Entomology: Master of Science (M.S.)

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For the Master of Science in Entomology, the Graduate College requires a minimum of 30 units (including thesis work) must be completed in the major subject or related areas.

The Department of Entomology has established standards for the degree of Master of Science in Entomology, which are in addition to those of the Graduate College. Each applicant is required to submit the results of Verbal, Quantitative and Advanced Biology Test Scores of the Graduate Record Examination upon application for graduate admission. Students are expected to have had coursework in physics, organic chemistry, mathematics and the evolutionary, ecological, organismic, cellular and molecular aspects of biological systems. Deficiencies in these areas may have to be made up, depending on the student’s graduate committee recommendations.*

Entomology M.S. course requirements are as follows:

Two units of graduate seminars (ENTO 596A-G)

Ento 613 Applied Statistics is required. If a student has taken a comparable course previously, the requirement is waived.

Plus at least two courses from:
ENTO 515R & L Insect Biology
ENTO 511 Insect Behavior
ENTO 517 Insect Systematics
ENTO 520 Insect Molecular Biology
ENTO 544 Insect Ecology
ENTO 546 Insect Pathogens: Biocontrol Agents and Biological Models
ENTO 547 Medical Veterinary Entomology

8 units of Master’s Thesis credit (ENTO910) can be applied toward the 30 units required. As the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences requires that students be registered for 10 units per semester. If you are finished with coursework or are only taking a few units of actual courses, the remainder can be supplementary registration (ENTO930) to satisfy the CALS requirement.

Other courses including several in Entomology are available to suit the student's needs and interests. The student in consultation with their major advisor should choose two other faculty members for the student's committee, one of whom can be outside of the Entomology Department. Because of the short time-line of a master's program, students are strongly encouraged to have a committee meeting in their first year.

The final examination includes a full length seminar for the Department of Entomology, and an oral examination administered by the student's committee. There is no comprehensive oral examination for M.S. candidates, but the committee may ask broad questions during the final examination The final format for the Master's Thesis, either as one or two publications or as a traditional thesis, is determined by the student and the student’s committee.

*At the discretion of the Graduate Committee, equivalent courses may be substituted for those required.