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Program Description
Through the Department of Entomology, the minor in Entomology is primarily designed for (but not restricted to) students in the Agricultural and Biological Science majors seeking additional studies in entomological sciences. Successful completion of this minor area of study will help prepare students for graduate studies in entomology and related fields.
A minor in Entomology requires 18 credits in approved courses in addition to the major requirements of the student's choice. Appropriate course substitutions may be considered with minor adviser approval.
What is Entomology?
Entomology is the scientific study of insects (and terrestrial arthropods such as arachnids, centipedes, millipedes, and springtails) and their relationships to humans and the environment. Entomology contributes to a diverse array of disciplines, including agriculture, biodiversity, ecology, epidemiology, forensic science, genetics, human and veterinary medicine, molecular biology, pollination biology, chemical ecology, parasitology, and toxicology.
You Might Like This Program If...
- You are passionate about biodiversity and fascinated with insects.
- You are interested in human or animal diseases, such as malaria, that are transmitted by insects.
- You are concerned about pollinators and their relationships to ecosystems and food supply.
- You are interested in invasive species and their impact on ecosystems and agriculture.
- You enjoy basic science and/or applied science.
- You want to teach, conduct research, or have a career in agriculture, environmental science, or biology.
Program Requirements
| Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| Requirements for the Minor | 18 |
Requirements for the Minor
A grade of C or better is required for all courses in the minor, as specified by Senate Policy 59-10. In addition, at least six credits of the minor must be unique from the prescribed courses required by a student's major(s).
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Prescribed Courses | ||
| Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| ENT 496 | Independent Studies | 3 |
| Additional Courses | ||
| Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| Select 3 credits from the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Entomology and Management of Insect Pests of Ornamentals | ||
| Introduction to Entomology and Field Crops Entomology | ||
| Turfgrass Insect Pest Management | ||
| Select 3 credits from the following: | 3 | |
| Introductory Agroecology | ||
| Applied Animal Welfare | ||
| Genetics | ||
| Symbiosis | ||
| Ecology of Infectious Diseases | ||
| Invertebrate Zoology | ||
| Evolution | ||
| Animal Behavior | ||
| Physiological Ecology | ||
| Sociobiology | ||
| Plant Ecology | ||
Horticultural Crop Diseases  | ||
| Microbe-Plant Interactions: Plant Disease and Biological Control | ||
| Soil Ecology | ||
| Wildlife Behavior | ||
| Select 9 credits from the following: | 9 | |
| Biology of Animal Parasites | ||
| Insect Structure and Function | ||
| Pesticide Science | ||
| Sensory Biology of Insects | ||
| Medical Entomology | ||
| Principles of Integrated Pest Management | ||
| Insect Behavior | ||
Academic Advising
The objectives of the university's academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.
Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee's unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.
READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY
University Park
John Tooker
Professor of Entomology
501 Agricultural Sciences and Industries Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-1895
tooker@psu.edu
Career Paths
Careers
Students with a minor in Entomology have been successful in establishing careers in a diverse number of fields, including agriculture, pest management, biology, environmental science, and human and veterinary medicine, and in governmental regulatory and policy positions.
Opportunities for Graduate Studies
Students with entomology minors have gone on to graduate school in entomology, other agricultural sciences, or life and biological sciences to study basic or applied issues. During their undergraduate program at Penn State, students enrolled in the Entomology minor are strongly encouraged to conduct research in the lab of one or more entomology faculty; such experiences will help students determine if they would like to be involved in research for graduate school.
Contact
University Park
DEPARTMENT OF ENTOMOLOGY
501 Agricultural Sciences and Industries Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-1895
sgb13@psu.edu