Entomology 590: Special Topics

Fall 2007

590C Ecology and Pest Management. Tollefson. Offered alternate fall semesters. 1 credit, one meeting per week. Each time the course is offered, the instructor will select a topic that deals with the ecology and management of pests. The topic will be one that is currently being debated, and registered students may offer suggestions for discussion topics. The instructor will arrange for guest lecturers that are appropriate, and they and the instructor will provide background information concerning the basis of the topic. The students will choose an aspect of the current topic, research the subject, and report their findings to the class in an oral presentation. The presentation style may be lecture, discussion, or debate. Grades will be assigned based on the report provided by each student and on their participation in class discussions. There are no prerequisites for this class, and students that have not declared a Pest Management emphasis are encouraged to enroll to expand the opinions presented. Faculty are welcome to participate and some may be specifically invited to strengthen the discussion of specific topics.

Spring 2008

590B Chemical Ecology and Behavior. Jurenka. 1 credit, one meeting per week. This course investigates the broad disciplines of chemical ecology and insect behavior (semiochemical associated). Major emphasis will be placed upon chemical ecology of insects and their interactions in managed and natural ecosystems. Methods of related semiochemical analyses and their applications for pest management will also be discussed. Grading will be on a pass/fail basis. Required reading materials will be provided in class.

Summer 2008

590M Immature Insects. Rice and Courtney, 2 credits. Schedule is flexible, but a 2-hour/week commitment is expected. The fieldwork section of the course will continue through the summer months. This course will be lab- and field-oriented, with an emphasis on hands-on recognition and biology of all major and minor crop (corn, soybeans, alfalfa) pest species and beneficials. Live immature insects will be collected and correctly identified using taxonomic keys. Students will be expected to maintain a field notebook and to submit a collection of immature insects.

Fall 2008

590G Molecular Entomology. Bonning. Offered alternate fall semesters. 2 credits, one meeting per week. Students will review the principles of molecular biology and molecular techniques, discuss recent literature in a journal club style format, and give a presentation to the class. Topics may include reduction of vector competence, insect resistant transgenic plants, genetic engineering for optimization of insect natural enemies, risk assessment of GMOs. Grading will be on a pass/fail basis. There are no prerequisites for this class.