Minor

Insects make up most multicellular life on earth. They cause harm by vectoring diseases,  attacking crops, and damaging buildings. Insects also provide critical services such as pollination and are superb models for studying biological organization.  They can even help us understand how the planet responds to climate change and how we can boost sustainability and reduce our carbon footprint. Students can tailor a Minor in Entomology to their own interests. The focus could include insect pest management, public health or medical entomology, and outreach, as well as insect genomics, conservation, education, systematics, behavior, ecology, physiology, and evolution. The minor is offered through the Department of Entomology, one of the highest ranked departments in this discipline in the U.S., with a wealth of expertise in both basic and applied fields.

 

This minor will provide students with advanced education and skills in insect-related fields to be competitive for graduate programs in disciplines such as Environmental Sciences, Public Health, Epidemiology, Ecology, and Entomology and for employment in agricultural and biotech industries. The target audience is undergraduates interested in a career associated with insects. This could be in Integrated Pest Management (IPM), agriculture, public health such as with insect borne diseases, biotech, systematics, or ecology. Students interested in these career paths will be more attractive to employers if they can demonstrate expertise and experience with insects. This minor can be an introductory pathway at UA to a graduate degree in Entomology and Insect Science (EIS-GIDP).

 

1. 1. Students will be able to differentiate the distinct roles insects play in human health, society and culture.    
2. 2. Students will be able to contrast and compare the diversity, life stages and ecology of major groups of insects.
3. 3. Students will be able to extrapolate from insect model systems to ecosystems, agriculture and human health.   

        1. Insect Biology (ENTO 415R)

        2. Students must acquire 3 units of research or education experience from at least one of the following options:

                Directed Research (ENTO 392, 492)

                Independent Study (ENTO 299, 299H, 399,499, 499H)

               Honors Thesis (ENTO 498H)

               Senior Capstone (ENTO 498)

               Internship (ENTO 393, 493)

               Preceptorship (ENTO 391, 391H, 491, 491H)

               Insect Discovery (ENTO 407)

        3. Electives: 12 additional units from list of approved courses below

        Complete 12 units from the following:

               ENTO 160D1, 3 units, How Insects Shaped Human History

               ENTO 170C2, 3 units, How Insects Conquered Earth

               ENTO 300, 3 units, Insect Pest Management for Desert Cropping

               ENTO 401, 3 units, Ecological Physiology

               ENTO 407, 3 units, Insect Discovery

               ENTO 417, 4 units, Insect Systematics

               ENTO 432, 3 units, Comparative Immunology

               ENTO 436, 3 units, Agro Ecology

               ENTO 457, 3 units, Medical-Veterinary Entomology

               ENTO 468, 3 units, Integrated Pest Management

               ENTO 403R, 3 units, Biology Animal Parasites

               ENTO 497C, 3 units, Greenhouse Pest Management

               ENTO 405, 4 units, Aquatic Entomology