Online Entomology, MS: Master's Degree

Program Overview

The online Master of Science in Entomology program provides students with a well-rounded understanding of entomology and the flexibility to choose coursework specific to an individuals' professional needs and personal interests.

Students of the Entomology, MS program will:

Develop a theoretical and applied understanding of entomology
Gain a knowledge base, enabling them to examine entomological problems and develop strategies to address these problems
Enhance analysis and synthesis of divergent viewpoints
Gain new professional skills and knowledge applicable to their career field

Thesis and Non-Thesis Options:

Option A: The student will complete a thesis in order to successfully complete this master’s program. The Entomology, MS program offers a secondary option, called Option B, which requires:

Minimum of 30 credit hours, with an optional minor
Project, but no thesis requirement
At least 15 of the 30 credits must be graduate-only courses

Students gain a well-rounded understanding of Entomology as a whole and can focus coursework in areas such as:

Forensic and medical entomology
Natural history
Insects in education
Insect pest management, toxicology and biological control
Insect ecology, physiology and biochemistry
Plant resistance

Upon completion of the program, students have the option to excel in a multitude of career areas:

Middle and high school teachers
Zoos, botanical gardens, butterfly houses
Seed industry
Agrochemical industry
Food industry
Crop consultation
Urban pest control
Military pest control
Public health

Admissions and Requirements

To be accepted to this program, you must have:

A Bachelor's degree
Undergraduate degree must include coursework in math, chemistry, and biology
3 GPA or above on a 4.0 scale
Taken the TOEFL or IELTS
(Only required if English is not your native language)
A written personal statement
A letter of intent that includes why you want to pursue a master's degree in Entomology, how it is going to help you, what you are doing now that relates to this degree, what you want to gain from this degree both personally and professionally and what personal and career goals are.
3 letters of recommendation
Official transcripts from all previous schools

NOTE: This program is authorized, exempt, or not subject to state regulatory compliance and may enroll students from all 50 states

To apply to this program:

Complete and submit the online application for Graduate Studies
Pay $50 application fees
Submit separate application to academic department

Courses You’ll Take

Course Information

Students will take 15 credits from both the core curriculum and elective courses.

Core Courses

Course Number	Course Name	Credits
ENTO 801	Insect Physiology	3
Functions and other phenomena associated with the major organ systems of insects, the cuticle, nervous, circulatory, digestive, metabolism, nutrition, locomotion, reproduction, respiration, and growth and development. Prerequisites: CHEM 251 or CHEM 255, 12 hours of entomology or biological sciences.
ENTO 809	Insect Control by Host-Plant Resistance	3
Explore resistance of crops to herbivorous arthropods. Investigate how insect behavior and physiology are affected by resistance, critically review current research on plant resistance genes, and the molecular, biochemical and physiological aspects of insect/microbe interactions with host plants. Prerequisites: 12 hours agricultural sciences and/or biological sciences including one course in entomology and one course in genetics.
ENTO 812	Entomology and Pest Management	3
Physiology of plant responses to environmental stresses, with emphasis on current research in selected physiological, molecular, and biochemical mechanisms for tolerance to environmental stresses such as temperature extremes, drought, salt, pathogens and other plants.
ENTO 814	Forensic Entomology	3
Application of entomology to legal issues. Criminal investigations, insects of forensic importance, insect succession on carrion, and case studies. Prerequisites: ENTO 115 or equivalent introductory course.
ENTO 815	Medical Entomology	3
Direct and indirect importance of insects in human medicine. Principles of arthropod-borne disease, medically important arthropod groups, and arthropod-transmitted diseases. Prerequisites: Introductory course in ENTO.
ENTO 816	Self-Pollinated Crop Breeding	1
Self-pollinated plant breeding theory and methods. Pedigree, bulk, single seed descent, back-crossing methods and inbreeding theory. Prerequisites: AGRO 215.

Elective Courses

Course Number	Course Name	Credits
ENTO 813	Biological Control of Pests	3
Principles and practices of using natural enemies and antagonists to manage the abundance of pests and reduce economic losses. Prerequisite: 12 hours of BIOS and/or agricultural sciences.
ENTO 810	Insects as Educational Tools for the Classroom	3
Overview of insects. Insect diversity, insect structure and function, insect ecology and behavior, and the beneficial and detrimental roles insects play. Integrating the study of insects into the classroom to enhance science education. Prerequisites: Introductory entomology course.
ENTO 896	Independent Study in Entomology	1 - 6
Individual or group projects in research, literature review, or extension of course work. Prerequisite: 12 hours biological sciences or agricultural sciences.
ENTO 888	MS Degree Project	4
Application of graduate course work for the non-thesis MS degree program. Prerequisite: Completion of 24 hours toward the MS degree.
ENTO 825	Management of Agronomic Insects	3
Identification, biology, ecology and management of insect pests of agronomic crops such as corn, soybeans, sorghum, wheat, and alfalfa. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies employed to maintain pests below damaging levels while minimizing the use of traditional insecticides. Prerequisites: An introductory entomology course.
ENTO 915	Presentation Methods	0
This course prepares entomology graduate students to give scientific and public presentations. It includes instruction in preparing posters and on-screen shows, image editing, finding entomological resources in libraries and on the internet, insect photography, and public speaking. Students develop a portfolio of their work, and they make two 12- and one 30-minute presentations to their classmates. Prerequisite: Permission.
ENTO 830	Introduction to the Development of Distance Education Courses	3
Introduction to practical aspects of developing and facilitating distance education courses. Create and facilitate interaction, assessments, course delivery, assignments, course etiquette and ADA compliance. Develop a distance course module grounded in distance education theory and instructional design principles.
ENTO 819	Insect Behavior	3
Principles of animal behavior as applied to insects and terrestrial arthropods. Techniques in studying insect behavior. Prerequisites: Introductory course in entomology.
ENTO 805	Introduction to Entomology	1
Introduction to insects (diversity, identification, morphology and physiology, ecology and behavior, and pest management). Beneficial, economic, and medical importance of insects.
ENTO 818	Insect Identification and Natural History	4
Biology and identification of major insect orders, families, classification, and ecology. Prerequisites: Introductory course in entomology.
ENTO 828	Scientific Illustration	3
Prepare scientifically accurate, high-quality illustrations and graphics for the teaching, presentation, and publication of scientific information. Drawing techniques, drafting, copyright and publication/ presentation of scientific artwork. Prerequisites: 12 hours agricultural and/or biological sciences.

Entomology, MS

Master of Science Degree in Entomology

University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Overview

Admissions and Requirements

Courses You’ll Take

Tuition & Fees

Program Overview

Admissions and Requirements

To be accepted to this program, you must have:

A Bachelor's degree

3 GPA or above on a 4.0 scale

Taken the TOEFL or IELTS

A written personal statement

3 letters of recommendation

Official transcripts from all previous schools

To apply to this program:

Courses You’ll Take

Course Information

Core Courses

Elective Courses

Tuition & Fees

Nebraska Residents

Per Credit Hour

3 Credit Hours

Out of State Residents

Per Credit Hour

3 Credit Hours

Tom Weissling, Ph.D.

Associate Professor and Distance Education Coordinator

Application Deadlines