BASIC AND APPLIED INSECT ECOLOGY
Covers population and community ecology, plant-insect interactions, insect biodiversity and biogeography, and applied ecology. Weaves basic ecological theory and principles with their application to entomological problems such as conservation, biological control, agriculture, and insect-vectored diseases of plants and humans. Uses current entomological and ecological scientific literature and draws on examples from a broad range of natural and managed ecosystems. Broadens from pairwise species interactions (e.g., a predator and its prey) to the entire community of organisms and their physical environment. Emphasizes the theoretical principles and historical background underlying the various topics with a link to potential applications in agriculture, conservation, pest management, and/or invasion biology.
Prerequisites & course information
Requisites: ZOOLOGY/BIOLOGY 101 , ZOOLOGY/BIOLOGY/BOTANY 152 , BIOCORE 381 , or graduate/professional standing Course Designation: Core GenEd - Natural Science & Wellness + Lab Breadth - Biological Science Level - Advanced L&S Credit - L&S Liberal Arts and Science Grad 50% - Counts toward 50% graduate coursework requirement Repeatable for Credit: No Last Taught: Fall 2025 Learning Outcomes: 1. Outline and explain basic ecological concepts and principles at the physiological, population, community and ecosystem levels as they pertain to insects. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 2. Describe the mechanisms mediating interactions of insects with their biotic and abiotic environments. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 3. Articulate the importance of insects as selective, stabilizing and potentially disruptive components of ecosystems. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 4. Apply basic ecological theory to explain real-world entomological problems. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 5. Communicate the significance of ecological research based on the primary literature. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 6. Connect insect ecology with real-world problems as they affect people. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 7. Communicate complex scientific concepts to a broader audience, integrating current research findings and contributing to the public understanding of insect ecology. Audience: Graduate Learning Outcomes: 1. Outline and explain basic ecological concepts and principles at the physiological, population, community and ecosystem levels as they pertain to insects. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 2. Describe the mechanisms mediating interactions of insects with their biotic and abiotic environments. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 3. Articulate the importance of insects as selective, stabilizing and potentially disruptive components of ecosystems. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 4. Apply basic ecological theory to explain real-world entomological problems. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 5. Communicate the significance of ecological research based on the primary literature. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 6. Connect insect ecology with real-world problems as they affect people. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 7. Communicate complex scientific concepts to a broader audience, integrating current research findings and contributing to the public understanding of insect ecology. Audience: Graduate
Sources
- Course catalogue ↗2026-2027