| Course Descriptions
Horticultural Entomology (ENT 320). 3 credit hours, Fall semester, annually. This practical undergraduate course covers the biology, diagnosis, and control of insect and mite pests of woody landscape plants, lawns, golf courses, and sport fields, greenhouse crops, vegetables, and fruits. Household pests, bees, and pollination also are covered. Students learn the basics of insect biology, safe use of insecticides, biological and cultural control, plant resistance, and integrated pest management. There are weekly labs and field trips. ENT 320 is appropriate for undergrads in the applied plant sciences. Donovan Scholars, Master Gardeners, or other nontraditional students are welcome. There are no prerequisites, although an understanding of introductory biology is assumed. The course is taught at a level suitable for students without prior entomological training. Insect-Plant Relationships (ENT/BIO 625). 3 credit hours; taught Spring semester of odd-numbered years. This interdisciplinary graduate-level course covers the processes that underlie patterns of interaction between plants and insects. We explore the mechanisms and evolution of plant defense; sensory, physiological, and behavioral adaptations of plant-feeding insects, community ecology, multitrophic interactions, pollination biology, causes of insect outbreaks, and applications to natural and managed ecosystems. A combination of conventional and Socratic teaching methods is used. Tuesday lectures outline major concepts and theory; Thursday discussions focus on historical and modern research papers and syntheses, including many of the landmark studies in this dynamic field of study. The course encourages critical thinking, reading, and discussion. It is suitable for graduate students in the agricultural and biological sciences. No formal Entomological background is necessary. |