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CLAS : Biological Sciences : Undergraduate Biology

Programs - Entomology

Kansas University has a tradition of pioneering excellence in entomology that has been recognized nationally and internationally for the past 120 years. In fact, "Entomology at the University of Kansas is as old as the University itself." As the result of recent departmental merger Entomology is now a full partner in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. The newly defined Program in Entomology at KU is unique, not only because of the former department's long history, but also because it is one of a few such departments not administered within a school of agriculture. We are primarily focused on the basic biology of insects: systematics, evolutionary processes, genetics, biogeography, ecology, population biology, behavior, morphology, and physiology.

Degree Information

Most coursework requirements for EEB graduate students are identified during students’ first meeting with their advisory committee.  Students are expected to take graduate-level courses (or have equivalent knowledge) in the disciplines of ecology, evolution, and systematics.  Students are required to attend and enroll in Colloquium in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (BIOL 701) for the first semester of their graduate education.  Additionally, students are required to take a graduate level course in statistics or demonstrate equivalent background knowledge.  A student’s advisory committee may add course requirements to a student’s degree program during annual meetings.

M.A. in Entomology

Master’s students are required to meet credit hour completion requirements.  Those in the thesis program must complete a minimum of 30 graduate level credit hours with no more than 10 of the 30 from enrollment in thesis, research, or advanced study hours.  Those in the non-thesis program must complete a minimum of 36 graduate level credit hours with no more than 12 of the 36 from enrollment in thesis, research, or advanced study hours.  Students pursuing the thesis option must enroll in a minimum of one hour of thesis research (BIOL 899). 

Students seeking an M.A. in Entomology are required to take BIOL 500 (Biology of Insects) and BIOL 502 (Biology of Insects Laboratory) unless they have taken equivalent courses.  Students who have taken a course equivalent to BIOL 502 elsewhere are still encouraged to take BIOL 502 to familiarize themselves with the local insect fauna.  In addition, students are required to take at least one of the following courses: BIOL 708 (External Morphology of Insects), BIOL 711 (Classification of Insects), or BIOL 716 (Insect Physiology and Internal Morphology).

Ph.D. in Entomology

There is no credit hour minimum requirement for doctoral students although they are expected to complete an equivalent of three years of full time graduate study.  Additionally, doctoral students must complete a minimum of one credit hour of dissertation research (BIOL 999).

In addition to the above requirements, students seeking a Ph.D. in Entomology are required to take BIOL 500 (Biology of Insects) and BIOL 502 (Biology of Insects Laboratory) unless they have taken equivalent courses.  Students who have taken a course equivalent to BIOL 502 elsewhere are still encouraged to take BIOL 502 to familiarize themselves with the local insect fauna.  In addition, students are required to take all three of the following courses: BIOL 708 (External Morphology of Insects), BIOL 711 (Classification of Insects), and BIOL 716 (Insect Physiology and Internal Morphology).

For more information on specific courses offered by the department, refer to the EEB section in the Graduate School Catalog.  The catalog may be accessed from KU’s Graduate School web site at http://www.graduate.ku.edu/.   

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