ACADEMIC CURRICULA

Entomology and nematology are biological sciences dealing with insects, mites, ticks, spiders, and nematodes. The Department of Entomology and Nematology offers a major in entomology and nematology and offers six (6) specialized degree tracks: Pre-professional, Basic Science, Ecotourism, Urban Pest Control, Biosecurity, and Plant Protection. Entomology and Nematology has a long tradition of sending students to Medical, Veterinary and Dental School, as well as to Graduate School and Employment.

Here are the six degree track options available to you within the Department of Entomology and Nematology. Remember that all of them require a total of 120 hours for graduation, 18 hours for the major and 9 hours of CALS requirements. Note that each track will have a section labeled “approved electives.” The number of hours listed there represents the difference between all major requirements and the 120 hours needed to graduate. Specific courses will be listed; however, substitutions for those courses can occur with the approval of the undergraduate coordinator in Entomology and Nematology.

PRE-PROFESSIONAL
This option prepares students for application to professional schools such as Medicine, Veterinary Medicine and Dentistry. It is the most demanding track in terms of biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics. Students pursuing this track who do not eventually get admitted to Professional School are in excellent position to attend Graduate School for pursuit of M.S. and/or Ph.D. programs. The appropriate Professional School admissions exam should be taken between your junior and senior year to ensure timely application.

BASIC SCIENCE
This option prepares students to take the Graduate Record Exam and be admitted to M.S. and/or Ph.D. programs. Students then have the option of having research/teaching careers as members of an academic faculty or to work for any of a number of Federal or State organizations dealing with insects and related organisms. The main differences between the pre-professional and the basic science option lie in mathematics, chemistry and physics requirements.

ECOTOURISM
This specialization is our most social-science oriented. It is the least demanding in terms of biology, physics, mathematics and chemistry. Students desiring to seek employment with nature preserves, nature-based theme parks, history education or nature-based recreation should strongly consider this track. This track emphasizes the nature interpretation component of ecotourism which includes a core of recreation and tourism, management and economics, and human ecology courses. A nature-based internship is required.

PLANT PROTECTION
This specialization prepares students to work in agriculture and horticulture as advisors and specialists on insect management in plant production. Since the 1950’s production agriculture has depended on field scouts to assess insect problems and provide professional advice on needed remedies. Graduates with this specialization often follow with application to Florida’s Doctor of Plant Medicine program where the emphasis is akin to clinical work in heath care. An internship in production agriculture is required.

URBAN PEST CONTROL
This specialization prepares students to immediately enter the professional pest control industry. Entry level jobs can exceed $28,000/yr with benefits. Students will learn major pests of importance in urban settings, modern control and application methods and Federal and State regulations for the pest control industry. This is the most practical and job-oriented degree track offered by Entomology and Nematology.

BIOSECURITY
This is our newest specialization. Federal and State organizations have received priority funding for specialists in detection and prevention of exotic pests that could present national security issues. We anticipate increased demand for graduates with this technical information at both State and Federal levels. Many Masters level programs exist in biosecurity to which graduates can apply for advanced training. Insects present eminent threats to food, fiber, structure and people as agents of disease transmission; thus, they are of great concern to those in charge of national security.