Entomology
Undergraduate Study
An undergraduate degree in Insect Science will no longer be offered.
Minor - Insect Science
The department offers a minor in Insect Science that may be earned by completing ENT 370 Insect Biology and 12 credits in courses selected from an approved list supplied by the department.
Minor - Emerging Global Diseases
Entomology administers the Emerging Global Diseases minor (see http://www.ent.iastate.edu/egd ). Core courses address the biology of emerging disease agents (e.g., protozoa, fungi, microbes, and viruses), the clinical manifestations and epidemiology of emerging diseases, and the impact of those diseases on human interactions and socioeconomics. One course must be taken from each of three core areas:
| Pathogens and Disease | ||
| Medical Microbiology | ||
| Introductory Parasitology | ||
| Sociology and Economics | ||
| Social Change in Developing Countries | ||
| Population and Society | ||
| World Food Issues: Past and Present | ||
| Arthropod-borne Diseases | ||
| Insects and Our Health | ||
| Medical Entomology | ||
| Introductory Parasitology | ||
The remainder of the credits (for a total of 15) may be selected from any of the above-listed courses not selected, and from other appropriate courses as approved by Emerging Global Diseases program advisers.
Graduate Study
The department offers work for the master of science and doctor of philosophy degrees with a major in entomology. Studies at the Ecosystem, Organismal, and Subcellar levels occur in the following areas: aquatic entomology, biological control, chemical ecology, ecology, host plant resistance, insecticide toxicology, medical/veterinary entomology, pathology, pest management, physiology, population genetics, or systematics.
Graduates have a broad understanding of entomology and related disciplines, and an in-depth command of their area of concentration. They are able to communicate effectively with scientific colleagues and the general public in both formal and informal settings. Graduates are able to address complex problems facing entomology or toxicology professionals, taking into account related ethical, social, legal, economic, and environmental issues. They are skilled in research methods, data analyses, and interpretation of results. They also are skilled in working effectively with their colleagues, and writing concise and persuasive grant proposals. They have an understanding of and can critically evaluate current entomological literature.
Prerequisite to the entomology major and to minor graduate work in the department is completion of at least two years of zoological courses, for part of which credit in other closely allied biological sciences may be substituted. Specific course requirements for advanced degrees depend partly upon previous training and experience in the major field of specialization.
Any student receiving the M.S. in entomology shall have at least one course in insect physiology, one course in insect systematics, two courses of ENT 590 Special Topics (selected from topics A through D, F through I, M and N, inclusive), and at least 1 credit of ENT 600 Seminar.
Any student receiving the Ph.D. in entomology shall have at least one course in insect physiology, one course in insect systematics, four additional courses of ENT 590 Special Topics (selected from topics A through D and F through I, M through N inclusive), and at least 1 credit of ENT 600 Seminar. At least one 590 must be taken from each of these subgroups: Population (C, D, N); Organismal (A, B, F, M); and Suborganismal (G, H, I).
In addition, Ph.D. students majoring either in Entomology or Toxicology shall have two semesters of teaching experience, taken as ENT 590K Special Topics: Teaching Experience. both semesters or ENT 590K Special Topics: Teaching Experience. one semester and ENT 590L Special Topics: Extension Internship. the other semester.
A student can receive a Ph.D. minor in Entomology by taking 3 Entomology courses (500 level and above) for a total of 9 credits to be determined by the student’s POS committee and approved by the Entomology Director of Graduate Education.
An option for an emphasis in molecular Entomology is available. Any student receiving the M.S. in entomology with an emphasis in molecular entomology is required to take:
| ENT 555 | Insect Physiology | 4 |
| ENT 590G | Special Topics: Molecular Entomology. | 1-3 |
| Plus one other course of 590 selected from topics A-D, F, H, I, M, N | ||
| Plus one additional course in molecular entomology | ||
| ENT 600 | Seminar | 1 |
| BBMB 404 | Biochemistry I | 3 |
| BBMB 542A | Introduction to Molecular Biology Techniques: DNA Techniques | 1 |
| And one course from the following: | ||
| Systematic Entomology | ||
| Aquatic Insects | ||
| Advanced Systematics | ||
Any student receiving the Ph.D. in entomology with an emphasis in molecular entomology is required to take:
| ENT 555 | Insect Physiology | 4 |
| ENT 590G | Special Topics: Molecular Entomology. | 1-3 |
| Plus three other courses of 590 selected from topics A-D, F, H, I, M, N | 9 | |
| One additional course in molecular entomology | 3 | |
| ENT 600 | Seminar | 1 |
| BBMB 542A | Introduction to Molecular Biology Techniques: DNA Techniques | 1 |
| Plus two other workshops selected from: | 6 | |
| Introduction to Molecular Biology Techniques: Cell Techniques | ||
| Introduction to Molecular Biology Techniques: Plant Transformation | ||
| Introduction to Molecular Biology Techniques: Proteomics | ||
| An additional course with a molecular component | 3 | |
| Plus one from each of the following: | ||
| Systematics | 3 | |
| Systematic Entomology | ||
| Aquatic Insects | ||
| Advanced Systematics | ||
| Biochemistry | 3 | |
| Biochemistry I | ||
| Biochemistry II | ||
| Amino Acids and Proteins | ||
| Bioenergetics and Metabolism | ||
Entomology participates in the interdepartmental majors in ecology and evolutionary biology; genetics; Microbiology; and molecular, cellular and developmental biology; and in the interdepartmental major and minor in toxicology (see Index).
The Federal Corn Insects and Crop Genetics Research Unit and the North Central Plant Introduction Station are available for advanced study in certain phases of entomological research.
More information about the department, such as current research, faculty resumes, physical facilities, and graduate students can be viewed on the department’s website at www.ent.iastate.edu . Curriculum assessment for the department can be viewed here: http://www.ent.iastate.edu/assessment .
Courses
Courses primarily for undergraduates:
ENT 201. Introduction to Insects.
(1-0) Cr. 1.
F.S.SS.
5 weeks. Classroom section spring only. World Wide Web section of course offered summer and fall semesters. Biological and ecological aspects of insects.
ENT 211. Insects and Society.
(2-0) Cr. 2.
F.S.
Prereq: ENT 201
11 weeks. Classroom section spring only. World Wide Web section offered fall semester. The importance of insects in human well-being. Insect-human interactions. Primarily for nonscience and nonagriculture majors.
ENT 283. Pesticide Application Certification.
(Cross-listed with AGRON, FOR, HORT). (2-0) Cr. 2.
S.
Core background and specialty topics in agricultural, and horticultural pesticide applicator certification. Students can select certification categories and have the opportunity to obtain pesticide applicator certification at the completion of the course. Commercial pesticide applicator certification is emphasized.
ENT 370. Insect Biology.
(2-3) Cr. 3.
F.
Prereq: BIOL 101 or BIOL 211
Structure, physiology, evolution, behavior, life histories, and recognition of insects. Collection required.
ENT 371I. Introduction to Insect Ecology.
(Cross-listed with IA LL). (3-3) Cr. 4.
Alt. SS., offered odd-numbered years.
Field and laboratory study of insects, their diversity, life history; emphasis on ecology and behavior.
ENT 372. Livestock Entomology.
(2-0) Cr. 2.
Alt. S., offered odd-numbered years.
Classroom and off-campus videotape sections. 12 weeks. Recognition, biology, behavior, economic importance, and management of insects and other arthropods affecting livestock and poultry production.
ENT 374. Insects and Our Health.
(Cross-listed with MICRO). (3-0) Cr. 3.
S.
Prereq: 3 credits in biological sciences
Identification, biology, and significance of insects and arthropods that affect the health of humans and animals, particularly those that are vectors of disease.
Meets International Perspectives Requirement.
ENT 374L. Insects and Our Health Laboratory.
(Cross-listed with MICRO). (0-3) Cr. 1.
Alt. S., offered even-numbered years.
Prereq: Credit or enrollment in ENT 374
Laboratory and field techniques for studying medical or public health entomology, including: collection, identification and maintenance of medically significant arthropods and experimental design and execution related to the biology of arthropods or arthropod-pathogen interactions.
ENT 375. Plant Protection Using Natural Enemies.
(Dual-listed with ENT 575). (3-0) Cr. 3.
Alt. S., offered odd-numbered years.
Prereq: ENT 370 or ENT 376
Overview of the biology, ecology, and classification of insect pathogens, predators, and parasitoids. Discussion of the use of these organisms in plant protection, including an emphasis on genetic alteration of natural enemies.
ENT 376. Fundamentals of Entomology and Pest Management.
(2-3) Cr. 3.
S.
Prereq: BIOL 101 or BIOL 211
Introduction to entomology and insect-pest management, including life processes, ecology, economics, tactics of population suppression, and ecological backlash.
ENT 410. Insect-Virus Interactions: a Molecular Perspective.
(Dual-listed with ENT 510). (Cross-listed with MICRO). (3-0) Cr. 3.
Alt. F., offered odd-numbered years.
Prereq: Permission of an instructor.
Overview of insect-virus interactions including insect immunity to viruses, genetic enhancement of viral insecticides, transgenic mosquitoes, disruption of virus transmission, and the role of insect and virus genomics in combating viral disease of both human and agricultural importance.
ENT 425. Aquatic Insects.
(Dual-listed with ENT 525). (Cross-listed with A ECL). (2-3) Cr. 3.
Alt. S., offered odd-numbered years.
Prereq: BIOL 312 or equivalent
Morphology, ecology, diversity, and significance of aquatic insects, with emphasis on the collection, curation and identification of taxa in local streams and lakes.
ENT 452. Integrated Management of Diseases and Insect Pests of Turfgrasses.
(Dual-listed with ENT 552). (Cross-listed with HORT, PL P). (3-0) Cr. 3.
Alt. S., offered even-numbered years.
Prereq: HORT 351
Identification and biology of important diseases and insect pests of turfgrasses. Development of integrated pest management programs in various turfgrass environments.
ENT 466. Ecosystem Service Management.
(Dual-listed with ENT 566). (Cross-listed with ENSCI, NREM). (3-0) Cr. 3.
Alt. S., offered odd-numbered years.
Prereq: permission of instructor
Land use and conservation techniques for improving ecosystem services including: pollination of crops, biological control of pests, prevention of erosion and water quality improvement.
ENT 471. Insect Ecology.
(Dual-listed with ENT 571). (2-3) Cr. 3.
Alt. F., offered even-numbered years.
Prereq: 9 credits biological sciences
The contribution of insects to ecosystem function is staggering. This course will focus on insect population ecology, predator-prey interaction and chemical ecology. The role of insects in nutrient cycling, pollination and pest management will be discussed with case studies used to highlight the applied nature of insect ecology and its relationship to agriculture.
ENT 490. Independent Study.
Cr. 1-3.
Repeatable, maximum of 9 credits.
Prereq: 15 credits in biological sciences, junior or senior classification
A maximum of 9 credits of all (university-wide) 490 credits may be applied toward graduation.
ENT 490E. Independent Study: Research or work experience..
Cr. 1-3.
Repeatable, maximum of 9 credits.
Prereq: 15 credits in biological sciences, junior or senior classification
A maximum of 9 of all (university-wide) 490 credits may be used toward graduation.
ENT 490U. Independent Study: Laboratory teaching experience.
Cr. 1-3.
Repeatable, maximum of 9 credits.
Prereq: 15 credits in biological sciences, junior or senior classification. For students registering to be undergraduate laboratory assistants.
A maximum of 9 of all (university-wide) 490 credits may be used toward graduation.
Courses primarily for graduate students, open to qualified undergraduates:
ENT 510. Insect-Virus Interactions: a Molecular Perspective.
(Dual-listed with ENT 410). (Cross-listed with MICRO). (3-0) Cr. 3.
Alt. F., offered odd-numbered years.
Prereq: Permission of an instructor.
Overview of insect-virus interactions including insect immunity to viruses, genetic enhancement of viral insecticides, transgenic mosquitoes, disruption of virus transmission, and the role of insect and virus genomics in combating viral disease of both human and agricultural importance.
ENT 511. Integrated Management of Tropical Crops.
(Cross-listed with HORT, PL P). (3-0) Cr. 3.
Alt. S., offered odd-numbered years.
Prereq: PL P 408 or PL P 416 or ENT 370 or ENT 376 or HORT 221
Applications of Integrated Crop Management principles (including plant pathology, entomology, and horticulture) to tropical cropping systems. Familiarization with a variety of tropical agroecosystems and Costa Rican culture is followed by 10-day tour of Costa Rican agriculture during spring break, then writeup of individual projects.
Meets International Perspectives Requirement.
ENT 525. Aquatic Insects.
(Dual-listed with ENT 425). (Cross-listed with A ECL). (2-3) Cr. 3.
Alt. S., offered odd-numbered years.
Prereq: BIOL 312 or equivalent
Morphology, ecology, diversity, and significance of aquatic insects, with emphasis on the collection, curation and identification of taxa in local streams and lakes.
ENT 530. Ecologically Based Pest Management Strategies.
(Cross-listed with AGRON, PL P, SUSAG). (3-0) Cr. 3.
Alt. F., offered even-numbered years.
Durable, least-toxic strategies for managing weeds, pathogens, and insect pests, with emphasis on underlying ecological processes.
ENT 550. Pesticides in the Environment.
(Cross-listed with TOX). (2-0) Cr. 2.
S.
Prereq: 9 credits of biological sciences
Fate and significance of pesticides in soil, water, plants, animals, and the atmosphere.
ENT 552. Integrated Management of Diseases and Insect Pests of Turfgrasses.
(Dual-listed with ENT 452). (Cross-listed with HORT, PL P). (3-0) Cr. 3.
Alt. S., offered even-numbered years.
Prereq: HORT 351
Identification and biology of important diseases and insect pests of turfgrasses. Development of integrated pest management programs in various turfgrass environments.
ENT 555. Insect Physiology.
(3-3) Cr. 4.
S.
Prereq: ENT 370
Life processes of the insects, including reviews of current problems in insect physiology.
ENT 566. Ecosystem Service Management.
(Dual-listed with ENT 466). (Cross-listed with ENSCI, NREM). (3-0) Cr. 3.
Alt. S., offered odd-numbered years.
Prereq: permission of instructor
Land use and conservation techniques for improving ecosystem services including: pollination of crops, biological control of pests, prevention of erosion and water quality improvement.
ENT 568. Advanced Systematics.
(Cross-listed with EEOB). (2-3) Cr. 3.
Alt. S., offered odd-numbered years.
Prereq: Permission of instructor
Principles and practice of systematic biology; taxonomy, nomenclature and classification of plants and animals; sources and interpretation of systematic data; speciation; fundamentals of phylogenetic systematics.
ENT 570. Plant-Insect Interaction.
(2-0) Cr. 2.
Alt. F., offered odd-numbered years.
Prereq: 9 credits in biological sciences
Physiological, behavioral, ecological, and evolutionary factors that govern interactions between insects and plants, applications of this knowledge to agriculture, and important results from the study of natural systems. Additional topics covered during the semester include: tritrophic interactions, biological control of plants by insects, and pollination biology. Student-led discussions and draws on both the primary and secondary literature.
ENT 571. Insect Ecology.
(Dual-listed with ENT 471). (2-3) Cr. 3.
Alt. F., offered even-numbered years.
Prereq: 9 credits biological sciences
The contribution of insects to ecosystem function is staggering. This course will focus on insect population ecology, predator-prey interaction and chemical ecology. The role of insects in nutrient cycling, pollination and pest management will be discussed with case studies used to highlight the applied nature of insect ecology and its relationship to agriculture.
ENT 574. Medical Entomology.
(3-3) Cr. 4.
Alt. S., offered even-numbered years.
Prereq: 9 credits in biological sciences
Identification, biology, and significance of insects and other arthropods that attack people and animals, particularly those that are vectors of disease.
ENT 575. Plant Protection Using Natural Enemies.
(Dual-listed with ENT 375). (3-0) Cr. 3.
Alt. S., offered odd-numbered years.
Prereq: ENT 370 or ENT 376
Overview of the biology, ecology, and classification of insect pathogens, predators, and parasitoids. Discussion of the use of these organisms in plant protection, including an emphasis on genetic alteration of natural enemies.
ENT 576. Systematic Entomology.
(3-6) Cr. 5.
Alt. F., offered even-numbered years.
Prereq: ENT 370
Classification, distribution, and natural history of insects, including fundamentals of phylogenetic systematics, biogeography, taxonomic procedures, and insect collection and curation.
ENT 590. Special Topics.
Cr. 1-3.
Repeatable.
Prereq: 15 credits in biological sciences.
ENT 590A. Special Topics: Biological Control and Pathology..
Cr. 1-3.
Repeatable.
ENT 590B. Special Topics: Chemical Ecology and Behavior..
Cr. 1-3.
Repeatable.
ENT 590C. Special Topics: Ecology and Pest Management..
Cr. 1-3.
Repeatable.
ENT 590D. Special Topics: Evolution and Systematics..
Cr. 1-3.
Repeatable.
ENT 590E. Special Topics: Special Research Topics..
Cr. 1-3.
Repeatable.
ENT 590F. Special Topics: Medical and Veterinary Entomology..
Cr. 1-3.
Repeatable.
ENT 590G. Special Topics: Molecular Entomology..
Cr. 1-3.
Repeatable. Alt. F., offered even-numbered years.
Prereq: 15 credits in biological sciences.
ENT 590H. Special Topics: Physiology and Biochemistry..
Cr. 1-3.
Repeatable.
ENT 590I. Special Topics: Toxicology.
Cr. 1-3.
Repeatable.
ENT 590K. Special Topics: Teaching Experience..
Cr. 1-3.
Repeatable.
ENT 590L. Special Topics: Extension Internship..
Cr. 1-3.
Repeatable.
ENT 590M. Special Topics: Immature Insects..
Cr. 1-3.
Repeatable.
ENT 590N. Special Topics: Population Genetics..
Cr. 1-3.
Repeatable.
Courses for graduate students:
ENT 600. Seminar.
Cr. 1.
F.S.SS.
Presentation of research results.
ENT 675. Insecticide Toxicology.
(Cross-listed with TOX). (2-3) Cr. 3.
Alt. F., offered odd-numbered years.
Prereq: ENT 555 or TOX 501
Principles of insecticide toxicology; classification, mode of action, metabolism, and environmental effects of insecticides.
ENT 699. Research.
Cr. arr.
Repeatable.
