Graduate Program
GRADUATE PROGRAM IN ENTOMOLOGY
The Department of Entomology at the University of Kentucky offers students the opportunity to pursue their graduate studies either in-person for their Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or Master of Science (plan A and plan B) degrees, or they can study online for a Master of Science (plan B) degree. PhD and MS plan A are research-focused degrees, while the MS plan B is a coursework-focused degree.
Research-focused graduate degrees (MS plan A or PhD degrees)
Students studying for a PhD degree or plan A MS degree must complete coursework requirements, but also complete a research-based thesis (MS) or dissertation (PhD). Students develop their research projects collaboratively with a primary advisor (their Major Professor). Our students reside either in Lexington, KY (the location of our main university campus) or in Princeton, KY (a university Research Center), depending on the work location of their primary advisor. Our students also make use of UK-affiliated research farms and research stations, local private lands, or international locations for their research projects.
Most students pursuing a thesis or dissertation are provided a Research Assistantship that covers their living expenses, health insurance and tuition. Because Research Assistantships are usually funded by research grants awarded to our faculty, it is necessary for applicants to have the support of at least one of our faculty members before they are admitted for the PhD or MS plan A degree programs. We thus strongly encourage students to contact prospective primary advisors before applying and discuss research and funding opportunities (a list of our faculty members is here). Requirements and expectations for students receiving financial assistance are described in the Graduate Student Handbook.
Coursework-focused graduate degree, in-person or online (MS plan B degree)
We also offer a predominantly coursework-focused MS degree that can be completed in-person or entirely online. Plan B students complete some additional coursework and a research practicum in lieu of the thesis. MS plan B students have a primary advisor that helps with coursework selection and practicum development, but do not need to identify this advisor prior to applying to this program. Students completing their MS degree entirely online pay in-state tuition regardless of where they are physically located. You can learn more about our online program here.
Admission Requirements
Students enter our graduate program with undergraduate degrees from a variety of disciplines including but not limited to Entomology, Biology, Genetics, Molecular Biology, Neuroscience, Ecology, Environmental Science or Plant Sciences.
Minimum admission requirements include an overall undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 and an overall graduate grade point average of 3.25. Non-native English speakers must have a minimum score of 79 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL-iBT) or a minimum score of 6.5 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Meeting these minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. Some of these requirements may be waived in exceptional cases with sufficient additional evidence of a student’s ability to succeed in our programs. Admission to the Graduate Program in Entomology does not automatically guarantee financial assistance to the student.
Visit our How To Apply page for detailed application instructions.
The Faculty and Their Research
Visit the faculty page to read about each Department of Entomology faculty member and their respective research.
Degree Requirements
In brief, students must complete required coursework, a written research proposal, a research seminar presentation based on this proposal, a written research thesis (MS plan A), dissertation (PhD), or practicum (MS plan B), and a final research presentation (called an exit seminar). These requirements are described in detail in the department’s Graduate Student Handbook.
Core coursework requirements
All MS and PhD students must satisfy the following coursework requirements. Most students require four semesters (if enrolled full time) to complete their coursework requirements before taking their exit exam (MS students) or qualifying exam (PhD students). Students who enter our PhD program after completing an MS degree can usually complete their coursework in just two semesters.
- An undergraduate course in general entomology. Students who have not had such a course prior to enrolling in our graduate program must take either ENT 300 (General Entomology) or ENT 500 (Fundamentals of Entomology).
- A graduate course in data analysis. The most appropriate course will depend on the student’s area of interest. Courses that meet this requirement include any STA 500 or 600-level course, PLS 630 (Agri-environmental Experimental Design and Analysis), BIO 520 (Bioinformatics), or BST 535 (Databases and SAS Programming). Other courses may be substituted with approval of the student’s advisory committee.
- ENT 770 (Entomological Seminar) or approved equivalent seminars. MS students must take two semesters, and PhD students must take four semesters. These are typically 1-credit seminars.
- Core course areas of study. PhD and MS plan A students must take one course from two of the three core areas. MS plan B students must take one course from each of the three core areas.
Core Area 1: Insect Behavior, Ecology, Evolution and Systematics
- ENT 520 Digital Identification: Insects & Their Relatives
- ENT 564 Insect Taxonomy
- ENT 568 Insect Behavior
- ENT 607 Advanced Evolution
- ENT 625 Insect-Plant Relationships
- ENT 660 Immature Insects
- ENT 665 Insect Ecology
Core Area 2: Insect Molecular Biology, Physiology and Genetics
- ENT 509 Brains & Buds: Neuroscience of Pollination
- ENT 634 Introduction to Insect Physiology and Toxicology
- ENT 635 Insect Physiology
- ENT 636 Insect Molecular Biology
Core Area 3: Pest Management and Applied Ecology
- ENT 530 Integrated Pest Management
- ENT 561 Insects Affecting Human and Animal Health
- ENT 667 Invasive Species Biology
- ENT 630 Urban Entomology
- ENT 662 Insect Conservation & Ecosystem Services
- ENT 525 Advanced Agroecology
In all cases, an equivalent graduate level course from another institution or a substitute course at the University of Kentucky is acceptable upon approval of the student’s advisory committee. Such approval will not decrease the minimum number of credits required.
Description of Entomology Courses
Course descriptions are available in the university’s Catalog published by the university Registrar. You can find all Entomology (prefix ENT) courses in the catalog through the Catalog Search page.
Graduate Student Mentoring
Core Values and Responsibilities Document
How To Apply
Visit the How To Apply page for detailed information.
Contact Information
For additional information about our graduate programs in general, contact Dr. Charles Fox (cfox@uky.edu), Director of Graduate Studies, Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546-0091; Phone: 859.257.7474
For additional information about our ONLINE graduate program, please see this page or contact Dr. Tonja Fisher (tonja.fisher@uky.edu), Director of Online Programs, Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546-0091; Phone: 859.562.2563
If you have problems accessing the application portal or uploading documents for your application, please contact one of the Graduate School admissions officers listed here.
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Blake Newton
Website Maintenance
Department of Entomology
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY 40546-0091
Phone: 859.257.7453
