Entomology (ENT)

Entomology (ENT)

GARY W. FELTON, Head of the Department
501 Agricultural Sciences and Industries Building
814-863-7789

Degrees Conferred: Ph.D., M.S.

The Graduate Faculty

Heidi M. Appel, Ph.D. (Michigan) Research Associate in Entomology
Tom Baker, Ph.D. (Michigan State) Professor of Entomology
Mary E. Barbercheck, Ph.D. (California, Davis) Professor of Entomology
Ottar N. Bjornstad, Ph.D. (Oslo) Associate Professor of Entomology
Dennis D. Calvin, Ph.D. (Kansas State) Professor of Entomology
E. Alan Cameron, Ph.D. (California) Professor Emeritus of Entomology
Diana Cox-Foster, Ph.D. (Illinois) Professor of Entomology
Liwang Cui, Ph.D. (Kentucky) Associate Professor of Entomology
Consuelo M. De Moraes, Ph.D. (Georgia) Assistant Professor of Entomology
Gary W. Felton, Ph.D. (California, Davis) Professor of Entomology
Shelby J. Fleischer, Ph.D. (Auburn) Professor of Entomology
James L. Frazier, Ph.D. (Ohio) Professor of Entomology
Paul R. Heller, Ph.D. (Ohio State) Professor of Entomology
Kelli Hoover, Ph.D. (California, Davis) Associate Professor of Entomology
Arthur A. Hower, Jr., Ph.D. (Penn State) Professor Emeritus of Entomology
Larry A. Hull, Ph.D. (Penn State) Professor of Entomology
Ke Chung Kim, Ph.D. (Minnesota) Professor of Entomology
Bruce A. McPheron, Ph.D. (Illinois) Professor of Entomology
Mark Mescher, Ph.D. (U of Georgia) Research Associate in and Assistant Professor of Entomology
Christopher A. Mullin, Ph.D. (Cornell) Professor of Entomology
Ralph O. Mumma, Ph.D. (Penn State) Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Environmental Quality
Nancy Ostiguy, Ph.D. (Cornell) Associate Professor of Entomology
Charles W. Pitts, Ph.D. (Kansas State) Professor Emeritus of Entomology
Edwin G. Rajotte, Ph.D. (Rutgers) Professor of Entomology
Michael C. Saunders, Ph.D. (Georgia) Professor of Entomology
John C. Schultz, Ph.D. (Washington) Distinguished Professor of Entomology
Zane Smilowitz, Ph.D. (Cornell) Professor Emeritus of Entomology
Robert J. Snetsinger, Ph.D. (Illinois) Professor Emeritus of Entomology
Jim Tumlinson, Ph.D. (Mississippi) Professor of Entomology

Graduate study in the Entomology program seeks to develop students to assume leadership roles in science upon graduation. Students are encouraged to write research proposals, give professional presentations, and publish research articles. Emphasis is placed upon the professional development of the student. Part of the student's training is participation in professional development activities. These are selected by the student from course preparation/delivery, experience in insect identification clinics, experience in museum collection, preparation of multimedia educational materials, and entrepreneurial activities. Students are able to specialize in the research program areas of insectplant interactions, environmental and developmental regulation of genes, artificial intelligence and modeling, population biology, ecology and biodiversity, integrated pest management, and environmental quality and application technology. Additional specialization is available to students performing research with insects in the intercollege degree programs in genetics, ecology, and plant physiology.

Admission Requirements

Scores from the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) are required for admission. Requirements listed here are in addition to general Graduate School requirements stated in the GENERAL INFORMATION section of the Graduate Bulletin.

For admission a student should have a strong background in biological sciences. Courses in chemistry through organic, physics, mathematics through calculus, statistics, and computer application are recommended.

Master's Degree Requirements

The master of science degree in Entomology is an intermediate degree leading toward the development of special knowledge in entomology. It provides training for prospective doctoral candidates. The program requires all students to take (or have the equivalent of) ENT 410, 412, and 457, Professional Development and Ethics, Insect Ecology, Natural History, Insection Genomics, Proteomics, and Bioinformatics, and a minimum of 3 credits of statistics. Additional courses may be selected by the student in consultation with his/her graduate committee. Each student must present the results of thesis research at a departmental seminar, and the student may register for 1 credit of ENT 590 that semester. A final oral examination covering the general field of entomology, with emphasis in the student’s area of specialization, is required by the department. This is to be administered by the student’s committee. A favorable vote of a two-thirds majority is necessary for passing.

Doctoral Degree Requirements

The degree of doctor of philosophy signifies high scholastic achievement and demonstrated capability in independent research. Although there is no formal credit requirement, it will normally require at least three years of graduate work. Some of the work may be completed off campus or on a part-time basis, but between the time of acceptance as a candidate and completing the degree requirements the student must spend two academic sessions in residence within a twelve-month period. The department requires that all students have ENT 410, 412, and 457, Professional Development and Ethics, Insect Ecology, Natural History, Insect Genomics, Proteomics, and Bioinformatics, or their equivalent. Other course requirements are dependent on the student’s program of study. The results of the dissertation research must be presented at a departmental seminar. A minor is not required, but a student may elect a minor in general studies or a related field. This consists of no fewer than 15 credits.

There is no foreign language requirement for the Ph.D. degree. However, depending on the nature of the thesis research and with the advice and consent of the Doctoral Committee, competency in a foreign language may be required as a part of the doctoral studies of certain students. (Students are not formally admitted to the doctoral candidacy until they have passed a candidacy examination. A favorable vote by two-thirds of the committee members is necessary for acceptance of a candidate.)

Student Aid

Graduate assistantships available to students in this program and other forms of student aid are described in the STUDENT AID section of the Graduate Bulletin.

Graduate courses carry numbers from 500 to 599 and 800 to 899. Advanced undergraduate courses numbered between 400 and 499 may be used to meet some graduate degree requirements when taken by graduate students. Courses below the 400 level may not. A graduate student may register for or audit these courses in order to make up deficiencies or to fill in gaps in previous education but not to meet requirements for an advanced degree.

ENTOMOLOGY (ENT) course list

The University reserves the right to change the requirements and regulations listed here and to determine whether a student has satisfactorily met its requirements for admission or graduation, and to reject any applicant for any reason the University determines to be material to the applicant's qualifications to pursue higher education. Nothing in this material should be considered a guarantee that completion of a program and graduation from the University will result in employment.

This electronic Graduate Bulletin is a version of the official bulletin of The Pennsylvania State University. It is suggested that users refer to this electronic bulletin when seeking the latest information about the University's academic programs and courses. Printed versions of the Bulletin are also official copies of the programs, courses, and policies in effect at the time of printing.

DATE LAST REVIEWED BY GRADUATE SCHOOL: 4/12/04

DATE LAST REVIEWED BY PUBLICATIONS: 10/27/06

Last Revised by the Department: Summer Session 2007

Blue Sheet Item #: 35-06-539

Review Date: 4/10/07