Department of Entomology
Department Mission

The tripartite mission of a Land-Grant University is teaching, research, and outreach. Each aspect of the mission is important by itself, and acts to support and strengthen the others. The interdependence of these three separate areas of responsibility are basic to the functioning of the Department of Entomology in improving the welfare and the quality of life in the state, region, nation, and world.

Research

• The research mission of the Department of Entomology will focus on, but is not restricted to, arthropods of importance to North Dakota.
• The research mission is to advance the science of Entomology and to benefit the constituency of the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station.
• Knowledge gained and practices developed should be applicable regionally, nationally or internationally.

Teaching

• The teaching mission of the Department of Entomology is to educate and train students in entomology.
• Specialty courses may be taught according to the expertise of the faculty.
• A key part of this teaching mission is to prepare scientists to contribute to regional, national, and international biological and agricultural programs.
• Cooperation with other departments to participate in multidisciplinary professional degree programs is encouraged.
• The Department supports the concept of continuing education programs appropriate to the mission of the College of Agriculture.

Outreach

• The service mission of the Department of Entomology is to provide extension, University, professional and community service to our constituency.
• Extension services include collection, evaluation, interpretation, and public dissemination of entomological information.
• Service to the University and professional societies includes participation in activities related to the functioning of these organizations.
• The Department supports faculty and staff participation in activities that benefit the community.

NDSU Entomology will lead in research, teaching and outreach for development of the entomological knowledge base for sustainable integrated production systems for North and South Dakota and Montana, and for other nearby states where production systems, and associated insect management are likely to be similar. We will be a key resource and leader in basic and applied research on pest biology, ecology and population dynamics of species important to the Great Plains. Our programs will address alternatives to chemical pesticides and environmentally sound methods of using existing or new pesticides. Our department agenda will address the issues of risk/benefit of pesticides on both the environment and non-target organisms.

We will offer strong educational programs in entomology and integrated pest management at the undergraduate, graduate and outreach levels. We will continue the vigorous development of a used and useful North Dakota State Insect Reference Collection to support our research, teaching and extension mission.

Departmental Focus

The Entomology Department of NDSU's focus is on issues and problems associated with northern crop, rangeland, and livestock production systems important to the Upper Great Plains states. Current programs deal with some, although not all, of the major crop/rangeland/livestock problems faced by our constituents. We have the potential for both intra- and interdepartmental team building to address problems significant to the region. Additional potential links to researchers and programs within the region (North Central States and the prairie Provinces of Canada) exist.

Our ongoing research programs interact with others across the College or across Branch Research and Extension Centers and across the region. Our departmental programs share some commonalities with each other and also with national research/outreach/teaching programs in entomology. Major priorities now and for the future include the following: Basic and applied research on pest biology, ecology and population dynamics of species important to the Great Plains.

1. Programs that address alternatives to chemical pesticides.
2. Programs that address environmentally sound methods of using existing or new pesticides
3. Programs that address issues of risk/benefit of pesticides on both the environment and non-target organisms.
4. Delivering educational programs in entomology and integrated pest management at the undergraduate, graduate and outreach levels.
5. Continued development of a used and useful North Dakota State Insect Reference Collection.

 

Entomology Home
	Department of Entomology, 202 Hultz Hall   North Dakota State University, Fargo ND  Dr. Don Kirby, School of Natural Resource Sciences Director  Phone: 701-231-7582	updated 30 June, 2008