 hours of discussion-based RCR education prior to degree completion. These discussions will encompass both universal and discipline-specific material. (ENT 522 Critical Thinking and Professional Development - Offered Spring Semesters will fulfill the requirement.)
In addition to the requirements for core courses, teaching experiences, thesis, and Scholastic and Research Integrity training. The Ph.D. requires the following exams:
- Qualifying examination (formerly known as candidacy): A written examination taken in the third semester that tests fundamental concepts in Entomology. A standing departmental committee administers the exam to student, and the committee that should not include the student’s advisor. A student is admitted to the doctoral program only after they have successfully passed the doctoral qualifying exam. After the qualifying examination is passed, the student along with their advisor and doctoral thesis committee develop a research plan. The thesis committee is selected by the student and their advisor and consists of a minimum of four graduate faculty members, including at least one member outside the Entomology department.
- Comprehensive examination: An oral examination taken in the second or third year that evaluates the candidate's proposed research and basic knowledge in their chosen subject area. A thesis proposal should be submitted to the doctoral committee two weeks before the examination
- Final thesis defense: An oral presentation of the thesis research and an oral examination on that research. The Ph.D. thesis must represent a significant original contribution to the discipline. Students are expected to publish their work in peer-reviewed journals.
- Entomology Ph.D. Thesis defense rubric (downloadable .docx file)
In addition to the requirements for core courses, teaching experiences, thesis, and Scholastic and Research Integrity training, the M.S degree requires a minimum of 30 graduate credits (400 and 500 level), with at least 20 credits earned in residence. At least 18 credits in the 500 and 600 series must be included in the program. A minimum of 12 credits in coursework (400 and 500) must be completed in the major program. In addition to the core courses, master's degree requirements include a minimum of 3 credits of Statistics (i.e., STAT 501, 502, 541, or similar). Each student must present the results of thesis research at a departmental seminar, and the student may register for 1 credit of ENT 590 (Colloquium) that semester.
In addition to the requirements for core courses, teaching experiences, thesis, and Scholastic and Research Integrity training. The M.S. requires the following exam:
- Final thesis defense: A final oral examination covering the general field of entomology, with emphasis on the student's thesis research is required by the department. This is to be administered by the student's committee.
A general course listing, core courses, and course affiliations
Course registration requirements and procedures
Instructions, time lines, and policies for adding and dropping classes
Annual Course Syllabi for Fall, Spring, and Summer.
PDF document, 404.2 KB
This course is designed to teach 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, use diagnostic tools, and identify insects by sight.
PDF document, 271.2 KB
ENT202 is a GN Science course that will use an interdisciplinary approach to look at the Biology and the interplay between nature and society. Major themes of the course will be illustrated focusing on the world of Insects and the relationships between Society and Insects. Emphasis will be placed on critical analysis of both the costs and the benefits of human activities that impact natural systems.
PDF document, 142.3 KB
Entomology 314 is designed as an introduction to arthropod pests of ornamental plants, with emphasis on invasive species.
PDF document, 373.3 KB
This course will introduce students to a thorough understanding of insects and their relatives, IPM, control strategies, and specific pests of cool- and warm-season turfgrasses. Students will be provided with a fundamental understanding of the ecology, life history, and development of IPM plans for the key surface and subsurface pests of cool- and warm-season turfgrass. The course will provide students the opportunity to review EPA registered turfgrass insecticides and respective labels, and the effects of turfgrass insecticides on non-target organisms. Students will be invited to share their experiences with pest problems and methods they deployed to manage turfgrass insect species in the turfgrass environment.
PDF document, 177.4 KB
This 6 credit course for graduate students will focus on developing the professional skills needed for success in graduate school and beyond.
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As quantitative scientists we must responsibly conduct the scientific process from start to finish. However, most statistics courses focus solely on mathematical theory and leave students without the skills to appropriately frame questions in a reproducible manner. Through this course, students will 1) participate in discussions surrounding scientific inquiry, experimental design, open science and reproducible research, 2) gain hands-on experience with software use, data analysis and interpretation in R, and 3) follow through the process of scientific inquiry by learning to effectively communicate results using presentations and scientific writing.
Word 2007 document, 49.8 KB
ENT202 is a GN Science course that will use an interdisciplinary approach to look at the biology and the interplay between nature and society. Major themes of the course will be illustrated focusing on the world of Insects and the relationships between Society and Insects. Emphasis will be placed on critical analysis of both the costs and the benefits of human activities that impact natural systems.
Word 2007 document, 154.4 KB
Insects are one of the most successful and diverse taxonomic groups on the planet. Their success is attributed to the amazing range and complex behaviors they exhibit. They have mastered the abilities to find food and mate, defend themselves, invade new territories, communicate in various ways and cooperate to build highly organized societies. This course will provide a theoretical and empirical overview of insect behavior. We will cover topics related to insect physiology, genetic and evolution. We will learn how scientists study animal and insect behavior, why do insects behave the way they do, what functions these behaviors might serve, and how behavior is shaped by the evolutionary forces of natural and sexual selection. Among the topics we will discuss are learning, memory and decision making, foraging and defense, reproductive strategies and mating systems, communication, cooperative behavior, and social cognition.
Word 2007 document, 34.2 KB
Entomology 314 is designed as an introduction to arthropod pests of ornamental plants, with emphasis on invasive species. During this 7-week course, we will learn to: 1. Identify important ornamental pests and their natural enemies by their appearance and the type of damage they cause 2. Recommend IPM control plans based on hypothetical pest control situations and real world examples 3. Communicate our findings in both specialist and layman’s terms 4. Use online resources effectively and critically evaluate their trustworthiness to complete projects
PDF document, 312.3 KB
Course description and goals: • Introduce you to the diversity of insects • Teach you to identify the most common groups of insects • Help you understand the beneficial and detrimental roles insects play in our lives • Introduce you to responsible methods of pest management
Microsoft Word Document, 63.5 KB
This course will introduce students to a thorough understanding of insects and their relatives, IPM, control strategies, and specific pests of cool- and warm-season turfgrasses. Students will be provided with a fundamental understanding of the ecology, life history, and development of IPM plans for the key surface and subsurface pests of cool- and warm-season turfgrass. The course will provide students the opportunity to review EPA registered turfgrass insecticides and respective labels, and the effects of turfgrass insecticides on non-target organisms. Students will be invited to share their experiences with pest problems and methods they deployed to manage turfgrass insect species in the turfgrass environment. Students will be evaluated by the use of class assignments, quizzes, exams and a final exam.
Word 2007 document, 26.4 KB
