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Entomology

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Entomology

Entomology at Wisconsin

Insects are the earth's most diverse forms of life. Almost half of the species of all living organisms and over 70 percent of all animal species belong to the group we call insects. They play critical roles in disease transmission (including malaria, sleeping sickness, plague) and in agriculture. Many entomologists deal with these aspects of insect biology while others focus on insects as useful models for many areas of general biology, including genetics, systematics, population ecology, and behavior.

Does Entomology Fit Your Interests?

Our undergraduates can't easily be pigeonholed. They range from those with a love of the outdoors and an interest in natural history and biodiversity to those who are dedicated to finding solutions to tough problems in agriculture and medicine. In the past, student interests have included biological control, invasion biology, medical entomology, molecular mechanisms of insecticide resistance, social insect biology, biochemistry of insect development, the effects of climate change on insect/plant interactions, and specific problems related to forest, field and fruit crop, and horticultural pest species.

Is Entomology Your Best Career Choice?

The Undergraduate degree in entomology provides a sound background in the biological sciences, and slightly more than half of our undergraduates use the B.S. as preparation for graduate research in entomology or related fields. B.S. prepared entomologists compete well for many jobs in state and federal government agencies, environmental and agricultural consulting firms, chemical industries, and numerous other private firms and organizations.

Undergraduate Training

The Department offers five degree tracks to undergraduates. These include:

  • B.S. Natural Sciences (ANS)
  • B.S. Natural Resources (ANR)
  • B.S. Agricultural Sciences(ASP)—production-oriented
  • B.S. Agricultural Sciences(ASB)—business-oriented
  • B.S. International Agriculture and Natural Resources (AIN)

Our goals are to provide students with a rich undergraduate degree and a strong background in the sciences so the actual entomology credit load for our major is low. In addition to introductory Entomology (302), students in most options select a total of 3-5 additional courses from three broad areas of organismal, suborganismal or applied entomology. Other courses required depend on the degree track selected. This flexible curriculum and the diversity of courses offered by other departments at UW-Madison guarantee you a world-class opportunity for learning.

Experience Outside of Class

A major benefit to attending a university like the University of Wisconsin-Madison is the opportunity to interact with nationally and internationally renowned researchers at the forefront of science. We take a great deal of pride in the personal attention we offer our students and in the opportunities we provide our undergraduates for independent research and employment in the laboratories and field study sites of our faculty. Industry internships are also available. All students are encouraged to gain this experience. Many undergraduate entomology majors also participate in the Undergraduate Entomology Club, a faculty-sponsored, university sanctioned campus organization which hosts social and educational events each semester.

Where You'll be Learning

There are over 500 students in the Biology Major, about half in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the other half in the College of Letters and Science. Because biology encompasses such a wide range of topics, biology students can be found in buildings throughout campus.

Career Opportunities

The biology major can get you started toward a variety of careers. It will prepare you for jobs in laboratories in universities or industry. It's also excellent preparation for earning an advanced degree. The biology major can be your springboard into professional school, where you'll train to become a physician, dentist, veterinarian or attorney. Or you can go on to earn a teaching certificate so you can teach science in high school, middle school or elementary school.

Many biology majors continue on to earn one or more graduate degrees so that they can teach or conduct research in universities, government or industry. Still others use the biology major to prepare for a career in sales and marketing in science-related industries.

Financial Assistance

Over $300,000 in scholarships are available in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. Additional monies are available through the university-wide Hilldale scholarship program. They are based on student need, scholarship or extracurricular activities. Additionally, if financial need can be established, there are opportunities for special low-interest loans and work study programs.

One scholarship available specifically for undergraduate entomology majors is the Carl Schaefer fund.

For more information contact:

  • Department of Entomology
    • 237 Russell Labs | 1630 Linden Drive | Madison, WI 53706
    • Ph (608) 262-0625

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an AA/EEO institution. University policies create additional protection that prohibits harassment on the basis of cultural background and ethnicity. Inquires concerning these policies may be directed to the appropriate campus admitting or employing unit or to the Equity and Diversity Resource Center, 179-A, Bascom Hall, (608) 263-2378, TTY (608) 263-2473.