Biological Science of Insects

Entomology and Nematology are interdisciplinary biological sciences that focus on the study of insects, mites, ticks, spiders, nematodes, and related organisms. These creatures can have both helpful and harmful effects on food security, the environment, and the health of humans and other animals. Entomology and Nematology students study ecology, behavior, physiology, evolution, systematics, biodiversity conservation, arthropods of medical and veterinary significance, the management of insect/nematode pests, and invertebrates as models in many different fields of research, including biomedical sciences, bioinspired engineering, and biotechnology.

About this Program

To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college, and major requirements.

Department Information

The Entomology and Nematology Department prepares students for exciting careers in a large variety of fields. Entomology and Nematology majors can enter medical, veterinary, or dental school; progress to graduate study in entomology, nematology, or any of several other biological sciences such as ecology and evolutionary biology, horticulture, or zoology; or move directly to a variety of careers (including industry and government positions) in fields such as pest management, agriculture, ecotourism, biosecurity, science policy, and education
Website

CONTACT

Email | 352.273.3974

P.O. Box 110620
1881 Natural Area Drive, Bldg. 970 
STEINMETZ HALL
GAINESVILLE FL 32611-0620
Map

 Curriculum

The Department of Entomology and Nematology offers the major. Faculty within the department specialize in a diverse array of fields, including systematics and evolutionary biology, ecology, behavior, physiology, medical and veterinary entomology, genomics and molecular biology, apiculture, agricultural and urban pest management, biodiversity conservation, and more. The department has a long tradition of sending students to graduate school and professional programs (including medical, veterinary, and dental school). Given the widespread importance of insects and nematodes, there are many employment opportunities for students with a degree in Entomology & Nematology.

Biological Science of Insects

The Biological Science of Insects specialization prepares students for entry to entomological careers or to graduate school in entomology, nematology, and related biological disciplines. It provides students with a solid foundation in basic and applied insect science, and students can choose to further specialize in different subdisciplines via electives. This specialization also emphasizes undergraduate research. Students complete an Insect Research CURE (Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience) as well as at least 3 credits of supervised research under the direction of faculty in the Entomology and Nematology Department.

Coursework

In addition to these courses, students must also complete all university- and college-level requirements (e.g., General Education coursework).

A grade of C or above is required for all core and elective courses. Students must also maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA.

Critical Tracking Courses

BSC 2010
& 2010L		Integrated Principles of Biology 1
and Integrated Principles of Biology Laboratory 1		4
BSC 2011
& 2011L		Integrated Principles of Biology 2
and Integrated Principles of Biology Laboratory 2		4
CHM 2045
& 2045L		General Chemistry 1
and General Chemistry 1 Laboratory		4
CHM 2046
& 2046L		General Chemistry 2
and General Chemistry 2 Laboratory		4
Select one Mathematics option:4-6
MAC 2311
Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1
MAC 1147
Precalculus Algebra and Trigonometry
MAC 1140
& MAC 1114
Precalculus Algebra
and Trigonometry

Core Requirements

ENY 2890CInsect Research CURE3
ENY 3005
& 3005L		Principles of Entomology
and Principles of Entomology Laboratory		4
ENY 4161Insect Classification3
ENY 4660Medical and Veterinary Entomology2
ENY 4911Supervised Research in Entomology0-3
Select one:4
MCB 2000
& 2000L
Microbiology
and Microbiology Laboratory
MCB 3020
& 3020L
Basic Biology of Microorganisms
and Laboratory for Basic Biology of Microorganisms
NEM 3002Principles of Nematology3
Select one:3-4
PHY 2020
Introduction to Principles of Physics
PHY 2004
& 2004L
Applied Physics 1
and Laboratory for Applied Physics 1
STA 2023Introduction to Statistics 13
Approved Applied Entomology course 13
Approved Ecology course 13
Approved Evolution course 13
Approved Genetics course 13
Approved Insect Behavior course 13

Elective Requirements

21 credits of 3000/4000-level courses in Entomology and Nematology or other biological sciences1, subject to approval by an academic advisor in the Entomology and Nematology program.

1

See an academic advisor in Entomology and Nematology for a list of courses that can be used to satisfy this requirement.

Critical Tracking records each student’s progress in courses that are required for progress toward each major. Please note the critical-tracking requirements below on a per-semester basis.

Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.

Semester 1

Semester 2

  • Complete 1 additional critical-tracking course, excluding labs
  • 2.5 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 3

  • Complete 1 additional critical-tracking course, excluding labs
  • 2.5 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 4

  • Complete 1 additional critical-tracking course, excluding labs
  • 2.5 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 5

  • Complete all critical-tracking courses, including labs
  • 2.5 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
  • 2.0 upper-division GPA required
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 6

Semester 7

  • Complete at least 1 of the following upper-level entomology requirements: ENY 4161 or ENY 4660
  • 2.0 upper-division GPA required
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 8

  • Complete a minimum of 3 credits of ENY 4911
  • 2.0 upper-division GPA required
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold. These courses must be completed by the terms as listed above in the Critical Tracking criteria.

This semester plan represents an example progression through the major. Actual courses and course order may be different depending on the student's academic record and scheduling availability of courses. Prerequisites still apply.

Plan of Study Grid
Semester OneCredits
BSC 2010
& 2010L		 Integrated Principles of Biology 1
and Integrated Principles of Biology Laboratory 1 (Critical Tracking; State Core Gen Ed Biological Sciences)		 4
Select one (Critical Tracking; State Core Gen Ed Mathematics): 1 4
MAC 1147
 Precalculus Algebra and Trigonometry
MAC 2311
 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1
State Core Gen Ed Composition (Writing Requirement: 6000 Words) 3
State Core Gen Ed Humanities 3
 Credits14
Semester Two
Quest 1 (Gen Ed Humanities) 3
BSC 2011
& 2011L		 Integrated Principles of Biology 2
and Integrated Principles of Biology Laboratory 2 (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Biological Sciences)		 4
STA 2023 Introduction to Statistics 1 (Gen Ed Mathematics ) 3
State Core Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences 3
Gen Ed Composition (Writing Requirement: 6000 Words) 3
 Credits16
Semester Three
Select one CALS Advanced Oral Communication course: 3
AEC 3030C
 Effective Oral Communication
SPC 2608
 Introduction to Public Speaking
CHM 2045
& 2045L		 General Chemistry 1
and General Chemistry 1 Laboratory (Critical Tracking; State Core Gen Ed Physical Sciences)		 4
ENY 3005
& 3005L		 Principles of Entomology
and Principles of Entomology Laboratory (Gen Ed Biological Sciences)		 4
Gen Ed Diversity 3
Writing course (Writing Requirement: 6000 words) 3
 Credits17
Semester Four
Quest 2 (Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences) 3
CHM 2046
& 2046L		 General Chemistry 2
and General Chemistry 2 Laboratory (Critical Tracking)		 4
ENY 2890CInsect Research CURE 3
NEM 3002 Principles of Nematology 3
Gen Ed International 3
 Credits16
Semester Five
Select one Genetics course (Critical Tracking): 3-4
AEC 3033C
 Research and Business Writing in Agricultural and Life Sciences (Critical Tracking)
PCB 3063
 Genetics (Critical Tracking)
ENY 4161 Insect Classification (Critical Tracking) 3
Select one Insect Behavior course: 3
ENY 3451C
 Insect Behavior
ENY 4453
 Behavioral Ecology and Systematics
ENY 4455C
 Social Insects
ENY 4571
 Honey Bee Biology
ENY 4573
 Beekeeping I
Approved electives 2 6
 Credits15-16
Semester Six
Select one CALS Advanced Written Communication course (Writing Requirement: 6000 words): 3
AEC 3033C
 Research and Business Writing in Agricultural and Life Sciences
ENC 2210
 Technical Writing
ENC 3254
 Professional Writing in the Discipline
Select one Ecology course: 3-4
ALS 3153
 Agricultural Ecology
ENY 4201
 Insect Ecology
ENY 4202
 Ecology of Vector-Borne Disease
ENY 4208
 Ecology and Conservation of Pollinators
ENY 4210
 Insects and Wildlife
PCB 4043C
 General Ecology
WIS 3401
 Wildlife Ecology and Management
Select one Evolution Course (Critical Tracking): 3
ENY 4455C
 Social Insects
PCB 4674
 Evolution
Approved elective 2 3
 Credits12-13
Semester Seven
ENY 4660 Medical and Veterinary Entomology (Critical Tracking) 2
Select one CALS Economics Requirement course: 3-4
AEB 2014
 Economic Issues, Food and You
AEB 3103
 Principles of Food and Resource Economics
ECO 2013
 Principles of Macroeconomics
ECO 2023
 Principles of Microeconomics
Select one Physics option: 3-4
PHY 2004
& 2004L
 Applied Physics 1
and Laboratory for Applied Physics 1
PHY 2020
 Introduction to Principles of Physics
Approved electives 2 6
 Credits14-16
Semester Eight
Select one Applied Entomology course: 3
ALS 4161
 Exotic Species and Biosecurity Issues
ALS 4162
 Consequences of Biological Invasions
ALS 4163
 Challenges in Plant Resource Protection
ENY 3222C
 Biology and Identification of Urban Pests
ENY 3225C
 Principles of Urban Pest Management
ENY 3510C
 Turf and Ornamental Entomology
ENY 4574
 Beekeeping II
IPM 3022
 Fundamentals of Pest Management
IPM 4114
 Insect Pest and Vector Management
Select one Microbiology course with lab: 4
MCB 2000
& 2000L
 Microbiology
and Microbiology Laboratory
MCB 3020
& 3020L
 Basic Biology of Microorganisms
and Laboratory for Basic Biology of Microorganisms
ENY 4911 Supervised Research in Entomology (Critical Tracking) 3 3
Approved electives 2 6
 Credits16
 Total Credits120
1

This requirement can also be fulfilled by taking MAC 1140 and MAC 1114.

2

3000/4000-level courses in Entomology and Nematology or other biological sciences, subject to approval by an academic advisor in the Entomology and Nematology program.

3

To be conducted under the supervision of research faculty in the Entomology and Nematology department. See an advisor for more information.

The Entomology and Nematology curriculum develops an excellent knowledge base and an understanding of concepts and fundamental practices. Through formal courses, laboratory experimentation, and individual research experience, students will learn how the scientific method is applied to the biological world at the whole organism and population levels. Students will learn to evaluate hypotheses, to acquire and interpret experimental data, and to communicate results effectively in appropriate styles. Special focus will be information on insect identification, morphology, behavior, physiology, and ecology.

Before Graduating Students Must

  • Pass the Entomology and Nematology competency exam, which will be tailored to individual specializations.
  • Complete requirements for the baccalaureate degree, as determined by faculty.

Students in the Major Will Learn to

Student Learning Outcomes | SLOs

Content

  1. Identify insects and describe and explain insect morphology, physiology, and behavior.

Critical Thinking

  1. Acquire, analyze and synthesize entomological information.

Communication

  1. Communicate proficiently in the sciences in oral and written forms.

Curriculum Map

I = Introduced; R = Reinforced; A = Assessed

Courses SLO 1 SLO 2 SLO 3
AEC 3030C A
AEC 3033C A
ENY 3005 I, A I, A I
ENY 3005L A A
ENY 4161 R, A R, A

Assessment Types

  • Assignments
  • Exams
  • Course grades
  • Research collection