Entomology, PhD

Program Description

The Entomology graduate programs of the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences are dedicated to providing leadership in basic and applied entomological science. Research programs fall into three emphasis areas: arthropod biodiversity, agricultural entomology, and urban entomology.

Students earning a graduate degree in Entomology are prepared for careers in academia, industry, and extension. A successful graduate demonstrates expertise in arthropod identification, ecology, physiology, and biodiversity, as well as modern methods of pest management.

Facilities of the South Carolina Experiment Station on campus and at four research and education centers located in various regions of the state are available for graduate student research. In addition to teaching and research laboratories, specialized facilities within the department include the Clemson University Arthropod Collection; laboratories for molecular genetics, electron and light microscopy, tissue culture and analytical chemistry/toxicology; wet laboratories; controlled and ambient temperature insect-rearing facilities; and greenhouses.

Summary of Degree Requirements

Candidates for the PhD degree must complete a minimum of 60 credit hours of coursework beyond the BS/BA degree (30 beyond the MS degree), including 26 credit hours of dissertation research, and write a dissertation. Coursework must include a set of core requirements, some of which may have been satisfied in a previous degree program.

Coursework

• ENT (BIOL) 6150 - Insect Taxonomy   - 3 Credits
• ENT (BIOL) 8700 - Insect Physiology and Molecular Biology  - 4 Credits
• ENT 6250 Insect Ecology - 3 Credits
• ENT 8090 - Seminar in Entomology  ¹ - 6 Credits
• ENT 8100 - Selected Topics  ²- 5 Credits
• STAT 8010 - Statistical Methods I   - 3 Credits
• Electives³ - 10 credits

Subtotal: 34 Credits

• ENT 8910 - Master’s Thesis Research  and ENT 9910 - Doctoral Dissertation Research  - 26 Credits

TOTAL CREDITS: 60

¹ Seminar is to be taken each semester for Pass/No Pass credit (ENT 8090 ).

² Students pursuing a PhD degree must take five semester hours of a “Journal Club” course.

³ Electives may include BCHM 6230 , BIOL 6610 , ENT 6000 , ENT 6040 , ENT 6060 , ENT 6070 , ENT 6200 , ENT 6360 , ENT 6690 , ENT 8020 , ENT 8080 , or other courses deemed necessary by the student’s Advisory Committee.