Program Overview

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Introduction to Insect Science

The field of insect science encompasses the agricultural, biological, and environmental sciences related to insects and their interactions with humans. Insects and their relatives are the most abundant animals on earth and are commonly found in all habitats. Insects are essential to maintaining healthy ecosystems. Management of both beneficial and pest insects is essential to global food security.

Description of the Program

Insect Science is designed to prepare students for careers utilizing the understanding of insects (and other arthropods) and their interactions with environmental and human systems (e.g., environmental quality, conservation biology, forensic investigation, and discovery research). The degree also provides appropriate preparation for entry into professional programs such as veterinary, medical, and research-based graduate degree programs. Students with insect science degrees pursue careers in environmental science, conservation, agriculture, public health, horticulture, food processing, pest control, public education, and employment in state and federal government agencies.

College Requirements

Requirements for admission into the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (CASNR) are consistent with general University admission requirements (one unit equals one high school year): 4 units of English, 4 units of mathematics, 3 units of natural sciences, 3 units of social sciences, and 2 units of world language. Students must also meet performance requirements: a 3.0 cumulative high school grade point average OR an ACT composite of 20 or higher, writing portion not required OR a score of 1040 or higher on the SAT Critical Reading and Math sections OR rank in the top one-half of graduating class; transfer students must have a 2.0 (on a 4.0 scale) cumulative grade point average and 2.0 on the most recent term of attendance.

Admission Deficiencies/Removal of Deficiencies

Students who are admitted to CASNR with core course deficiencies must remove these deficiencies within the first 30 credit hours at the University of NebraskaLincoln, or within the first calendar year at Nebraska, whichever takes longer. College-level coursework taken to remove deficiencies may be used to meet degree requirements in CASNR.

College Degree Requirements

The curriculum requirements of the College consist of three areas: ACE (Achievement-Centered Education), College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources Core, and Degree Program requirements and electives. All three areas of the College Curriculum Requirements are incorporated within the description of the Major/Degree Program sections of the catalog. The individual major/degree program listings of classes ensure that a student will meet the minimum curriculum requirements of the College.

Curriculum Requirements

• The College grants the bachelors degree in programs associated with agricultural sciences, natural resources, and related programs.
• Students working toward a degree must earn at least 120 semester hours of credit.
• A minimum cumulative grade point average of C (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) must be maintained throughout the course of studies and is required for graduation.
• Some degree programs have a higher cumulative grade point average required for graduation.

World Languages/Language Requirement

Two units of a world language are required. This requirement is usually met with two years of high school language.

Experiential Learning

All undergraduates in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources must take an Experiential Learning (EL) designated course. This may include 0-credit courses designed to document co-curricular activities recognized as Experiential Learning.

Minimum Hours Required for Graduation

The College grants the bachelors degree in programs associated with agricultural sciences, natural resources, and related programs. Students working toward a degree must earn at least 120 semester hours of credit. A minimum cumulative grade point average of C (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) must be maintained throughout the course of studies and is required for graduation.

Grade Rules

Removal of C-, D, and F Grades

Only the most recent letter grade received in a given course will be used in computing a students cumulative grade point average if the student has completed the course more than once and previously received a grade or grades below C in that course.

Transfer Credit Rules

To be considered for admission a transfer student, Nebraska resident or nonresident, must have an accumulated average of C (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) and a minimum C average in the last semester of attendance at another college. Transfer students who have completed less than 12 credit hours of college study must submit either ACT or SAT scores.

ACE Requirements

All students must fulfill the Achievement Centered Education (ACE) requirements. Information about the ACE program may be viewed at ace.unl.edu.

Catalog Rule

Students must fulfill the requirements stated in the catalog for the academic year in which they are first admitted to the University of NebraskaLincoln or when they were first admitted to a Joint Academic Transfer Program.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates of insect science will be able to:

1. Achieve a broad understanding of insect biology, physiology, classification, ecology and behavior, and insect pest management.
2. Apply both science process and content knowledge and use evidence to address applied and theoretical problems as an individual and in a group.
3. Demonstrate complex entomological ideas to colleagues, students, and lay audiences through written communication and oral presentations.
4. Identify opportunities to increase the impact of beneficial insects and reduce the impact of pests and invasive arthropods in ecosystems.
5. Anticipate challenges that climate change will have on insect populations and potential impacts on food, feed, and human health.
6. Design and conduct entomological research from the first step of question formulation to the final step of dissemination of findings to the scientific community.

Major Requirements

Core Requirements

The curriculum includes coursework in biology, biochemistry, chemistry, genetics, mathematics, statistics, and physics. The core curriculum also focuses on insect biology, identification and classification, structure and function, ecology, and management. Students complete credit-bearing mentorships in entomology research, teaching, extension and internships. Studies culminate with the completion of an undergraduate thesis. Students select from additional entomology courses beyond the core curriculum to further explore insect science. Additional free electives can be leveraged to obtain a career-relevant minor.

Course List

Course List Code	Title	Credit Hours
SCIL 101	Science and Decision-Making for a Complex World (ACE 8)	3
ENTO 485	Current Issues in Entomology (ACE 10)	3
...	...	...

Requirements for Minor Offered by Department

Insect Science Minor

A minor in insect science will consist of at least 18 credit hours of entomology, including at least 6 hours at the 300 level or above.

Career Information

Jobs of Recent Graduates

• Insect Zoo Coordinator, Iowa State University - Ames, IA
• Medical Officer, United States Navy - Jacksonville, FL

Internships

• Discovery Group Intern, Pioneer - York, NE
• Plant Breeding Intern, Dow Chemical - York, NE

Graduate & Professional Schools

• Entomology, University of Arkansas - Fayetteville, AR
• Plant Pathology/Entomology, Auburn University - Auburn, AL
• Entomology, Washington State University - Pullman, WA
• Master's in Science, University of Georgia - Athens, GA
• Master's in Entomology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln - Lincoln, NE
• Ph.D., University of Nebraska-Lincoln - Lincoln, NE
• Horticulture, University of Nebraska Lincoln - Lincoln, NE