Entomology (ENTM)

Graduate Degree Program
College: Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences

Abstract

The Department of Entomology offers Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Science degrees. Graduate students may conduct research in a range of both basic and applied topics, including insect ecology and behavior; physiology, morphology, evolution and biosystematics; insect pathology, molecular biology and genetics; aquatic entomology; pollinator biology and apiculture; and integrated pest management.

Employment opportunities for graduates exist in industry; academia and extension; federal, state, and local governments; private and non-profit arenas; and in international and national spheres.

Financial Assistance

Graduate students are supported primarily in two ways. Many students are supported by extramural funding sources, usually obtained by the student’s faculty advisor or by the student for research on a specific topic. The second type of support is provided by the department from internal funds via University and departmental fellowships and teaching and research assistantships. Teaching and research assistantships are available on a competitive basis. Teaching assistants usually instruct undergraduate laboratory and recitation classes and receive in return a tuition waiver of ten credits each semester. Those students whose records indicate superior academic achievement and promise may also be competitive for University and departmental fellowships. Several part-time employment opportunities are also available in governmental and private research laboratories in the area. Regardless of the initial source of funding, the department makes a financial commitment to each graduate student. In the case of master’s students, support is provided for the first three years of the program only. In the case of doctoral students, five years of support is provided but must be used during the first six years of the student’s program. Support is usually for the full 12 months per year.

Contact

Jeffrey Shultz, PhD
Graduate Director

Department of Entomology
4112 Plant Sciences Building
4291 Fieldhouse Drive
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742
Telephone: 301-405-7519
Fax: 301-314-9290
Email: jshultz@umd.edu

Website: http://www.entm.umd.edu

Courses: BSCI ENTM

Relationships:  Biological Sciences (BISI)Marine, Estuarine, and Environmental Sciences (MEES)

General Requirements

Program-Specific Requirements

  • Letters of Recommendation (3)
  • CV/Resume
  • Writing Samples (optional, up to 2)
  • Description of Research/Work Experience (optional)

Students applying for graduate work in entomology are expected to have a strong background in the biological or agricultural sciences, chemistry, genetics, and mathematics. An undergraduate degree in entomology is not required, but a strong basic preparation is preferred for admission to the program.

Admission is granted on the basis of the following criteria by the Graduate Affairs Committee: Analysis of transcripts, including course selection and GPA; letters of recommendation; statement of purpose; and acceptance by a graduate faculty advisor. International applicants must also submit proof of English proficiency (TOEFL, iBT or IELTS scores). Acceptance by an advisor is absolutely required; thus, it helps to make contact with faculty when applying.

Upon admission to the MS or PhD program, the student’s study committee suggests a program of coursework and approves a detailed research proposal.

Application Deadlines

Type of Applicant Fall Deadline
Domestic Applicants
US Citizens and Permanent Residents December 3, 2024
International Applicants
F (student) or J (exchange visitor) visas; A, E, G, H, I and L visas and immigrants December 3, 2024

RESOURCES AND LINKS:

Program Website: http://www.entm.umd.edu
Program Admissions Website: https://entomology.umd.edu/admissions.html
Application Process: gradschool.umd.edu/admissions/application-process/step-step-guide-applying

Overview

The department is housed in a modern research facility on the College Park campus, where state-of-the-art offices, laboratories, environmental growth chambers, multimedia classrooms, and lecture halls provide an excellent environment for research and teaching. Students have individual workstations and access to sophisticated computer graphic facilities. The department also shares extensive technical expertise and scientific equipment with other departments on campus. The University’s strategic location in the Washington, DC area provides many opportunities for students to conduct research and gain hands-on experience in federal facilities, such as the Smithsonian Institution, USDA-ARS Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, NIH, and more. Vast resources are available in the University’s library system and nearby federal libraries. The USDA’s National Agriculture Library at Beltsville is only four miles from campus, and the Library of Congress is in nearby Washington, DC. Besides the main campus, the Maryland Agriculture Experiment Station has Research & Education Centers in the state where field and laboratory work is carried out on urban and agricultural insects. Land use and technical services at these centers are available to faculty and students.

Institutional Partners 

The University of Maryland is a large Research University located just outside of Washington, DC. Our unique location enables us to offer research opportunities with neighboring universities, research institutes, and state and federal laboratories, including: 

Campus Resources

The Plant Sciences Building is adjacent to the Biology-Psychology, Bioscience Research, and Microbiology Buildings, which facilitates interaction between multiple departments – Entomology, Plant Sciences, Biology, Cell Biology & Molecular Genetics, Neuroscience & Cognitive Science, and Microbiology – in a highly collaborative environment.

Research Farms & Greenhouse

​The department is affiliated with both the College of Computer, Mathematics & Natural Sciences (CMNS) and Agriculture & Natural Resources (AGNR). Our close ties to AGNR allow faculty and students to utilize the Maryland Agricultural Experiment Station, which maintains Research & Education Centers at nine sites across the state where field and laboratory work is carried out on urban and agricultural insects.
 
At each research farm, faculty and students have access to plot space and experienced farm crews that can help maintain research/training plots. Each farm is equipped with tractors, planters, sprayers and irrigation equipment as well as crop management and harvest equipment to carry out research. Each facility is also equipped with wagons for transporting stakeholders on farm tours.

​Faculty and students also have access to a state-of-the-art greenhouse on campus. This resource is a 2-acre site with 45,000 square feet in greenhouse space and an outdoor nursery area.

Insect Rearing & Animal Housing

Insect rearing facilities include Percival incubators within laboratories and walk-in growth chambers in the department, all of which have temperature, light and humidity controls. A fly food facility (housed on the 5th floor of the Plant Sciences Building) is shared by five fly groups on campus, providing fly food to each once per week at minimal cost.
 
The Animal & Avian Sciences Building provides housing for the animal subjects involved in research and teaching programs at UMD. The facility can accommodate mammalian, reptilian, avian, and aquatic animal subjects. It contains modern, climate controlled, and restricted access space for animal housing, as well as ancillary rooms used to perform surgeries, conduct research, mix feed, and wash cages. This facility is located within walking distance of the Plant Sciences Building.

High Performance Computing

Faculty and students at UMD are provided access to Deepthought2, MARCC/Bluecrab, and Juggernaut high-performance computing clusters through the Division of Information Technology (DIT). A variety of open-source software packages relevant to biological research are available, maintained, and updated on these clusters by DIT.

​Core Facilities

The College of Computer, Mathematics, and Natural Sciences and the University maintain a large number of Core Facilities, all of which are available to faculty and students.  

Last Name First/Middle Name Graduate Faculty Status Academic Credentials Positions
Armstrong Earlene Non-Member BS, North Carolina Central University, 1969; MS, North Carolina Central University, 1970; PhD, Cornell University, 1975 Professor Emerita, Entomology
Barbosa Pedro Non-Member BS, City University of New York - City College, 1966; MS, University of Massachusetts - Amherst, 1969; PhD, University of Massachusetts - Amherst, 1971 Professor Emeritus, Entomology
Brown Amy Non-Member BS, University of Florida, 1975; MS, Michigan State University, 1980; PhD, University of Maryland, 1993 Professor Emerita, Entomology
Burghardt Karin Full Member BS, University of Delaware, 2007; MS, Yale University, 2012; PhD, Yale University, 2016 Assistant Professor, Entomology
Burghardt Liana Special Member BA, Carleton College, 2007; PhD, Duke University, 2015 Affiliate Assistant Professor, Entomology
Davidson Eric Non-Member BA, Oberlin College, 1978; PhD, North Carolina State University, 1986 Affiliate Professor, Entomology
Dively Galen Full Member BS, Juniata College, 1966; MS, Rutgers University, 1968; PhD, Rutgers University, 1974 Professor Emeritus, Entomology
Duan Jian Non-Member PhD, University of Massachusetts - Amherst, 1994 Research Scientist, Entomology
Espindola Anahi Full Member BS, University Neuchatel, Switzerland, 2006; MS, University Neuchatel, Switzerland, 2006; PhD, University of Neuchatel, Switzerland, 2010 Assistant Professor, Entomology
Evans Jay Special Member AB, Princeton University, 1988; PhD, University of Utah, 1995 Research Scientist, Entomology
Fitzpatrick Matthew Non-Member BS, Penn State University, 1997; MS, University of Montana, 2003; PhD, University of Tennessee, 2008 Affiliate Professor, Entomology
Fritz Megan Full Member BS, Michigan State University, 2005; PhD, Michigan State University, 2011 Assistant Professor, Entomology
Assistant Professor, Biological Sciences
Gruner Daniel Full Member AB, Hamilton College, 1993; PhD, University of Hawai'i, 2004 Associate Professor, Entomology
Assistant Professor, Biological Sciences
Hamby Kelly Full Member BS, University of California - Davis, 2009; PhD, University of California - Davis, 2014 Associate Professor, Entomology
Assistant Professor, Biological Sciences
Hawthorne David Full Member BS & BA, Kent State University, 1983; MS, North Carolina State University, 1986; PhD, Cornell University,1993 Associate Professor, Entomology
Associate Professor, Biological Sciences
Hooks Cerruti Full Member BS, North Carolina Central University, 1987; MS, North Carolina State University, 1994; PhD, University of Hawaii - Manoa, 2000 Professor, Entomology
Kent Bretton Non-Member BS, Oregon State University, 1973; MS, Oregon State University, 1976; PhD, University of Maryland, 1981 Senior Lecturer, Entomology
Komatsu Kimberly Special Member BS, University of California, Irvine, 2007; PhD, Yale University, 2013 Affiliate Associate Professor, Entomology
Krishnan Niranjana Full Member B.Sc., University of Mumbai 2011; M.Sc. Vellore Institute of Technology, 2013; PhD, Iowa State University, 2021 Assistant Professor, Entomology
Lamp William Full Member BS, University of Nebraska - Lincoln, 1972; MS, Ohio State University - Columbus, 1976; PhD, University of Nebraska - Lincoln, 1980 Professor, Entomology
Associate Professor, Biological Sciences
Linduska James Non-Member BS, University of Maryland, 1965; MS, University of Maryland, 1968; PhD, University of Maryland, 1973 Professor Emeritus, Entomology
Neel Maile Full Member B.A., Humboldt State University, 1985; M.S., University of California, Santa Barbara, 1994; Ph.D. University of California, Riverside, 2000 Professor, Entomology
Professor, Plant Science
Associate Professor, Biological Sciences
Nelson Judd Non-Member BS, University of Wisconsin - Madison, 1969; M.S, University of Wisconsin - Madison, 1972; PhD, University of Wisconsin - Madison, 1974 Professor Emeritus, Entomology
O'Brien Tammatha Associate BS, University of Maryland, 1996; MS, University of Maryland, 1998; PhD, University of Maryland, 2008 Senior Lecturer, Entomology
O'Brochta David Full Member BS, University of Kansas, 1977; PhD, University of California - Irvine, 1985 Professor Emeritus, Entomology
Palmer Margaret Full Member BS, Emory University, 1977; MS, University of South Carolina, 1979; PhD, University of South Carolina, 1983 Distinguished University Professor, Entomology
Professor, Marine, Estuarine, and Environmental Sciences
Professor, Biological Sciences
Affiliate Professor, Women's Studies
Parker John Daniel Special Member BA, University of Virginia, 1993; MS, College of William & Mary, 1998; PhD, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2005 Research Scientist, Entomology
Pick Leslie Full Member BS, Wesleyan University, 1977; PhD, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, NY, 1986 Chair, Entomology
Distinguished Scholar-Teacher, Entomology
Professor, Entomology
Associate Professor, Biological Sciences
Raupp Michael Full Member BS, Cook College, Rutgers University, 1975; MS, Rutgers University, 1977; PhD, University of Maryland, 1981 Professor Emeritus, Entomology
Schultz Ted Non-Member BA, University of California, Berkeley, 1988; PhD, Cornell University, 1995 Research Scientist, Entomology
Serre David Special Member BS, Ecole Nationale Superieure de Chimie de Montpellier, 1999; PhD, Max-Planck Institute for Evol. Anthropology, 2004 Affiliate Professor, Entomology
Shapiro Leo Non-Member BA, Sarah Lawrence College, Reed College, 1986; PhD, State University of New York - Stony Brook, 1996 Senior Lecturer, Entomology
Shofner Marcia Non-Member BS, Ouachita Baptist University, 1982; MS, Ouachita Baptist University, 1983; PhD, University of Maryland, 2000 Senior Lecturer, Entomology
Shrewsbury Paula Full Member BS, University of Rhode Island, 1985; MS, University of California - Riverside, 1991; PhD, University of Maryland, 1996 Professor, Entomology
Shultz Jeffrey Full Member B.S., Michigan State University, 1982; M.S., Ohio University, Athens, 1985; Ph.D., Ohio State University, Columbus, 1990. Associate Professor, Entomology
Associate Professor, Biological Sciences
Graduate Director, Entomology
Smith Rebecca Special Member BA, City University of New York, 1955; PhD, University of Maryland, College Park, 1959 Affiliate Associate Professor, Entomology
Sonenshine Daniel Special Member BA, City University of New York, 1955; PhD, University of Maryland, College Park, 1959 Affiliate Professor, Entomology
St. Leger Raymond Full Member BS, Exeter University, UK, 1978; MS, University of London, UK, 1980; PhD, University of Bath, UK, 1985 Distinguished University Professor, Entomology
Thorne Barbara Non-Member BS, Brown University, 1976; MS, Harvard University, 1978; PhD, Harvard University, 1983 Professor Emerita, Entomology
Via Sara Full Member BA, Duke University, 1974; MS, Australian National University, Canberra, 1976; PhD, Duke University, 1983 Distinguished Scholar-Teacher, Entomology
Professor, Entomology
Professor, Biological Sciences
Wang Jian Full Member BS, Nanjing Agricultural University, 1984; MS, Nanjing Agricultural University, 1988; PhD, Shanghai Institute of Entomology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1998 Associate Professor, Entomology
Associate Professor, Neurosciences and Cognitive Science
Associate Professor, Biological Sciences
White Benjamin Special Member BS, University of Oregon; PhD, Washington University in St. Louis Senior Research Scientist, Entomology
Williams Michael Special Member BA, University of California, Santa Barbara, 1985; MS, University of Maryland, 1993; PhD, University of California, Santa Barbara, 1997 Assistant Research Professor, Entomology
Wu Louisa Non-Member PhD University of California - San Diego, 1995 Associate Professor, Biological Sciences
Affiliate Associate Professor, Entomology
Yuan Quan Non-Member PhD, University of Pennsylvania Research Scientist, Entomology
vanEngelsdorp Dennis Full Member BS, University of Guelph, 1992; MS, University of Guelph, 1995; PhD, Pennsylvania State University, 2011 Associate Professor, Entomology