| General InformationTeaching ProgramGoals and ObjectivesTeaching by the Entomology Department reflects the broad nature of the departmental mission, ranging from basic aspects of arthropod ecology, morphology, parasitology, physiology, systematics, and toxicology to applied subjects in apiculture, agricultural, medical and veterinary pest management. Our objectives are to offer a wide range of introductory courses aimed at informing and exciting undergraduates about arthropod biology, comprehensive courses for training of undergraduate majors, and advanced course work for outstanding graduate student education. All courses are designed to complement, rather than duplicate, ongoing programs in other departments or divisions at Cornell.Graduate CoursesThe Department offers 25 courses that are restricted to upper class undergraduates and graduates (400-600 level). These are taught at an advanced level and for students with a professional interest in insects; most are offered biannually. Students are drawn from several graduate fields and undergraduate departments, and many of the courses are cross-listed with other departments. Course credit may also be earned from graduate research or volunteer teaching experience. Graduate students may also enroll in undergraduate courses (i.e., 400 level and below).Graduate ProgramThe graduate program at Cornell emphasizes flexibility and permits an outstanding degree of accommodation to the needs and interests of each individual student. Degree requirements are kept to a minimum, and except in some professional degree programs, there are no credit-hour requirements. However, graduate students must earn residence units (defined as one semester of full time study at a satisfactory level of progress). Six residence units are required for Ph.D. students and two for Master's degree candidates.Graduate Field: The Graduate School is organized into fields, or subject areas, independent of traditional college and department units. Under this arrangement, a field may draw its graduate faculty from several disciplines and departments, and students are exposed to the widest range of scholarships in their respective areas of study. While the major subject is chosen from the field into which the student is admitted, minor subjects are frequently drawn from the other related fields. This further enhances the opportunity to plan a course of study that meets the specific needs of each student. The Special Committee: The program of a graduate student is developed with the aid and direction of the student's Special Committee, which is composed of members of the Graduate Faculty chosen by the student to fit his or her particular needs and interests. The Special Committee for a master's candidate is composed of a chairperson, who represents the major subject, and at least one other member who represents a minor subject. The Special Committee of a doctoral student is composed of a chairperson, representing the major subject and at least two additional members from the other areas of interest. The chairperson of the Special Committee usually directs the student's thesis research. A student may ask any member of the Graduate Faculty, in his or her field, to serve as chairperson and to represent the major subject. The chairperson, in turn, advises the student about minor subjects and Graduate Faculty members who might represent them on the student's Special Committee. It is the privilege of a faculty member to decline to serve on a student's Special Committee. The members of the Special Committee direct the student's programs and decide whether satisfactory progress toward the degree is being made. They conduct and report on oral examinations and approve the thesis. Although the Special Committee and the student constitute an independent working unit, all members of the Graduate Faculty are free to participate in the comprehensive admission to candidacy examination (A-exam) and/or thesis defense (B-exam), and to review the theses of candidates for degrees. The Graduate Field of EntomologyGraduate Faculty: The Graduate Faculty of the Field of Entomology comprises faculty affiliated with the Departments of Entomology at Ithaca and Geneva. Several additional members of the field hold primary appointments in other departments or are adjunct professors with primary appointments at Boyce Thompson Institute, USDA, or AMNH. Although appointment to the Graduate Faculty is limited primarily to tenure-track ranks, provision is made for ad hoc appointments of others for service on Special Committees. The Director of Graduate Studies represents the Graduate Faculty of the Field of Entomology in administrative dealings with the Graduate School and other administrative units of the University.Recruiting and Admission of Students: The Graduate Admissions Committee in the Field of Entomology evaluates applications of prospective students. This committee consists of the Director of Graduate Studies, two Ithaca faculty members and one Geneva faculty member. The primary criterion for admission is scholarly ability and potential. Applicants are evaluated independent of their need for financial support. Applications of students acceptable to the Graduate Admissions Committee are referred to Graduate Faculty who have indicated a desire to accept new students. The Graduate School makes final approval of admission. The Field of Entomology evaluates applicants in December-January for Fall admissions. Incoming graduate students are guaranteed support for 2 years (M.S.) or 4 years (M.S./Ph.D. or Ph.D.) provided they are making satisfactory progress toward their degree requirements. Thesis and Examinations: Each candidate for the M.S. and Ph.D. degree is required to submit a thesis. At the discretion of the Special Committee, examinations may be oral, or oral and written. A final examination is required for the M.S. degree and under certain conditions may be combined with the admission to (Ph.D.) candidacy examination. Two examinations are required for the doctoral degree. The A-exam may be taken after a student has earned at least two residence credits. The B-exam, given after completion of the doctoral dissertation, covers subject matter related to the dissertation topic. The Field of Entomology requires a "prescriptive interview" prior to the third semester of study to aid the Special Committee's planning of a program of study. All Ph.D. students are required to give a seminar detailing their dissertation research findings prior to graduation. Core Curriculum: There is no required core curriculum in the Field of Entomology. The Special Committee at the prescriptive interview designates required courses. The committee may require working knowledge of a foreign language relevant to a particular field. The following is an informal list of recommended courses for graduate students in the Field of Entomology:
Graduate Research Assistantships: Students can be supported on graduate research assistantships (GRAs). These funds commonly come from grants and may be tied to a specific research task or hourly commitment. Each major professor handles the expectations for GRAs somewhat differently. Teaching Assistantships: Appointment as a teaching assistant is usually in the student's major field or in one that is closely related. The duties require 15-20 hours of the student's time per week. Cornell Graduate School Fellowships: An extremely limited number of fellowships are awarded to full-time students (usually Ph.D. candidates) who show exceptional scholastic ability and promise of achievement. There are fellowships available for entering students. Eight University wide Olin three-year continuing fellowships are available to first year students, but are extremely competitive. To achieve ethnic diversity, Cornell provides fellowships to minority applicants who are not offered support through other channels. These are for only one academic year. Teaching and Advising ResponsibilitiesResponsibility for courses and undergraduate advising lies with the Ithaca Entomology faculty. The efforts of the Ithaca faculty to offer outstanding courses are facilitated by input from many members of the Field of Entomology. For example, Geneva Entomology faculty participates in courses as guest lecturers, and has offered (or co-taught) courses in the past. Adjunct Professors also participate in courses as guest lecturers. In addition to teaching the entomology courses, Ithaca Entomology faculty co-teach portions of courses and/or guest lecture in courses offered throughout CALS.Ithaca Entomology faculty, Geneva Entomology faculty, and adjunct Professors at Boyce Thompson and USDA are members of the Graduate Field of Entomology and accept graduate students as major advisees. These students are housed on the Ithaca campus while taking courses and have an Ithaca faculty member as co-chairperson. At least seven Geneva faculty and five adjunct professors currently serve as major advisors for graduate students. Curators at the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) serve as adjunct professors and ad-hoc members of Special Committees. Currently two students conduct their research under the direction of an AMNH curator. Graduate students currently housed in the Entomology Department come from the Fields of Entomology, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Natural Resources, and Plant Protection. As minor members of graduate committees, entomology faculty influence the education of students in numerous fields throughout the Graduate School. |