Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College · Courses
ENT
39 courses with the subject ENT, each shown exactly as we captured it from the college's catalog, with every element we hold. Where the wording looks broken, that is our reading of the catalog, not the college's text.
ENT 202NInsect Connections: Insects, Globalization and Sustainability3
An introduction to the diversity of insects and the ways in which they interact with humans and impact our world. ENT 202N is a Science course that will use an interdisciplinary approach to look at the biology and the interplay between nature and society. Major themes of the course will be illustrated by focusing on the world of Insects and the relationships between society and Insects. Emphasis will be placed on critical analysis of both the costs and the benefits of human activities that impact natural systems. Course Learning Goals : 1. Discuss, describe, and give examples of relevant ecological and evolutionary processes and / or phenomena. 2. Apply content knowledge and understanding in novel contexts and situations. 3. Recognize the implications of the two-way dynamic between human activities and insects and how these dynamics differ in different parts of the world. 4. Make predictions associated with likely impacts of human activities on natural systems, ecosystem services, and insect and human populations. 5. Conduct research of relevant literature and utilize empirical evidence to support claims made in a popular press news story about insects. 6. Discuss, describe, and give examples of the two-way relationship between social issues and scientific discovery. 7. Communicate scientific knowledge to a diverse audience. Bachelor of Arts: Natural Sciences General Education: Natural Sciences (GN) General Education: Social and Behavioral Scien (GS) General Education - Integrative: Interdomain GenEd Learning Objective: Global Learning GenEd Learning Objective: Integrative Thinking GenEd Learning Objective: Soc Resp and Ethic Reason
This interdomain, general education course examines the major plagues of human history from both a scientific and societal lens. The course will be co-taught by instructors with biology and political science backgrounds who will help the students to integrate across those disciplines. Each week during a single lecture, students will learn the etiology, mode of transmission and treatment/control measures of a different disease. In parallel, students will also read popular press articles on how these diseases had particular cultural, economic or political impacts. These readings, in conjunction with guide questions, will prepare students for a weekly discussion during the second lecture run by both instructors. During the course, students will develop their ability to think critically about diseases and society and demonstrate this skill by designing a novel response to an emerging pathogen in a particular cultural context. This course will develop student communication skills, both oral and written.
Among more than 1,000,000 known insect species, honey bees are truly unique. No other insect has been harnessed so effectively to benefit humankind: honey bees provide critical pollination services for agricultural crops, and the wax and honey they produce are valuable commodities. Furthermore, their fascinating social life-style has intrigue individuals from hobby beekeepers to scientists studying complex questions about the evolution of sociality. More recently, documented declines in populations of honey bees and wild bees have stimulated interest in many communities, including policymakers, in improving health outcomes for bees. This course will provide students with a strong understanding of (1) honey bee behavior (particularly their complex and sophisticated social systems), biology, and health, (2) the important contributions honey bees and their pollination services make to maintaining natural ecosystems and increasing productivity of many of our key agricultural crops; and (3) the global history of human interactions with honey bees, including how people from many cultures have managed bees to provide honey, wax, and pollination services (4) the social and political context of addressing bee health issues. The course material will be presented in a series of interactive lectures, videos, and discussions, and also include a field trip to the Pollinator Gardens at the Arboretum at Penn State, a field trip to one of the Penn State apiaries, tracking individual honey bees in an observation hive, and dissections of samples in a laboratory exercise. General Education: Natural Sciences (GN) General Education: Social and Behavioral Scien (GS) General Education - Integrative: Interdomain GenEd Learning Objective: Crit and Analytical Think GenEd Learning Objective: Integrative Thinking GenEd Learning Objective: Soc Resp and Ethic Reason
/Maximum of 18 Creative projects, including research and design, which are supervised on an individual basis and which fall outside the scope of formal courses.
This course will introduce students to a thorough understanding of insects and their relatives, IPM, and control strategies. The course will provide the students the opportunity to review EPA registered turfgrass insecticides and respective Material Safety Data Sheets, the effects of turfgrass insecticides on nontarget organisms, and the Food Quality Protection Act and how this legislation has altered public perception of insecticides. Students will be provided with a fundamental understanding of the ecology, ethology, life history and development of IPM plans for the key surface and subsurface pests of cool- and warm-season turfgrass. Students will be introduced to a wide array of commercial, educational and government web sites to strengthen their understanding of turfgrass entomology. Students also will be encouraged to develop a web based notebook which they can utilize upon completion of the course. Students will be invited to share their experiences with pest problems and methods they deployed to manage turfgrass insect species in the turfgrass environment. Students will be evaluated by the use of class assignments, quizzes, two hour exams and a final exam, refereed journal reading assignment, and an IPM class project. Enforced Concurrent at Enrollment: TURF 235
This course focuses on the roles of natural history collections, with an emphasis on arthropods. Through hands-on activities and discussions, students explore insect preservation and collection management techniques, biodiversity data standards, data sharing, insect natural history, and effective exhibit design. Students gain a basic understanding of how research and policy decisions are informed by biodiversity data and natural history collections and how these resources can be used to educate and inspire non-experts. Recommended Preparation: ENT 313 provides knowledge of insect biology that will help students understand the research concepts
/Maximum of 3 An introduction to animal parasitology. Emphasis placed on host/parasite interactions, parasites of zoonotic importance, control programs and taxonomy. VB SC 402W Biology of Animal Parasites (3) This course provides students an opportunity to obtain an introduction to the field of animal parasitology. Material presented emphasizes life cycle patterns of animal parasites, host-parasite interactions and pathology, disease patterns and zoonotic potential of parasites to human disease, economic importance of parasitic diseases, taxonomy and parasite control programs. Information presented in this course will be useful to students interested in pursuing a career in veterinary medicine or careers dealing with animal care and management. Evaluation of student performance is achieved by 6 quizzes, three examinations and 3 writing assignments. The course is offered each spring semester with an enrollment of 15 to 25 students. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: BIOL 110 Cross-listed with: VBSC 402W Writing Across the Curriculum
Integrated physiology and anatomy of insects; emphasis on unique adaptations, genetic regulation of development, insects as model systems, environmental physiology. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: BIOL 110 and BIOL 220W and BIOL 230W and BIOL 240W
This interdisciplinary course explores the basic science of pesticides from biology, chemistry, and ecology perspectives. Students will learn the basic science of pesticides and their impacts on the environment. The first class meeting each week will be given in lecture format. Lectures will cover topics including an introduction to pesticides and integrated pest management (IPM), pesticide exposure and evaluation of toxicity, chemical classification of pesticides and their modes of action, toxicodynamics, pesticide residue, pesticide resistance, the major classes of synthetic pesticides and biopesticides, genetic engineering of pest resistant crops, environmental toxicology and pesticide regulation. The second class meeting each week will be an active learning paper discussion designed to develop their discussion and critical thinking abilities. Students will read classic and/or current literature papers relevant to that week's lecture. Starting from the first week. students will begin work on their class project by choosing their topic of interest associated with pesticides (due on the third week), writing a literature review paper (with clear guidance step by step), and presenting their review in class at the end of the semester (last 2 weeks or more time if enrolled student number is larger than 12), design to help students develop their oral and written communication skills. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: BIOL 110 Recommended Preparations: ENGL 15 and (CHEM 110 or CHEM 130) Writing Across the Curriculum
Principles of population regulation, demographic analysis, modeling of dynamic processes are discussed; laboratories involve the exploration of population growth models. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: BIOL 110 and BIOL 220W
This course provides students an understanding of insect sensory systems contributing to behaviors performed for survival and reproduction. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: BIOL 110
In this course students learn insect taxonomy, evolutionary history, collection and preservation techniques, morphology, fossils, and natural history. ENT 432 Insect Biodiversity and Evolution (4) In this course students learn insect taxonomy, evolutionary history, collection and preservation techniques, morphology, fossils, and natural history. Lab work focuses on adult forms, especially of insects found in Pennsylvania. Students learn how to handle specimens, use diagnostic keys, and identify insects by sight. Collecting techniques will be honed during field trips. Upon completion of this course students should be able to: (1) teach others how to collect, preserve, and transport insect specimens, (2) name and sight-identify all insect orders and several common local families, (3) label a generalized insect diagram with external anatomy terms, (4) draw a phylogenetic tree of relationships between insect orders, (5) teach others how to read a phylogenetic tree, what kinds of data are used to estimate trees, how those data are analyzed, and what it means to be monophyletic, (6) describe key innovations and life history strategies of major insect lineages, (7) solve taxonomic problems and describe how species and other taxa are named and described, i.e., understand the fundamentals of taxonomic practice, (8) name and briefly describe the latest developments in insect biodiversity research, (9) describe how hexapods inform us about biodiversity and influence our conservation decisions. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: ENT 313
This course is an introduction to and survey of the major areas of plant- insect interactions. This course explores how plant traits facilitate or deter insect behavior and development, chemical and structural counter- adaption and co-evolution, and how insects can benefit or adversely affect plant growth and survival. We will consider how plant-insect interactions influence insect population dynamics and plant community
Integrated study of pest complexes and their management, emphasizing ecological principles drawing on examples from a range of agricultural, forestry and urban systems. This course is designed for sixth, seventh, and eighth semester students and graduate students. AGECO 457 /
Insects are one of the most ecologically successful and diverse taxonomic groups on the planet, and their success is attributed to the Undergraduate - The Pennsylvania State University 2026-2027 4145 amazing range and complexity of the behaviors they exhibit. This course provides an introduction to fundamental concepts and processes in the study of animal behavior, with an emphasis on insect examples, insect diversity and a theoretical and empirical overview of insect behavior. The course is structured around four complementary categories to study behavior based on their development, adaptive value, function, and evolution. Students will learn how scientists study insect behavior, why insects behave the way they do, what functions these behaviors serve, and how behavior is shaped by the evolutionary forces of natural and sexual selection. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: (BIOL 110 or BIOL 110H) and (BIOL 230W or BIOL 230M or BIOL 220W or BIOL 220M)
/Maximum of 18 s Creative projects, including research and design, which are supervised on an individual basis and which fall outside the scope of formal courses.
/Maximum of 18 Creative projects, including research and design, which are supervised on an individual basis and which fall outside the scope of formal courses.
Experiential learning in field ecology highlighting insect dynamics, diversity and adaptations in terrestrial and aquatic systems. ENT 518 Insect Natural History (2) This is an experiential learning course in field ecology highlighting insect dynamics, diversity and adaptations in terrestrial and aquatic habitats. On site sessions will introduce ecological processes and natural history from a variety of habitats. Students will gain experience in field sampling and collection techniques, field notebook documentation, GPS use, and specimen databasing. Course is designed for those with limited field experience with insects. The course is intended for new graduate students in Entomology and Ecology. Insect adaptations across multiple habitats are observed in natural, agricultural, and forestry settings and the underlying ecological processes, anthropogenic interactions, and agro/forestry ecosystem management approaches are introduced. A team of faculty and staff from Entomology, and various outside instructors accompany students to various field sites to characterize the attributes, problems, and solutions relative to insect abundance and diversity in each setting. Students learn a wide variety of field sampling and collection methods, sight and key identification to order and major family levels, and standard curation and databasing techniques for arthropods collected for scientific purposes. Methods taught include a variety of light and pheromone trapping, pit traps, sticky traps, malaise traps, sweep netting, and sequential sampling. Curation methods including spreading and pinning, and alcohol and other preservation liquids and drying for immature insects are covered. Community diversity and Shannon Index and advanced statistical characterization of community complexity methods are applied to differing community data that are gathered by teams of students during their chosen mini projects as well as the aquatic community sampling results for Spring Creek vs. Cherry Run. A student collection is required, and at the end of the week each collection is evaluated and graded. Student field notebooks are kept throughout the course and these too are evaluated on the last day and then returned to the students for their continued use.The course is offered over a 5-day period at the end of the insect "active season" with collection and sampling activities requiring natural light or darkness for a variety of the species studied. For example, aquatic insect stream sampling must be done in daylight and collecting for mosquitoes and other insects must be done at dusk or at night with specialized traps. It is essential that this course be completed prior to night temperatures in the 50's and before the first killing frost. 410 , BIOL 436 , BIOL 446 , or ECLGY510
ENT 522Critical Thinking and Professional Development in Entomology6
This is a required coruse for Entomology graduate students focusing on developing the professional skills needed for a successful career in basic or applied research. ENT 522 Critical Thinking and Professional Development in Entomology (6) This required course for Entomology Graduate - The Pennsylvania State University 2026-2027 1127 graduate students focuses on developing the professional skills needed for a successful career in basic or applied research. Major topics addressed include (i) effective scientific communication, (ii) the mechanisms of research funding and peer review, (iii) critical evaluation of scientific evidence and arguments, (iv) basic principles of study design, and (v) research ethics and effective collaboration. Students engage in a variety of classroom activities - including lectures, discussions, and peer review of written assignments - and interact with instructors possessing expertise in each of the particular subject areas addressed, as well as with guest instructors working on cutting-edge topics in insect science and related fields. The course emphasizes practical application of the material presented to students' own research. Over the course of the semester, each student reviews relevant literature and develops and refines a research proposal based on their own scientific interests.
This course is designed to teach students about insect taxonomy, evolutionary history, collection and preservation techniques, morphology, fossils, and natural history. Lab work focuses on adult forms, especially of insects found in Pennsylvania. Students learn how to handle specimens, use diagnostic keys, and identify insects by sight. Collecting techniques will be honed during field trips. Upon completion of this course students will be able to: (1) teach others how to collect, preserve, and transport insect specimens; (2) name and sight-identify all insect orders and several common local families; (3) label a generalized insect diagram with external anatomy terms; (4) draw a phylogenetic tree of relationships between insect orders; (5) demonstrate understanding of how to read a phylogenetic tree, what kinds of data are used to estimate trees, how those data are analyzed, and what it means to be monophyletic; (6) describe key innovations and life history strategies of major insect lineages; (7) solve taxonomic problems and describe how species and other taxa are named and described, i.e., understand the fundamentals of taxonomic practice; (8) name and briefly describe the latest developments in insect biodiversity research; (9) explain how hexapods inform us about biodiversity and influence our conservation decisions.
Research methods course covering experimental design and analysis in entomology, ecology, and the agricultural science. ENT 535 Statistical Techniques in Entomology (3) This natural sciences study design, analysis and interpretation course is for graduate students in ecological and agricultural sciences. The goal of this course is to provide students with the tools needed to conduct quantitative studies. The course focuses on study design and methodology by covering topics such as the relationship between study design and data types and data collection, and interpretation of results.
/Maximum of 9 Creative projects, including nonthesis research, which are supervised on an individual basis and which fall outside the scope of formal courses
/Maximum of 9 Formal courses given on a topical or special interest subject which may be offered infrequently; several different topics may be taught in one year or term.
Total Credits 30 Each master's student is expected to serve as a teaching assistant for 3 credits (ENT 602); however, these 3 credits cannot be counted towards the minimum credits required for the degree. Each student must present the results of thesis research at a departmental seminar, and the student may register for 1 credit of ENT 590 that semester. A thesis equivalent to 6 credits (ENT 600) is required. A final oral examination covering the general field of entomology, with
ENT 602Supervised Experience in College Teaching1-3
/Maximum of 6 Supervised experience in development of instructional materials, organizing and conducting lectures, laboratories, and evaluating students in Entomology courses (1-599).
