2002-2003 Edition
Texas A&M University Graduate CatalogTexas A&M University Graduate Catalog
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Department of Entomology

P. L. Adkisson, T. L. Archer, D. E. Bay, J. H. Benedict, J. S. Bernal, H. R. Burke, C. J. Coates, A. I. Cognato, R. N. Coulson, R. L.Crocker, B. M. Drees, R. E. Frisbie, T. W. Fuchs, F. E. Gilstrap, R. E. Gold, L.A.Guarino, K. F. Harris, M. K. Harris, K. M. Heinz (Interim Head), C. E. Hoelscher, J. A. Jackman, J. S. Johnston, L. L. Keeley, A.E.Knutson, F. G.Maxwell, R. W. Meola, M.E.Merchant, G. J. Michels, Jr., F.L.Mitchell, W. P. Morrison, J. K. Olson, J. D. Oswald, T. Pankiw, M. Parajulee, P. V. Pietrantonio, J. A. Reinert, D. R. Rummel, J. C. Schaffner, J. E. Slosser, J. W. Smith, Jr., A. N. Sparks, Jr., M. D. Summers, P. D. Teel, G. L. Teetes, H. W. Van Cleave, S. B. Vinson, M. O. Way, R. A.Wharton, L.T. Wilson, J. B. Woolley*, K. Zhu-Salzman

* Graduate Advisor

The Department of Entomology offers programs leading to an MS, MAgr or PhD in entomology. These programs revolve around seven areas of excellence with international reputations: Arthropod Ecology, Biological Control, Integrated Pest Management, Molecular Biology, Physiology, Genetics and Toxicology, Plant Resistance, Systematics, and Urban, Medical and Veterinary Entomology. Because of the department's breadth, students come from many backgrounds with previous degrees in biology, entomology, zoology, biochemistry, plant pathology, ecology, botany and other areas of the biological and molecular sciences. Students with diverse backgrounds are considered assets to the graduate program and are highly encouraged to apply. Working with your major advisor and graduate committee, you will be able to design your own academic program, independent research project, or internship tailored to your interests.

The department occupies five floors of the Minnie Belle Heep Building and nearby buildings that house the Entomology Research Laboratory, the Biological Control Laboratory and Urban, Veterinary and Medical Entomology. Texas A&M is only one of a select group of U.S. locations for a federally approved quarantine laboratory. In addition, the department houses the following research centers: the Center for Advanced Invertebrate Molecular Sciences, the Center for Biointensive IPM, and the Center for Urban and Structural Entomology. The department also maintains three multi-room greenhouses. The Texas A&M University Insect Collection is housed in the Minnie Belle Heep Building. It is the largest and most actively growing arthropod collection in the Southwest, contains more than two million specimens representing more than 32,000 identified species.

Graduate students often use the facilities and work with faculty located at 12 research and extension centers across Texas, each addressing entomological issues unique to their particular geographic region.

Prerequisite to graduate work is the completion of no fewer than two years of approved entomological training; however, credit in certain other biological sciences may be substituted as part of this requirement. Comprehensive courses in the biological sciences, general chemistry and organic chemistry are required of all students. Specific course requirements in entomology are dependent upon previous training and professional experience.

(ENTO)

601. Principles of Systematic Entomology. (3-0). Credit 3.

An introduction to the principles and theory of systematic zoology and comparative biology including species concepts and speciation; methods for higher classification including phylogenetic systematics, phenetics and evolutionary taxonomy; introduction to zoological nomenclature. Prerequisite: Graduate classification in entomology or other biological sciences.

605. Aquatic Entomology. (3-3). Credit 4.

Principles and practices concerning aquatic entomology. Biology and classification of each group of aquatic insects; basic concepts of limnology as they apply to insects; techniques of collecting, mounting and rearing of aquatic insects. Prerequisite: ENTO 201 or 313 or approval of instructor. (Offered in 2002-03 and alternate years thereafter.)

606. Quantitative Phylogenetics. (2-3). Credit 3.

Designed to provide students with the theory and tools required for inference of phylogenetic (evolutionary) relationships among biological taxa using various types of comparative data including morphological characters, biochemical and molecular characters, and DNA sequences; hands-on analysis of data using contemporary tools. Prerequisite: Entomology 601 or approval of instructor. Cross-listed with GENE 606.

608. Principles of Biological Control. (3-0). Credit 3.

Theory and practices relating to the role and use of natural enemies in arthropod and plant population regulation; review and analysis of projects in biological control; biology and behavior of entomophagous arthropods. Prerequisite: ENTO 201 or equivalent or approval of instructor.

610. Host Plant Resistance. (3-0). Credit 3.

Host plant resistance programs from the standpoint of the plant breeder, plant pathologist and entomologist; team taught with each discipline represented; roundtable discussion of assigned readings and lectures. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor. Cross-listed with AGRO 610 and PLPA 610.

615. Insect Physiology. (3-0). Credit 3.

Physiological processes of insects; metabolism nutrition, neuro-endocrinology, nerve action, cell structure, respiration, circulation, excretion and flight; functional integration and regulatory processes of total organism. Prerequisite: ENTO 306 or equivalent.

617. Acarology. (3-3). Credit 4.

Systematics, morphology, physiology, and ecology of ticks and mites; management of acarine pests of humans, animals and plants; role of parasitic species in causation and transmission of diseases. Prerequisite: ENTO 208 or equivalent. (Offered in 2001-02 and alternate years thereafter.)

618. Medical and Veterinary Entomology. (3-3). Credit 4.

Taxonomy, biology and epidemiological role of insects that directly and/or indirectly affect the health and well-being of humans and animals. Prerequisite: ENTO 208 or equivalent. (Offered in 2001-02 and alternate years thereafter.)

619. Insect Toxicology. (3-3). Credit 4.

Classification and properties of major types of insecticides; chemistry, metabolism and mode of action; selectivity, use hazards, residues and resistance; environmental problems: biological magnification, persistence and effects on non-target organisms. Prerequisites: One course in organic chemistry and ENTO 615 or approval of instructor.

621. Biology and Systematics of Entomophagous Insects. (2-3). Credit 3.

Systematics of entomophagous insects at the family level; collecting and rearing parasitoids from their hosts; emphasis on groups used in biological control. Prerequisites: ENTO 301 and 302 or approval of instructor. (Offered in 2002-03 and alternate years thereafter.)

623. Advanced Principles of Agroecosystem Management with Emphasis on Insects and Mites. (3-0). Credit 3.

Addresses agriculture from an ecological perspective; provides students with an understanding of how biological and physical components of a system are interconnected and affect the outcome of management decisions; an improved understanding of quantitative techniques used to estimate biological interactions. Prerequisite: ENTO 401 or 402 or 424 or approval of instructor.

624. Dynamics of Populations. (3-2). Credit 4.

Principles, models and methods for analysis of population dynamics; analysis of contemporary research emphasizing theory and its uses in evaluation and management of animal populations; laboratory emphasizes mathematical, statistical and computer modeling of population phenomena. Cross-listed with WFSC 624.

625. Landscape Ecology. (2-2). Credit 3.

Study of structure, function and change in a heterogeneous land area composed of interacting ecosystems; examine basic ecological principles dealing with landscape structure. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor. Cross-listed with GEOG 625.

681. Seminar. (1-0). Credit 1.

Oral reports and discussions of current research and developments in entomology and related fields; designed to broaden understanding of problems in field and to stimulate research. Prerequisite: Graduate classification.

684. Professional Internship. Credit 1 to 4 each semester.

On-the-job training in the fields of pest identification, home and garden pest control, medical and veterinary pest control, and pest management of food and fiber crop pests. Prerequisite: Graduate classification in the Master of Agriculture program in economic entomology.

685. Directed Studies. Credit 1 to 4 each semester.

Entomological problems not pertaining to thesis or dissertation. Prerequisites: Graduate classification with major or minor in entomology; approval of department head.

689. Special Topics in... Credit 1 to 4.

Selected topics in an identified area of entomology. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Graduate classification.

690. Theory of Research. Credit 1.

Examination of concepts and theories in entomological research including applications of novel technologies and experimental approach. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Graduate classification.

691. Research. Credit 1 or more each semester.

Research problems on taxonomy, life histories, biological control, ecology and physiology of insects, and toxicology of insecticides. Prerequisite: Graduate classification.