PhD - Entomology
Program
The Department of Entomology aspires to develop not only capable entomologists but also capable scholars. Scholarly potential is sought in the prospective student, and course and research programs are designed to round out the student's knowledge and bring it to the stage of development where the student can work creatively in the field.
In addition to meeting the requirements of the University and of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, students must meet the requirements specified below.
Admission
A master's degree including a thesis in an appropriate field of study is desired, but is not a requirement in order to persue a Ph.D. degree. The student's past record must indicate maturity, reliability, and scholarly potential of a high order.
Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Entomology
A specified number of course credits is not required, but early in the student's program the guidance committee, in consultation with the student, develops a list of proposed courses and a tentative dissertation subject (24 dissertation research credits are required). The student is expected to acquire a broad knowledge of entomology and to demonstrate competence in each of the following areas:
- Applied entomology
- Insect systematics-morphology
- Physiology-toxicology, and
- Ecology-behavior.
The student must pass a doctoral qualification examination which primarily consists of the defense of a dissertation proposal. Written and oral doctoral comprehensive examinations are required on philosophical issues and in the three or more areas of study specified by the guidance committee. Participation in the department's teaching program is required.
In addition to the program developed by the guidance committee for a research specialty, the student must acquire an area of knowledge separate and distinct from those research competencies. The acquisition of this knowledge means a minimum of 10 credits or its equivalent. The area selected must be agreed upon, unanimously, by the guidance committee and the student.
PhD -Entomology - Ecology, Evolutionary Biology and Behavior: Dual Degree
(more info)
Application Procedure:
In order to apply to our Ph.D. program the following is required:
- Fill out the "Application to Graduate Study" from the Office of Admissions. If you are a domestic student, the on-line application is preferred. You can access the application at www.admissions.msu.edu or www.grad.msu.edu. The printed version of the application can also be found at the Graduate School web site. You are required to pay a $50, non-refundable, application fee before you application will be processed.
- 3 letters of recommendation. Please be sure that the "Recommendation for Admission" form accompanies all letters. (http://grad.msu.edu/prospect/gradapprec.pdf)
- Curriculum Vitae or Resume
- Offical Transcripts from all degree granting institutions. If you are an international student, MSU requires that all transcripts be in English. If your transcripts are not in English an offical tranlation of your transcripts must accompany them.
- Offical GRE Scores
- Offical TOEFL Scores (for international students only)
- Personal Statement and Academic Statement - these are optional portions of the application that we require you fill out. It is also helpful if you send an additional copy of these statments in either Word or PDF to our Graduate Secretary for your application file in case they do not come through with your on-line application.
Only your application goes to the Office of Admissions. All other required materials, including letters of recommendation, must be sent directly to:
Heather Lenatson-Kluge, Graduate Secretary
Department of Entomology
243 Natural Science
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824-1115
USA
Our department does not have application deadlines. However, if you would like to be considered for University fellowships and scholarships that would apply admission the following fall, it is strongly recommended that your application be complete by mid-December.
In addition to having an excellent application package, having funding in place is essential to being accepted to MSU. Please click on the "Directory" link at the top of our web site and go to our Faculty directory. From there, you will be able to access our Faculty's Profile Pages (by clicking on "more info") to find out what our Faculty's research interests are, and who may have interests that match yours. Here, you can also get contact information so you can contact our faculty directly to see if they space available in their research labs and funding available.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact Heather Lenartson-Kluge via email at lenartso@msu.edu or by phone at (517)355-4665.