Graduate Courses

Departmental Courses

ENT 5004 Graduate Seminar → website
Lectures and discussions by faculty and students on a current topic pertinent to research being conducted in the department. Critical evaluation of principles, theories, and methods will be emphasized.
ENT 5024 Insect Biology and Systematics
Phylogeny, classification and biology of the insects. Lecture classes concentrate on the biology, ecology and behavior of insects, and weekly discussion sessions on the principles of systematic entomology and insect evolution. Laboratory sessions are devoted to the identification of insect orders and families, and to learning the ecological attributes of each taxon. A collection of adult insects is required. Pre: Graduate standing (3H, 3L, 4C)
ENT 5114 Insect Structure and Function → website
A comparative study of the major structures and organ systems emphasizing modifications important in the success of insects. Designed for graduate and upper level undergraduate students in entomology and zoological biology.
ENT 5214 Arthropod Pest Management
Principles of techniques for reducing pest levels below those causing injury of economic importance to agriculture and forestry. Course objectives are to present concepts of pest management to enable students to formulate comprehensive approaches to solving pest problems. Emphasis will be on integrated management of crop pests. Appropriate for graduate students in biology, entomology, forestry, horticulture, plant protection and related curricula.
ENT 5224 Vector-Borne Dis Res Meth
An in-depth examination of techniques currently employed to study vectors of human disease, as well as the pathogens they transmit. Topics include: vector sampling methods; vector competence; recombinant virus infectious clone technology and uses; isolation of pathogens from field vector populations; development and uses of transgenic vectors; GIS, remote sensing, and landscape analysis in vector surveillance; as well as arbovirus containment issues related to biosafety level 2 and 3 situations.
ENT 5264 Biological Control of Arthropod Pests and Weeds
Course objectives are to emphasize concepts important in biological control - population dynamics, host-parasite interactions, characteristics of parasitism and predation, principles involved in current biological approaches to pest control, quarantine host specificity testing of biological agents to control weeds and arthropod pests.
ENT 5624 Molecular Virology
The principles and mechanisms of virus replication at the molecular level including transcription, translation and posttranslational modifications of virus genes, virus interaction with host, antivirals, vaccines and host defense mechanisms against virus infections. The replication and pathogenesis mechanisms of several important DNA and RNA virus families including biothreat viruses.
ENT 5624 [PPWS 5624] Animal and Plant Biosafety and Biosecurity → website
Principles, tools, and techniques of disease detection, early warning, and containment of animal and plant pathogens. Regulatory agencies and guidelines used to ensure the biosafety and biosecurity of the US food supply from accidental introductions and potential bioterrorism. Pre: APSC/PPWS 5044. (3H, 3C).
ENT 5904 Project and Report
ENT 5974 Graduate Independent Study
ENT 5984 Genomics of Disease Vectors
An in-depth examination of the modern approaches and techniques currently employed to study genomes of arthropod vectors of human, animal, and plant diseases. Topics include: genome organization, regulation, and evolution; preparation and analysis of chromosomes; genome mapping, sequencing and assembly; principles of taxonomy and systematics; adaptation and evolution of arthropod vectors; genetics of vector competence; comparative genomics and bioinformatics. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to: 1. Describe structural and functional organization of genomes of disease vectors. 2. Describe the state-of-the-art methods for obtaining and analyzing genomic data. 3. Explain the high levels of gene regulation and genomic changes in development and evolution of vectors. 4. Determine taxonomic position of selected vectors using genomic and cytogenetic data. 5. Utilize genome databases and bioinformatics tools for comparative genomics of arthropod vectors.
ENT 5984 Special Study
ENT 5994 Research and Thesis
ENT 6004 Urban and Public Health Entomology → website
The Urban and Public Health Entomology course (2 units) was developed and presented in the Spring of 2005. This course was pilot-tested as a graduate course with the intention of making it a combined graduate/undergraduate course after incorportating student feedback. The overall goal of the course was to familiarize students with the major urban and public health pests and the issues that contribute to their pest status. I was responsible for the urban entomology portion of the course. My specific goal was to introduce students to the issues associated with insect pests invading human living space, and the feelings/perceptions that people have about pesticide applications in their environment. My laboratory portion of the course was intended to give students hands-on experience in dealing with pest management issues. Listed here are the highlights. I led the class on a field trip to the National Zoo to meet with the person responsible for pest management. We toured the zoo and discussed the consequences of pest infestation at a national landmark. These issues included reduced aesthetics, limited methods of pest control, danger to valuable display animals, and the potential for very bad press. As a follow-up to this visit, the class was required to develop an IPM program for the Mill Mountain Zoo in Roanoke VA. The class also interviewed individuals suffering from multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS). During the interview students had the opportunity to learn first-hand what it was like to live with MCS every day. They were also able to draw their own conclusions about whether MCS is a medical or phychological condition.
ENT 6004 Information Technology in Agriculture
An interdisciplinary study on the principles and applications of information technologies for agricultural scientists. Topics include: storage and measurement of information, computer hardware and software, analysis of non-spatial and spatial data, introduction to multivariate statistics, satellite remote sensing, global positioning systems (GPS), geographic information systems (GIS) and intelligent GIS (IGIS), simulation modeling, multimedia, and the Internet. Laboratory exercises and a final project serve to reinforce all of the topics covered in the classroom.
ENT 6004 Insect Behavior and Ecology
This course is an updated version of a previous course (ENT 6354, Insect Behavior) that has been revised to include a module on Insect Ecology. The current course is intended to provide a comprehensive introduction to insect behavior and ecology. The primary objectives are to provide knowledge of: 1) general insect ecology, including population and community ecology, 2) foraging behavior, 3) insect communication systems, 4) insect reproductive behavior and ecology, 5) insect social behavior, and 6) applied ecology.
ENT 6004 Advanced Topics in Forest Entomology
Taught occasionally, this course covers current research and management issues in the field and address them at an in-depth level.
ENT 6004 Advanced Topics in Entomology
In depth presentations and discussions on selected advanced topics in entomology.
ENT 6154 Insect Physiology → website
This course is a detailed study of the physiology and biochemistry of insect organ systems. Topics include: circulation, digestion, respiration, excretion, hormonal regulation, pheromones, intermediary metabolism, and nerve and muscle physiology. The laboratory exercises will provide exposure to instrumentation, techniques, and principles of insect physiological research. Prerequisite: ENT 5114 Insect Structure and Function, CHEM 2535, 2536 Organic Chemistry
ENT 6164 Insecticide Toxicology
This course is designed to provide instruction to advanced graduate students on the chemistry, toxicity, mode of action, and disposition of insecticides and related compounds, and to provide laboratory experience in the methods employed for studying these compounds. Prerequisite: ENT 6154 Insect Physiology
ENT 6654 Topics in Virology
Students enrolled in this course will read and present current primary research articles in specific areas of virology. Students will then have an opportunity to discuss the articles with experts in these areas.
ENT 7994 Research and Dissertation

Non-Departmental Courses

ALS 5204 Research and Information Systems in the Life Sciences → website
An orientation to the life sciences as a profession with emphasis on research technique and process. Topic emphases include: history of applied life sciences, the scientific method, researching the literature, scientific writing and presentation of research results, instructional techniques, and ethics. Information technology is emphasized throughout the course. Students learn to use digital technologies for communication, presentation, and publication.
ALS 5214 Information Systems and Research in the Life Sciences → website
This course is offered for graduate credit as a core requirement of a new online Masters of Science degree program (Professional Studies in Agricultural and Life Sciences) for those with interests or responsibilities in agriculture. The program is designed primarily to accommodate non-traditional students such as those with full-time jobs who are involved in agricultural production, in the development of agricultural policy, or in other agricultural support industries. Topics covered include: history of applied life sciences, current structure of the scientific enterprise, the scientific method and quality assurances, researching the literature, scientific writing and presentation of research results, instructional techniques, professionalism, and ethical considerations.
ALS 5984 Watershed Assessment, Management, and Policy
Preventing and correcting pollution damages to watershed ecosystems requires interdisciplinary approaches and cooperation. The course presents an interdisciplinary approach to identifying problems and designing solutions to water pollution damages within watershed ecosystems. Particular attention is focused on managing watersheds with intensive livestock production.
ALS 5984 Systems Approaches to Agroecology
An quantitative and qualitative approach to understanding agricultural ecosystems. Includes mathematical, statistical, and computer-based approaches to the study of insect ecology and agricultural problems. Complex systems will be studied through graphical, mathematical, and computer models, and will be analyzed using stability, sensitivity and time-series analysis, and spatial statistics. Applications to integrated pest management through optimization and knowledge-based systems will also be discussed.