The entomology curriculum provides students with a basic background in biological and natural sciences with a special emphasis on the study of insects. Majors may pursue graduate studies in entomology or related sciences upon completion of the B. S. degree. Alternatively, students may immediately begin careers in various aspects of basic or applied insect biology including integrated pest management, insect pathology, environmental assessment, medical or veterinary entomology, insect toxicology, apiculture, insect systematics or insect ecology. Because of the diversity of career options, the major includes flexibility among the core requirements and electives that can be selected by students in consultation with their advisors.
General Requirements for CALS
See the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences basic requirements for admission:
www.cals.cornell.edu/cals/prospective/admissions/applying/first-year/requirements.cfm
Basic Science & Math Requirements
- One year of college mathematics. May substitute statistics or biometry.
- One semester of physics (may need two depending on future plans).
- Chemistry 2060-2080 or 2070-2080 (or Chem 2150/2160 for students with AP credit in chemistry).
- Organic Chemistry for the Life Sciences (Chem 1570or Chem 3570/3580*).
- Introductory Biology 1010-1040 or 1050-1060 (one semester is recommended even if AP credit is received).
- Biological Sciences 2810 (Genetics).
- Biological Sciences 2780 (Evolutionary Biology).
- Choose one of the following two courses: (choice depends on student interest in organismal vs. cellular/molecular aspects of Biology).
- Biological Sciences 2610 (Principles of Ecology).
- Biological Sciences 3300 or 3310 (Principles of Biochemistry).
* recommended for pre-meds
Entomology Requirements (15-21 credits)
- ENTOM 2120 Insect Biology (4 credits)
- Group A (core courses) - Choose two of the following courses:
- ENTOM 3310-3311 Insect Phylogeny and Evolution, Lec (3 credits), Lab (1 credit)
- ENTOM 3330 Maggots, Grubs, and Cutworms: Larval Insect Biology (3 credits)
- ENTOM 3520-3521 Medical and Veterinary Entomology, Lec (3 credits), Lab (1 credit)
- ENTOM 4440 Integrated Pest Management, Lec (3 credits), Lab (4 credits)
- ENTOM 4550 Insect Ecology (4 credits)
- ENTOM 4630 Invertebrate Pathology (4 credits)
- ENTOM 4830 Insect Physiology (4 credits)
- Two additional Entomology courses from Group A or B.
For a complete list of Entomology courses, please visit our Courses of Study page:
http://cuinfo.cornell.edu/Academic/Courses/CoScourses.php?college=ALS&dept=Entomology
- Gourp B (advanced electives)
- ENTOM 3070 Pesticides, the Environment and Human Health (2 credits)
- ENTOM 3150 Spider Biology (3 credits)
- ENTOM 3250 Insect Behavior (3 credits)
- ENTOM 3350 Naturalist Outreach Practicum (3 credits)
- ENTOM 3440 Insect Conservation Biology (3 credits)
- ENTOM 3690 Chemical Ecology (3 credits)
- ENTOM 4400 Phylogenetic Systematics (3 or 4 credits)
- ENTOM 4700 Ecological Genetics (3 credits)
- ENTOM 4900 Toxicology of Insecticides (3 credits)
