Minor in Entomology

Entomology represents the study of insects at all levels of biological hierarchy, from genes to ecosystems, as well as the ecological and evolutionary processes that sustain them. Beneficial insects, like pollinators, natural enemies, and decomposers play important roles in maintaining sustainable conditions through their contribution to ecosystem services. In contrast, injurious insects cause harm to our health, our agriculture, and our structures, requiring their management in appropriate ways for the protection of society without harming biodiversity. Many disciplines use insects as model systems for study, including genetics, cell biology, evolution, population ecology, conservation biology, engineering, and education. 

Entomology combines fundamental and mission-based research across campus. Many insect species and their relatives (e.g., spiders and crustaceans) are the subjects of study within labs that employ undergraduates. Employed students may wish to complement their work with a structured exposure to the discipline of entomology. In addition, students that are performing internship or independent research in Entomology labs, e.g., through the Entomology Honors Program or BSCI 389 “Entomology Department Research,” may wish to add the minor to their academic program.  Finally, insects are increasingly valued for their ecosystem services, leading to the need for training specifically in entomology to complement a student’s major. The goal of the Entomology minor is to prepare students with interest in insects as models for future research and education, as well as to expose students to the broader impacts of insects in nature and society.

​About the minor

The Entomology minor provides students with a broad understanding of the form and function of insects, their interactions with people and society, and their role as model species for fundamental and applied research. It is intended for students with an interest in insects and their relatives, whether from professional or avocational perspectives. In addition to the Biological Sciences, the minor is especially applicable to students with majors in Environmental Science and Policy, Plant Sciences and Landscape Architecture, and Environmental Science and Technology. Students from a wide range of majors may be interested in incorporating entomology with their majors. 

The organization of the minor includes a general course in entomology, an upper level course related to advanced entomology, as well as courses from at least two specialized fields of science: advanced biology, pollination biology, plant sciences, and environmental sciences.

Learning outcomes

Students completing the requirements for the Minor in Entomology will:

• Develop a solid foundation on the structure and function of insects and their relatives within an evolutionary context, including the ability to identify orders and common families of arthropods.
• Comprehend the diversity of insect species and their ecological roles leading to beneficial and injurious effects on human society and economy.
• Understand and apply the use of insects as models for scientific endeavors, such as developmental biology, genetics, pest management, and population ecology.
• Integrate knowledge of insects within a specialized field of science.
• Understand the need to conserve and restore populations of insects in response to global issues such as biodiversity loss, climate change, food security, and invasive species.

Courses required for the proposed minor

The minor requires a minimum of 15 course credits, with at least 9 credits at the upper level.  No more than six credits (or two courses) may be applied to satisfy both the requirements of a minor and a major program. Courses from the A, B, and C categories may be selected in any order, subject to prerequisites. Depending on the optional courses, a total of 15-17 credits are required. All courses presented for the minor must be passed with a grade of C- or better. 

We require advising when the student has first entered the minor, as well as during the semester before their last semester that they plan to graduate. The first advising meeting will ensure the student understands the requirements of the minor and the restrictions on the number of overlapping credits with their major. The second advising meeting ensures that courses are correctly assigned to their major and minor.

A. Required course in general entomology

1.  BSCI 337 – Biology of Insects (4, Spr)

B. Choose one course from advanced entomology

1. BSCI 467 – Freshwater Biology (4, Fall)
2. BSCI 480 – Arthropod Form and Function (4, Spr even)
3. BSCI 481 – Insect Diversity and Classification (4, Fall even)
4. BSCI 483 – Insects, Pathogens, and Public Health (3, Fall odd)
5. BSCI 494 – Animal-Plant Interactions (3, Fall even )
6. BSCI 497 – Insect Pests of Ornamentals and Turf (4, Fall odd)

C. Choose a total of 2-3 courses from two of the following areas (for BSCI majors, one course must be from III-IV):
I. Advanced biology

1. BSCI 392/393 – Biology of Extinct Animals/Lab (4, Spr even)
2. BSCI 361 – Principles of Ecology (4, Fall&Spr)
3. BSCI 363 – The Biology of Conservation and Extinction (3, Fall)
4. BSCI 370 – Principles of Evolution (3, Fall&Spr)
5. BSCI 410 – Molecular Genetics (3, Fall&Spr)
6. BSCI 430 – Developmental Biology (3, Fall)

II. Pollination biology

1. BSCI 121 – Beekeeping (2, Spr)
2. BSCI 126 – Pollinators in Crisis (3, Fall)

III. Plant sciences

1. PLSC 205 – Introduction to Turf Science and Management (4, Fall)
2. PLSC 226 – Plant Diversity (4, Spr)
3. PLSC 253 – Woody Plants for Mid-Atlantic Landscapes I (3, Fall)
4. PLSC 254 – Woody Plants for Mid-Atlantic Landscapes II (3, Spr)
5. PLSC 405 – Agroecology (3, Fall)
6. PLSC 407 – Advanced Crop Science (3, Spr)
7. PLSC 420 – Principles of Plant Pathology (4, Fall)
8. PLSC 453 – Weed Science (3, Fall)

IV. Environmental sciences

1. ENST 233 – Introduction to Environmental Health (4, Fall&Spr)
2. ENST 333 – Ecosystem Health and Protection (3, Fall)
3. ENST 334 – Environmental Toxicology (3, Spr)
4. ENST 360 – Ecosystem Ecology (4, Fall)
5. ENST 403 – Invasive Species Ecology (3, Fall)
6. ENST 410 – Ecosystem Services: An Integrated Analysis (3, Fall)
7. ENST 436 – Emerging Environmental Threats (3, Spr)
8. ENST 441 – Sustainable Agriculture (3, Fall even)
9. ENST 445 – Ecological Risk Assessment (3, Spr)
10. ENST 450 – Wetland Ecology (3, Fall)

Follow link for illustrated examples based on majors and interests.

Advising Sheet for Entomology Minor

Contact Information

David Hawthorne, Associate Professor, Director of Undergraduate Studies, & Director of Education at SESYNC

Office: 4132 Plant Sciences Building
Phone: 301-405-2401
E-mail: [email protected]

Amy Yaich, Administrative Assistant II
​
Office: 4112 Plant Sciences Building
Phone: 301-405-3911  
email: [email protected]