Discover Entomology at Texas A&M University

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through the Department of Entomology offers you a wide array of opportunities. You can enroll in one of our classes in an effort to plan around your courses taught in a "traditional" manner; take a course simply for the learning experience; gather new knowledge to advance in your career; enroll in one of our courses during an internship; or perhaps embark on a master's degree.

The department currently offers selected courses through distance education in both the fall and spring semesters. Pre-registration and registration for spring classes is right around the corner, so take a look at what we have to offer!

Courses available at a distance for the Spring 2005 semester include ENTO 402 Field Crop Insects, taught by Dr. Marvin Harris; ENTO 489 Honey Bee Biology, taught by Dr. Tanya Pankiw; and ENTO 489 Insects in the Classroom, taught by Dr. Pete Teel.

Dr. Harris’ Field Crop Insects [PDF] class teaches students about application of management strategies for insect/mite pests of small grains, corn, cotton, rice sorghum, stored products and sunflower. You’ll learn the nature and symptoms of damage, and the life history and habits of common pests. During the laboratory, you’ll identify pests and pest damage through various field trips.

Dr. Pankiw’s Honey Bee Biology class is designed to introduce honey bee biology to science and non-science majors. Honey bees are the model organism for the study of social insects and social organization. You will learn how thousands of individuals, living as a single unit, divide and combine their efforts to reproduce, rear young, build a nest and forage for food. You’ll learn why colonies swarm, how to decipher honey bee dance language, how bees use chemicals to communicate, why bees sting, the importance of bees as pollinators and much more.

Dr. Teel's & Lisa Brooks’ Insects in the Classroom is intended for in-service and upper division pre-service teachers. You’ll explore the use of insects as a teaching tool in K-12 education and focus on the teaching of science concepts and on the development of critical thinking skills. These concepts will extend to using insects as tools to teach across the curricula of science, mathematics, language arts, social studies, and art.

If you are not currently a student at Texas A&M University but are interested in enrolling in one of our courses, consider applying as a non-degree seeking student. This process is available for students who have completed a baccalaureate degree (G6 application) and those who have not (non-degree).

In addition, the Department of Entomology is one of three departments that offer a Master of Agriculture degree in Plant Protection. This program is designed for students who desire professional graduate training emphasizing program development and delivery of Integrated Pest Management (IPM). The intent of this program is to provide additional training and education for students interested in careers in agriculture and related businesses involving IPM. The program emphasizes the application of science and technology in an agribusiness context. Depending on your particular course selection, many courses that comprise this degree can be taken through distance education.

For additional information about any of these opportunities, please contact a member of the Academic Advising Team.