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 Entomology
is the study of insects and related organisms, such as spiders
and mites. Entomologists seek to understand the role of insects
in the natural world and their interaction with humans. They
work to find environmentally safe, effective, and economical
solutions to insect pest problems in agricultural and urban
environments.
The Department of Plant and Environmental Protection Sciences
at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa (UHM) offers graduate
programs leading to the MS and the PhD in entomology. The
programs provide an education in general knowledge of entomology,
including basic principles of insect identification, biology
and control. Courses are available in acarology, biological
control of insect and weed pests, biotechnology and insect
genetics, insect ecology, insect physiology, insecticide toxicology,
insect transmission of plant pathogens, medical and veterinary
entomology, pest management, systematics, urban entomology,
and tropical pest management. Thesis and dissertation research
can be selected from any of these subject areas. Graduates
of the programs find employment in private industry, government
agencies, and research institutions.
Hawaii is an excellent place to study entomology. The uniform
tropical climate permits students to observe and collect insects
year-round. For those with interests related to evolutionary
biology, the unique endemic insect fauna of Hawai'i offer
many exciting opportunities for original research. In the
area of applied entomology, insects associated with Hawai'i's
tropical and subtropical agricultural and urban environments
provide a wealth of challenging problems in pest management
research. In Hawai'i, such research strongly emphasizes biological
control, biotechnological, and other non-chemical methods
in order to minimize negative environmental impacts. The development
of entomological technology to support low-input sustainable
agriculture is another important area in pest management research.
Motivated students will find an abundance of challenging opportunities
that can help them develop professional competence in the
science of entomology.
The department belongs to the College of Tropical Agriculture
and Human Resources. The college's facilities include a microcomputer
laboratory, several research stations, and specialized laboratories
with state-of-the-art equipment, all of which support research
and instruction in the food and agricultural sciences. The
college's affiliations with the Hawai'i Institute of Marine
Biology, Water Resources Research Center, East-West Center,
Harold L. Lyon Arboretum, Sea Grant College Program, and Hawai'i
Natural Energy Institute extend the college's resources. Along
with the Pacific Biomedical Research Center, CTAHR sponsors
the Biotechnology-Molecular Biology Instrumentation Facility
for the benefit of researchers throughout the University of
Hawai'i.
The college is also affiliated closely with the Bernice P.
Bishop Museum, USDA/ARS Tropical Fruit and Vegetable Research
Laboratory, Hawai'i Agriculture Research Center, U.S. Geological
Survey, National Marine Fisheries Service, and Hawai'i Department
of Agriculture.
The MS and PhD programs in entomology participate in the
Western Regional Graduate Program administered by the Western
Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE). The program
enables legal residents of WICHE member states to enroll in
selected out-of-state professional or graduate programs at
reduced tuition rates. For more information, see Financial
Matters < WICHE Program.
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MS Degree Requirements
The MS program is available in Plan A (thesis), Plan B
(non-thesis), or Plan C (exam).
- Plan A requires 30 credits of course work (including 12
credits of thesis research), a written thesis and defense
of the thesis.
- Plan B requires 30 credits (including six credits of directed
research), a directed research project and defense of the
project, and a final exam.
- Plan C is intended for students who have already acquired
considerable expertise in entomology through prior course
work, employment, or other educational venues. Additional
course work, if required, will be selected by the student
in consultation with the advisory committee. Course work
may include nonresident instruction. Students electing Plan
C must demonstrate competence in entomology through oral
and/or written exams, which may consist of discussion of
a research or educational project, administered by the advisory
committee in consultation with the chair of the graduate
program.
PhD Degree Requirements
The PhD program requires the following:
- course work as determined by the doctoral advisory committee,
- comprehensive exam (oral and written),
- dissertation,
- final oral exam / defense of dissertation.
Courses
To view a listing of courses offered, visit www.catalog.hawaii.edu/courses/departments/peps.htm.
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