Undergraduate Courses

Departmental Courses

ENT 2004 Insects and Human Society (Classroom)
An appreciation of the past, present and future role of insects with human society. Includes how to identify common insects and other arthropods, the effects of insects on human history; diseases transmitted by insects and their worldwide impact; insects and their influence on our language, literature, and the arts; management of pests of plants, animals, and its effects on environmental pollution; and practical information of how to recognize and manage important insects and arthropods, such as termites in houses and fleas on animals. We also discuss pesticide pollution in various countries, and the problems with pesticide-contaminated food shipped from abroad into the US.
ENT 2004 Insects and Human Society (Distance Learning)
Distance education on-line version of course. An appreciation of the past, present and future role of insects with human society. Includes how to identify common insects and other arthropods, the effects of insects on human history; diseases transmitted by insects and their worldwide impact; insects and their influence on our language, literature, and the arts; management of pests of plants, animals, and its effects on environmental pollution; and practical information of how to recognize and manage important insects and arthropods, such as termites in houses and fleas on animals.
ENT 2254 Bees and Beekeeping
An introduction to honey bee biology, the social organization of the honey bee colony and to modern beekeeping practices.
ENT 2264 Bees and Beekeeping Laboratory
An introduction to the principles and practices of modern apiculture as they relate to honey bee biology. An emphasis will be placed on students gaining practical field experience in the handling of honey bee colonies. Corequisite: ENT 2254
ENT 2974 Undergraduate Independent Study
ENT 2984 Undergraduate Special Study
ENT 3014 [BIOL 3014] Insect Biology → website
Insect Biology is intended to provide a general introduction to the science of entomology. The course will cover the diversity of insects, their biology and behavior, the importance of insects and insect control programs in agriculture, and the effects that insects have had on human history and culture. The course is intended either for students interested in a single basic course in entomology or as a foundation for those planning to take other more specialized courses. Prerequisite: 1 year biology.
ENT 3024 [BIOL 3024] Insect Biology Laboratory
This course provides an introduction to the taxonomy and ecology of the insects commonly encountered. It will include the identification of all orders and many common families. Ecological attributes of each taxon, including food, habitat, life cycle, and behavior will be presented. Corequisite: ENT 3014
ENT 3254 [BIOL 3254] Medical & Veterinary Entomology → website
An introduction to the roles of insects and other arthropods in the direct causation of disease in humans and animals, and as vectors in the transmission of disease organisms. The epidemiology and replication cycles of vector-borne pathogens with major medical and veterinary importance will be examined. Information will be provided on the biology and behavior of disease vectors and external parasites, and on the annoying and venomous pests of humans and animals. Mechanisms of control will be discussed. Pre: BIOL1105, 1106, BIOL 1115, 1116 (3H, 3C) II.
ENT 3264 [BIOL 3264] Medical & Veterinary Entomology Lab → website
Taxonomy and anatomy of insects and arthropods of medical and veterinary importance. Examination of feeding behavior and ecology. Emphasis on the mechanism of injury or pathogen transmission by each group. Pre: BIOL1105, 1106, BIOL 1115, 1116. Co: ENT 3254. (3L, 1C) II.
ENT 4254 Insect Pest Management (HRAREC) → website
Taught at Hampton Roads AREC. Principles of insect pest management with primary application to the major arthropod pests found in Virginia. Pest management involves the use of ecologically and economically efficient methods to prevent or reduce pest injury to acceptable levels. Prerequisite: 1 year biology. Taught approximately every 3 years.
ENT 4254 Insect Pest Management
Principles of insect pest management with primary application to the major arthropod pests found in Virginia. Pest management involves the use of ecologically and economically efficient methods to prevent or reduce pest injury to acceptable levels. Prerequisite: 1 year biology
ENT 4264 [PPWS 4264] Pesticide Usage → website
An interdisciplinary study of pesticides used in urban and agricultural environments. Topics discussed include: classification, toxicology, formulation, application techniques, safety, legal considerations, environmental impact, and research and development of new pesticides. Prerequisites: CHEM 2514 or 2535, or consent of instructor.
ENT 4354 [BIOL 4354] Aquatic Entomology
Aquatic Entomology covers the taxonomy and ecology of the insects most commonly encountered in freshwater environments. Emphasis is placed on identification and biology of individual taxa. The course also includes the significance of insects in aquatic ecology, environmental pollution, and natural resource management. Prerequisites: Biol 1105, 1106, Biol 1115, 1116
ENT 4484 [BIOL 4484] Freshwater Biomonitoring
This course teaches students how macroinvertebrates and fish are used to monitor the environmental health of freshwater ecosystems. Prerequisites: Biol 2804 and either Biol 4004 or Ent/Biol 4354 or FiW 4424 or FiW 4614
ENT 4974 Undergraduate Independent Study
ENT 4984 Undergraduate Special Study

Non-Departmental Courses

AT 00 Agricultural Technology Pest Control: Insects, Diseases, and Weeds: Lab Section of Insect Segment → website
The laboratory section of the insect segment of Agricultural Technology AT0434 is used to familiarize students with basic insect identification and to teach students to distinguish between different types of damage caused by pests most likely to be encountered by graduates of this program.
AT 0434 Pest Control: Insects, Diseases & Weeds → website
I place a strong emphasis on having my students gain an appreciation of the entomological principles of insect identification, biology, and insect ecology as related to agricultural and turfgrass systems. Additional topics of discussion include genetically-engineered crops, resistance management, and IPM. My section of AT 0434 has been available online since 1997. My course web site contains over 50 web pages of lecture notes and related handouts in addition to approximately 250 slides and other visual aids. The laboratory handouts and insect identification keys were revised and added to the course web site in 2003.
AT 0554 AT0554 - Chemical Application → website
Proper application of pesticides and other agricultural chemicals used in landscape and turf management, in production agriculture, and industrial/institutional pest control, including application methods, equipment calibration and configuration, occupational health and safety, and pesticide laws and regulations. Most lectures are online (student centered instruction) and class meetings are dedicated to discussion, review and laboratory activities.
BIOL 1044 Life Sciences in the 21st Century → website
Objectives are to assist students in developing an awareness and appreciation of biology as part of human history, and how it will provide for our future environmental, technological, cultural, social and governmental needs and to assist students in selecting an area of career-oriented study in the biological sciences or closely related fields.
BIOL 4664 Virology → website
Classification, structure, replication, and pathogenesis of viruses of animals, plants, and bacteria. Epidemiology, prevention and treatment will also be considered. Pre: 2104, 2604, and 2614 (3H, 3C).
BIOL 4984 Studies on the Culture and Ecology of South Africa and North America → website
This course will expose students to Agenda 21 and the interaction of culture and conservation for future sustainable development and survival of the planet. The history of South Africa parallels our own and provides an opportunity to examine how settlement by European nations impact indigenous peoples and preservation of the environment. There are also similarities between apartheid and civil rights issues and the impact on the environment. South Africa is transitioning from a white dominated society to one ruled by a black majority which may have environmental consequences. Further, South Africa, like many third world countries has a host of problems, such as AIDS, that threaten it socially, economically and environmentally. Africa presents a unique opportunity to learn about large animals and indigenous art, especially Bushman paintings and petroglyphs that are over 4,000 years old. This course has fulfilled Area 2 and Area 7 core requirements, a writing intensive course, and for biology students, a biology elective and a laboratory course.
BIOL 4984 Culture and Ecology of South Africa → website
A study abroad course that involves travel to South Africa. Students participating in the course spend 4 weeks traveling in South Africa, visiting national parks, nature reserves, cultural centers, and the University of the Free State. The course provides the opportunity for students to visit the different ecosystems of Sotuh Africa and to study the ecology of these systems. Students in the course must give two class presentations while in South AFrica (one on culture and one on biology), maintain daily culture and biology journals, complete two summary papers on their return (one on biology and one on culture), and complete two phot essays displaying aspects of culture and biology.
FOR 4514 Forest and Tree Pest Management
Identification and ecology of biotic and abiotic influences on forest and landscape tree health. Emphasis will be placed on developing a theoretical and practical understanding for diagnosing and managing pests and stresses of trees in both the forest and landscape setting. Insects and diseases that attack trees will be reviewed. Team taught with Dr. Gary Griffin (PPWS) Pre: 3324 or Hort 3325 or Hort 3326 (2H,3L,3C) I.