The Entomology major is a general biological curriculum of interest to students intrigued by insects, their diversity and biology. Areas of emphasis include agricultural entomology, bee management and biology, behavior, ecology, insects affecting human and animal health, natural history, and physiology.
The Program. Students begin their study in entomology with selected insect biology courses. After completing these courses, students may enroll in courses in their particular area of interest. A student interested in arthropod pest management, for example, could enroll in courses such as economic entomology, biological control of insects, and apiculture.
Internships and Career Alternatives. Entomology majors have participated in internships with the State Department of Agriculture in the areas of insect identification, insect surveys, and the development of entomological libraries. Other interns have worked with professional entomologists in the area of supervised pest control. Graduates are prepared for managerial and technical positions with state and federal agencies and agricultural production or supporting industry; entomology graduates also teach biological sciences in high schools. Others matriculate in graduate programs leading to a higher degree.
| UNITS | ||
|---|---|---|
| English Composition Requirement | 0-8 | |
| See College Requirement | ||
| Preparatory Subject Matter | 46-47 | |
| Biological Sciences 1A, 1B, 1C | 15 | |
| Chemistry 2A, 2B, 8A, 8B | 16 | |
| Mathematics 16A | 3 | |
| Physics 1A, 1B | 6 | |
| Statistics 13, 32, or Agricultural Systems and Environment 120 | 3-4 | |
| Agricultural Systems and Environment 21, Engineering 5, or Mathematics 16B | 3 | |
| Breadth Subject Matter | 6-24 | |
| Satisfaction of General Education requirement | ||
| Depth Subject Matter | 32-36 | |
| Microbiology 102, Plant Biology 118, 148, Plant Pathology 120 | 4-5 | |
| Biological Sciences 101 | 4 | |
| Environmental Science and Policy 100 or Evolution and Ecology 101 | 4 | |
| Evolution and Ecology 100 | 3-4 | |
| Biological Sciences 102 and 103 | 6 | |
| Entomology 100, 100L | 5 | |
| At le ast 7 units from Entomology 101, 102, 103, 104, 107, 109, or 116 | 7 | |
| Restricted Electives | 34 | |
| Upper division entomology courses | 14 | |
| Upper division electives related to student's interest with approval of adviser | 20 | |
| Note: No more than a total of 6 units from Entomology 192, 197T and 199 may count toward fulfilling depth subject matter or restricted elective units. | ||
| Unrestricted Electives | 32-60 | |
| Total Units for the Major | 180 | |
Major Adviser. L. Ehler.
The Department of Entomology has seven minor programs open to students in other disciplines who are interested in rounding out their academic study with a concentration in the area of entomology.
| UNITS | ||
|---|---|---|
| Entomology | 18-24 | |
| Entomology 100, 100L | 5 | |
| At least two courses from Entomology 101, 102, 103, 104, 107 | 7-8 | |
| At least two additional upper division Entomology courses (except courses 192, 198, 199) | 6-11 | |
| UNITS | ||
|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Entomology | 18 | |
| Entomology 100, 100L, 110, 135 | 14 | |
| At least four additional upper division Entomology units | 4 | |
| UNITS | ||
|---|---|---|
| Apiculture | 17-22 | |
| Entomology 100, 100L, 119 | 8 | |
| Entomology 104 or 110 | 3-5 | |
| Additional courses: choose two from Evolution and Ecology 121, Plant Biology 102, 173, 174 | 6-9 | |
| UNITS | ||
|---|---|---|
| Insect Ecology | 19 | |
| Entomology 100, 100L, 104 | 8 | |
| Seven units from Entomology 103, 107, 109 | 7 | |
| Evolution and Ecology 149 or Environmental Science and Policy 121 | 4 | |
| UNITS | ||
|---|---|---|
| Medical-Veterinary Entomology | 18 | |
| Entomology 100, 100L, 104, 153, 156 | 15 | |
| At least three units from Entomology 156L; Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology 126, 126L, 128 | 3 | |
Minor Adviser. L. Ehler.
Graduate Study. The Department of Entomology offers a program of study and research leading to the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. See the Graduate Studies section and the Graduate Announcement for further details.
Graduate Advisers. See Class Schedule and Registration Guide.
Related Courses. See courses in Nematology.
| Upper Division Courses | Graduate Courses |
*Course not offered this academic year.
General Education (GE) credit: ArtHum = Arts and Humanities; SciEng = Science and Engineering; SocSci = Social Sciences; Div = Social-Cultural Diversity; Wrt = Writing Experience. Select this link to information on the General Education requirement.
10. Natural History of Insects (3) II. Kaya, Parrella
Lecture--3 hours. Designed for students not specializing in entomology. Not open for credit to students who have had course 100, but students who have taken this course may take course 100 for credit. An introduction to the insects detailing their great variety, structures and functions, habits, and their significance in relation to plants and animals including man. GE credit: SciEng.
90X. Special Topics in Entomology (2) I, II, III. The Staff
Seminar--2 hours. Freshman seminar for in-depth examinaton of a special topic in entomology.
99. Special Study for Undergraduates (1-5) I, II, III. The Staff (Chairperson in charge)
(P/NP grading only.)
100. General Entomology (3) I. L. Kimsey
Lecture--3 hours. Prerequisite: Biological Sciences 1B. Biology, anatomy, physiology, development, classification, ecology and relation of insects to human welfare. GE credit: SciEng.
100L. General Entomology Laboratory (2) I. L. Kimsey
Laboratory--6 hours. Prerequisite: course 100 (may be taken concurrently). Anatomy, development, population ecology, methods of collecting, classification and identification of insects of all orders and of major families. GE credit with concurrent enrollment in course 100: Wrt.
101. Functional Insect Morphology (3) II. Peng
Lecture--2 hours; laboratory--3 hours. Prerequisite: course 100. Study of the basic external and internal structures, organs and tissues of insects, with emphasis on functional systems. Functional anatomy, histology and fine structures of important organs and tissues will be discussed. GE credit: SciEng.
102. Insect Physiology (4) III. The Staff
Lecture--3 hours; discussion--1 hour. Prerequisite: course 100 or course in physiology or invertebrate zoology. Processes by which insects maintain themselves, reproduce, and adapt to environment. Insects as models for basic/applied research through detailed analysis of metabolic, physiological, and behavioral processes. Emphasis on analysis of methodology, fact, and theory. GE credit: SciEng.
103. Insect Systematics (3) III. Ward
Lecture--2 hours; discussion--1 hour. Prerequisite: introductory course in zoology or entomology. Principles and methods of systematics, with particular reference to insects. Emphasis on different theories of classification, and analysis of phylogenetic relationships. GE credit: SciEng, Wrt.
104. Behavioral Ecology of Insects (3) II. Page
Lecture--3 hours. Prerequisite: introductory biology or zoology. Basic principles and mechanisms of insect behavior and ecology. An evolutionary approach to understanding behavioral ecology of insects. GE credit: SciEng.
*107. California Insect Diversity (5) III. L. Kimsey
Lecture--1 hour; laboratory--6 hours; fieldwork--6 hours. Prerequisite: an introductory course in entomology. Survey of the diversity of insects from selected ecological zones in California with emphasis on collection, identification, and natural history. Offered in alternate years. GE credit: SciEng, Wrt.
109. Field Taxonomy and Ecology (7) Extra-session summer. Ward
Lecture--2 hours; laboratory--36 hours; five-week course. Prerequisite: an introductory course in entomology or consent of instructor. The study of insects in their natural habitats; their identification and ecology. Offered in alternate years. GE credit: SciEng, Wrt.
110. Arthropod Pest Management (5) II. Granett
Lecture--3 hours; laboratory--6 hours. Prerequisite: Biological Science 1B. Development of the ecological basis for the integrated pest management paradigm with emphasis on agriculture. Ecological and practical aspects of control tactics. Laboratory emphasizes identification of pests and beneficials of agriculture and urban situations. GE credit: SciEng, Wrt.
111. Insects and Human Affairs (4) III. Ullman
Lecture--2 hours; discussion--1 hour; film/demonstration--1 hour; one required evening meeting. Prerequisite: Biological Sciences 10 recommended. Diversity, structure and function of insects. Their role as benefactors, competitors, and destroyers of human resources and health. Their contribution to human culture and scientific knowledge. Approaches to insect pest control and its environmental, social and political correlates. GE credit: SciEng, Wrt.
116. Biology of Aquatic Insects (3-5) III. Lawler
Lecture--2 hours and laboratory (Saturday field trips); optional laboratory on identification and/or aquatic insect collection. Prerequisite: course 100 or consent of instructor. A study of the life history, ecology, and identification of insects associated with streams, ponds, and lakes. GE credit: SciEng.
117. Biodemography of Longevity (4) II. Carey
Lecture--3 hours; term paper. Nature, origin, determinants, and limits of longevity with particular reference to humans; emphasis on implications of findings from non-human model systems including natural history, ecology and evolution of life span; description of basic demographic techniques including life table methods. (Same course as Human Development 117.) GE credit: SciEng, Wrt.
119. Apiculture (3) III. Peng
Lecture--3 hours; papers. Prerequisite: Biological Sciences 1C recommended. Biology and behavior of honeybees; communication, orientation, social organization, foraging activities, honey production, pollination activities. GE credit: SciEng, Wrt.
123. Plant-Virus-Vector Interaction (3) I. Lucas, Gilbertson, Ullman
Lecture--3 hours. Prerequisite: Biological Sciences 1A, 1C, 101; Plant Biology 105, Plant Pathology 120, and course 100 recommended. Analysis of the interactions necessary for viruses to infect plants. Interactions among insect vectors and host plants involved in the plant-virus life cycle. Evolutionary aspects of the molecular components in viral infection and modern experimental approaches to the interdiction of viral movement. Offered alternate years. (Same course as Plant Biology 123/Plant Pathology 123.)
135. Introduction to Biological Control (4) III. Ehler, Kaya
Lecture--3 hours; laboratory--3 hours. Prerequisite: course 100 or 110. Principles of biological control of arthropod pests and weeds. Biology of pathogens, entomopathogenic nematodes, parasitoids, and predators. Implementation in classical and augmentative biological control. Role of biological control in pest management.
*147. Evolution of Life on Earth (4) I. L. Kimsey
Lecture--3 hours; discussion--1 hour. Prerequisite: Plant Biology 10 or Biological Sciences 10. Relationships between physical changes in the continents and the evolution and diversification of plants and animals, particularly insects, over the past 400 million years. GE credit: SciEng, Wrt.
153. Medical Entomology (3) I. Scott
Lecture--3 hours. Prerequisite: Biological Sciences 1A, 1B, upper division standing in one of the biological sciences, or consent of instructor. Basic biology and classification of medically important arthropods with special emphasis on the ecology of arthropod-borne diseases and principles of their control. Relationships of arthropods to human health. GE credit: SciEng, Wrt.
156. Biology of Parasitism (3) III. R. Kimsey, Theis, Westerdahl
Lecture--3 hours. Prerequisite: Biological Sciences 1A or consent of instructors. Lectures on the biological and ecological aspects affecting host-parasite relationships using selected examples from protozoan and metazoan fauna. GE credit: SciEng.
156L. Biology of Parasitism Laboratory (1) III. R. Kimsey in charge
Laboratory--3 hours. Prerequisite: course 156 (concurrently) or consent of instructor. Laboratory demonstrations using selected examples of protozoan and metazoan organisms along with various techniques used in parasitology to exemplify concepts presented in the lecture course. GE credit with concurrent enrollment in course 156: Wrt.
158. Forensic Entomology (3) III. Kimsey
Lecture--2 hours; laboratory--4 hours. Prerequisite: Biological Sciences 1B or Entomology 100, upper division standing. Arthropods, their general biology, succession, developmental cycles and population biology in matters of criminal prosecution and civil litigation. Emphasis on basic arthropod biology, ecological and developmental concepts and methods, development of reasoning abilities, implication, development of opinions and evidence. GE Credit: SciEng or SocSci, Wrt.
192. Internship (1-12) I, II, III, extra session. The Staff (Chairperson in charge)
Internship--3-36 hours. Prerequisite: completion of 84 units and consent of instructor. Laboratory experience or fieldwork off and on campus in all subject areas offered in the Department of Entomology. Internships supervised by a member of the faculty. (P/NP grading only.)
197T. Tutoring in Entomology (1-3) I, II, III. The Staff
Discussion--1-3 hours. Leading small discussion groups. Preview assignments and prepare guidelines for discussion. (P/NP grading only.)
198. Directed Group Study (1-5) I, II, III, summer. The Staff (Chairperson in charge)
Prerequisite: consent of instructor. (P/NP grading only.)
199. Special Study for Advanced Undergraduates (1-5) I, II, III, summer. The Staff (Chairperson in charge)
(P/NP grading only.)
206. Ecology of Insect Parasitoids (4) II. Rosenheim
Lecture--3 hours; seminar--1 hour. Prerequisite: introductory animal ecology or behavior. Insect parasitoids will be investigated as model systems to address currrent topics in behavior, population, and evolutionary ecology. Theory will be synthesized and critical empirical tests of ecological hypotheses emphasized. Offered in alternate years. (Same course as Population Biology 206.)
*212. Molecular Biology of Insects and Insect Viruses (3) II. The Staff
Lecture--3 hours. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. A molecular biological analysis of insect systematics, physiology, and defense mechanisms. Molecular biology of insect viruses. Baculovirus expression vectors and post-translation modification of expressed polypeptides. Biological control of using neuropeptides and toxin genes in insect viruses.
225. Terrestrial Field Ecology (4) III. Karban
Seminar--1 hour; field work--12 hours. Prerequisite: introductory ecology and introductory statistics or consent of instructor. A field course conducted over spring break and four weekends at Bodega Bay, emphasizing student projects. Ecological hypothesis testing, data gathering, analysis and written and oral presentation of results. (Same course as Ecology 225/
Population Biology 225.)
*230. Advanced Biological Control (4) III. Ehler
Lecture--2 hours; laboratory--6 hours. Prerequisite: graduate or upper division standing in biological science or consent of instructor. Principles and current issues in biological control of arthropod pests and weeds; laboratory devoted to indentification and life history of the major groups of parasitic and predaceous arthropods. Offered in alternate years.
*253. Advanced Medical Entomology (3) III. The Staff
Lecture--2 hours; discussion--1 hour. Prerequisite: one upper division course in entomology (other than course 153) and one course in microbiology: course 153 strongly recommended. An analysis of several anthropod-borne human diseases with emphasis on the relationships of the biology of the vector to the ecology of the disease. Discussion includes demonstration of vectors and techniques. Offered in alternate years.
290. Special Topics in Entomology (1-4) I, II, III. The Staff (Chairperson in charge)
Seminar--1-4 hours. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
291. Seminar in Medical Entomology (2) I. Eldridge, Scott, R. Kimsey
Seminar--2 hours. Prerequisite: course 153. Discussions of parasitology, ecology and epidemiology related to vectors of pathogens causing disease in humans and animals. May be repeated for credit.
292. Seminar in Insect Physiology (2) I. Hammock
Seminar--2 hours. Prerequisite: course 102. Critical examination of areas of current interest to insect physiology and biochemistry. May be repeated for credit.
293. Seminar in Systematic Entomology (2) III. Ward, Kimsey
Seminar--2 hours. Prerequisite: course 103. Selected topics in systematics and evolution are presented and discussed. Some topics may be illustrated by laboratory sessions. May be repeated for credit.
294. Seminar in Insect Ecology (2) III. Carey, Ehler, Karban, Dingle, Rosenheim
Seminar--2 hours. Prerequisite: a general ecology course. Discussions of advanced topics in ecology with emphasis on analysis of factors influencing the distribution and abundance of insects. Includes consideration of applications of basic theory as in biological control and related approaches. May be repeated for credit.
295. Seminar in Agricultural Entomology (2) II. Ehler, Granett, Parrella, Rosenheim
Seminar--2 hours. Prerequisite: course 110. Discussion of advanced topics relating to the principles of pest insect population management. May be repeated for credit.
296. Seminar in Bee Biology (2) I. Page, Peng
Seminar--2 hours. Prerequisite: course 119 or the equivalent. Discussions of behavior, ecology, management, and general biology of bees (Apoidea) with emphasis on the honeybee. May be repeated for credit.
297. Seminar in Insect Behavior (2) III. Dingle, Page
Seminar--2 hours. Prerequisite: a course in animal behavior. Analysis of contemporary advances in insect behavior, interpretation and description of observations, physiological mechanisms, functional kinds of behavior, application of general principles to the solution of problems in the laboratory and field. May be repeated for credit.
298. Group Study (1-5) I, II, III. The Staff (Chairperson in charge)
(S/U grading only.)
299. Research (1-12) I, II, III, summer. The Staff (Chairperson in charge)
(S/U grading only.)
UC Davis 1999-2000 Online General Catalog. Posted July 30, 1999.
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Molly Theodossy, Keitha Hunter and Barbara Anderson, Editors
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