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Entomology

College of Sciences

	QUICK JUMP
	Entomology
	Requirements and Core Courses
	Careers in Entomology
	Scholarships and Financial Aid
	Related Fields of Study That Might Interest You
	Contact Information

Entomology

Insects and other related arthropods are the dominant consumers in all terrestrial ecosystems. There are more kinds of insects than all the other species of animals and plants combined. In a practical sense, insects compete at all levels with humans in the production, processing, and use of food and fiber resources and constitute a major threat to human health in much of the world. A detailed understanding of insect biology is a prerequisite to developing rational, effective, and sustainable control measures. Similarly, an understanding of the ecological ramifications of such control measures, particularly pesticide use, is a legal and ethical requirement. • Offered at WSU: Bachelor of science in biology with an emphasis in entomology • Available at: Pullman

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Requirements and Core Courses

—Bachelor of Science in Biology, Emphasis in Entomology • Freshman Year: Biol 103 and 104—Introductory Biology Chem 101—Introduction to Chemistry      or Chem 105—Principles of Chemistry I Engl 101—Introductory Writing      or Engl 201—Writing and Research      or Engl 301—Writing and Rhetorical Conventions GenEd 110 and 111—World Civilizations I and II Chem 102—Chemistry Related to Life Sciences      or Chem 106—Principles of Chemistry II A communication proficiency course • Sophomore Year: Ag Ec 201—Economics in Agriculture      or Econ 102—Fundamentals of Macroeconomics An arts and humanities general education requirement (GER) An entomology/integrated pest management elective An intercultural GER A physical sciences course Biol 372—General Ecology Chem 240—Elementary Organic Chemistry      or Chem 340—Organic Chemistry I MBioS 301—General Genetics A social sciences GER • Junior Year: Bot 320—Introductory Plant Physiology      or Zool 352—Cell Physiology      or Zool 353—Mammalian Physiology Entomology 343 and 344—General Entomology and Laboratory Math 140—Mathematics for Life Scientists      or Math 205—Statistical Thinking Complete Writing Portfolio An arts and humanities or social sciences GER Bot 120—Introduction to Botany      or Bot 320—Introductory Plant Physiology      or Bot 332—Systematic Botany Entom 439—Taxonomic Entomology      or Entom 440—Taxonomy of Immature Insects Electives • Senior Year: Entomology/integrated pest management electives A Tier III course Other electives NOTE: Students must meet course requirements outlined in the General Catalog to graduate.

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Careers in Entomology

About 8,000 men and women are professional entomologists in the United States. They work in jobs that include teaching about insects, working as extension entomologists, raising bees, enforcing quarantines and regulations, doing insect survey work, consulting on integrated pest management topics, selling insecticides, controlling pests, and conducting research on insect classification, taxonomy, biology, ecology, behavior, or control. The greatest number is employed in some aspect of economic or applied entomology dealing with the control of harmful insects.

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Scholarships and Financial Aid

The College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences awards more than $400,000 to first-year and continuing students. Incoming freshmen with a GPA of 3.60 or higher are eligible to apply for the prestigious Dean’s Award Scholarship. Other scholarships may be awarded on the basis of county residency, need, or other membership criteria and do not require high GPAs. Some departmental scholarships are also available and may not be dependent on GPA. Students should complete the Washington State University general scholarship application and the FAFSA to ensure their eligibility for the widest range of scholarships and need-based financial aid.

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Related Fields of Study That Might Interest You

• Agriculture • Crop science • Environmental science • Horticulture • Microbiology • Natural resource sciences • Pre-veterinary medicine • Soil science

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Contact Information

Department of Entomology

P.O. Box 6382 Washington State University Pullman, WA 99164-6382

entom@wsu.edu

509-335-5422

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Strengths of the Program

• The M.T. James Entomological Collection, one of the largest in the West with more than 1.25 million specimens, supports research and advanced-level teaching.
• WSU’s Pesticide Education Program works to mitigate risk and prevent pollution from pesticide use by considering integrated pest management, environmental considerations, and pesticide laws.
• The Northwest Biological Control Insectary and Quarantine Facility on the Pullman campus represents the central component of the Department of Entomology’s Biological Control Program.
• The Apis Molecular Systematics Laboratory conducts population, genetic, and systematic research on honeybees and other organisms.
• The E. Paul Catts Memorial Lectureship, named for the noted WSU entomologist and communicator, features speakers who embody his spirit by their ability to make science accessible to the public.
• You can join a math, science, and engineering community residence hall at WSU Pullman—share classes with your neighbors, study together, get free tutoring, and use the hall’s computer lab.

Office of Enrollment Management, PO Box 641067, Washington State University, Pullman WA 99164-1067, 888-GO TO WSU (888-468-6978), Contact Us