Graduate Faculty

701-231-7582

Mark A. Boetel, Ph.D.
South Dakota State University, 1996
Research Interests:
Integrated Pest Management of Sugarbeet and Corn Insects, Microbial Control

Laurence D. Charlet, Ph.D. (adjunct)
University of California-Riverside, 1975
Research Interests:
Sunflower Integrated Pest Management, Biological Control

Stephen P. Foster, Ph.D.
University of Waikato, 1983
Research Interests:
Insect Chemical Ecology, Pheromone Biochemistry, Reproductive Behavior

Marion O. Harris, Ph.D.
Michigan State University, 1986
Research Interests:
Insect Behavior, Insect-Plant Interactions, Resistance of Plants to Insects

Stefan T. Jaronski, Ph.D. (adjunct)
Cornell University, 1978
Research Interests:
Insect Pathology

Paul Johnson, Ph.D. (adjunct)
University of Wisconsin, 1992
Research Interests:
Insect systematics of click beetles

Dr. Don Kirby, Director,
School of Natural Resource Sciences
North Dakota State University,
Fargo, ND 58105
701.231.7582
donald.kirby@ndsu.edu

William Kemp, Ph.D. (adjunct)
University of Idaho, 1984
Research Interests:
Rangeland/Wildlife Ecology, Bee Ecology

Janet J. Knodel, Ph.D.
North Dakota State University , 2005
Research Interests:
Integrated Pest Management

Roger Leopold, Ph.D. (adjunct)
Montana State University, 1967
Research Interests:
Insect Cryobiology

Ian V. MacRae, Ph.D. (adjunct)
Colorado State University, 1996
Research Interests:
Computer Applications in Entomology, Landscape Ecology, Insect Behavior

Paul J. Ode, Ph.D.
University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1994
Research Interests:
Insect Evolutionary and Behavior Ecology, Tritrophic Interactions

Denise L. Olson, Ph.D. (adjunct)
Kansas State University, 1994
Research Interests:
Biological Control, Integrated Pest Management

Deirdre Prischmann, Ph.D.
Washington State University, 2005
Research interests: Agricultural integrated pest management and arthropod ecology

Joseph Rinehart, Ph.D. (adjunct)
Ohio State University, 1999
Research Interests:
Over-wintering physiology of insects

Richard Roehrdanz, Ph.D. (adjunct)
University of Wisconsin, 1974
Research Interests:
Insect Genetics

Robert Roughley, Ph.D. (adjunct)
University of Alberta, 1983
Research Interests:
Ecology of tallgrass prairie arthropods

Kelley Tilmon, Ph.D. (adjunct)
Cornell University, 2001
Research Interests:
Biological control and ecology

George Yocum, Ph.D. (adjunct)
Ohio State University, 1992
Research Interests:
Insect Diapause Regulation

Program Description

The Department of Entomology in the School of Natural Resource Sciences offers graduate study leading to the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. Advanced work involves specialized training in the following areas: behavior, biochemistry, biodiversity, biological control, chemical ecology, ecology, host plant resistance, insect pathology, pest management, molecular genetics, physiology, and systematics. The Department also participates in interdisciplinary programs in Environmental and Conservation Sciences and Natural Resources Management.

The close working relationship between the Department and the USDA Red River Valley Agricultural Research Center, located on campus, provides students many opportunities for research and consultation. Students may conduct their research program under the direction of USDA scientists holding adjunct appointments in the Entomology.

Student research and academic programs are tailored to individual needs and interests. Interdisciplinary approaches to entomological programs are fostered. Prospective students are encouraged to check the Entomology web site (http://www.ndsu.edu/entomology/graduate.htm) for the latest descriptions of the graduate program.

Admissions Requirements

The Department of Entomology graduate program is open to all qualified graduates of universities and colleges of recognized standing. To be admitted with full status to the program, the applicant must

1. Hold a baccalaureate degree from an educational institution of recognized standing.
2. Have adequate preparation in entomology, and show potential to undertake advanced study and research as evidenced by academic performance and experience.
3. At the baccalaureate level or last graduate degree completed, have earned a cumulative grade point average (GPA) in all courses of at least 3.0 or equivalent.
4. Submit three letters of recommendation which attest to the applicant's skills and motivation for graduate study (Personal reference report forms are available from The Graduate School).
5. Provide a letter stating reasons for pursuing an advanced degree in entomology and expressing the applicant's research interests.
6. If an international applicant, submit a TOEFL examination score. A minimum score of 550 (paper test), 213 (computer test), or 79 (internet - based) must be achieved.

Official transcripts (transcripts having an appropriate seal or stamp) or all previous undergraduate and graduate records must be received by The Graduate School before the application is complete. When a transcript is submitted in advance of completion of undergraduate or graduate studies, an updated transcript showing all course credits and grades must be provided prior to initial registration at North Dakota State University .

Applications should be submitted directly to The Graduate School.

Conditional Admission

A student not meeting all admission requirements or having deficiencies in prerequisite course work who shows potential for graduate study may be admitted conditionally. A student admitted conditionally will be provided a statement of the conditions to be satisfied before advancement to full standing. The student may not earn more than 12 semester credit hours and must acheive a minimum grade of 3.0 per course as a conditional student. The request for change to full standing must be submitted to the Dean of The Graduate School by the major adviser and approved by the Department's program leader.

Financial Assistance

All specified application materials must be submitted to The Graduate School, and the student must be admitted in full or conditional standing to be considered for financial assistance. Graduate research assistantships are awarded on the basis of scholarship, potential for advanced study and research, and availability. Graduate research assistantships provide a monthly stipend and a waiver of graduate tuition.

Degree Requirements

The program requires a minimum of 24 months of full-time study, during which an overall GPA of 3.0 or better must be maintained. For M.S. candidates, a minimum of 30 semester credits beyond the B.S. and an oral defense of a research-based thesis and academic subject matter is required. The Ph.D. requires a minimum of 90 semester credits beyond the B.S., (or 60 beyond the MS degree), preliminary written and oral examinations directed toward academic subject matter, and a final oral defense of a research-based dissertation. Depending on their area of specialization, Ph.D. candidates may be required to demonstrate reading proficiency in a foreign language relevant to the field of study. Plans of study are developed to meet both disciplinary requirements and special interests of the student.

Core Courses

Ent 750 Systematic Entomology

Ent 760 Insect Structure

Ent 761 Insect Physiology

Ent 770 Insect Ecology

M.S. students are responsible for mastering the subject matter in at least two of the core course areas and an additional emphasis area relevant to their research topic. Ph.D. students are responsible for all core courses and two additional emphasis areas. All students are expected to gain presentation and teaching experience.

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Courses Offered

610 Integrated Management of Pests 3

How pest management practice is influenced by the environment, society, and pest biology across taxonomic groups is investigated. Focus is on integrated pest management concepts not management tactics.

731 Principles of Integrated Pest Management 3

Principles embodied in the implementation of multifaceted tactics designed to manage pest populations successfully. Offered even years; spring. Prereq: Ent 350.

732 Plant Resistance to Insects 2

Plant/insect interactions and their applications to plant breeding to increase resistance to pests. Offered even years; fall. Prereq: Ent 350.

742 Quantitative Biology 3

Introduction to statistical techniques used to analyze ecological data sets in applied and basic research settings. Offered odd years; spring. Prereq: Stat 330. Cross-listed with BIOL.

750 Systematic Entomology 5

Introduction to systematic methods and principles, identification of common families of insects. Offered even years; fall. Prereq: Ent 350.

751 Immature Insects 3

Characteristics of the immature forms of the orders and principal families of insects. Offered odd years; fall. Prereq: Ent 350.

760 Insect Structure 4

Structure and function of insect anatomy. The development of adult form from embryonic and larval precursors during growth and metamorphosis, evolutionary development of insect structures. Offered odd years; fall. Prereq: Ent 350.

761 Insect Physiology 4

Function of major insect organ systems and metabolism, growth, and molting of insects. Offered odd years; spring. Prereq: Ent 350, Chem 260.

765 Biological Control of Insects and Weeds 3

The natural or applied regulation of pests by predaceous and parasitic insects and pathogens. Offered odd years; fall. Prereq: Ent 350.

770 Insect Ecology 3

Principles of population dynamics, reproduction, competitive and trophic interactions using insects as examples. Emphasis is placed on using models to understand ecological theory and application. Offered even years; spring. Prereq: Ent 350, Stat 330.

The following variable credit courses are also offered:

 

790 Graduate Seminar 1-3

793 Individual Study/Tutorial 1-5

795 Field Experience 1-15

696/796 Special Topics 1-5

798 Master's Thesis 1-10

799 Doctoral Dissertation 1-15