Graduate Programs in Entomology
For over 100 years, the Department of Entomology has combined the best in research, extension, outreach and instruction. We focus on insect science, particularly as it bears on biodiversity, pest management, and stewardship of the environment.
We offer both Ph.D. and M.S. degrees. Graduate students may specialize in basic and/or applied research on topics ranging from molecules to organisms to ecosystems. Degree requirements include a combination of core entomology courses, electives, and completion of a thesis or dissertation project. In addition, we offer a fully online MS in Applied Entomology including four graduate certificates.
Our Faculty specialize in many aspects of insect science and bridge discovery of fundamental knowledge and solutions to important problems. They are highly successful at winning competitive grants, which support graduate student stipends and research projects. Several faculty members participate in interdepartmental, intercollege, and international research providing tremendous opportunities for graduate student training.
We offer both Ph.D. and M.S. degrees. Graduate students may specialize in basic and/or applied research on topics ranging from molecules to organisms to ecosystems. Degree requirements include a combination of core entomology courses, electives, and completion of a thesis or dissertation project. In addition, we offer a fully online MS in Applied Entomology including four graduate certificates.
Our Faculty specialize in many aspects of insect science and bridge discovery of fundamental knowledge and solutions to important problems. They are highly successful at winning competitive grants, which support graduate student stipends and research projects. Several faculty members participate in interdepartmental, intercollege, and international research providing tremendous opportunities for graduate student training.
***Applications for Fall 2023 admission are due Thursday, December 1, 2022***
Why Choose Entomology at University of Maryland?
Mentoring
The mission of the graduate program in the Department of Entomology is to provide students with an excellent and individualized education in preparation for careers in academia, government, teaching and industry. Effective student mentoring is essential to this mission. We outline the values that inform our mentoring policies and goals in our Statement of Expectations for Graduate Student Mentoring.
Research & Professional Development
UMD's unique location near Washington, D.C. enables us to offer research opportunities with neighboring federal laboratories and research institutions, including:
- Smithsonian Institution (National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, National Zoo)
- United States Department of Agriculture
- United States Geological Survey Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
- National Institutes of Health
- Environmental Protection Agency
- National Park Service
- Walter Reed Research Institute
Our Students Succeed!
About half of our M.S. and Ph.D. graduates enter academic positions and the other half find positions with government research or regulatory agencies. Employment opportunities for Entomology graduates exist in industry, academia, federal, state and local governments, and in international and national spheres.
- Tenure-track Positions at U.S. Institutions: Texas A&M University, Oregon State University, Florida State University, Cornell University, University of Connecticut, North Carolina State University, Rutgers University, University of Delaware, University of Illinois, University of Minnesota, and many other institutions. Within this group, several are or have been department chairs or in positions of higher administration (including president) at their institutions.
- Positions with U.S. & International Agencies: USDA Agricultural Research Service and Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service; US Environmental Protection Agency, Food & Drug Administration, and Dept. of Defense; National Institutes of Health; Maryland Cooperative Extension, Purdue Extension, and Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station; MD Dept. of Agriculture and CA Dept. of Food & Agriculture; and the New South Wales (Australia) Department of Primary Industries.
- Curatorial & Other Museum Positions: American Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History, National Museum of Natural Science (Taiwan), and Museum of Comparative Zoology (Harvard University).
- Private Industry: Pest management services, agricultural production, pesticide industry research divisions, and private consultancy in agriculture, landscape, and structural pest management. Several of these graduates own their own businesses.
- Armed Forces Faculty & Administrative Positions: US Air Force and Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. One graduate was appointed to a position that it required approval by the Secretary of the Air Force, the US Senate, and the White House.
- Faculty & Research Positions at International Institutions: Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Universidad Autonoma del Estado de Hidalgo (Mexico), Universidad de Costa Rica, Mahidol University (Thailand), University of Natal (South Africa), Chungbuk National University (Korea), National Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology (Korea), National Chung Hsing University (Taiwan), and Université de Neuchâtel (Switzerland).
Culture & Recreation
In addition to being a vibrant hub of STEM and policy, the D.C. area's rich and diverse culture makes it a lively, friendly, accessible community for students to thrive. The campus is "inside the beltway," just 20 minutes by Metro from the heart of the national capital, providing convenient access to museums, galleries, theaters, music venues, and restaurants.
Tucked between the Appalachian Mountains and the Chesapeake Bay, our location also offers easy access to a tremendous diversity of natural habitats, including mountains, forests, piedmont, coastal plains, estuaries, and beaches, all of which provide opportunities for outdoor recreation.
Tucked between the Appalachian Mountains and the Chesapeake Bay, our location also offers easy access to a tremendous diversity of natural habitats, including mountains, forests, piedmont, coastal plains, estuaries, and beaches, all of which provide opportunities for outdoor recreation.
