Entomology Courses

Program | Faculty | Courses

All courses carry 3 credits unless otherwise specified.

511  Insect Behavior (2nd sem, odd yrs)

Specific behaviors of insects analyzed from physiological, ecological, and evolutionary perspectives. Topics include communication, defense, learning, competition, spacing patterns, orientation mechanisms, dispersal and migration, host and mate finding, food selection, feeding, courtship, production of young, and social behavior. Prerequisite: ENTOMOL 326 or equivalent, or consent of instructor. Ms. Averill

523 Biological Control (2nd sem, even yrs)

Ecological principles of pest suppression via conservation, augmentation or introduction of natural enemies of insects, plants, and other pests. Biological control presented as foundation of sustainable agriculture and integrated pest management. Applications discussed for biological control in both production systems (farming, forestry) and for protection of natural ecosystems and rare species from damage caused by invasive, exotic pests. Mr. Van Driesche

572 Forest and Shade Tree Insects  (2nd sem, odd yrs)

With lab. Ecology, biology and control of insects that attack shade trees, forests and forest products. A brief introduction to insects; attention to the more important forest and shade tree insects. Credit, 4. Mr. Elkinton

581  Integrated Pest Management (1st sem)

Theory and application of the principles of insect, disease, and weed pest management; emphasis on insects. Focus on pest and natural enemy sampling techniques, properties of available control strategies, underlying ecological and behavioral principles, model pest management systems and societal concerns. Prerequisite: ENTOMOL 326 or MICROBIO 530 or equivalent or consent of instructor.  Credit, 4. Mr. Prokopy

585 Toxicology of Insecticides (1st sem, odd yrs)

All aspects of insecticide chemistry, including toxicity, classification, pharmaco- dy namics and metabolism, mechanisms of action, resistance, and environmental toxicology. For those with toxicological, agricultural, or environmental interests. Prerequisite: organic chemistry. Mr. Clark

592 Mankind, Chemicals and the Environment  (1st sem, even yrs)

Concepts and principles of environmental toxicology. Chemical structure activity relationships; their interaction with environment. Basic principles; the predicted and observed fate of chemicals in various components of the biosphere. Hazard evaluation; fate and effects of chemicals in soil, plants, wildlife, aquatic organisms, and humans. Introduction to environmental toxicology. Prerequisite: organic chemistry. Mr. Clark

655 Systematic Entomology (1st sem, even yrs)

Introduction to systematics: the identification of insects (primarily adult forms), current methods in systematics. Extensive insect collection required. Prerequisite: ENTOMOL 326 or equivalent. Mr. Normark

657 Insect Structure and Function (2nd sem, odd yrs)

Growth, development, and function of insects. Topics include the integument, endocrine control of growth, development, metamorphosis and reproduction, polymorphism, diapause, circadian rhythms, biological clock, photoperiodism, nutrition, respiration, circulation, excretion, and function of neuromuscular system. Prerequisites: ENTOMOL 326, BIOCHEM 420 and 421. Credit, 5.

666 Molecular and Cellular Entomology  (2nd sem, even yrs)

For students without strong background in cell and molecular biology. Basic eukaryotic genetics, cell biology and molecular biology, how molecular tools can be used in the study of insects. Prerequisites: one semester each of genetics, insect physiology. One semester of biochemistry helpful. Mr. Burand

671 Using Insects in the Classroom and Outdoor Setting: An Online Course (1st sem)

Provides teachers with essential background about insects for forming and answering questions. Techniques in securing information, rearing insects, and outdoor study presented. Effective use of new technologies highlighted. To check technical requirements, consult: http://www. umamherstonline.org/index.learn? action=Tech. Mr. Stoffolano

683 Insect Ecology (2nd sem, even yrs)

With lab. Major concepts of population and community ecology; emphasis on insects. Topics include methods for estimating density and mortality, population regulation, host-parasite models, competitive exclusion, species diversity, and insect plant interactions. Mr. Elkinton

685 Analysis of Insecticidal Chemicals (1st sem, even yrs)

With lab, demonstration. For students considering a career in toxicology. Methodologies and techniques in modern toxicological research, including bioassay and statistical treatment of toxicologic data, residue analysis by chromatography, radioactive isotopes spectrophotometry, immunoassay, and GC-mass spectra analysis. Prerequisites: organic chemistry, physics and biochemistry helpful. Mr. Clark.

697 Special Problems

Research on various problems and issues in entomology, contracted with individual faculty members. Credit, 1-6 per semester.

699 Master's Thesis

Credit, 10.

792A, B Seminar

Credit, 1.

899 Doctoral Dissertation

Credit, 18.