Entomology Minor

Program Director: David Hawthorne, Ph.D.

The Entomology minor will provide students with a broad understanding of the form and function of insects, their interactions with people and society, and their role as model species for fundamental and applied research. It is intended for students with an interest in insects and their relatives, whether from professional or avocational perspectives. 

Program Learning Outcomes

  1. Develop a solid foundation on the structure and function of insects and their relatives within an evolutionary context, including the ability to identify orders and common families of arthropods.
  2. Comprehend the diversity of insect species and their ecological roles leading to beneficial and injurious effects on human society and economy.
  3. Understand and apply the use of insects as models for scientific endeavors, such as developmental biology, genetics, pest management, and population ecology.
  4. Integrate knowledge of insects within a specialized field of science.
  5. Understand the need to conserve and restore populations of insects in response to global issues such as biodiversity loss, climate change, food security, and invasive species.

The minor requires a minimum of 15 course credits, with at least 9 credits at the upper level.  No more than 2 courses can count towards both the minor and major.  

Required Course:

Course Title Credits
BSCI337Biology of Insects4

Choose one course from Advanced Entomology:

Course Title Credits
BSCI467Freshwater Biology4
BSCI480Arthropod Form and Function4
BSCI481Insect Diversity and Classification4
BSCI483Insects, Pathogens, and Public Health3
BSCI487IPM: Science-Based Decision Making for Sustainable Pest Management4
BSCI494Animal-Plant Interactions3
BSCI497Insect Pests of Ornamentals and Turf4

Choose a total of 2-3 courses from two of the following areas (for BSCI majors, one course must be from III-IV):

I. Advanced Biology

Course Title Credits
BSCI361Principles of Ecology4
BSCI363The Biology of Conservation and Extinction3
BSCI370Principles of Evolution3
BSCI392
BSCI393
Biology of Extinct Animals
and Biology of Extinct Animals Laboratory
4
BSCI410Molecular Genetics3
BSCI430Developmental Biology3

II. Pollination Biology

Course Title Credits
BSCI1212
BSCI126Pollinators in Crisis3

III. Plant Sciences

Course Title Credits
PLSC205Introduction to Turf Science and Management4
PLSC226Plant Diversity4
PLSC253Woody Plants for Mid-Atlantic Landscapes I3
PLSC254Woody Plants for Mid-Atlantic Landscape II3
PLSC405Agroecology3
PLSC4073
PLSC420Principles of Plant Pathology4
PLSC453Weed Science3

IV. Environmental Sciences:

Course Title Credits
ENST233Introduction to Environmental Health4
ENST333Ecosystem Health and Protection3
ENST334Environmental Toxicology3
ENST360Ecosystem Ecology4
ENST403Invasive Species Ecology3
ENST410Ecosystem Services: An Integrated Analysis3
ENST436Emerging Environmental Threats3
ENST441Sustainable Agriculture3
ENST445Ecological Risk Assessment3
ENST450Wetland Ecology3

Depending on the optional courses, a total of 15-17 credits are required. All courses presented for the minor must be passed with a grade of C- or better.